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Anyone lost the ability to walk due to peripheral neuropathy?

Posted by rjack6618 @rjack6618, May 25 11:12am

Has anyone in the group lost the ability to walk from peripheral neuropathy in both lower legs? If so were you able to regain the ability to walk and if so how did you do that?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

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Ray Kemble | @ray666 | 20 hours ago
In reply to @grammypj "@ray666 Hi Ray Could it be that you are confusing balance issues with PN? PN deals...and..." + (show)
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@ray666 Hi Ray
Could it be that you are confusing balance issues with PN? PN deals...and begins with...the feet, producing numb and burning feet. Yes, there are balance issues that come with unstable feet. In talking with other Seniors, and researching the subject, poor balance seems to come with age. Having unreliable feet adds to the balance issue. Have you checked for side effects (dizziness) of your medications or injections?

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Hi, @grammypj. You've asked all excellent questions. Over the years, I'veasked myself: Is this just aging, or is it PN? My neurologists (and oddly enough, I've got two) both assure me it's PN, or at least PN predominantly. I've chatted with a number of PN'ers who have large-fiber PN, like me, and who are not plagued with numbness and burning. Our odd balance seems the result of dead or dying nerves, in my case, a condition confirmed by both neurologists. They, too, tell me that the degree of sensation lost is still minimal, but not to be too discouraged if it grows progressively worse. In the meantime, I'll keep moving about – cautiously, when I must – and doing my daily PT.

I wish you a world of success in dealing with your PN!

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)

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wenner | @wenner | 15 hours ago
In reply to @ray666 "Hi, Wendy I can remember how stumped I was when I first started talking to doctors..." + (show)
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Hi, Wendy

I can remember how stumped I was when I first started talking to doctors about my balance concerns. They'd all ask, 'When did this start?' I felt the only answer was, 'I dunno.' But then I thought back to the first years after I'd retired. To keep myself 'involved.' I joined the local writers' association, offering my services as a volunteer. I suddenly remembered some of those nights of doing volunteer work, carrying tables and folding chairs to prepare large group events, remembering how puzzled I was to have 'moments' of balance wonkiness. These moments were never of long duration. They'd pass, not to reoccur for several days –– so of course I never said a word to my primary doctor. It wasn't until late 2021 and early 2022 that I started to notice my balance becoming more of nuisance, no longer occuring in 'episodes' but with me all day long.

Ray

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@ray666 Now I am going to differ.. I live in a small deadend street, across the road from the entrance there is a large sporting complex. 3 Ovals a Swimming Pool and a Men's Shed + Canteen, Change Sheds etc etc. To the left of the complex, over the road is Community Hub. In late 2019 I was heading to the Hub for Tai Chi, taking a short cut across one of the ovals. Half way across my legs just froze, with awful pain, I just stood for a bit and could continue on, only problem from then on was my toes were full of glass (worse than pins & needles & not female fantasy). Ye also a lot of falls backwards mostly. Over the years I went to 6 different GPs as it came and went. In February 2024 I finally got one who listened and did some test, no result, so sent me to 2 different Neurologists and a Haemotologist. They all agreed Peripheral Neuropathy but could not find a cause. By October 2024 it started to move very fast and by October this year walking was out, I can shuffle a few yards and that is all. I do still have glass in my toes and it seems to be moving into my fingers. If I watch what I do the GP has my pain at a good level plus I've been told I have a very high pain threshhold which also helps. Like you I have a good social life and still do volunteering each week. Toodle-loo Wendy @wenner

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