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I would spend less time figuring out the cause....and more time figuring out the "fix". Of course it is neuropathy and there is no permanent "fix". I think that you should be using a walker too. I use a walker and a cane. I just switch out which one depending on the situation. First thing in the morning I use a walker. And then depending on how much walking is involved in getting from point A to point B, I use a walker (long distances) or a cane (short distances). I am also currently doing PT for balance. I asked my therapist if there was specific exercises that I could do for pain, pins and needles, restless leg problems and he said "no". He said that doctors treat that with gabapentin. Since I currently take that twice during the day, I assumed that there is nothing more to be done. I think that it sounds like you have spent a lot of time trying to figure out the cause and not enough time figuring out what you should be doing to ie. stop falling, etc. There is no fix. I am sorry that I have to be the one to tell you this but I think that if you ask these questions to your doctor who also seems unwilling to give you this answer and this column, that you will start to accept that diagnosis. Do everything in your power not to fall again. Obviously, every time that you do fall you might be breaking a bone and that will not be helpful so start working on your balance with physical therapy. It does help and at the very least it gives you the understanding of what is involved when you have no feeling in the soles of your feet, etc. I am not trying to be harsh to you but simply allowing you to start understanding what is happening and what you should be doing. Neuropathy cannot be undone but can be helped with first accepting the diagnosis and then doing everything in your power to help this diagnosis.

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Replies to "I would spend less time figuring out the cause....and more time figuring out the "fix". Of..."

@scain Excellent advice, from someone who is going through living with neuropathy!! For me, I have big time balance problems, from a birth defect anomaly, in the brain! Add neuropathy diagnosis, and Parkinson’s Disease, and it all adds up to, for me, balance problems that I’ve lived with, all my life. I have had to figure out, how to keep my balance, and not fall, for myself! Doctor’s and physical therapists help, but still, ultimately, I am the one that has to live with having balance problems, so I have learned strategies that help me! Good luck!

@scain It helped me to start taking gabapentin 300 mg 3 times a day rather than two.