I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet. It started all of a sudden in May 2019, in my left foot only. A detail is that it did not start in my toes, rather it started in the entire front of my foot (arch forward) all at once and all of a sudden. One neurologist told me that sugar related neuropathy always starts in the toes.

The only symptom is numbness, I have no pain really, and not really any tingling. I also have no muscle control issues.

A year later, May 2020, I also got it in my right foot - same thing, forward part of right foot. The numbness is gradually getting worse, very slowly, but getting worse.

The only other symptom is that it is starting to hurt to stand on my feet - it feels like there is a lack of padding in the bottom of my feet.

It is worst when I first get out of bed and stand on my feet. It is best after a walk (I walk 2x day for an hour each). Also using a massage machine on the bottom of my feet almost takes the numbness away, temporarily. Something about walking and massaging makes it better. I do know that walking drops the blood sugar also. It "feels" like that would be a blood circulation problem, but my doctor says that is fine.

I have been to two neurologists and "idiopathic" (no known cause) is the word they use. One of them did one of those electrical tests and did not find any really cause although he did say some possible indication the back could be an issue, but he though not. I don't remember the details.

I can live with the way it is now, but I worry it will gradually get worse, perhaps to the point where I cannot walk? I am 64 years old.

There is no "smoking gun" cause, but these are factors that I thought could be a cause:

1. I have low B12, but I take B12 shots.

2. My blood sugar is a bit high, fasting glucose is around 104 (99 or less is standard), but A1C is in range at around 5.2-5.5 (4.3-5.8 is standard range). My primary doctor says this is not the issue, although one neurologist said even slightly high sugar can cause neuropathy. I am overweight, at 6-1 I am 220 and should be around 185.

3. My lower back has an issue, but people have looked at the MRI and do not see anything that would be causing this. A chiropractor I went to for a while thinks the issue is in my lower back, and suggested a doctor who might give me a cortisone shot there. But that doctor also looked at the MRI and did not think it would help, but said to come back later for a follow up. It might be worth doing for diagnostic if nothing else. The MRI is around 2 years old now so perhaps I should get another done, if I can.

4. I have very tight calves, but stretching those does not seem to help.

I really need to get the weight down to see it that somehow helps, working on that. 😉

Anyhow, if anyone has any thoughts, I would appreciate it.

Also, I don't feel like anyone I have been to has checked out all possible causes. I live in MA so wonder where the "best" place to go for this would be - MGH or other?

Thanks,

Rick