Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Hello @swanny58. You will notice that I have moved your post into a larger discussion on Neuropathy so that you may more easily connect with members who may also have tried Vick's for relief of neuropathy symptoms.

Have you tried it? Has it worked for you?

HI !! I post as iputtman. I am an 81 year old male from Burlington, NC and have had ideopathic PN for about i5 years. I am pretty much past the pain and tingling but numbness continues and progresses. I play golf about 3 times per week and my balance has been significantly becoming worse. I have visited a neurologist at Duke University and have had several tests but nothing seems to be able to reverse or slow down the malady. What a truly EVIL disease !!

Welcome @1puttman, I also have idiopathic small fiber PN. It started in my toes in my 50's as near as I can remember and gradually worked it's way up to just below the knees before I bothered getting a diagnosis. You are right. It is a truly evil disease. I've never had the pain with my neuropathy but do have the numbness. I posted my neuropathy journey in Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours? discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/

I think exercise and staying active is part of helping a person with their new "normal" when they have neuropathy. It's good that you are able to stay active.

Have you tried any alternative therapies, treatments or supplements to see if they help some?

Yes, upon advice of my neurologist, i take alpha lipoic acid 600mg 2/day, tumeric 1500mg 2/day. I'm not really sure that it helps but it's not that expensive and i'm willing to take the chance. Other than that, i just try to stay as active as possible. We have a chiropractor in town that advertises that he can cure pn but i think that is just to harvest $$.

Hi, I'm new so unsure of protocols here--but what is Kcals?
I have neuropathy in my feet--just from balls of feet through toes. Not totally numb so endochronologist has never been too worried about it, but leg swells and limits my movement, and currently one foot is dusky--much darker than the other foot. Didn't even know there were different types of neuropathy.
I'm interested in slowing progress but without drugs--I control my pre-diabetes with diet and herbs.

Welcome @calannie, Here's an explanation of Kcal vs Calories -- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/kcal-vs-calories. I also had swelling in the legs with my neuropathy but was later diagnosed with lymphedema of the legs and now wear compression socks daily. You mentioned controlling your pre-diabetes with diet and herbs. You might find the following discussion helpful.

-- Low-carb healthy fat living. Intermittent fasting. What’s your why?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-carb-healthy-fat-living-intermittent-fasting-whats-your-why/

Have you seen a cardiologist for your leg swelling and darker foot?

Hello all, 38yo newly diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy with hyperesthesia and tremors in my arms and legs. I thankfully have a very good neurologist. I have gotten some relief from the hyperesthesia in the last few months from 300mg Gabapentin enacarbil each morning and night, with 300mg Gabapentin in the middle of the day. I use CBD balm and take 30mg CBD in oil twice a day, which helps with the tremors. I wear padded gloves and padded socks to minimize the sensations on my hands and feet. Hoping to have a skin biopsy later this year to see if I can get a test that affirmatively says I have SFN instead of just a diagnosis by exclusion. Glad this community exists.

Welcome @pyrifera, It's good to hear you have found a neurologist that is helping you find some relief. You might also be interested in another discussion where members have shared their journey with neuropathy and what has helped them -- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

Other good sources of information to learn more about neuropathy are:
-- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/neuropathy/neuropathy-overview
-- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/

Do you mind sharing your biggest challenge with neuropathy, the symptom that bothers you the most?

Hi! Welcome to the group as you start this journey. You mentioned wearing padded socks. I am searching for good ones to especially walk around the house with, and to sleep in so I can easily walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I can’t walk barefoot without discomfort, and I just haven’t found the right socks with padding in heels and toes. Do you have a recommendation for what works with you? Thanks, Debbie

Hi, @dbeshears1 - I just saw these Bombas slipper socks advertised - maybe they'd be helpful for you? https://bombas.com/collections/womens-slippers