Neuropathy in feet and limited toe movement?

Posted by plbelanger @plbelanger, May 15, 2020

Just curious as I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in the beginning of this year but have yet to see a neurologist about it (postponed till end of June due to COVID19). I have constant pins and needles, numbness, pain in both my feet. It's gotten worse over the years (been dealing with it for ~10 years and never went to a doctor about it due to lack of insurance) and now I can no longer even bend my big toes at all and even bending any other toes are rather difficult. Just wondering is this common...anyone else have this?

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jul 21, 2020

@jimhd
Hello Jim,
Washing dishes, what a horrible thought to wake up to. Heed
Phyllis Dillers advice “Housework won’t kill you but why take a chance.” It’s time to stock up on paper plates etc. Too bad about your mirror, did you dish out a little old fashioned “what for” to the person that broke it?”
I’m sorry your Neuropathy test was so miserable. I’ve noticed pain bothers me more as I age. Although being called elderly was probably the most painful but I wasn’t hesitant in expressing that better not ever happen again and so far it hasn’t. You need to go get some good candy, maybe a BIG box of See’s or your favorite candy bars. Granted it won’t get rid of the pain but it helps make it more tolerable. It makes life in general more tolerable, good for whatever ails you.
You take good care of yourself,
Jake

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jul 21, 2020

@rwinney
Hi there,
Thank you for inquiring but the more important thing is how are you doing?
I hope your neuropathy agony has improved. Remember don’t give up hope. My awful pain eventually went away, now I just have a lot of numbness which is 1000 times better than all the pain I used to be in, hardly able to walk at times.
Take care and blessings to you,
Jake

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jul 21, 2020

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@rwinney Hi there, Thank you for inquiring but the more important thing is how are you..." + (show)

Hey Jake-
It's nice to hear from you! I'm glad you're managing your numbness and that pain remains a distant memory. I'm making progress, thanks for asking. I have problem areas which randomly flare and settle. Other areas like back and legs are a constant with limitations. I have had some improvement in my shoulders, arms and hands, which Im grateful for. My legs are not as bad as last year...when it felt as though I'd never walk again! Overall I try to be pleased with my progress and hope the rest of my pains and debilitations will gradually disappear. Your experience gives me hope. Take care.

lorirenee1 | @lorirenee1 | Jul 21, 2020

In reply to @rwinney "AMEN to that." + (show)

@jimhd I am so sorry you are having such a time of it. Like Rachel said, maybe rest more. Take a day off, once in awhile. I would only be saying what everyone else has said already, so I will just say that I am thinking of you and hoping you can bare what lies ahead. This stuff is not easy, at all. Love to you, Lori

lorirenee1 | @lorirenee1 | Jul 21, 2020

In reply to @rwinney "@jimhd Good morning Jim. Its 5:45 am here and I'm just waking up to read your..." + (show)

@rwinney Hi Rachel, I think sometimes we just have to do the best to enjoy ourselves, even though we may pay a price. I think it is so healthy that you went to the farmer's market, rode in a car, if even too long, etc. We are alive, and must enjoy! I will post separately about my DRG stimulator, but so far, not happy at all.... life is hard, Rachel, when we are sick. Thank God for all of us here!!! Love to you, Lori

Hank | @jesfactsmon | Jul 21, 2020

In reply to @rwinney "@jimhd Good morning Jim. Its 5:45 am here and I'm just waking up to read your..." + (show)

You know Rachel, Linda said to me a couple days ago that it seems to her like people who suffer from neuropathy, fibromyalgi and probably most similar nerve disorders ARE overachievers just as you say you are. Linda is in spades, as well as a perfectionist (part of the same syndrome I guess). When she was into cooking, she was IMMERSED in cooking. When she was into decorating she had fifty books out of the library ALL the time and read voraciously. When she got into gardening she spent (no joke) at least twelve hours a day EVERY DAY out in the yard, and not just in the summer. She'd be out in the Oregon rain all day long sometimes. I never saw her! Anyway she said that perhaps that is what causes these nerve diseases to happen to people, her included. And, she says, maybe that's the case with lots of our friends here on Connect as well. Anyway that is a theory she is considering. Hank

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jul 21, 2020

In reply to @jesfactsmon "You know Rachel, Linda said to me a couple days ago that it seems to her..." + (show)

Wow, Linda's my kind of girl! OCD, perfectionist, type A personality, overachiever...YUP, they're all pretty much rolled into one. Linda may be correct. I often wonder if this was a sign for me to slow my roll. It worked alright. I can't speak for others but, I still work hard to find acceptance of my new lifestyle and I'm sure I always will. Trying to be gentle on oneself is an art, learned behavior, in my case. Thankfully we are all here to hold each other accountable and pick each other up with reminders, support and encouragement.

Hank | @jesfactsmon | Jul 21, 2020

In reply to @rwinney "Wow, Linda's my kind of girl! OCD, perfectionist, type A personality, overachiever...YUP, they're all pretty much..." + (show)

I can vouch for the fact that Linda's "roll" has definitely slowed. But guess what? She has a bad day, another bad day, another and another and she looks like she has sunk about a foot further into the couch. Then, wait for it --- a good day comes along. Well, I can just tell you this lady looks like a different human being altogether! She is running around our place with vacuum in hand, here, there, oh, and over behind there. Next I hear the washing machine running. Then she is involved in god knows what other project in the kitchen. An hour later I emerge from my hole to see this small mound of something on the couch. Oh, its her. Yes, she spends it like the proverbial hole in the pocket, and its gone. Do people ever actually learn? She says to me, "If I am feeling energy I have to DO SOMETHING".😒

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jul 21, 2020

In reply to @jesfactsmon "I can vouch for the fact that Linda's "roll" has definitely slowed. But guess what? She..." + (show)

Touche!

lorirenee1 | @lorirenee1 | Jul 21, 2020

In reply to @jesfactsmon "You know Rachel, Linda said to me a couple days ago that it seems to her..." + (show)

@rwinney @jesfactsmon I have not read any literature about being perfectionistic, having OCD, over achieving, and getting neuropathy, but I too, totally fit the bill! I have diagnosed OCD that is in really good control due to meds I have not taken for years, and an excellent cognitive therapist. My mom had it too, and hers was untreated. She drove us all crazy with incessant cleaning. I am so aware of OCD thoughts in my head that I am literally able to "blow them off," as nothing more than OCD, not me. I have always been a very high achiever. Excellent grades, MA + degrees, etc. History of fibromyalgia, too. Are we on to something here? Does it matter? I have no idea!!!! But interesting. I know with these characteristics, we expect a lot of ourselves. Way too much. We want to be well, do things right. I just wanna feel good. I would do anything to take away pain. The rest is small, meaningless, potatoes. Gonna go take a nap. I am pooped. Love to you special people. Lori