Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Hello @cmdont, Welcome to Connect. I know there are no cures for neuropathy but I'm sure there are treatments for your symptoms to provide some relief. The trick is to find out what works for you. I think you might find the following discussion helpful:
--- Diagnosed with moderate/severe poly neuropathy: sensory motor:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diagnosed-with-moderatesevere-poly-neuropathy-sensory-motor/.

Have you done any research on complementary or alternative treatments?

Yes, I take 900 mg Gabapentin a day. It helps minimize the symptoms and make them manageable.
Kat

Hello, I am Terry, 80 years old, lots of heart problems, but my problem is that I have peripheral neuropathy, lower legs and feet, and take pregabalin to control the pain, and sometimes the odd tylenol. However, I cannot walk more than a hundred feet or so, before the soles of my feet and so sore I cannot walk. I am very young at heart, have walked and hiked extensively before, and although I am old, still want to walk. I cannot find out if the severe pain in my feet when I walk is indeed the peripheral neuropathy or not. It is not plantar fascitis, and if the pregabalin controls the pain, why cannot I not set my feet down without severe pain...In short, can peripheral neuropathy affect the soles of your feet. Thanks for any thoughts or advice...

Terry again, I forgot to mention that I too am on statins, and have been since my open heart quad by pass in 1980

I have pain, numbness, burning, tingling in my feet. I was diagnosed years ago with peripheral neuropathy that affects my feet and legs. A few years after that, I was diagnosed with additionally having osteoarthritis in my feet and ankles.

Recently, I had the previous two diagnoses confirmed, and got an additional diagnosis of gout affecting my feet. So if you have neuropathy, you can definitely have additional conditions in your feet, for which other medications can be prescribed and alleviate some of the pain.

Thank you cookie, much appreciate your comments....my last blood test showed high uric acid so maybe I could have some gout as well, and will have that checked out....Yes, I just came back from a walk (stumble) around our local mall, first feet started hurting and were hot, and gradually the pain went up my legs, calve muscles especially hurt, so much so that I had to stop, wait a little, then can go again....wonder if you have the problem that I have of when sitting, or driving for even a short time, when I get up or out of my van, I can hardly walk, must stand still for a bit, or would probably fall over. Anyway not so much fun, but will ask my doctor about other medications to alleviate foot pain. Thanks again, Terry

I have heard some on here say shoes hurt their feet, and they don’t even want socks on. I sound more like you. I cannot walk comfortably barefoot around the house; for times I don’t wear shoes, I must have good socks with extra padding in the right places to make walking comfortable without shoes (my pick is a Thorlo style, others on here have socks that work for them). These socks also help me when my PN has my feet feeling extra cold; I wear socks to bed because I need them in to go the the bathroom at night. I have a chair close to my shower so my steps without socks are minimal. Many here have found wonderful slippers that work for them. Once I’m dressed in the morning, I tend to keep my shoes on all day. When I go to the pool for exercise, walking on the deck and even on the pool bottom hurt, so I have water shoes to help with that. And yes, it’s also common for me to have to stand a little when I first get up (for at least 5 secs) to make sure I’m good with balance before I start taking steps.
Speaking of shoes, since walking without them doesn’t work well for me, they must be extra cushioned for me with support in the right places, which includes wearing a good sock with them. My shoe of choice is a Skechers relaxed fit (I can’t do shoestrings well, so these slip-ons are great) For me, I can’t have different style shoes, as my brain and legs don’t agree much on changing my step patterns, and I’m comfortable with what I’ve found that allows me to walk without feeling it’s a chore. My goal for this spring is to find a Skechers sandal with the same foot support as my shoe so it might look more fashionable with my summer attire, but that’s the least of my worries 😊. I’m thankful I found shoes that made me able to walk comfortably, and I try to minimize my shoeless walking around the house. You’ve probably tried different shoes and socks, I’m just relating what worked for me. When I happened to buy a pair of Skechers a few years ago, it was like getting a new pair of glasses and realizing you can see again - walking didn’t hurt my feet!! My Neurologist had told me it was all a normal adjustment I had to make with my PN, but I think I would have eventually gone to a podiatrist on my own if my discomfort had continued. Wishing you the best!

Hi, Terry.
Well, you are 80 years old so you are still a "teenager". I am 84 and having the same issues.
Here is what I did, and do, and it helps minimally but it does.
I am fortunate enough to be 4 miles from my gym and so, I am there 5 days a week for an hour, doing all the equipment. The bike for two miles, and all the rest counted to 20 on each.
I take Ibuprofen for my pain 2 pills every 4 hours.
R-ALA, and B-12. and a few other vitamins daily.
.I did physical therapy for a year at the toon of $5000 and it did nothing for me.
I did Acupuncture for 3 months once a week at the toon of $60 per session. and it worked. No more stabbings in my toes.
But it did nothing for the rest of my issues like numbness and intense pain engulfing my feet.
I now use Infrared light on my feet twice a day for the past 2 months and nothing yet, but it says to be patient it takes a few months to see results.
I bathe my feet every night for half hour in hot water and Epsom salt. It helps a little relax my feet enough not to feel pain in my sleep.
At bedtime, I massage my feet with; ARE YOU READY?: Vapor Rub. Cheap and it seems to work a little calming down my pain.
Other than that, I drive well, thank God, and I resign to the fact that I have to live this way until the end.
I do walk with a cane for my balance.
So be well and safe.
Warm hugs (freezing cold here in Maryland).

Well thanks "old timer" you gave me a lot of good tips to try, and some not to bother with.. just wondering if you have had any luck with different types of insoles, or what kind of footwear you have found to be helpful...I too have to use a cane for balance, still drive as well, just miss my walking. Well it is not too cold here in Victoria, B.C. but have had rain off and on for a few weeks. So stay by the fireplace, throw another log on the fire, and keep warm. A hug back and best wishes...Thanks again, Terry

Hi, seems we have a lot in common, I too wear the sketchers shoe, and have a pair of indoor/outdoor slippers, with a faux sheep fleece lining for around the house and out in the yard to bird feeders, etc.. I too will switch to sandals, they seem to be ok but nothing takes the bottom of feet pain away when walking. I take pregabalin and it works like a charm for stopping most all the stabbing, tingling burning pain at night... I would not sleep without it... thanks again, best of luck and a hug Terry