Hello, I've been wrestling with small fiber diabetic neuropathy for nearly four years and wanted to learn more about how people cope with this disorder. Diminished mobility and balance is my top concern. FWIW, I'm a retired 67 y.o. widower living in CA and AZ. Thank you.
Hello @srm2009, Welcome to Connect. Learning to cope I think is key when you have neuropathy. One of the first sites I found that offered tips and suggestions to help me with my neuropathy was the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy. You might check out this page as a start -- Living Well: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/.
I have had neuropathy for approx. 25 years and have not driven in more than 10 years. Fortunately my wife is able to drive. I am 77 years old. I have sharp pain in my left foot and take clonazepam to sleep at night.
Today my doc suggested trying pre-gabapentin in the morning as gabapentin makes me drowsy and woozy. Anybody else on pre-gabapentin and do you notice a difference? bcool123
I have periferal neuropathy post chemo for nonhodgekins large cell b lymphoma. Some pain in the hands, a great deal of pain in the feet. 300mg Pregabalin AM and PM helps quite a bit. I also just had a very bad bout with covid despite 4 vaccinations. Now I am getting occaisional bright flashes of light. Anyone else get this.
I have periferal neuropathy post chemo for nonhodgekins large cell b lymphoma. Some pain in the hands, a great deal of pain in the feet. 300mg Pregabalin AM and PM helps quite a bit. I also just had a very bad bout with covid despite 4 vaccinations. Now I am getting occaisional bright flashes of light. Anyone else get this.
Hello @amerloc11, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about the neuropathy pain brought on by the chemo treatments. It's good that the Pregabalin is helping with the pain. There is another discussion that you want to read through and learn what others have shared.
I also had COVID despite having the 2 vaccines and a booster. Mine wasn't too bad which I'm thankful for and I've only had the normal side effects that were reported. You might want to check out the different discussions in the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 group. Here is a link to the list of discussions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/post-covid-recovery-covid-19/.
Hello, I've been wrestling with small fiber diabetic neuropathy for nearly four years and wanted to learn more about how people cope with this disorder. Diminished mobility and balance is my top concern. FWIW, I'm a retired 67 y.o. widower living in CA and AZ. Thank you.
Hi,
I can commiserate as my SFPN has steadily gotten worse over the past several years and I am now dealing with balance and mobility issues as well at 60. Mine stems from diabetes and degenerative arthritis of the spine. Some things you might try are wearing compression socks as much as possible, wearing loose fitting socks at night, massaging feet several times a day to increase blood flow and using good lotions on feet and walking as much as possible. PT can help with exercise to improve balance, and of course, there’s the dreaded cane. I hope you find something that works. It is certainly no fun. I’m always reading and trying to find new ways to help it. Take care and good luck.
Hi,
I can commiserate as my SFPN has steadily gotten worse over the past several years and I am now dealing with balance and mobility issues as well at 60. Mine stems from diabetes and degenerative arthritis of the spine. Some things you might try are wearing compression socks as much as possible, wearing loose fitting socks at night, massaging feet several times a day to increase blood flow and using good lotions on feet and walking as much as possible. PT can help with exercise to improve balance, and of course, there’s the dreaded cane. I hope you find something that works. It is certainly no fun. I’m always reading and trying to find new ways to help it. Take care and good luck.
Welcome @qop7, Thanks for the great suggestions. I also wear compression socks during the day and loose fitting ones at night. I usually put lotion on the legs and feet before putting on the loose fitting socks at night and massage the legs and feet. It does seem to make them feel better.
I also have idiopathic small fiber PN and degenerative arthritis. I just try to stay as active as I can and no my limitations, which sometimes I tend to forget 🙂. Have you made any lifestyle changes to help with your diabetes and arthritis?
Hi,
I can commiserate as my SFPN has steadily gotten worse over the past several years and I am now dealing with balance and mobility issues as well at 60. Mine stems from diabetes and degenerative arthritis of the spine. Some things you might try are wearing compression socks as much as possible, wearing loose fitting socks at night, massaging feet several times a day to increase blood flow and using good lotions on feet and walking as much as possible. PT can help with exercise to improve balance, and of course, there’s the dreaded cane. I hope you find something that works. It is certainly no fun. I’m always reading and trying to find new ways to help it. Take care and good luck.
Thank you for your thoughtful tips. I do use compression socks occasionally, short socklets. Regular foot inspections are a must. Trying to resume PT soon, after a nine-month lapse. Big short-term goals are to steadily lengthen my neighborhood walks and maybe work up to some short, easy hikes. Thanks again.
