@katrose - since I have the same problems as you, tho not from the same cause, I am curious about shoes (female type). As balance is a problem, I'm wondering about comfy shoes with good soles (thick and even).

Hi @katrose, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @barbarn and others. I also only have numbness and no pain with my neuropathy. My diagnosis was idiopathic small fiber PN but the neurologist thought it was probably hereditary. Shoes really help with the balance. The neurologist broke my bubble when he told me there isn't anything that helps with the numbness of neuropathy. That and I've tried about every topical available with no success. I do take some supplements and vitamins that I believe have stopped and slightly reversed the progression of my neuropathy in my legs - started in the toes and was just below the knees when I started taking them in Sept 2016 and by Dec of the same year the numbness was just above the ankles. I still take the supplements and vitamins but have made no more progress since. The numbness is still just above the ankles...and that's a little subjective on my part. I still consider it a success since the neurologist told me it would continue to get worse until it impacted the autonomic nerves.

Before I was seen by a neurologist my primary care doctor prescribed gabapentin for me also. I took it for about two weeks and called her and told her it wasn't working. She discussed it with her colleagues and they chatted with me for about 5 minutes and said it only works for pain not numbness. That's when she setup an appointment for me with a neurologist after scheduling an EMG and a few other tests.

I have been thinking about low level laser therapy (LLLT) and near infrared sauna therapy but I'm still trying to decide on it.

One thing I've found that made the feet feel better was wearing bamboo thread socks - really soft and comfortable and very easy on and off because they are stretchy. Bummed out that I can't use them anymore since I was diagnosed with lymphedema and have to wear compression socks. Taking those off at night really makes the feet feel good ☺

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has some great exercises to help those of us with balance and more...

Exercise + Physical Therapy For Neuropathy
-- https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/lifestyle/exercise-and-physical-therapy/

@katrose have you found anything that helps a little?

John