Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

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).

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!

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, Terry, and thanks for acknowledging my reply.
Regarding shoes, I buy the cheapest 🙂 weaved cloth type from Walmart, but I do have a custom-made insole, that supports my arch properly.
More advice you definitely do not need from me, is to use a walker if you must and it is that difficult for you, but make the effort to walk..... at least twice daily and count the steps, 100 steps at a time.
If you can do more do it. But walking you must.
Wishing you nothing but the best, and keep smiling, and the world will smile with you.
Pace
manny

I am 76 yr old female who has been suffering with neuropathy esp. in right foot and lower leg for about 2 years. I use gabapentin 2400mg daily as well as Low Dose Naltrexone for pain. Had total knee replacement February 1, 2023. Had to go off LDN prior to surgery. I have had unrelenting ,excruciating pain ever since the replacement. Currently using 10mg oxycodone plus gaba with little relief. I know they will be taking me off pain med soon (opiate crisis) and I do not know if I will be able to survive the pain. Has this kind of pain happened to any one and what did you do for relief? I have just been "sick" for the last month with daily nausea and inability to do anything. Feel as if I am not going to make it through this.

Hello @jackdonn99, Welcome to Connect. So sorry to hear about the terrible pain following the knee replacement. It sounds like the pain may be different from the neuropathy pain you had prior to the knee replacement. Is the leg with the pain the same one that had the knee replacement?

I have PN from pernicious anemia. Anyone else?