Peripheral Neuropathy - Anyone else?

Just turned 70. Walk a couple of miles with dogs per day. Need to lose 25 lbs - or more - there I said it.. My last physical showed pre D but not there - home test 2 hours after eating sandwich and oj 2 plus hours ago was 126.

But the bottom of both feet started feeling numb months ago. If I overdo it - the same area can feel bruised. Have had a few cramps. Foot doctor has an about past injury - I fell through a floor 25 years back and for a long time my back could go out - learned how to manage - three disks dark on film later.

Medicare said today on 1st attempt they only help with badly damaged feet from full-on D - Seems strange as there is non D neuropathy. My questions - I purchased inserts from the same doctor - a little better - not much - said I needed shoes - which are the most trusted - and should they be ones with inserts that do not remove? Pads seem so thin. I am dropping sugar and Mayo suggested no artificial, use Splenda morning coffee but gees no weekend yogurt now and then? Nervous because walking is our thing - our beloved dogs in the afternoons, a weekend trip to close by areas to walk nature ect. I do not understand exercising and the need to rest them. Confused on shoes or treatments. Not sure what step one is but I super worry about perm damage. Let me tell you I was diagnosed with acute anxiety after serving. Partly DNA partly injury, partly stress which I battle even after losing my job during covid and working at home now. Medicatiopns they have me on are several and I do not know how to find if any push the issue? Honestly - and openly - the only time I was never full on anxity - was with THC from another state - for a short time felt no need for the heavy meds. Please give me some starting point - direction - I appreciate reading every post of what others do. I can only do the best I can but weight loss now is my highest priority.

By luck, I bought my wife a foot massage - one of the nice ones - the balls - heat - compression but I do not know what level will possibly help me and which would hurt me more. If we have numbness - how do we know? I can barely feel a heating pad on my feet after walking - a little relief and I can feel some heat but my hands feel more heat. I am desperately trying to find a path. I am still Pre D - but I have N numbness and have had for months upon months. To not be able to walk my dogs or walk parks on weekends at 70 would be horrible for me as that is all I have. I walked Walmart today with my pads my doctor sold me inserts and I am supposed to exercise so why when I get home am I hurting worse?

I am 55. I can provide some insight about Peripheral Neuropathy with no harm to discourage you. But, I am a diabetic II since 2017 (after stroke) which was not known beforehand. My PN (feels as walking barefoot on broken glass) started approximately 2018 with my toes then affected my feet. They became tingling and numb but I just ignored it and thought it would just go away in time. I was deadly wrong!

My A1 has been between 9.8 and 11.0 for many years. And glucose levels mostly between 310 - 505 until I inject insulin.

Then, early 2019 is when PN start to escalate it moved upwards to calves and thighs then waist. Sadly, I became impotent and barely able to walk and painful nerve shocks started to occur within my entire legs. And I started to lose a lot of weight. I used to weigh 170 and weight shrunk drastically to 109 with severe PN and diabetes.

Initially, I visited emergency rooms, hospitals, clinics, neurologist, etc as PN became so unbearable and extremely painful ! ALL doctors and specialist only provided band-aids to help ease the discomfort such as gabapentin, juniva, insulin, deloxine, etc which was a waste of time and of course, lots of money. The ultimate cure was to amputate toes, feet, and/or legs. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT AN OPTION AS I COULD NOT LIVE WITH IT !!!

I wear special shoes with cushions to help walk as I still do not feel my feet (tingling and numb) and barely my legs plus unfortunately impotent until this day. Now, I am insulin dependent as I check my glucose 3 times a day. I have short and long lasting insulin injections to help drop my glocuso especially when I eat and as far as PN, I ignore the discomfort and pain. And take rubbing reliefs such as Vapor Rub and Icy Hot, etc. and heavily rely on sleeping pills in hope I do not overdose on them….

To say the least, I constantly worry that these medical conditions will eventually get the best of me but continue to pray that I will be ok.

I adopted a pretty German Shepherd which I walk and exercise almost everyday! I know for a fact it won't completely cure PN but somewhat believe its doing more good than before....

Please exercise and eat healthy!

My prayers are with you.

My pain is unbearable. From my toes through my feet, calves , thighs and buttocks. Gabapentin was just a band aid and caused sezuires and made the pain worse.

My PN was severely painful a few years ago while dealing with lightning and thunder nerve strikes throughout my legs especially feet. And unable to sleep period!!! I nearly gave up in life as doctors, clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals, specialist, neurologist, etc... were unable to immediately assist and care with such BAD nerve pain as they could only provided insulin to help lower my glucose in hope to reduce the pain with PN. The only choice I had was to withstand the pain and suffer until we were able to find the right combination of meds to help stop the severe nerve strikes and continue to lower my glucose levels and A1.

I've been on Gabapentin/Januvia/duloxetine, etc for PN for nearly 2 years and continue to experience the discomfort with PN tingling and numbness throughout my legs especially feet. BUT, severe nerve strikes have subsided for the most part as I only have the tingling and numbness throughout my legs especially feet. After much research and doctor visits, there is no cure for NP.

In addition, my dog has greatly improved my daily exercise routines which she also encourages me to walk every single day plus I have joined a fitness center for only $10/month.

And I no longer smoke and drink alcohol. I just simply ignore the PN discomfort and molded myself to believe PN is simply a part of my life and be grateful it could have been extremely much worse.

Please exercise daily, walk, etc. and eat healthy. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES!

I hope the very best for you!

P/N has been a big part of my life for about 15 years. When the pain strikes it is unbearable. Numbness started in my toes. Also pins and needles on top of my head like wearing a beanie. The P/N severe pain strikes anytime but does not last a long time. I take Gabapentin, 3 caps3 times per day. Their are periods of time where 4caps4times per day is used.
My diet is gluten free, low fat, low salt. Not fun but I am use to it.
I forgot to say Good Morning All.

I have read, that NB is a good shoe for neuropathy. I have had pain and numbness since 2012, and am 75, I don’t walk much, I have balance issue. I don’t like the feel of a tennis shoe, too tight for me, but I have read that these ( NewBalance) have great support and cushioning.