Anyone here dealing with peripheral neuropathy?

Hello group,

I have been dealing with peripheral neuropathy for about two years, beginning with tingling and numbness in both feet. While it has mostly been a source of discomfort so far, my daily routine has remained largely unchanged. For those of you who have lived with this longer, what has been your experience regarding the progression of symptoms? Is there a typical timeline for when the condition worsens and living with this condition becomes a dreadful reality?

@burchindy I can only speak for myself but I'm pretty sure there's no typical timeline and a lot of it could be related lifestyle, diet, exercise and any other health conditions that join you on your life's journey. I ignored it for the first 45 years when I first noticed it in the toes in my late 40s. I didn't worry much because it didn't impact my life other than some mild discomfort. Then when it had progressed into my lower legs in 2016 I setup an appointment with a Mayo neurologist and was diagnosed with idiopathic small fiber PN which I pretty much already knew I had but was looking for treatment to slow/stop the progression. I was disappointed that there really was no treatment that would help me and came to Connect to learn more about the conditions and what others have shared.

I was in poor physical shape and overweight so I first started working on that by daily exercise and eating healthier with a focus on removing as much sugar from my diet as possible for a cookie monster to do.🙃 Since I started back in 2016, it has helped with my symptoms but not eliminated them. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has some good information to get you started if you think it might help - https://www.foundationforpn.org/lifestyles/.

Been dealing with Neuropathy about 10 yrs. Tried most suppliments, shock stimulation, even Stem Cell 18 months ago. Feet are like stumps on bottom,and hyper sensitive on top. Been able to limit progression upwards. 600 mg gaba twice daily and one 300 mg as needed. My job is 8 to 10 hours on my feet. Biggest difficulty is walking long periods of time. When shopping recquire shopping cart for balance. Stem cell may have helped reduce progression. Thank you

Welcome @higginsmark88, Thanks for sharing what has helped you. You aren't alone with the difficulty walking and balance. I also look for parking close to the shopping cart return area so I can use one to help with walking and balance.

Another thing that is helping me is more regular exercise to maintain what little strength I have in my legs. I suppose you get enough of that if you on your feet 8 to 10 hours a day for your job. Have you looked into any balance exercises to see if they might help some?

@starlite42 Forget the Gabapentin - bad medicine - try Source Naturals Alpha lipoic acid 600 mg - once a day - 90% better - some doctors don't know anything about supplements - good luck - it got rid of my stupid idiopathic neuropathy. Also, take with a good brand B-complex vitamin to be sure B12 is in there - your body pees out the B12 it doesn't need so no need to worry about too much.

@blowerk1216 Horrible drug - take 600 mg of Alpha lipoic acid 600 mg brand Source Naturals - 90% better - no drugs - plus B Complex vitamins.

@datsun66
Horrible drug. It made me so fatigued at its lower dose - take Alpha lipoic acid 600 mg. 90% better with vitamin B complex - so glad I came here to find out about this supplement or I would be in bed with fatigue for life. Sorry sad some doctors do not study supplements.