Hello, I've been wrestling with small fiber diabetic neuropathy for nearly four years and wanted to learn more about how people cope with this disorder. Diminished mobility and balance is my top concern. FWIW, I'm a retired 67 y.o. widower living in CA and AZ. Thank you.
I have idiopathic PN in the lower extremities - feet and legs below the knee. I also have spine issues and had a fusion and laminectomy 9 years ago. Recent MRI still shows issues but nothing that indicates the reason for PN. Recently I started experiencing a burning/tingling feeling in my outer thighs especially if I have been standing or walking for a period of time. I will discuss this with my neurologist at the next appointment, but I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this symptom.
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Hello @srm2009, Welcome to Connect. Learning to cope I think is key when you have neuropathy. One of the first sites I found that offered tips and suggestions to help me with my neuropathy was the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy. You might check out this page as a start -- Living Well: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/.
Also since you mentioned diabetic neuropathy you might want to take a look at these discussions:
-- Diabetic Neuropathy progressing?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diabetic-neuropathy-progressing/
-- Having trouble keeping your balance?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/having-trouble-keeping-your-balance/
-- Acceptance: Anyone have difficulty accepting new limitations daily?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/acceptance/
Have you made any lifestyle changes or added any exercises to help your symptoms?
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2 ReactionsI have had neuropathy for approx. 25 years and have not driven in more than 10 years. Fortunately my wife is able to drive. I am 77 years old. I have sharp pain in my left foot and take clonazepam to sleep at night.
Today my doc suggested trying pre-gabapentin in the morning as gabapentin makes me drowsy and woozy. Anybody else on pre-gabapentin and do you notice a difference? bcool123
I have periferal neuropathy post chemo for nonhodgekins large cell b lymphoma. Some pain in the hands, a great deal of pain in the feet. 300mg Pregabalin AM and PM helps quite a bit. I also just had a very bad bout with covid despite 4 vaccinations. Now I am getting occaisional bright flashes of light. Anyone else get this.
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3 ReactionsHello @amerloc11, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about the neuropathy pain brought on by the chemo treatments. It's good that the Pregabalin is helping with the pain. There is another discussion that you want to read through and learn what others have shared.
-- Need hope: Neuropathy from chemo: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/needshope/
I also had COVID despite having the 2 vaccines and a booster. Mine wasn't too bad which I'm thankful for and I've only had the normal side effects that were reported. You might want to check out the different discussions in the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 group. Here is a link to the list of discussions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/post-covid-recovery-covid-19/.
How long has it been since you've had COVID?
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3 ReactionsHi,
I can commiserate as my SFPN has steadily gotten worse over the past several years and I am now dealing with balance and mobility issues as well at 60. Mine stems from diabetes and degenerative arthritis of the spine. Some things you might try are wearing compression socks as much as possible, wearing loose fitting socks at night, massaging feet several times a day to increase blood flow and using good lotions on feet and walking as much as possible. PT can help with exercise to improve balance, and of course, there’s the dreaded cane. I hope you find something that works. It is certainly no fun. I’m always reading and trying to find new ways to help it. Take care and good luck.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
7 ReactionsWelcome @qop7, Thanks for the great suggestions. I also wear compression socks during the day and loose fitting ones at night. I usually put lotion on the legs and feet before putting on the loose fitting socks at night and massage the legs and feet. It does seem to make them feel better.
There's also some good tips on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy site here - https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/.
I also have idiopathic small fiber PN and degenerative arthritis. I just try to stay as active as I can and no my limitations, which sometimes I tend to forget 🙂. Have you made any lifestyle changes to help with your diabetes and arthritis?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
7 ReactionsThank you for your thoughtful tips. I do use compression socks occasionally, short socklets. Regular foot inspections are a must. Trying to resume PT soon, after a nine-month lapse. Big short-term goals are to steadily lengthen my neighborhood walks and maybe work up to some short, easy hikes. Thanks again.
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5 ReactionsI forgot to note that I am type 2 diabetic, though well controlled now, and that I drank to excess. I realize these are red flags for PN.
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3 ReactionsI have idiopathic PN in the lower extremities - feet and legs below the knee. I also have spine issues and had a fusion and laminectomy 9 years ago. Recent MRI still shows issues but nothing that indicates the reason for PN. Recently I started experiencing a burning/tingling feeling in my outer thighs especially if I have been standing or walking for a period of time. I will discuss this with my neurologist at the next appointment, but I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this symptom.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
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