What treatment helps for feet neuropathy?

Just started chemo and already having numb toe pads. Looking for tips to avoid further damage.

@corneliagd first, protect yourself from the danger of falling. Some exercises may help. When the nerves start withdrawing their services, the right exercise can help keep the neural pathways operating. I have diabetic neuropathy and experiencing numbing and loss of the function of balancing mechanisms in my legs. I have fallen a couple of times where I was grateful to get back up and keep going.

Hello @geana, welcome to Connect. Thanks for sharing what helps you. I've used Voltaren for many years also but mostly on my hand and shoulders for arthritis pain. I only have numbness with my neuropathy in my feet and legs. Not sure you have used the search function of Connect yet but it works great. Here's a search of Connect using "neuropathy what helps" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/.

It sounds like you have done a lot of searching for alternative therapies and treatments, have you seen the list on the Western Neuropathy Association website? - https://www.pnhelp.org/sites/pnhelp/files/2026-04/Complementary%20and%20Alternative%20Treatments%20to%20Manage%20Peripheral%20Neuropathy%20-%202026.pdf

Hello, I have tried a lot of treatments over the years and what I am using now for burning and pain is ice pad socks ( a few time a day and before going to bed) Magnesium Glycinate and Magnesium oil, Naproxen ( even thought I have read it is not helping neuropathy but arthritis). Resting my feet helps a bit also. I intend to start using lidocaine cream after a get a prescription (it is very expensive). Everything I try has modest results! All the best

@cwloeffler I use the red light therapy every day and this has helped me. Hope you bought a good medical device made in the US as the cheap ones won’t work.

@joannehart
The device I use was not very expensive, and I have no way of knowing if performs as advertised. Some devices I've seen listed are very expensive - more than I'm willing or able to spend. What device do you use? Can you recommend a brand and/or model?

I use a boot type from HealthLight. It cost $1800.00.

I take alpha lipoic acid 600 mg by Source Naturals - on an empty stomach they say works better but you can get some food too.

@corneliagd ~ I've had neuropathy in my feet that started getting really painful about 10 years ago. For the past 4 years, I've been taking Lyrica (75mg 3x/day) because nothing else worked until recently. I started taking low dose Naltrexone (LDN) in June - 1.5mg titrating to 4.5mg. Currently I'm taking 2.5mg once a day, but have a new prescription for 3.5mg. Already, it has almost completely eliminated the burning, tingling and sharp stabbing pain in my toes and balls of my feet!! And I haven't had to use any of the topicals or anything else! Believe me, I've tried it all to get relief over the years.

Many doctors aren't aware yet that LDN is being used "off label" to treat chronic pain of various kinds, including neuropathic pain. At higher doses (50mg and up) it is used to treat opoid addiction. LDN has to come from a compounding pharmacy (not CVS or a drug store or grocery pharmacy) and requires a prescription. Side effects listed for it are minimal and resolve quickly (mild nausea or "vivid dreams"), but I've had NO side effects at all. It doesn't lead to any weight gain and fatigue the way Lyrica and Gabapentin do, nor is it addictive. I'm hopeful that by the time I get to the 4.5mg dose, I'll be able to wean off of Lyrica completely. But so far, I'm really happy that the LDN is working so well to relieve my pain!! I'm happy to answer any other questions about my experience with LDN. Best wishes to you!

P.S. - It's not exactly inexpensive. I pay $110 for a 90-day supply. But considering all of the money I've spent on topicals, vitamins, supplements, you name it, to me it's worth it because it's working! I've stopped taking the ALA, magnesium glycinate, everything, and swear by LDN! It's FDA approved for treating chronic pain. The websites that reference it are as follows:
* https://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/showcase/EKCC138/docs/1430_Hill_Dose.pdf
* https://ldnresearchtrust.org/

I haven't seen a neurologist - and wont until November= so I decided according to the symptoms that I have neuropathy which started in the feet years ago and is now in my calves. The pain comes and goes without any cause - I have rubbed my feet at night with vicks just to avoid middle of the night pain and it works sometimes. There were several mentions of dmso which I knew nothing about but ordered and just received two jars of it but with no directions for use and there are warnings online about it. So I am asking for some feedback as to do users use it every night on their feet? My calves feel like they are covered in cement especially for the first couple of hours after I get up and do bother me when walking - do I use the cream on my legs as well as my feet? I have a pacemaker and take blood thinner but I am not going to eat this stuff so I dont think it would do damage if I just rub it in. I woul appreciate some guidance - how often is it used - where - how much etc. Thanks. Dorothy Slter