Peripheral Neuropathy

[foxglove]

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Hi , I have peripheral neuropathy in my lower legs and feet. I am taking pregabalin 50mg twice daily which helps...a bit. My main concern is the pain in my feet (soles) I feel I am walking on a pebbly beach all the time, or crushed egg shells . Anyone know how I can get relief? I have been attending hospital podiatry but they are not doing routine apps. meantime. Do you think it is worth seeing a normal podiatrist privately?

[cyberbarn]

That sounds like your brain has got the signals from your feet mixed up. I had a similar problem after I had some nerve damage in my feet. It was worst when I was in the hydrotherapy pool in the warm water, it was like I was walking on glass. I had to retrain my brain to understand that I wasn't walking on glass so it should ignore that feeling and make it normal again.

A Private podiatrist would probably be a good idea, especially if you can afford it. They really are the experts in feet and may well be able to help.

[foxglove in reply to cyberbarn]

Thank you for a very interesting reply - never thought about feet sending signals to brain! I will try to train my brain to tell feet they are walking on normal surfaces.

[micox]

Hi. I've had the same problem recently but to deal with it effectively the Pregabalin has been increased to 150mg twice a day - just half the maximum dose!

[foxglove in reply to micox]

I found 100mg twice daily too much. Don't know how people cope with 600mg!!!

[Lucky007]

Hello,

I have peripheral neuropathy from diabetes , my feet hurt terribly at times. . I take Gabapentin 600mg 3x daily. Occasionally I use Lidocaine 5%, Capsacin or Mentholatum creams along with the Gabapentin if needed. Staying off my feet and elevating as needed. I have been treating this condition for nearly 4 yrs. , Hoping the best for you this is a very painful condition.

[foxglove in reply to Lucky007]

Sounds like you have a lot to cope with, don't know what has caused my PN, and I don't think the diagnosis is 100% sure anyway. I have stopped the pregabalin now and to be honest just trying to ignore the discomfort and I don't really feel any different. Good luck to you, sounds as if you are in a lot of pain....sympathies!!!

[Michiganpbc]

I am trying infusions next week of gammaguard my neuropathy is progressing to where i have a hard time walking some days hope this helps.

[foxglove in reply to Michiganpbc]

Best of luck....neuropathy pain is like no other!

[LifeOnSarz]

I used to be a podiatrist (before my own health forced a career change) and I once had a fair amount of success with a neuropathic gentleman using slow-release poron insoles - a bit like memory-foam. The other thing they could try is total contact insoles, where they make a cast of your foot and mould the insoles to conform to your foot structure, which might help as you'll be getting less stimuli from the nerves as the bones move. Ask if you can be referred to the biomechanics team of the NHS podiatry department.

In the meantime, as a painful neuropath myself, smooth, padded insoles have helped - rougher, raw suede/faux suede linings were agony. Also, try to find footwear that stays in place when you walk - anything that your foot slides around in or that smacks you in the heel as you move will probably make it worse.

Hope that this helps a little! Good luck! x

[foxglove in reply to LifeOnSarz]

Thanks for reply and helpful suggestions, memory foam helped in the past and NHS podiatry agreed. Also "stay in place" shoes, trouble is my feet seem to change size from 5 to 6 so I have a selection of shoes. Also NHS only seeing URGENT cases meantime. When apps restart I will ask about the biomechanics team