I am overwhelmed by all the posts, and the stories of so many people that are dealing with the pain and discomfort of peripheral neuropathy. I hereby want to share my own experience with PN, and hope it will provide some useful information to others.

I am a 77-year-old male, and my neuropathy – in my feet – started about 25 years ago. The first symptom I had was pressure under the toes of my right foot, which at first I thought was caused by my sock balling up under my toes. I soon realized it was something else.
The symptoms gradually progressed, and soon I felt tingling and burning sensations. Not long after the symptoms started in my right foot, my left foot also developed the same symptoms.
In 2008, I severely fractured my left ankle and had surgery to repair it. After that, the PN got worse in my left foot – most likely due to nerve damage from the ankle injury and surgery. Over time, the symptoms gradually got worse – especially in my left foot. In the past year, the symptoms have started to extend into my ankles and my lower legs.
Symptoms
Prickly, burning sensation in toes and top of feet.
Intermittent stinging or stabbing pains.
Intermittent, deep pains (like bruising) in toes and bottom of feet.
Sensation of wearing a tight sock when I have nothing on my feet.
High sensitivity to pressure in big toes and bottom of feet - especially the left.
Too much time standing or walking increases pain and discomfort, while being too sedentary does the same – ironically.

Over the years, I have seen two primary care doctors, two neurologists, and a podiatrist. The primary care doctors didn’t have much to offer other than suggesting I take gabapentin and referring me to neurologists. Diabetic neuropathy was ruled out, as repeated blood tests showed I am not diabetic or pre-diabetic. The first neurologist I saw ran a blood test specific for other causes of PN, but all looked normal. His diagnosis, of course, was “idiopathic neuropathy”. The podiatrist had nothing of value to add to the diagnosis.

I recently saw a second neurologist. She ordered another blood test and an EMG test. Unfortunately, the appointment for the EMG is five months out, and my next appointment – not to see the doctor, but the physician’s assistant, is three months out, and will only be to review the blood test results. Getting timely medical care seems to be getting more and more difficult. The wait for my first appointment was about four months.

Possible Other Causes of PN?
I have some considerable damage to my lumbar vertebrae (stenosis, compressed disks, etc.), and have wondered if that could be a primary cause of my PN. My PN symptoms get worse when I sit for a long time and after I lay down in bed, making me wonder if changing pressure on my spine is the cause. However, both neurologists I’ve seen claim there is no causative connection.
I’ve had somewhat poor circulation in my feet and legs as long as I can remember, and wondered if that could be a cause of PN. Both the neurologists and the podiatrist discounted that possibility. However, nobody can offer other explanations.

I want to share what treatments I’ve tried, and their efficacy:
Chiropractic adjustments for lower back problems (no effect on neuropathy)
Acupuncture on feet (no effect)
Foot massage with medium bristle (hair) brush (some temporary relief)
Foot soak with Epsom salt (feels good, but no effect on symptoms)
Currently using the following medications for neuropathy:
Gabapentin – 300mg in the evening (helps take the edge off pain)
Ibuprofen – 200mg at bedtime, as needed. (helps when gabapentin not enough)*
Lidocaine (topical) – applied to top of toes and feet at bedtime. (minimal help)
Diclofenac Sodium (topical) – applied to deep pain areas at bedtime. (helps some)
* It’s been suggested that I take more gabapentin, but I’m a minimalist when it comes to taking drugs, and I have some concerns about effects of long-term use of gabapentin on memory and cognition. If symptoms get worse, and as I get older, I may consider upping the dosage of gabapentin. As I’m in my late 70s, I don’t worry as much about long-term effects as I did 20-30 years ago.

My best wishes for all of you folks out there dealing with PN.