1. < Neuropathy

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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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Dec 18, 2022

@oliver4
Those are good reasons . Nearly a thousand miles. I’d expect some good results too considering gas prices plus copays. I only drove 3-4 miles and no copays.
Hope you find relief,
Jake

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Dec 18, 2022

@cookierockwell
I have heard good things about tai chi. From what I understand it’s movements that are done slowly, and when I was in physical therapy and one of the therapists had me do things at a much slower pace I noticed the movements were more difficult.
Someday I may try tai chi, but I have more things going on than just neuropathy affecting my balance but everything’s worth a shot I guess. But like @oliver4 I haven’t noticed improvement with PT. I still fall just as much, Trip myself, weave from yards to street when walking and have a lot of trouble getting my bike to go straight. I may go back to PT, I believe it is beneficial just not for my balance.
Jake

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1 reply
pamelaz | @pamelaz | Dec 18, 2022
In reply to @oliver4 "First let me say that I have been sent to physical therapy several time by several..." + (show)
@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.

Jump to this post

PT can’t help me. I have no options for my neuropathy. Lost and sad

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1 reply
conferw | @conferw | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @1died2x "No Flack from me, I go to a physical therepist for exercises to keep my belly..." + (show)
@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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Using a chair at first to keep you steady, get your physical therapist to give you some balance classes too. They seem to help me but you have to keep them going.

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1 reply
Debbie | @dbeshears1 | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @efgh1020 "I have had a sudden onset of severe peripheral neuropathy, with balance problems in the mix,..." + (show)
@efgh1020

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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I’m with you. Somehow PT helped me stand again, which is nice in the shower, with a safety bar of course. Walking again wouldn’t have happened without leg strengthening. PT has helped me to smartly keep as fit as possible for the most basic of life functions…squatting to sit/stand, reaching for things, putting on shoes & socks, and picking things up off the floor. That includes picking myself up off the floor! We occasionally put myself on the floor and figure best methods of me getting up by myself - and you do need upper body strength for that. I could go on and on, but I will add PT has been my best friend dealing with PN.

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1 reply
Idied2x | @1died2x | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @dbeshears1 "I’m with you. Somehow PT helped me stand again, which is nice in the shower, with..." + (show)
@dbeshears1

I’m with you. Somehow PT helped me stand again, which is nice in the shower, with a safety bar of course. Walking again wouldn’t have happened without leg strengthening. PT has helped me to smartly keep as fit as possible for the most basic of life functions…squatting to sit/stand, reaching for things, putting on shoes & socks, and picking things up off the floor. That includes picking myself up off the floor! We occasionally put myself on the floor and figure best methods of me getting up by myself - and you do need upper body strength for that. I could go on and on, but I will add PT has been my best friend dealing with PN.

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Thank you. I went to see a physical medicne doc today to increase my upper body strength. My wife and I were in Thailand last week and we went on a floating market trip and getting out of the boat at different stops was awkward and painful. I will fix that. I think a lot of us are discovering that PT is more valuable than many medicines. Back to the dumbells after this message 🙂

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1 reply
Idied2x | @1died2x | Dec 19, 2022

Thank you. I will look it up. The carbidopa/levodopa is specifically for parkinsons so I don't know what else it might help with. I keep trying to define exactly what is going on in my body - different doctors have different ideas. We are all different and it is so obvious which makes this "connect" so valuable to me.

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NJ Ed | @njed | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@cookierockwell I have heard good things about tai chi. From what I understand it’s movements that..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@cookierockwell
I have heard good things about tai chi. From what I understand it’s movements that are done slowly, and when I was in physical therapy and one of the therapists had me do things at a much slower pace I noticed the movements were more difficult.
Someday I may try tai chi, but I have more things going on than just neuropathy affecting my balance but everything’s worth a shot I guess. But like @oliver4 I haven’t noticed improvement with PT. I still fall just as much, Trip myself, weave from yards to street when walking and have a lot of trouble getting my bike to go straight. I may go back to PT, I believe it is beneficial just not for my balance.
Jake

Jump to this post

For improved balance, I have orthotics which give me about a 50 - 60% improvement in balance. I was actually prescribed the walk-on-flex for drop foot but has given me the added benefit of much better balance due to sensory motor PN. If not on, need to walk with cane. Improved balance controlled from right below knee where I still have better feeling.

REPLY
lecowing | @lecowing | Dec 20, 2022
In reply to @1died2x "Thank you. I went to see a physical medicne doc today to increase my upper body..." + (show)
@1died2x

Thank you. I went to see a physical medicne doc today to increase my upper body strength. My wife and I were in Thailand last week and we went on a floating market trip and getting out of the boat at different stops was awkward and painful. I will fix that. I think a lot of us are discovering that PT is more valuable than many medicines. Back to the dumbells after this message 🙂

Jump to this post

I did a floating market tour in Thailand in 1966, long before my PN.

REPLY
raebaby | @raebaby | Dec 20, 2022
In reply to @pamelaz "PT can’t help me. I have no options for my neuropathy. Lost and sad" + (show)
@pamelaz

PT can’t help me. I have no options for my neuropathy. Lost and sad

Jump to this post

Try the VoxxLife Liberty patch. I don't sell them; I just use them and they improve my balance and hip pain.

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