Topical Magnesium Lotion for Feet

I take
Soma 350 mgs- muscle relaxer
Or
Skalaxin 800 - works better on back
Pain. Meds
OxyContin
Oxycodone
Plus cream

The magnesium with hemp helps a lot plus I take magnesium pills.

I read a lot of comments that say they have pain. I don't have pain except for an occasional flare of pain in a toe that lasts only a few seconds, but man does it hurt!

My issue is numbness and balance, which is getting progressively worse. I have self diagnosed my issues as neuropathy. Why spend hundreds of dollars for a neurologist to tell me? I'm pretty sure that the overuse of a TENS unit for ankle pain, has caused my neuropathy and now just need something to try and improve the numbness. I've seen many comments about Life Flo and am going to give it a try.

Can I get some feedback on whether or not seeing a neurologist is worth the money?

Thanks!

I got more feedback from my podiatrist than I did with the neurologist. I saw each doctor twice. I too have no complaint about pain. Balance is the problem, feet just don’t feel like I have contact with any surface. I have been told, by both, it is peripheral neuropathy and I can hope it doesn’t get worse. How am I dealing with it? I asked for physical therapy. It is a necessity. My primary is now listening closer and she insists on an EMG and an X-ray of the lumbar spine, on the small chance it may be related to past back pain.
What I’ve learned on this forum, is pain may be something that doctors can treat. Numbness and poor balance is something you adjust to via physical therapy, shoes that work for you, and possibly walking aids. Shoes are very individual. I use a walker at home and a cane when I go out.
I’ve seen many ads for oral supplements and lotions. I’ve considered the magnesium lotions. At present I take magnesium glycinate 200 mg capsules. The two supplements most suggested are Vitamin B12 methylcobalamin and R-Alpha Lipoic Acid, which I have been on since February.
Good luck.

So, how have these things helped you? Any reduction in pain. I've tried both Voltar and 5% lidocaine. Neither has helped. I'm still looking for something to help reduce the pain and burning in my feet.

I've been a sedentary diabetic T2 for 22 years A1C started at 11.5, Got it down to 8.5 for many years and now finally 6.5 due to Ozempic [lost 30 lbs] and Tresiba. However for the past 15 years I've taken Metanx FC and that has saved me from foot neuropathy getting extreme and I only get more than occasional sharp pains in my big toes. If I keep my feet moisturized daily ithat also helps. Metanx requires a prescription. I purchase mine through Brand Direct Health in Tampa, FL at 104$ for 180 pills,. It is made up of methylcobal/levomefolate/pyridoxal plus other ingredients. I'm greatful to my then Endo and I've since told my Endo's and podiatrists but they say they've never heard of it. I wonder why? Good luck. Note: if you find you get more pain wearing closed slippers put socks
on first.

Hi, @lynnfardella We are all so very different. My neuropathy is idiopathic, meaning I don't know the cause. Ever since I began experiencing the numbness and tingling three years ago, I started on R-Alpha Lipoic Acid and Benfotiamine twice daily. I can't say for sure it has helped, but I'm hoping it might slow down the progression, so I continue it. A couple of years ago, my podiatrist prescribed the MetanX for me and I took that for a couple of months. When I went for my 6-month check with my GP, I asked him to check my vitamin and mineral levels along with my usual bloodwork. The results showed that my Vitamin B-6 was too high. I checked the ingredients for the MetanX and it was one of them.... and I have read so much about high levels of B6 causing neuropathy to worsen that I immediately stopped the MetanX. When my podiatrist prescribed it, she said her father had taken it for years and it helped his neuropathy symptoms. I'm glad it is also working for you.... but one of the hardest things to figure out with this malady is that it seems to come from so many different sources... and it also seems to affect all of us so differently. I have numbness in my feet and ankles... but no real pain, and for that I am grateful. But the numbness affects my balance, so I work constantly on that. At 74, I can no longer do what I did at 71... mainly because of concern about falling. I use a cane if I'm going to be walking a great distance and that has helped. I just seem to have less and less strength in my calves, so I can't stand still for long periods of time. As Bette Davis is famously quoted as saying, "Getting old is not for sissies." I'm finding that out with each passing year. Best wishes to you!! Mike

Hi @steveinmontana . Like you, I just got some of the Life Flo and I am giving it a try daily. It feels nice on my skin and my feet when I first apply it and massage it in, but it is too early to tell how much difference. In any case, it's doing no harm. Like you, I have tingling and numbness in the soles of my feet and up into my ankles, but no pain, and for that I am grateful. The biggest issue in ALL of this, for me, is the problem it causes with my balance. At the recommendation of a fellow sufferer here, I did purchase some AFOs (about $40 each on Amazon). You can get more expensive ones, and I do have some, but if you decide to try them, I find those on Amazon made of hard polystyrene work about the same for me as those that are more expensive. After using them daily for awhile, I hardly notice them now... and they do seem to give me more sense of balance. I find that I seem to be losing strength in my calves... and that MAY be from lack of activity. So I've been doing exercises in the pool this summer and that SEEMS to be helping. I'm 74. At 71, I could still mow my lawn, dig in my flower beds and plant things, and go for walks whenever I wanted. All that is greatly reduced now and I hire someone to do my lawn.
I did FINALLY get to see a neurologist. He did some tests in his office and suggested that I may have radiculopathy rather than neuropathy, meaning I have some compression in my lower back that is affecting the nerves in my feet and legs. The only positive he came up with was that radiculopathy was less progressive than neuropathy, so it may worsen at a slower pace. I had already tried Gabapentin and Lyrica and those did nothing for me, so I wasn't interested in his meds. Basically, he had few suggestions to offer me for reducing the numbness. I had a follow up visit scheduled, but I cancelled it as I didn't feel he had told me anything I didn't already know, so why go back?
I wish you the best as you continue to battle this malady. There is comfort in knowing I am not alone. Mike

Hi, Mike. Thank you for your informed response. When I get my check up in September I will be more concerned with my numbers. I also have osteoporosis and I've thought that is why I'm losing my balance also. I am sedentary to a point but I recently purchased the Ellipse One by LegXercise where it moves your feet and legs for you. It also allows you to push yourself further while pedaling. Since I only recently started using it perhaps 3 times a week it has actually helped my balance as I I have realized that I am no longer constantly tripping (not falling) over my own two feet. Since you have such numbness I'm sure it is dangerous to use your legs for exercise. I truly believe the ellipse will eventually strengthen your legs and quads.
As for MetanX I only take it every other day as I remember my B12 was high also. I did not know that B6 could perhaps cause more damage so thanks for letting me know. I am soon to be 75 in October and I know I'm not working hard enough to get into better shape so wish me luck on getting my act together. I wish you the best of health and hope you stay safe from falling. Take care, Lynn

Hi again Mike. Just to comment on your reference to your neuro--todays doctors I have found they know so little about so many things that actually are in their field of expertise. I once asked a podiatrist if she knew what foot neuropathy felt like and she said she did not know.
People really have to keep trying to find the best doc for them but it does cost money if you're not on Medicare (thank goodness for that blessing).