Can neuropathy in my feet cause balance problems?

Posted by oliver4 @oliver4, Dec 15, 2022

Podiatrist has diagnosed me with minor neuropathy but my balance is worsening. Can neuropathy cause this. I know that input from the feet can cause balance problems

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@yojimbob

Hi there @oliver4
I had a sudden onset of balance issues along with some other sudden onset issues . I was told it was due to my neuropathy . I was so concerned I managed to get a neurologist to order an MRI of my spine and brain . They found 1 herniated and 2 collapsed discs in my neck . Debris and - or just age can thicken the nerve channel and compress the nerve . One of the symptoms is sudden onset of balance issues . Are you noticing any foot drag ?
I am not a doctor . I am not giving anyone advice . I am just stating what has been happening to me . Every situation is different .

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I have had several mri’s of my spine & brain. The only thing they notice is arthritis but don’t think it is the cause of my balance problem

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@oliver4
You may be right. Sometimes the doctors may not know, other times they may know, but if there’s nothing they can do for it strengthening muscles is usually beneficial.
Unfortunately the doctors aren’t miracle workers. There’s no cure for my Neuropathy or my Epilepsy. Some things we just have to accept and cope with.
I don’t think therapy can hurt and although it’s not a cure I think it helps a little. I also take seizure meds that cause balance problems and I believe my Ataxia is still rearing it’s ugly head adding to the problem.
Best of luck to you,
Jake

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@oliver4

I have been to physical therapist numerous times. Not a fan. I will get a lot of flack on this but my feeling on this is your doctor has no idea what is causing your balance so his stock answer is physical therapy.

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No Flack from me, I go to a physical therepist for exercises to keep my belly under control - but as far as my balance it is a mystery. I have fallen too many times and if I stand still I sway - but no one seems to be able to help. I truely believe each of must just do the best we can - now I will get the flack. Most of the doctors I have gone to have no idea what is going on. I am losing faith in modern medicine. I do what I can by myself and take my carbidopa/levodopa and lots of vitamins and natural stuff.

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@oliver4

First let me say that I have been sent to physical therapy several time by several different doctors. The therapist have been professional and dedicated and want to help. The problem is that therapy is not the answer to my problems. I hope that you find answers to your problem.

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The last 5 or 6 years I did not experience any real help. Numbness combined with balance issues was never addressed together. This is first time and again, after 5 weeks I see no difference. Exercises are different. If you have about 70% numbness if your feet, how can you have good balance. For now, I'm following what my doc wants and figured it isn't going to hurt to give it a try....again.

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Yes I believe neuropathy has something to do with balance my balance is awful and my feet feel swollen tingly and numb all at the same time. And yes my balance is affected because of it. I asked my doctor my primary physician for a referral to therapy for my balance that may be something you might want to try

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I have had a sudden onset of severe peripheral neuropathy, with balance problems in the mix, and while I don’t want to give anyone “flack” for their experiences with physical therapy, I simply offer my take—I want to keep and add to the strength that I have in my upper body and core, and add to weight bearing in my legs. I also want to keep the messages flowing from my brain to my muscles. Physical therapy both in the house and in the local university pool has helped continuously with that. I don’t expect a cure for my neuropathy, but I will be keeping myself as fit as possible, thanks to my dedicated physical therapists. I need to be as dedicated as they are.

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@fancy0623

Yes I believe neuropathy has something to do with balance my balance is awful and my feet feel swollen tingly and numb all at the same time. And yes my balance is affected because of it. I asked my doctor my primary physician for a referral to therapy for my balance that may be something you might want to try

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I have had physical therapy several different times prescribed by several different doctors. In four different states. For my balance problems. The results are all the same. Zero. I have given up on PT. I simply doesn’t help in my situation

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Here are some free online Balance routines from Silver Sneakers. They range from 5 to 45 minutes. There's even Tai Chi for balance. This link will show you all the Balance routines:

https://www.youtube.com/@silversneakers/search?query=balance

YMCA360.org also has Balance routines. You'll have to sign up, but it's free. Then just click your nearest YMCA when it asks for one. This link will show you all the Balance routines available:

https://ymca360.org/search?q=balance

Hope these are helpful to someone.

Cookie

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@1died2x

No Flack from me, I go to a physical therepist for exercises to keep my belly under control - but as far as my balance it is a mystery. I have fallen too many times and if I stand still I sway - but no one seems to be able to help. I truely believe each of must just do the best we can - now I will get the flack. Most of the doctors I have gone to have no idea what is going on. I am losing faith in modern medicine. I do what I can by myself and take my carbidopa/levodopa and lots of vitamins and natural stuff.

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I have not heard of carbidopa/levodopa, I have tried r-alpha lipoid acid in a topical gel that I put on my feet daily with very moderate results. If you go to you tube you’ll be swamped with different remedies but I did find it there.

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@jakedduck1

@oliver4
You may be right. Sometimes the doctors may not know, other times they may know, but if there’s nothing they can do for it strengthening muscles is usually beneficial.
Unfortunately the doctors aren’t miracle workers. There’s no cure for my Neuropathy or my Epilepsy. Some things we just have to accept and cope with.
I don’t think therapy can hurt and although it’s not a cure I think it helps a little. I also take seizure meds that cause balance problems and I believe my Ataxia is still rearing it’s ugly head adding to the problem.
Best of luck to you,
Jake

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PT can’t hurt, true. My insurance allows 24 PT sessions per year and a co-pay each time & a 40 mile round trip each time. That’s my reason for quitting.

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