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Correlation between peripheral neuropathy and low RBC?
I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. I've no pain but terrible balance. I also have two swollen feet. Doctors noticed my swollen feet long before I received my PN diagnosis, but they've never figured out why. I also have a low RBC (red blood count), for which I have seen a hematologist; he didn't appear to be terribly alarmed. I'm wondering: Do any of you with PN also have swollen feet? And has anyone (doctor-type) linked it to your PN? Same thing for a low RBC: Have any of you had a low RBC connected in some credible way to your PN? I'd sure love to know.
Ray (@ray666)
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Thank you, Ray. I'm mid 50s. The best thing to help bring some Diabetes II and major PN relief plus ignore mixed signals with state of mind, discomfort and pain was to adopt a friendly and smart 5 year German Shepard to continue encourage and enjoy the rest of my life regardless of incurable medical situations. I bring her with me everywhere as I really enjoy her company. I should have adopted the dog so many years ago as it builds self confidence, motivation, eagerness, exercise, mental/physical therapy, etc...
There is not much more I can do but simply attempt to enjoy the rest of my life.
My prayers are with you!
Michael
Hi, Michael
My partner plays the part of my German Shepard––although I dare not tell her that! 😀 When I first got my PN diagnosis almost a year ago and told her that I had to keep exercising, she volunteered to be my walking companion. Much like your German Shepard, my partner is also my motivator, reminding me of the importance of walking––even short walks––as exercise. I'm 78, and if it weren't for my terrible balance because of the PN, I'd consider myself in reasonably good health for a guy of 78. But 78 is 78. I have to be realistic about that. This morning, I was reading some Wendell Berry poetry and came across one line I later put in my commonplace: "I move in the descent/of days from what was dreamed/to what remains." I thought that a moving line, although I still have my dreams and intend to make as much as possible of what remains.
My prayers are with you, too, Michael!
Ray
Thank you for sharing such good advice. I do not have Diabetes but When I was diagnosed with Severe Depression , Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Joint Disease, Arthritis on my Spine over 20 years ago , and maybe 2-3 years Severe Peripheral Neuropathy I thought I would lose it , I began to mentally spiral but only in my mind , which now that I look at it is the worst place, only in your mind. Fortunately, fast forward 2-3 years later I am still battling these ailments but with a higher power, that has never forsaken me or left my side and for that I am thankful as well as grateful. I cannot and will not lie I was devastated. Woke up one day numb from my waist down, stumbling, hard to stand , hard to walk and I still don’t know where it came from other than Severe Peripheral Neuropathy. Numbness tingling in your hands and feet constantly , agony pain and all of the other ailments that comes with each and every one of these diseases. However I began to trust God and understand that I can beat this or allow it to beat me, and trust me it is taking a lot out of me and I still am overwhelmed but each day I realize that the battle is not mines, it’s the Lord’s. That has been the best prescription that I could ever ask for , is just stay prayerful. I feel better each and every day because I look to the hills from which my help/my strength comes from the Lord the 1 I know will see me through. I don’t know if this has helped you at all I pray that it has and please feel free to reach out if I can be of any further assistance.
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1 ReactionDiagnosed with Idiopathic Neuropathy five years ago, my feet have been swelling since the first of 2023. I mentioned it to my VA nurse practitioner and got silence. Labs were all over the place from low normal to high normal, but nothing was flagged.
Reading on the subject led me to believe that it may be lymphedema. I just started getting really lazy this year and stopped exercising. But, if I walk a mile the swelling is only down for a day, then returns.
You may want to read about lymphedema. You and I need to get some more exercise, maybe.
Good Health and Happy Home!
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1 ReactionHi Ray that was a very heart felt post. You have definitely put something’s on my mind. I stumble when I walk each and every day as well, but every day it gets better when you step out on faith. For me I know what the doctors say, I get that loud and clear and trust me all of my ailments have been said to be “progressive “ or “incurable.” But the God I serve says “By my stripes you are healed.” So please don’t think that I am trying to push anything on you I can only tell you what has been working for me. I pray that something here has been said to bless your heart and feel free to reach out if I can be of any further assistance.
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1 ReactionI, too, have been told there is no cure.
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1 ReactionGood morning, decrepit (@decrepit)
Thanks for calling my attention to lymphedema. I'd not heard of that before. I looked over the symptoms, but no, lymphedema is not the cause of my feet swelling. It's something else. My PCP, to her credit, has considered several possibilities, none of which has proven to be the culprit. Fortunately, other symptoms do not accompany my swollen feet; I pay my feet no mind until the evening when I pull my socks off and think, Mmm? I wonder why … ?
Cheers!
Ray
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2 ReactionsThanks you too! Have you found anything that’s given some relief from the cramps?
Good morning, Illa C. Chambers (@illac)
If there's one thing that essential in everyone's life is that a person has an anchor, some something that provides equilibrium. You have your faith. I have a different anchor. The important thing is that each of us has something that keeps us rock-solid, especially when living challenges us with a disease that is definitely mysterious, for the moment incurable, and quite possibly progressive. I wish you well in managing yours!
Cheers!
Ray
Ray that is so very true and I encourage you to continue to stand on whatever works for you and we will continue to encourage one another. I hope that is okay with you because I have truly truly enjoyed our interactions. My hope is that you have a very beautiful weekend and feel free to message me anytime. Again thank you for the very kind words. ❤️❤️