Anyone here dealing with peripheral neuropathy?

I am lucky because I have my wife do anything that requires a step stool or ladder, and I have only one step up to enter our house and it is all on one level. When I go to the library I can manage the stairs using the hand rails. The only way I can stand in one spot without a cane is to march in place (like back when I was in basic training).

Debbie - Oh brother, we do have very similar effects from PN. I am unable to lift the front of my feet off the ground, jumping up is impossible due to drop foot. I have not run since 2014 which was something I did like. Steps are becoming an issue and at times the front of a foot will not clear the step and bang. I have upper body strength which I need to hold the railing and I use that for support to assist in step climbing. I won't do a ladder either. My balance is a mess to say the least. You need to have good arm strength to assist in a house with steps. I go to PT 2 days a week when I'm up to it and much relates to balance exercises and strengthen leg muscles. Best tip I can give is to watch your feet going up and down steps and if you can, have a railing on both sides of the steps. That will improve balance going up and down and build up arm and upper body strength the best you can. Every step is a risk so be careful and again...keep walking...keep moving. The best to you!

I am hoping that someone with similar symptoms could share any advice on lessening the specific pain that I experience. After a EMG test I was diagnosed with moderate neuropathy and mild radiculopathy. It seems to be confined mostly to my feet, where I have a combination of numbness (feeling cold when they are not cold), stinging or burning, soreness, and occasional jolts that are like an electrical shock. Often it is concentrated in my toes, but also affects my whole feet. Occasionally one of my feet seems to "cramp" up. Uric acid tests rule out gout. I have tried various medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter (Gabapentin, Lyrica, Motrin, Meloxicam, etc. ) I have soaked my feet in warm water, with and without Epsom salts, tried massaging them, and elevating them. If you have similar symptoms, do you have any suggestions that helped you? Thank you.

I am hoping that someone with similar symptoms could share any advice on lessening the specific pain that I experience. After a EMG test I was diagnosed with moderate neuropathy and mild radiculopathy. It seems to be confined mostly to my feet, where I have a combination of numbness (feeling cold when they are not cold), stinging or burning, soreness, and occasional jolts that are like an electrical shock. Often it is concentrated in my toes, but also affects my whole feet. Occasionally one of my feet seems to "cramp" up. Uric acid tests rule out gout. I have tried various medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter (Gabapentin, Lyrica, Motrin, Meloxicam, etc. ) I have soaked my feet in warm water, with and without Epsom salts, tried massaging them, and elevating them. If you have similar symptoms, do you have any suggestions that helped you? Thank you.

leecowing - I have the same problem when trying to stand in one spot. I'm always telling my wife "don't stop.... keep moving", If I lift my feet and march in place, I can keep my balance. I've never seen anybody with this and was beginning to think that I was alone on this one. Well, we don't have to be worried about being drafted again or being asked to walk in a parade!

@ktpatton..A nurse told me putting icy hot cream on will give a pain break. I'm trying it in a little bit. So I will post back with the review. I have Autonomic Neuropathy but mine is both legs, hands and arms. Hang in there, Chin up.

I think the answer is to keep moving. My husband had PN and I urge him to do steps. He walks at least twice a week.

Hi @ktpatton, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear you are struggling to find something to provide relief for your symptoms. You are not alone. I don't have the pain with my neuropathy, just the numbness in the feet/legs. I posted my story earlier on Connect in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/.

You mentioned a pinched nerve which I'm wondering if it may be the cause of your symptoms. There is another discussion on Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) that has helped some members. Here is a link to the discussion - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

You also mentioned having tried various different medicines without much help. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a list of complementary and alternative treatments listed here - https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Complementary-and-Alternative-Treatments-Revised-2020-final.-1.pdf

Have you tried any complementary or alternative treatments to see if they might help?