Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

I can’t recommend enough to call around until you find a PT practice that does computerized Gait Analysis. The PT puts what looks like a gel orthotic with an ankle attachment in each shoe and has you walk while they view what’s happening on the laptop screen. The graphs that come up in “real time” show where you are putting pressure on each part of the soles of your feet as you walk (now able to compare the affected and unaffected leg).
With me- I have (R) lower leg neuropathy with weakness, numbness and tingling. The graphs showed that I was getting very little “push-off”” from my toes and the ball of my foot as I stepped through each step. The PT made a metal rocker and embedded it in the shoe, so now I get a mechanical push off, rather than landing flat. The graphs also showed that I was tending to walk on the outer edge of my foot (my sole has very little feeling), so he added built-up to the inside of my shoe so my ankle is positioned in much better alignment, which has caused my knee to be in better alignment, which has led to markedly diminished knee pain from just being up and about. He did recommend I shorten my walk (used to do 3-4 miles/day) and keep it to around the block twice, paying attention to good form (with the affected leg- concentrating on exaggerated heel strike and active push-off, shortened step length). It’s made such a difference!!
The left shoe sole was built up so the shoes are the same height. You can’t tell they are adaptive shoes- the PT recommended lace-ups, I bought Brooks sneakers as they have a mesh top to accommodate comfortably the hammertoes I’m now getting on the affected foot due to the imbalance of muscle tone, due to the neuropathy (the gift that keeps on giving!). I bought two pairs at Dick’s Sporting Goods, so I could be sure to always have a pair to wear.
I understand John recommending a podiatrist but I would strongly vote for a PT practise for the computerized gait analysis- not just someone watching from behind as you walk, but actual data to address the specific problems that can be addressed with specific adaptions. If none of the PTs do the shoes themselves, they will know someone who does and will give them specific instructions, then have you return for PT follow-up to see if the adaptions need to be adjusted.
Good luck and don’t be discouraged if takes a lot of calls. I drove two hours each way four times to get these shoes and they have made an incredible difference in my life- I can enjoy walking again, my knee doesn’t hurt, I’m not being nudged off-balance, I could go on and on!!!

I can’t recommend enough to call around until you find a PT practice that does computerized Gait Analysis. The PT puts what looks like a gel orthotic with an ankle attachment in each shoe and has you walk while they view what’s happening on the laptop screen. The graphs that come up in “real time” show where you are putting pressure on each part of the soles of your feet as you walk (now able to compare the affected and unaffected leg).
With me- I have (R) lower leg neuropathy with weakness, numbness and tingling. The graphs showed that I was getting very little “push-off”” from my toes and the ball of my foot as I stepped through each step. The PT made a metal rocker and embedded it in the shoe, so now I get a mechanical push off, rather than landing flat. The graphs also showed that I was tending to walk on the outer edge of my foot (my sole has very little feeling), so he added built-up to the inside of my shoe so my ankle is positioned in much better alignment, which has caused my knee to be in better alignment, which has led to markedly diminished knee pain from just being up and about. He did recommend I shorten my walk (used to do 3-4 miles/day) and keep it to around the block twice, paying attention to good form (with the affected leg- concentrating on exaggerated heel strike and active push-off, shortened step length). It’s made such a difference!!
The left shoe sole was built up so the shoes are the same height. You can’t tell they are adaptive shoes- the PT recommended lace-ups, I bought Brooks sneakers as they have a mesh top to accommodate comfortably the hammertoes I’m now getting on the affected foot due to the imbalance of muscle tone, due to the neuropathy (the gift that keeps on giving!). I bought two pairs at Dick’s Sporting Goods, so I could be sure to always have a pair to wear.
I understand John recommending a podiatrist but I would strongly vote for a PT practise for the computerized gait analysis- not just someone watching from behind as you walk, but actual data to address the specific problems that can be addressed with specific adaptions. If none of the PTs do the shoes themselves, they will know someone who does and will give them specific instructions, then have you return for PT follow-up to see if the adaptions need to be adjusted.
Good luck and don’t be discouraged if takes a lot of calls. I drove two hours each way four times to get these shoes and they have made an incredible difference in my life- I can enjoy walking again, my knee doesn’t hurt, I’m not being nudged off-balance, I could go on and on!!!

Thank you so much! I will definitely investigate.
Also I’m getting a knee replacement at the end of Jan…same leg. Hoping for no negative results to neuropathy. Surgeon is aware but…who knows.

Morning I have Neuropathy in both my legs and feet. Tried multiple medications and even massage therapy. Nothing seems to work some days are better than others but when it's bad it's bad. I never had this problem before and not sure what started this Neuropathy. I'm inclined to think that I got my Pfizer booster shot and ever since then I've had these symptoms. I also had back surgery 2 years ago with a fusion on L4/L5 and have never been the same. It's been up and down with P/T and medications but nothing helps. Thinking about marijuana. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you JoJo

Morning I have Neuropathy in both my legs and feet. Tried multiple medications and even massage therapy. Nothing seems to work some days are better than others but when it's bad it's bad. I never had this problem before and not sure what started this Neuropathy. I'm inclined to think that I got my Pfizer booster shot and ever since then I've had these symptoms. I also had back surgery 2 years ago with a fusion on L4/L5 and have never been the same. It's been up and down with P/T and medications but nothing helps. Thinking about marijuana. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you JoJo

Welcome @faust73, Since you mentioned you haven't been the same since your back surgery, I'm wondering if you might find the Myofascial Release Therapy discussion here helpful - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

@artscaping and other members have found it helpful for treating pain from nerve compression. You mentioned massage therapy along with different medications have not helped. What type of massage therapy did you have?

My name is Charlotte, and I have been with a disease that is causing my neoraphy issue from my waist, to my feet. the flare up sometimes are unbearable.

Good evening @faust73 and thanks for the introduction, John. I am happy to share my experiences with you. At this point my quality of life is quite dependent on two components..........MFR and Medical Cannabis. I have two MFR therapists attending both of my weekly sessions. As the condition progresses with increased pain and discomfort, it is not possible for me to go more than 3 days without treatment. Do you have numbness and tingling? I especially have tingles in my feet and would not be able to drive without MFR twice a week. My diagnosis of Small Fiber Neuropathy was impacted by trauma injuries and surgical repair including fusions in the lumbar and surgical spine.

Have you recovred from your vaccine? I had two vaccines and a booster from Pfizer without any after effects. When you say nothing helps....that covers a lot of territory. Most of us find some level of something that makes life a little easier. Often, folks tend to not take enough of a medication or spend enough time in treatment.

How can I help you at this point? What do you need to know about medical cannabis and /or MFR?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris