Neuropathy that comes and goes

Hi,
Yes that is what I experience apart from the march instruction, I have not been instructed so don't actually know what would happen to me. Strange that it is the left leg with us both. I'm T2 diabetic which is not controlled as I'm intolerant of all medication including insulins so far, still trying to find something after 30 years of problems. I have had the MRI brain scan and been cleared of MS and Parkinson's, told I had menieres, which I can disprove as I have no hearing loss. I have uncontrolled sky high Blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, mild arthritis in the left hip, low Sella in the brain and damaged small veins in the brain, which is attributed to age. I had a flurry of TIA's, mini strokes, 15 over 3 days, at about the same time the walking problem appeared. I don't know if this is part of it or not. I had one occasion when I woke from an afternoon snooze and could not speak, had no concept of words and was left dumb for several minutes until the brain finally found the means. The same feeling as when I was paralysed.
After 2 weeks of getting my head around it all and not wanting to be reliant on others around me, I forced myself to walk using 2 walking sticks up a steep hill as I felt it was less distance to fall. More likely me just being me, stupid!
I'm strong willed, have good strength and mobility in my limbs for my age. I have had no medication or help for this one but have learnt to push through it when it happens. As luck has it I no longer fall, just stumble as my reactions to falling have improved enough to catch myself. On a bad day I will carry my walking stick just in case. Having vertigo has not helped my situation but again I have been able to manage it to where it does not impact me unless I'm not paying attention. I have to concentrate on walking as it is not always something that this body does automatically anymore. I can walk without much thought but that is aimless using the full width of a pathway. This is one of the issues Autonomic polyneuropathy does to me. Random symptoms keep hitting me daily but over a week they are consistantly zapping me. I have learnt to watch out for them and try and counter them, usually not very well!
I tend to wonder across the footpath when walking as if I'm drunk, something I have no answers for, the faster I walk the more steady I become. It would be true to say I become more focused as I walk faster, maybe concentration is the key that helps me cope, this is how I deal with the vertigo for driving, I have not time to do anything but what I'm trying to accomplish at the time.
I am relieved to know it is not just me that has this problem, not that I wish others to suffer this either. My wife is aware of the problems but I can't walk slow enough for her to walk with me. I usually walk ahead then stop and wait for her to catch me up.
I hope there are some ideas in this lot, a little longer than I wanted but felt I should outline my situation so you are aware of my circumstances that may or may not contribute to the problems I experience.
Last thought, I have periods that my lower body from the waist down feels like jelly, just happening to me this morning, yet again. I suspect it is the Neuropathy kicking off, unable to make a decision or unable to interpret the signals from the brain.
Cheers

Hi - thank you for taking the time to reply. Sounds like you are very good at working with your disability. My husband, who at 82, has never been hospitalized and was always a strong person (gardening, fixing things, hunting) finds it impossible to accept what has happened to him in the last year. All his tests (spinal taps, CAT scans, MRIs, blood tests) come back fine "but the patient is dying" as they say,

Good luck to both you and your husband, Wishing you the best.

Thank you - the doctor that told us about the Parkinsonism does not affect his walking, but the damage to his white brain matter disease are affecting parts of his brain that controls balance and may be affecting his walk but still can't explain why it gets better for a few days or a week and then the bottom drops out and he can hardly stand up. I will ask more probing questions when we see the next doctor.

Yes, at least 3 MRIs of the brain. It so happens that he is in the hospital right now as his legs could not hold him up and he fell several times and hurt his elbow yesterday. So now they are doing another MRI of the brain.

Hi,
Sorry to hear Hubby has taken another fall.
I'm a relative youngster at 73 and can appreciate how difficult it is to accept a new reality. Mechanical instrument engineering and my dexterity was my trade mark. Not being able to do what we used to do is hard to accept as we age, without a devastating health issue compounding it. It has taken me a little while to get past it but you can, I just work within my new limitations determined to make it better each day. No that hasn't happened yet but who knows, it might and that hope keeps me going.
Cheers

Best of luck to you! Your attitude will help you in achieving far more than you think. All the best.

Yes, it's possible for neuropathy symptoms to come and go, especially when it's linked to motor nerve involvement, fatigue, or other underlying conditions like Parkinsonism or spinal issues. Many people experience fluctuating strength and coordination, which can worsen with stress, inactivity, or even certain medications. Since his symptoms vary day to day and involve sudden leg weakness or freezing, it may also be related to neurological signaling issues beyond just neuropathy. You're doing the right thing by continuing to seek expert opinions—especially at larger NYC hospitals with more specialized teams. Keep tracking symptoms and patterns—it may help the new neurologist narrow things down. Wishing your husband strength and clarity ahead.