Hi, @lyssia -- I moved your post over to our Neuropathy group, as I thought that members in this group might have shared your experiences and have some input about the burning feet and the cold/numbness you've experienced with your calves, as well as telling you about how their neuropathy has progressed and what self-care may be helpful.

I'm inviting @techi @johnbishop @liz223 @pdsi43one and @jjwest to join the conversation, as they have all talked about peripheral neuropathy and may have some insights for you.

Have you found anything that makes either the burning feet or the cold and numb calves worse or better, @lyssia?

Hi @lyssia -- I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy and the neurologist thought it was hereditary. My doctors have told me I am pre-diabetic for many years. My blood glucose was 108 the last time I was tested, down from 115 a few years before the last check. I think you are doing good by lowering your BG numbers and making lifestyle changes in diet as it can only help. I have no medical training or background but from my experience with my PN, the neuropathy usually starts in the extremities and works it's way inward. In my case, it started in my toes and the bottom of my feet and I asked the doctor about it and was told it's probably nerve damage but they would have to do some tests to determine if that is what the problem is. After asking if they find it's nerve damage, what can they do. The answer being nothing and I opted not to pay for the testing. Fast forward 20 years, now the numbness was just below both knees down through the feet so I had the EMG test done and was diagnosed with idiopathic SFPN...and again no real treatment options available since I don't have pain, just the numbness and tingling. Drugs and medication only address the pain issues, there is nothing available to address the numbness. That's when I started advocating for myself and found a regimen of supplements that have helped me but have not completely eliminated the numbness. I still have numbness in both feet to just above the ankles.

If you want, you can read my neuropathy story here on Connect:
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/65985/bookmark/?ajax_hook=action&_wpnonce=6144dd1510

What I have learned in my searching is that there are a lot of people out there making money off of us folks with neuropathy, most of which is of dubious value. So you really have to do your own research and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

One thing I can really recommend and maybe you already are aware of it, is to take good care of your feet. There is a good discussion by members here that you might want to read:
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diabetic-neuropathy-its-important-to-take-care-of-your-feet/

Hope this helps.

John

Hi @lisalucier thanks for moving me over to the neuropathy group. I wasn't sure which one I should post on. Yes my primary care doctor suggested I try the supplement lipoic acid since it seems to help some people. I currently take r-lipoic acid and it has helped my feet with the burning feeling to the point that it had subsided, I also will use a foot massager which also seems to help. Since the cold/numb feeling is a recent development I have not tried anything for this and really wasn't sure what might help. Also right at the moment my feet burning sensation is having a flare up if you will which started with the calves symptoms. I am open to any suggestions. Thanks