Calling all neuropathy people: Tips on footwear and avoiding falls

@sscogbill
I got some diabetic sneakers which fit fine for my neuropathy even though I am not diabetic but do you get burning and feet get red and what do you do for that? I had a bad burning feet yesterday and my daughter told me to take some xanax and it went away. I think anxiety about our feet causes it to get worse. My son said if the xanax helped you why would you want to try gabapentin - well, I don't want to get addicted and he said you only took a .50 dose and at 82 years old if that works why ask for gabapentin low dose - I hear good things about it but also horrible things too so feel I am between a rock and a hard place. Any advice??? Lyrica was awful - so tired I could not walk to my car so didn't take it anymore. Dont know how gabapentin would work. Any advice thank you for listening.

I agree with your son about taking a prescription drug to get relief at your age. I have been taking gabapentin for several years. I take no more than 600mg. per day if my neuropathic feet give me too much pain but honestly, most days I take only 300mg. to 400mg. There will always be some who worry about addiction. I hear them but I think that since we are at the age that we are at (78 yrs. for me), if I am addicted so what? I am also a loving, active woman who is very creative and most days I manage my pain and I feel that I am a great partner and just a good person. If that sounds like I am bragging, okay I guess that I am. Before taking the gabapentin, too many days were spent in bed moaning and groaning and being unable to function. I can't see the benefits of that behavior and more importantly at my age, being a martyr is not for me. Please, consider doing what is right for you and don't worry about addiction. I don't think that you are going to be on the streets burglarizing homes and causing problems for humanity. Think about being out of pain and being able to do the things that you love to do and just all around more pleasant to be around. Us women have had too many messages thrown at us. People pleasing is top of the list. Please yourself now. It is your time to stop these crazy, useless ideas that I think men perpetuated. Okay, I am on a platform now and I that is not who I am. But, I want women to cease believing old thoughts that were not in our best interest. Your son sounds like he knows what he is saying so listen to him now.

I'm 84. I have been taking gabapentin two or three times a day, 300 mg each, for 5 years since I got neuropathy from chemo for breast cancer. I have no pain, just numbness that keeps me from driving. I travel a lot on my own and I'm doing fine.

@scain Years ago I tried gabapentin but within two days had severe edema and stopped. My doc prescribed amytriptilin, which did nothing, and suggested both pregabalin and Lyrica, but both have similar side effects as gabapentin.
I tried a compound cream, which was mildly helpful at first, then lost effectiveness. I still use a full-specctrum CBD cream and that helps a bit.

Another person on Mayo Connect suggested low-dose naltrexone, and I have an appointment with my doc next month to see about this. It’s been used for years for opiod withdrawal at 20 mg per day and now is being used for chronic pain, including neuropathy, at 1-5 mg per day. Any side effects are supposed to be very mild and not long lasting. Here is a good paper from the Cleveland Clinic that explains how it works.
https://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/showcase/EKCC138/docs/1430_Hill_Dose.pdf
I have considered both valium and xanax but decided to stay away from both, as I am also very concerned about balance issues with the numbness. I hope this helps — we are all working together to find the answers!

I’ve been on the hunt for shoes for what seems like FOREVER! What I’ve learned, basically, is that the best shoes for peripheral neuropathy — for me — are those with a wide toe box, adequate but not extreme cushion and a zero-to-very low “drop.” The drop is the difference between the height of the heel and that of the toe.
There are some shoes described as “zero” that are actually “barefoot,” which means they have zero cushion, and that’s just going to increase the pain.
The very popular, big and bulky athletic shoes like Hoka are poison for me, because they have a high drop and so much bulk they’re like trying to walk with a sleeping bag tied around my feet. With the increasing numbness, they make me trip and feel as if I’m going to fall over at any moment.
It’s also great if you can find a shoe that’s seamless if you like to wear shoes without socks. If not, get a thin sock that won’t squeeze your toes.
There are more athletic shoe choices for men and I haven’t found a great walking shoe, as a woman — yet! I do have pairs of Alegria, Taos and Naot, which all fit my wishes, but can’t do it for long walks. None of these are cheap, but since I only have a few pairs, rather than the many, many pairs I had in the past, that’s ok with me. They are very well made and will last.

I suggest you try Zappos.com to order. You can put in the time to search for shoes on their website and really read the reviews. You can get the shoes quickly and spend time walking in them around the house, then if they don’t work, send them back postage-free for a full refund. I’m not a fan of Zappos since Amazon bought the company, but when I find a good pair, I consider buying it from a local retailer or the brand’s website, then returning the Zappos purchase.

Been on low-dose naltrexone for years. Not much help.

sorry to hear that but my question is have you spoken to your doctor about it and if so what was the response. if it isn't working have you considered trying something else

@sash Why are you still taking it if it doesn’t help?