1. < Neuropathy

IS IT NEUROPATHY

Posted by sciscented @sciscented, Jun 21, 2021

Fours ago I started feeling somewhat unbalanced. Seeing as I have had a few episodes of VPBP I thought it was another one of those. But this one had a peculiarly different feeling. I saw my doctor and he tested me for balance. The sole of my feet were not responding as they should have. Knowing that I was a drinker he said it was probably caused by alcohol and suggested I stop drinking which I didn’t.

Three years later I had an AFib situation and was rushed to ER. When I was released the cardiologist told me bluntly to stop drinking, and I did. It’s been three years now.
Stopping drinking I thought this loosing balance thing would go away. It didn’t and got worse over time. I don’t have any pain at all except for a light burning sensation. I need to use a mobility scooter or a walker when going out. Most days are bearable but some days are really bad.

I’m still waiting for an appointment with the neurologist.
I’m just wondering if this is alcoholic or idiopathic neuropathy, or something else.

Any thoughts?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

stefspad | @stefspad | Jun 22, 2021

The first sign of my idiopathic polyneuropathy was instability. Like you, I have good and bad days. Balance exercises seem to help a bit.

REPLY
1 reply
sciscented | @sciscented | Jun 23, 2021
In reply to @stefspad "The first sign of my idiopathic polyneuropathy was instability. Like you, I have good and bad..." + (show)
@stefspad

The first sign of my idiopathic polyneuropathy was instability. Like you, I have good and bad days. Balance exercises seem to help a bit.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your comments.

REPLY
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Jun 23, 2021

Hello @sciscented and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First, congratulations on your sobriety! Three years is wonderful and a daily choice for a better life and health. Regardless of where you are today, you are far better off!

Here is some information on the difference between peripheral neuropathy and idiopathic neuropathy.

- Peripheral Neuropathy: Symptoms and Causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061
While I am not a medical professional, I am curious if you feel your balance issues stem from a lack of feeling/sensation in your feet or if it is something more like light-headedness or dizziness?

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2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 23, 2021

Hello @sciscented, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @amandajro and others. I'm happy to hear that you've taken the first step to learning more about your neuropathy condition and possible treatments. Here are a few references for more learning more about neuropathy:

-- Understanding and treating alcoholic neuropathy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321858
-- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/
-- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/

There are a couple of other discussions on Connect you may want to view and learn what others have shared:
-- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/
-- Having trouble keeping your balance?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/having-trouble-keeping-your-balance/

REPLY
1 reply
sciscented | @sciscented | Jun 24, 2021
In reply to @amandajro "Hello @sciscented and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First, congratulations on your sobriety! Three years is..." + (show)
@amandajro

Hello @sciscented and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First, congratulations on your sobriety! Three years is wonderful and a daily choice for a better life and health. Regardless of where you are today, you are far better off!

Here is some information on the difference between peripheral neuropathy and idiopathic neuropathy.

- Peripheral Neuropathy: Symptoms and Causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061
While I am not a medical professional, I am curious if you feel your balance issues stem from a lack of feeling/sensation in your feet or if it is something more like light-headedness or dizziness?

Jump to this post

Thank you for reaching out.
Actually I lose balance when my feet touch the ground. It feels like there is a delay with the message from the feet touching ground and the brain.
I can’t walk around on the sidewalk without a mobility walker, and even then I can’t walk for too long because my legs feel weak.
When I sleep I feel totally normal with no pain. It just feels like I’m wearing socks.

I get dizzy only when I have a sporadic Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo event.
I’m still waiting for the neurologist appointment.

REPLY
sciscented | @sciscented | Jun 24, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @sciscented, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @amandajro and others...." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @sciscented, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @amandajro and others. I'm happy to hear that you've taken the first step to learning more about your neuropathy condition and possible treatments. Here are a few references for more learning more about neuropathy:

-- Understanding and treating alcoholic neuropathy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321858
-- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/
-- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/

There are a couple of other discussions on Connect you may want to view and learn what others have shared:
-- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/
-- Having trouble keeping your balance?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/having-trouble-keeping-your-balance/

Jump to this post

Thank you for the info. Appreciate it.

REPLY
helenwheels | @helenwheels | Jul 7, 2021
In reply to @amandajro "Hello @sciscented and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First, congratulations on your sobriety! Three years is..." + (show)
@amandajro

Hello @sciscented and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First, congratulations on your sobriety! Three years is wonderful and a daily choice for a better life and health. Regardless of where you are today, you are far better off!

Here is some information on the difference between peripheral neuropathy and idiopathic neuropathy.

- Peripheral Neuropathy: Symptoms and Causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061
While I am not a medical professional, I am curious if you feel your balance issues stem from a lack of feeling/sensation in your feet or if it is something more like light-headedness or dizziness?

Jump to this post

I have idiopathic sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy diagnosed in 2000. On gabapentin 300 mg. t.i.d. mostly for avoidance of paresthesia and dysesthesia. No chronic pain issues as long as I don't overdo. Resting every afternoon a recent thing for chronic fatigue. We (my service dog Rusty and I) get by.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 7, 2021
In reply to @helenwheels "I have idiopathic sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy diagnosed in 2000. On gabapentin 300 mg. t.i.d. mostly for..." + (show)
@helenwheels

I have idiopathic sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy diagnosed in 2000. On gabapentin 300 mg. t.i.d. mostly for avoidance of paresthesia and dysesthesia. No chronic pain issues as long as I don't overdo. Resting every afternoon a recent thing for chronic fatigue. We (my service dog Rusty and I) get by.

Jump to this post

Hello @helenwheels, Welcome to Connect. There are a few other discussions you may be interested in viewing.

-- Axonal Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy: Looking for someone to relate: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/someone-to-relate/
-- Chronic Illnesses of Millions of Women Left Untreated: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-illnesses-of-millions-of-women-left-untreated/

Not overdoing it when participating in activities is a great tip for all of us. Do you have any other tips that have helped you?

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