Driving with Numb Feet.

(85-year old male with PN.) Driving with PN is dangerous even when extreme caution is used. I found that when stopped at a red light for a few minutes, my foot on the brake feels normal for 10-15 seconds and then feels like my foot is jiggling (nerves firing at different intervals?). Engaging the emergency brake solved that problem. However, when driving an unfamiliar large sports car (Dodge Charger) rental vehicle and wearing new leather shoes (slick soles), my foot slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator when pulling into the parking lot slot! A large boulder in front prevented me from rocketing into other cars! The grill smashed in pieces, and the undercarriage was damaged to the tune of several thousand dollars. My driving days are soon ending before state Motor Vehicle Departments begin to enforce against PN drivers.

One suggestion that I haven't heard anyone make yet is something really simple, if you're driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission, and you're at a red light, just put the transmission in neutral or park. Then you don't have to use as much, if any pressure on the brake pedal to hold the car in place.
Let the car idle, and when the light changes, put it in gear and go. Doing this isn't going to hurt the transmission, and you can even take your right foot off of the brakes until it's time to go. This is how I get away with driving our minivan for short periods of time.

Hey there @bamaanswerseeker, glad to have you here with us! Welcome! My heart goes out to you in so many ways... the frustrations with Dr's not understanding, no relief, physical impingements, the mental game that goes along with it all, and so much more. I'm pretty young still and my struggles (which are many & complex) started nearly 15 years ago now, but I haven't given up. Maybe that's all the Irish in me, who knows lol. I've had to roll with all the changes in health, accept the "new normal" (which constantly changes) and acquired many Dr's along the way - some good, bad, helpful, wonderful, terrible and everything in between that. Honestly, it's all about perspective for me. There's going to be good and bad days, and I've had to figure out how to appropriately adjust, adapt (physically + my attitude) and be my own advocate. Thankfully, I gleaned a neurologist who's a saint and has earned that title. He's always thinking, researching and looking ahead; plus, he's very insightful and encouraging. Not your average "textbook" Dr. Anyhow, if you want to know more about my struggles, I'd be happy to share with you (either pm me or look on these boards somewhere) and give suggestions where I can. As for the struggle with driving, I have 0% feeling in all 4 limbs, so I have to make sure I'm paying attention and have my hand gripped a certain way so if control is lost, I have time to autocorrect, hopefully. Also, I'd agree with @johnbishop that a flatter shoe is more conducive. I've noticed if I wear my sandals it's much easier, whereas the lift on my tennis shoes provides too much "cushion," so-to-speak, so it feels like my leg is not even there wearing those. Another thing, I have learned to use different muscles (arms + legs) and different parts of my limbs doing different daily things (including driving), which has been helpful. Had to get creative, but some of it was natural because my body just did that itself and my brain followed suit. When driving, I have a digital speedometer and I just have to pay more attention to my speed since I can't feel the pedal. Hand controls may be in my future, although maybe not if I end up moving to a country where they travel on camels LOL! 🙂 Sending hugs and good thoughts your way, friend! Hang in there! (Also, re: your Dr situation - they may give up on you, but don't give up on them! That is key.)

I know what you mean. I live in Chicago and go to Rush. All I see is specialists! It does take long to get in, get tested and wait for another appointment. I've been doing this for 5 years. Starting seeing their assistants and getting in faster. Sometimes they know as much as the doctors. Saw my pain specialist assistant and she is getting me off of Gabapentin and starting to try Lyrica. I'll try anything to get rid of the new neuropathy that just started from another failed surgery in October 2024.

Kathy, can you recommend a brand of shoe? I love to walk at home with bare feet, the cold tiles feel awesome! Fortunately, I have a pool in my backyard, any temperature over 72 degrees and my feet are in.
Now to find a barefoot shoe that I can place in the refrigerator. 🤣

I have used several brands. Leguano (expensive), Hike, Saguaro, and some cheap brands from Temu

The missing the pedal while driving problem is not due to numbness. It is called Proprioception. This Wikipedia link explains how your brain remembers the position of your limbs (or in our case, fails to). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprioception
You CAN learn to improve this missing function by practice. I bought an inexpensive backup camera on eBay along with a small video display screen. I mounted the camera below the steering wheel facing the pedals. It has an LED that illminates that area. Every time you switch feet from gas to brake glance at the screen to see where you foot is and adjust it if nessecary. After a few weeks you will improve on getting the position right the first time.

Proprioception, I am developing the missing pedal and worry about missing the brake. I might integrate your idea.

I’m having the break pedal extended a couple of inches. I missed it to the left but I was able to swerve left & avoide a crash. I’m having it installed as I write this - I’ll update!

I stopped driving after I had an accident. I had problems going from the gas peddle to the brakes. Using the brakes caused the car to jump.I was not injured beca.ue I was putting my car in the garage.I hit the garage wall and it buckled.