How do you manage neuropathy and loss of balance and walking ability?

Hi raebaby this chronic stuff with my back -feet balance is the biggest crisis in my life . Up until 5 years ago I was active, alive, could walk for miles! I swam for 2 hours a day during the warm months--but here in pooler Georgia there are no indoor pools as when I lived in s. Florida. Recently when I turned 70 I am now doing everything I can to be somewhat. active !! How are you coping with all this --I am a semi retired psychologist. Thank god for that!

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.

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.

@wenner Thank you for the suggestion. This Saturday I am going to my first Myofasia Release (The John Barns method) I am going to give that a go.

@loria2 Thank you for sharing. Please tell me.... how was your balance with the exoskeleton?
Had you had balance problems from your neuropathy? Best wishes! Mike

@suetex How is your myofascial release treatment going? I just started treatment with a Barnes-trained practitioner for leg length differential issues and I like it.

I had balance issues with the neuropathy, but it resolved with the surgery/shunt.