Hello @wobblyone, welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm glad you found us. This is a great place to ask questions and learn what others with similar health problems are doing for treatments.

Are you doing anything for treatments for your neuropathy?

I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy in both feet and legs and I have balance issues so I'm extra careful especially in the winter time. I've mastered the senior shuffle when it's icy out. Also, first thing in the morning I'm pretty careful until I've done some testing of the feet. I too have had muscle atrophy and loss of strength. I'm trying to use exercise with small weights to help the arm strength. I ride a recumbent exercise bike in the mornings first thing when I get up to help with the leg strength. I've heard others use water aerobics because it's easier on the joints. Physical therapy might be worth while to learn specific exercises to help with balance.

As to your question on what you might expect -- I don't think it's the same for everyone as there are too many variables. You definitely have the right attitude to stay active and find activities that help and that you like. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has some good suggestions on their site:

Maintaining Balance:
-- https://www.foundationforpn.org/2017/08/04/maintaining-balance/

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle: (exercises and more...)
-- https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/lifestyle/

Hoping some of our other neuropathy members will join in and offer some suggestions for you.

John

wobblyone, take a look at Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation maineadaptive.org

http://www.walkjoy.com has a device which may help walking

Hello @wobblyone,

In July 2017 I went to a meeting at the Minnesota Neuropathy Association where Dr. Lars Oddsson shared the story about a patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy who was the first test case for Walkasins, the first wearable sensory prosthesis to help balance and mobility in individuals with peripheral neuropathy. Sole inserts measure foot pressure and gentle tactile vibrations provide balance cues around the lower leg. The technology was going through the regulatory process for medical devices under the FDA but I think it's now in production. The story was amazing as the patient had not walked in almost a year and kept getting worse and worse. The special shoes gave him his life back.

More information is available on their website: http://rxfunction.com/.

John

Hey Thanks John, This is exactly what i learn about - options for supplementing/ maintaining my abilities.  Have a good one. Bucky

Thanks, good to learn there a folks working on these issues.

Thanks steeldove, this is very helpful as i learn about options and alternatives and the future. Bucky

Hey thanks, i am not sure what small fiber neuropathy is, but i will look into it.  Certainly it shares many problems i am expdriencing. Glad to hear you are staying active, as i hope to be doing for a long time.  Thx too for the referral to  the foundationforPN. Bucky

Hi @wobblyone -- Here is an easy to understand explanation of small fiber peripheral neuropathy by Matthew B. Jensen. Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Wisconsin:
-- https://youtu.be/8nrv7lRvvwU

John