Driving with Numb Feet.

I’m not a doctor but the exhaustion along with the numbness could be neuropathy. That could be verified with an EMG test from neurologist. Unless you’re just out of shape. Try R-Aplha Lipoic Acid. Thought to be helpful, for neurapathy, through studies.

Good luck.

@davidpn
I wear SAS, New Balance version 5 & Mephisto, expensive though.
My dad was paralyzed from the neck down and while he was in the hospital, we bought a new car and the therapy department had hand controls installed. He didn’t like them and neither did my mom or myself but this was 50 years ago so they’ve no doubt changed substantially in that time.
my biggest problem with neuropathy is my balance. I fall quite frequently.
take care,
Jake

I did check Kempf.com. Looks like a good product.

Jake, thanks for your input. Sorry to about your falling issue. Right now I just have a bit of a balance issue.

My current neurologist doesn’t believe that my weakness in legs, less endurance, numbness and being tired is due to neuropathy. Had no suggestion what it might be. When I asked the next step she suggested having heart, lungs, thyroid and anemia checked out. That was 5 appts. and 5 tests. All turned out good but I need to find a new neurologist.

I wear Speedo Men's Surf Knit Pro Water Shoes without the insoles. I get much better feedback from whatever I touch. They also protect me from most common broken glass pieces in parking lots and some sidewalks but not goat heads that are somewhat common in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. I find rocky surfaces stimulate my feet and help alleviate the numb feeling. They work well for me with and without socks. I use them on the freezing sidewalks of Rochester, Minnesota and the super-hot sidewalks of Las Cruces, New Mexico. In the car I have surprisingly good traction and feel. Here is a link for a picture: https://us.speedo.com/men-s-surf-knit-pro/13248286.html . I have worn water shoes for about 12 years now.

You reminded me of an incident when my shoes got my pedals wet and my feet dangerously slipped. I now keep an old towel in the car to make sure that I dry the bottoms of my shoes thoroughly before driving when caught in a rain. I no longer assume that my floor mat got it all.

Good morning, all!

I need to post an amendment to the reply I sent yesterday to @centre. I was in a lighthearted mood. I made my two accidents, possibly caused by my PN, sound like fun. They weren't fun. Each rattled me to the bone.

After that first accident, when my foot clipped the gas rather than pressing the brake, I ended up hopping the curb and smashing the front end of my Honda into a neighbor's tree, totaling my Honda (the damage wasn't so bad, but the Honda's age made the cost of body shop work impractical), left me with many sleepless nights, wondering if foot numbness (my PN) had caused me to press the gas and was the accident a sign that it was time to quit driving.

I had a similar string of sleepless nights last February when, instead of braking, I drove my new ("new" to me) Jeep into the rear-end of a city bus: Was this Signal #2 that it was time for me to quit driving?

I am still driving. But I am more careful than I ever was about my foot placement, not only that I have my foot on the correct pedal, but also that I am applying appropriate pressure.

Has my PN made me a better driver? No. That would be wishful thinking. Am I a more attentive driver now that I know I have PN? Yes!

I am posting this amendment to yesterday's rather lighthearted post to assure you that I take being a driver with PN very seriously, as I would encourage all others to do, too.

Ray (@ray666)

Ray - I never doubted how shook up you had to be. We know people of all ages have driver error risks and/or make poor decisions about getting behind the wheel. Younger people can have medical events too. People already have opinions about “senior” drivers, whatever age that is. We know we’ve been dealt a blow to our driving skills, but like you say, are more aware than ever and focus extra hard when doing the things most prone to mistakes or having potential dangers. We don’t ever want to hurt innocent people, and we definitely want to continue our privilege of being able to drive independently. I know I irritate other drivers (and my passengers) by parking real slowly, giving myself more time to slow down when approaching red lights and stop signs, and keeping proper distances between me and the car in front. I obey the laws, I don’t go under the speed limit or pose dangers that way. I’ve gotten over the angry drivers who have no clue as to why I can’t be aggressive drivers like them, and who have no idea that my priority is keeping everyone around me safe while I’m still legally capable of driving. I just hope they don’t cut me off or do things that force me to need to slam on brakes or make moves my PN would prefer to have more time to plan for. I’ve dealt with older folks refusing to stop driving. I pray I have my faculties to understand, swallow my pride, and have a support system in place when it’s time to turn in my keys. I think we know the huge challenge is that many folks don’t have all of those 3 things when it’s time.

I have neuropathy and I can attest to the fact, that for some people, it does cause tiredness. Every day, along about one to two pm, I give in to it and have myself a lovely nap. It works for me and I don’t worry about losing sleep at night from it. Your body heals when it is resting so that’s how I justify my afternoon naps! Hope you feel better when you read this! Hugs and all the best.

Hi Tessie,

Thanks for your response. Just wondering what type of neuropathy you have?
Do you feel fatigued after walking a certain amount of time or distance. For me it’s different than the sleepy type you’re identifying. Need to take break in order to continue. Legs get tired, feel heavy, sore along with numbness in my feet.