Anyone here dealing with peripheral neuropathy?

I am it gets harder and harder! Been to so many Doctors! They said nothing can be done!

@shamrock5jeg, Good evening, and thanks for your post about balance. This week I purchased my first walking cane. We are getting ready to visit grandchildren after a long COVID wait. One of my legs...the right one, has begun to collapse as I walk across a parking lot or lawn. And....the pain level has decided to increase during the day. It is not easy to introduce a cane into your life. You have to change the way you take a step, leading with the foot on the left while the cane takes the place of the right foot with its crazy ways.

I haven't figured out how to reduce the pain a little more so I can at least get back to the produce section at the market. How do you handle carrying your water bottle, pocketbook, and cane while you make selections? Then there is carrying the bags in the house, sorting the items, and placing them in the pantry or refrigerator? Because I was wearing a mask I was also out of breath.

Wow......my education involves a lot of practice. And how long does it take before you stop leaving your cane at the cash register?

You are dealing with a lot of issues in your legs since 2007. I just started. I am cheering you on and hoping to read more posts about how you address your neuropathy challenges.

May you be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

Well, Chris, I can see you and I are going to have some discussions about logistics. It is a lot of working these things out, but you are such a bright, smart lady you'll have no problems. You may not like the solutions, but so what, eh? None of us is too thrilled using a cane. Be sure you have a pretty cane, though. One that reflects you and your personality. I found that very important. In fact, I have a small collection....some from England with flowers, actually England makes a great cane, very strong and dependable. You must have comfy handles and good balance and be sure it's the right height for you and only you.

The market, in your town may be different, but use whatever basket they offer....put your things including cane inside the basket....if they don't have them, then you have to have something to put things on you don't have to carry. I love my walker for that reason...

blessings in your new steps...elizabeth

@shamrock5jeg
Hello,
I’ve had Neuropathy over 30 years and it traveled from my feet to my waist. Because my nerves are now dead I don’t have the horrible pain anymore but my feet are numb.
I’ve had Epilepsy for 54 years and have awful balañce problems. I fall frequently and am going to start balance training soon with a physical therapist. Have you considered therapy?
Take care,
Jake

@ess77. Really good advice you gave Cris. Especially like the comment about the cane. Carved mine from oak too look like a sandhill crane. Painted head with acrylics and added hawk and peacock feathers. The right height is right on too. I ride the electric carts at the grocery a make smaller loads. Go more often but it gets me up and moving. It's all good advice for me too, thank you and keep helping us survive this ordeal. Take care and steal well, thanks again.

@shamrock5jeg Your cane sounds so wonderful and creative! Can you show us?

Please let us see your cane, @shamrock5jeg, @artscaping, @becsbecsbuddy, @stefspad and everyone....

I've been using a cane for balance assistance for more than 15 years. It was the first step in recognizing my balance and changing body issues and a big step in learning this new life. I wasn't a happy person, but it helped so much and saved me from falls. It's funny, but it also was kind of nice...folks got nicer, opened doors for me most of the time, stepped aside to let me go first in or out the door, or walking on the sidewalk folks were more observant and helpful. I saw positive changes in a lot of people and kindness that became more common.

And, Chris, that's when I first made the decision if this is going to be my life, dog-gone-it, it's going to be a good part of my life. I simply decided to make this an extention of my personality, to match my outfit or the occasion. My cane is with me always. I never go out of the house without it or I may end up on the ground on my nose. It has happened several times, even on my deck or patio. A cane goes with me now. It only takes one fall, one tiny trip or stumble.....

I have the same attitude now about the walker. I've mentioned my new hot pink walker with the black and white zebra seat and bag to hold things below the seat and on the back......bottles of water, phone, protein bars or nuts or banana or something for energy/sugar to keep me ok. I use it for paperwork when I go to the bank or to the doctor or Mayo. My keys - which I lost last Monday when I took Uber to Mayo for my endoscopy procedure. Please add a prayer for them to find me! Sunglasses, drinks, wallet or whatever you need. I still take a purse, but don't have to. For me now, the walker is certainly the easiest for carrying things.

Ck online, youtube probably has a good video with measuring directions. I sold canes in my shop in my last lifetime, and had a little hand saw we used to cut off the bottom, put on a rubber tip after we measured the cane with the person standing straight, arms to the side. The top of the cane, where the handle is, should hit at the break in the wrist. We have wrinkles there now! You should try several different heights of canes, stand straight and tall as you normally stand and walk, not at attention. Measure the height and cut the bottom to be perfect for you, The handle is of utmost importance, especially with arthritis and weaker hands, wrists and fingers that don't want to or can't grab/hold. There are some wonderfully comfortable handles. All really logical.

A good USA company I used to buy from for my shop is the Harvey Cane Company, in business since 1999? in Washington State, family owned. They will custom make, repair, repair antique sticks, use good hardwoods. I also got 'walking sticks' from the UK, the best in my opinion, but more costly. Since we have Harvey, I have several of them.....be careful to get a cane that is designed for your body-heavy, tall, short, slight....But, have fun with it. I've used a Hurrycane also, and liked it because of the added stability I needed at that time.

OK, now I've given you too much information. All you really need is to look online and find something well made from a good hardwood by a reputable company. Function and quality are first, then fun or elegant. Get several. One for shopping, one for walking, uneven ground w/added stability. Different colors, different occasions, fancy, simple...Enjoy your new steps with blessings, elizabeth

@artscaping. Made about 21 canes before I had my problem. Had over 450 trees on my land, was retired and bored. Gave all but 2 away. Luck I guess or intuition! Used a cane once in awhile until my wife and daughter passed away then went full time with it. Met a woman 5 yrs ago that loved dancing. Kept her dancing I kept my country music, put the two together and soon I put away the cane and we danced away the nights. The balance problem came on full blast, no more dancing. The legs got worse and the balance got worse. Still trying to find an answer. Cancer came along with other problems. Trying to cope but it's hard. Had the same problems as you. I fight and try to believe it will get better. Don't ever give up. You will find ways to adjust, yea it's hard and try not to throw your cane at someone! I have had to retouch the artwork on mine a few times. My lady friend is great support. Drive over 30 mi each weekend to see her. Pack the car in the Florida heat.....fun. Unpack in Florida heat....more fun. Oh well, fun when I get there. Don't ever give up my friend, bite the bullet and fight. There is always a chance, always!

I've started using a cute little three-wheeled walker when I go to the mall and it's perfect for my imbalance problem. I can scoot along (as opposed to the awkwardness of using a cane). My Rollator walker has a small pouch for carrying the stuff that Chris is talking about: water, phone, etc. Also, I've discovered a rolling cane produced in Belgium (I think rolling canes have been outlawed in the US). It's called a "Wheeleo," and they won't ship direct to the states, but if you have a relative in the EU (which I do) that person can buy one and ship it to you. I'm not recommending it, so don't sue me. But stay tuned and I'll let you know if it works for my polyneuropathy balance issues. And if it's easy to control.