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Non-diabetic neuropathy
Before I tell my story, let me state that I was a daily wine drinker for several years. My neuropathy started in my feet in 2017. It did not progress beyond my feet for several years. I stopped drinking in 2023, and at that point, my neuropathy was still confined to my feet. My doctor said that alcohol cessation should stop the progression of the neuropathy. I also started on a weight loss drug at that time. I weighed 157 lbs and I am 5’2”. The medicine was a success. I lost 54 lbs in five months, but also lost a large amount of muscle. I continued on the medication on the advice of my doctor. She said I would need to stay on the meds in order to maintain weight loss. Long story short, I was not hungry and from March, 2023 until February, 2024, I ate nothing but fruit, popcorn and salads. I ate very little protein during that year. Anyway, about six weeks after starting the medication, I noticed my knees felt weak. I spoke to my GP about it, and she said it was not associated with the medication. However, I became weaker and my neuropathy went into hyperdrive. I finally took myself off the medication in February, 2024, started eating a normal diet. I was able to see a neurologist at Vanderbilt and she said my neuropathy was probably caused by several factors, one being alcohol but also rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies and possibly idiopathic. That was in October. She also said my neuropathy should slow or cease progression with the modifications I made. However, my neuropathy is getting worse. I now have numbness all the way up my thighs, and, in the last two months, numbness in my rear. I am also developing a twitch on the left side of my face. I feel so discouraged and alone. It feels good to have a group of people that understand.
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Thanks for being supportive. And, you are right--someone who is not afflicted may not be as understanding. Some friends and family members insisted that my health issues were due to stress, especially since so many scanning and blood tests had come back negative. Now with my diagnosis I am less stressed.
I confess to being a bit impatient with wanting my body to be what it was, say, when I was 70 and felt blessed with good health. I am still blessed because I have a wonderful dog and can live independently.
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4 ReactionsWho did you play for? Were you an offensive lineman? Just wondering.
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1 ReactionLinebacker, Dan Fantetti Detroit Lions
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1 ReactionHello. What meds do you take?
Xtampza 18mg ER. It’s a man made opioid but they’ve tweaked it to take away the euphoria high and addictive qualities. It’s expensive but it’s the only relief I’ve found. I have to go to a monthly pain clinic, urine samples just like if it was fentanyl or OxyContin but it’s stupid, no high no addiction.
Thank you ! Any side effects?
Constipation like all pain meds is the only one I experienced. I was working a project in Japan and it got extended from 2-weeks to 4 and I ran out of pills and couldn’t get it refilled. The only issue was I couldn’t sleep well but that went away after 3-nights, my feet were in the frying pan as expected but it was reassuring to know I wouldn’t have any awful withdrawal problems. I would recommend it, I was abusing tramadol before I started on Xtampza and no one wanted to maintain that, this was quite a relief.
What about sticking your foot in a fire ant hill? Maybe the venom they secrete will help. (lol, I'm only kidding! I don't think it'll help but at least it's free!)
I almost went with the spinal stimulator, I did the trial run, worked pretty good but couldn’t stand the thought of a gadget in my body. I think I’ll steer clear of those ants! lol
My feet hurt all the time, except when I’m asleep. My doctor has never indicated that I have diabetes. But I think I might have some kind of neuropathy. My feet feel like I have a tight glove on them and burn and sting. I do have a lot of broken blood vessels in my feet and I’m currently on a blood thinner for AFib. Recently had a watchman implant about one year ago. Want to get off of the blood thinner. I’m wondering if there’s something in going naturopathic that I could take that could possibly help my feet.
I will appreciate any suggestions.