Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

I have had neuropathy in my feet for several years. I'm now 87 and recently it has spread up to near my knee. I take 1000 mcg of vitamin B-12 daily, but so far it hasn't helped. Suggestions?

I have had neuropathy in my feet for several years-annoying, but not painful. I am now 83 and the condition has recently spread up my legs toward my knee. I have recently been drinking about a half glass of red wine in the evening to help with sleep-but it hasn't helped. I'm writing this at 4:00 in the morning.
I have been taking 1000 mcg of B-12 for some time, and some say that should hep, but so far no response.
I have a very long history-about 50 years- of coronary artery disease with two bypass operations and one heart attack about 12 years ago. I take medications for that as well as infusions every six weeks for psoriatic arthritis, and use a CPAP machine for apnea.
Anu suggestions for stemming the neuropathy would be appreciated.

Welcome @mbeeson5, It sounds like your neuropathy symptoms are similar to mine, numbness and some tingling with no pain. I've had mine since my late 40s and am currently 78. I shared my neuropathy journey along with others in the Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours? discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has information on complementary and alternative treatments that you might also find helpful - https://www.foundationforpn.org/treatments/

Have you thought about or done any research on complementary or alternative treatments?

Hi, I'm Brad, and have hade idiopathic PN for about 15 years now. Not a whole lot of pain with it mostly numbness in my feet and legs up to the halfway part of my calf. Lately with sharp stabbing pains in the numb areas that are short in duration. I not sure if that is part of PN. Lately it has migrated to the other foot in moderation so far. What kind of prognosis can I expect at age 74. Hands are slightly swollen most of the time. Is that a part of this disease?

I’m the mother of a 50 yr old recently diagnosed with peripheral poly neuropathy who also suffers from anxiety and depression. Moods are up/down and he has balance issues with major sleep problems. I fear for him driving afire a 4hr shift

Hi Brad @bravis, Welcome to Connect. I"ve had neuropathy with mostly numbness in the feet and legs since my late 40s and I'm 78 now. When I first was diagnosed back in 2016 I had listened to an 80 year old neurologist from the University of Minnesota that said if you live long enough you will get neuropathy since cells and nerves die eventually. What's the prognosis is the 64 thousand dollar question but I'm not sure anyone can answer it because we are all different. I do think that each of us can have an effect on what happens just by living the healthiest lifestyle we can and making good choices.

What has helped me is learning as much as I can about my condition and working on some of my bad eating habits that I picked up along life's journey. I have had swelling in my legs but it was related to another condition - lymphedema which I now have to wear compression socks daily to address the swelling. I have tried to eliminate fast foods, sugar and a lot of processed foods but it's a daily struggle for me.

How about you, have you made any lifestyle changes to see if they can help?

Thank you for your response John. Lifestyle changes? Yes. Majorly. Three years now. No soda. Coffee, Milk, lemon water, and tomato juice is all that goes into this body. No fast food, lots of salad with olive oil. Otherwise healthy home cooked stuff. All resulting in mild, chronic diarrhea - non urgent.

Those are some great changes. I'm also trying to eat a lot fewer carbs mostly to help with my overall health. There is another discussion on the topic you might want to check out.

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/

Originally I started I started the low carb and intermittent fasting eating plan to lower my weight but I started doing a little research on the metabolic syndrome and think that it may help with my neuropathy symptoms also as part of healthy eating. Here are a few of the articles I found on the topic:
-- The Metabolic Syndrome and Neuropathy: Therapeutic Challenges and Opportunities: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3881591/
-- Metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for neurological disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21997383/

Wow John. I also do the intermittent fasting. Maintaining about 150#'s. Carbs? Well, I keep it low. Lots of nuts and a small amount of dark chocolate daily - Trader Joes 72%. Occasional tee. Thanks John, I'm gona check these suggestions out. Busy day ahead today though. This is pretty cool.

Thanks for the welcome. I feel very helpless with a grown son turned old with this. Suggestions are helpful .