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Neuropathy in feet with no pain or numbness
I am new to this group, and have not found much with regard to what I am experiencing. I had laminectomy surgery 9 years ago due to back pain and numbness in my thighs. Post surgery, the symptoms vastly improved, then perhaps a year later and over time I developed a foot drop and weakness in my feet. I cannot stand on my toes, and have trouble balancing and cannot run, I can walk 6-8 blocks without too much trouble, but cannot stand for more than 5 minutes with out moving.. The general diagnosis from my Neurologist and Physical Therapists is Peripheral Neuropathy, but again, no pain, no numbness, just the weakness and my feet get hot periodically at night. Recently I changed PT and the new Therapist has found that my Gastrocnemius Medial Head muscle in both calves is significantly smaller than the Lateral Head. They still function, but again the weakness persists. I am not on any medications, other than a statin, and have no diabetic history. Has anyone experienced similar symptoms?
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Welcome @bjs5017, There is another discussion on foot drop that you might find helpful.
--- Drop foot: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/drop-foot/.
@sharonfranks1119 mentioned having peroneal neuropathy and foot drop in another discussion and might have some experience or suggestions to share with you.
Does the PT seem to be helping?
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1 ReactionThank you John I will look through that forum as well
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1 ReactionI have just restarted PT primarily focused on strengthening my calve muscles. About two weeks in but nothing noticeable yet. I work out 5-6 times a day weights, stretching, bicycle etc so suspect I need to get very specific about the PT regime. I’ll update in another few weeks if anything changes
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4 ReactionsI've had neuropathy pain in both feet for about 15 years now and it feels like knives stabbing my feet and there is a tightness feeling in my feet . I hurt 24/7 and on the pain scale i'm a 10 !
I'm not a diabetic !!
I don't know why I have it and I've seen numerious doctors with no good results !
Has anyone experienced neuropathy pain like mine and have you gotten any good results from a doctor or Neurologist?
I need help,
Donald Goss
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2 ReactionsTry LDN -low dose naltrexone- it will eliminate most of your pain. https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/low-dose-naltrexone-ldn-3570335/
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2 ReactionsDonald,
Hello! I have had a “neuropathy” since my dx with MS in ‘15. It was mild and quite tolerable. Then in ‘18 I was dx w/Bladder cancer and received BCG and now Mitomycin, then “3 three’s the charm” & in ‘20 I was dx w/Breast cancer and received chemo and radiation. I am not diabetic! I was healthy before all of this. My MS dx came at age 65. The bladder cancer is NED and the breast cancer is in remission.
I’m now 3 years post chemo for breast cancer and the neuropathy is so much worse, but it is NOT painful. It is more than annoying in that I experience a tight wrapped up feeling as though duct tape has been roIled around both feet and like I am wearing a shin guard on the lateral side of both legs.
I know that is not your specific question, but I have been treated by a neurologist since 2015 and the treatment for the neuropathy has been ever increasing doses of gabepentin. Honestly, I am on 2100 mg (just recently went up 300mg after wanting to leave myself wiggle room with the dosage as I con’t to experience these very strange sensations and should it turn painful) and I can neither tell the difference or even if the medication helps…I am afraid to titrate down and go off of it to see the results.
It’s a quandry. I have tried every medicine out there, Lyrica made me sick and the anti-depressant regimen was useless and provided no releif.
In May of ‘23 I had lumbar surgery for spinal stenosis; it relieved the pain that was targeted, but I have lower back pain and aching in my thoracic muscles…neuropathy got a bit worse, I think…it is so subjective.
Saw my PCP the other day to discuss all this and he said I have neurogenic claudication and while that causes a heaviness in the legs it can affect the neuropathy. Wonderful. AND long story nearly over, he told me that there’s really not much to do for peripheral neuropathy at any stage that will cure it. He highly recommend that I remain mobile, walk, get on a stationary bike, do gentle yoga…all of which I am doing. It can’t hurt and may help.
Having lived through these dx and truly trying the best I can, I laud you for your strength in dealing with 15 years of discomfort and pain. Have you been seen at a NIH or teaching hospital, have you tried any alternative methods of treatment; massage, acupuncture, needling, etc.?
I truly wish you the best. Be strong…
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4 ReactionsI had a lumbar disc blowout, with pain and right ankle/foot weakness. I too had spinal stenosis surgery, which greatly reduced the pain, but I still have a drop foot and EMG shows denervation of medial gastrocnemius muscle, too. I went to PT and faithfully do the PT exercise program, the PT-recommended exercise bike program, and walk 30 minutes daily.
The PT noted that I have very little “push-off” on that foot and arranged for a rocker plate to be imbedded in the right shoe of a new pair of Brooks sneakers (the left is built up at the sole a bit so I’m even). The Brooks Ghost sneakers have a perforated top, so they are very comfortable with the “hammer-toe” positioning my right toes have now due to the neuropathy (imbalance of the muscles- flexors overpowering the extensors).
The PT also recommended an AFO ( ankle foot orthosis) to stabilize the ankle. I didn’t want it, held off a year, gave in and got it- what a difference! No more zig-zagging at the ankle when I walked. I don’t wear it in the house- the PT recommended wearing non-skid socks to increase the nerve stimulation on the bottom of my foot.
I don’t wear the AFO in the car- REALLY can’t feel the pedals, but I bring it with me and put it on before going into a big box store. Dr. Scholl’s makes knee-high black or white “easy” compression socks that I wear under the brace, got them at Walmart.
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1 ReactionI tried Acupuncture for two months and was ok I also went to physical therapy for two months. She helped me a lot and I do exercises to strengthen my calf muscles stretching does help a lot also rolling my foot on a tennis ball helps relieve the tight fascia on the bottom of my foot so far that’s the best plus CBD ointment.
I have a similar problem as you, except I need shoes with very thin soles so I will feel some contact with the floor. The thicker the sold the more unsteady I am on my feet.
I have a pair of Cynthia Riley flats which help me walk and balance. My other shoes are Beezzes…a stretch shoe similar to Sketchers, but they have thicker sole and I feel unbalance with them. The shoes they show on line for neuropathy are thick sole shows. How can people wear those. Unfortunately I’ve had a dropped foot which after exercise is better.But my balance is terrible. I should use a walker all the time, but due getting over a broken wrist from a fall, I have trouble getting the dang thing in the car.🤬
How ever I’m thrilled with my Cynthia Rowley flats I bought at TJ Maxx. Now I’m looking for a thin soled sandal.
Neuropathy is such a strange disease.