Can neuropathy in my feet cause balance problems?

Hello @kenab, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we moved your post to the following existing discussion on the same topic so that you can connect with other members with similar symptoms. If you click the link below it will take you to the beginning of the discussion where you can learn what other members have shared.

--- Can neuropathy in my feet cause balance problems,: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/can-neuropathy-in-my-feet-cause-balance-problems/.

How long have you had neuropathy with the numbness?

10 years approx

I have hereditary neuropathy with pressure palsies (HNPP). A lot of meds and supplements cause me to have a pins and needles reaction all over my body, but it's usually gone within 24 hours of taking/stopping the medicine. The exception was when I took just one sublingual tab of B6/B12 and the pins and needles hit within minutes. They were sooo strong for 2 weeks even though I only took one dose. I thought it would never stop. I recently read that B6 is the worst for doing that. I won't be taking it again.

I am so glad you posted that. It is really good to know. I had avoided B6 for awhile but did not think about the B12 sublingual which I also had been taking. I am now experiencing pretty strong side effects from every prescription. Doctors have tried 3 blood pressure meds on me at different times and I am facing number 4. So far too strong. Last time heart beat dropped to critical. Yesterday had to start an antibiotic for infection in gums and on 2nd pill became very lightheaded,shaky, neuropathic pain around middle of body got worse, am nauseated. I have read that half doses are advised for some medical conditions but my docs have not bought into that. I worry that the meds are going to do me in, instead of helping me. — eirrol

I'm with you @eirrol. I sometimes think the meds will do me in first too. I have declined a lot of meds over the years after so many "one in a million" reactions. Some meds are pretty harmless. My cancer meds cause a lot of side effects including serious ones including scary low BP and heart rate. They also make my neuropathy worse, but they are a must so I just deal with the "must have" meds. I had some pharmacology testing and discovered that I'm a poor metabolizer for many of the enzymes needed to metabolize meds. That explained a lot. It makes the meds sit in your system too long and become toxic. I hope you can find the right mix to help you. Blessings to you.

Thanks so much. I think I must also be a slow metabolizer. I would like to know where and how you did that testing to find out, so I could do it,too.Thank you for any info you could give me. God bless you for sharing. — eirrol

@eirrol I had my testing done through Color Genomics about 5 years ago. First I had some genetic testing through my oncologist. Then my son needed to do testing at 35 because of my identified mutations so my oncologist suggested Color Genomics for him. You need a doctor's order for the gene mutations or a lab report showing a close relative has a mutation. When he did his testing, I saw they also offered the pharmacology testing so we both did that. Not sure if insurance will cover PGx. My son's cancer mutation and PGx testing was $250 and I could add on for $50. Not sure if Rx is needed for PGx or price for PGx only. You might query pharmacology testing or PGx on this Mayo site for other discussions and places that offer it. I couldn't post the link, but you can also google Mayo PGx for more info. I hope this helps.

I found this in another posting: In brief: "PGx is the study of how your genes may affect your body’s response to, and interaction with, some prescription or over-the-counter medications. Genes, which are inherited from your parents, carry information that determine characteristics such as eye color and blood type. Genes can also influence how you process and respond to medications. Depending on your genetic make-up, some medications may work faster or slower, or produce more or fewer side effects."

@kenab -I think we all get to a point where we have to try various supplements and for me, they might help stabilize (to a small degree) the symptoms of PN, namely numbness and poor balance but for me, not minimize. I have not found one thing that reduces or minimizes symptoms. Of course, it all depends on the cause of the PN and the symptoms tied to that cause. The million dollar question! Best to you!

There is no medication to cure neuropathy, but there are numerous studies using supplements. I wanted a cure, not just pain relief. I read one study from the Cleveland Clinic that showed good results and have been following their recommendation with good results. They recommend taking 400 mg of CoQ10 and 20 mg of PQQ daily. The neuropathy in my hands is completely gone and my feet are much improved. The majority of the pain in my feet is gone, but I still have numbness in some places. I started this a year after chemo. The hands showed improvement quickly, the feet were slower. But the worst of the pain was gone in 3-4 months. Not an overnight cure, but my pain is gone.

Thank you very much. That is extremely helpful. I will certainly follow your suggestions.- eirrol