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Well,my podiatrist had a brace made for my drop foot...though I couldn't wear it much...It broke the skin on my calf and drew blood;so I had to stop using it. Her clinic's ads and cards says "Foot and Ankle Specialists".
As I explained in the post,sometimes I wonder if my mobility issues are more orthopedic than neuropathic.
She has taken XRays of my foot,etc. I assume the orthopedic part is part of her skill set..though now I will look into the specific descriptions you mentioned for optional/additional consultations.
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Thank You!
Which is exactly why I recommended that you go to a FOOT AND ANKLE ORTHOPOD, not a pod, for a second opinion
I've been treated for diabetes/HBP for over 20 years now. Have taken all the recommended OTC supplements to be had over the last 20 years for neuropathy...ALA,LCARN,BENFO,B12 etc.etc.. Up to 2013 I was walking up to 5 miles 3 times a week,even with the pain of claudication;until I just couldn't walk without the danger of falling and breaking a hip due to balance/gait issues. Started a stationary bike since.
Last year had 2 stents placed on each of my legs,by 3 different doctors in 2 different hospitals/clinics....I've actually gotten worse..I can barely walk 20 steps before my legs spread out as if I were riding a horse,and my gait changes and my legs feel heavier than ever and my shins feels like they are being pressed by a vice grip.
Been walking with a cane for 5 years now...When at home have to be constantly grabbing walls/doors furniture as not to lose my balance or trip over my own feet. Didn't help that last year I had a big toe amputation because of gangrene.
Yet;I wonder all the time if this could be more orthopedic than neurological. It only hurts when I stand up or when I walk. When I'm sitting or lying down...there is absolutely no pain. And is only in my lehs..I've read about people who can no longer hold stuff with their hands.
I barely leave my house other than work/groceries...I have to count the steps from my doorway to the parking lot/the trash bin just to make sure I can make it ...Can barely do the bike anymore..Just 5 minutes...stop for 10 or more...do 5 more minutes...The pain my shins/calves/ankles is unberarable..Of course this makes it useless to exercise...Progress is non-existent for whatever I exercise for. Hoping for a quick and sudden death to escape this hell on earth. I've lost all hope...It's quality not quantity of life. If I believed in God I would pray for a widow maker heart attack.
Thanks for listening....
Sorry for the health issues.
I have had some neuropathy issues that come and go in my lower legs.
They will be sensitive to the touch from time to time. I don't need to be standing up or moving to feel the sensitivity.
Since you have pain only when standing or walking - neuropathy would not seem to be your issue.
I don't know how you eat - but changing your diet may help. If you are not familiar w/ Dr. Fuhrman and his Eat To Live series, you may want to look up some of his videos.
I have had some neuropathy issues that come and go in my lower legs.
They will be sensitive to the touch from time to time. I don't need to be standing up or moving to feel the sensitivity.
Since you have pain only when standing or walking - neuropathy would not seem to be your issue.
I don't know how you eat - but changing your diet may help. If you are not familiar w/ Dr. Fuhrman and his Eat To Live series, you may want to look up some of his videos.
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I try to follow a low carb diet....though being Hispanic ;we say 'without rice there is no meal "...So I do brown rice...3 cooked cups a week...rarely eat pasta..even less often do I eat fast food,potatoes/chips,pasta,or bread. I eat low carb tortilla wraps that have 4-7 gms of Carb,while a single slice iof bread has 30 Gms.!
I do still have a sweet tooth;though I try to compensate for my addiction by eating "no sugar" products ;that are amazingly tasty..jellies,cookies,Jello gelatin...and low sugar stuff like Publix light ice cream.
Yes I'm familiar with Dr. Furhman..watch his PBS specials and YouTube channel...also familiar with Dr. Fung & Dr. Berry on YouTube.
My inertia and contentment has made me not seek even more treatment;though the idea of seeing an orthopedist is occupying a lot of my mental capacity lately.
It sounds like you prefer traditional medical methods - have you thought of researching ANY natural remedies (that could be in addition to whatever else you're doing with your doctor's nod)?
I would think there would be some non-toxic ways to treat some of your maladies.
I feel for the OP as i have been thru most of his symptons. W/O getting int0 a lot here will reccomend Butalbital 500mg 1-2 times a day......helped me a lot.
I've had peripheral neuropathy for several years, but mine is just annoying, not painful; it feels like I'm wearing thick wool socks that are a couple of sizes too small.
I saw a neurologist years ago, who actually measured the nerve function in my legs. He said it was impaired, and too bad, so sad, nothing can be done and it will continue to get worse. And he charged me $500.
It did get worse, creeping up my ankles to my calves.
But I recently read about using a TENs machine for PN, and tried it (I already had two TENs machines). I used it for half an hour every day for a month, setting two pads on each foot just behind my toes. Check with your doctor before following any therapy suggested by a stranger on the internet, of course.
After a month, it felt like the socks had stretched to my size; not perfect, but noticeably better.
Two more months have gone by without further treatment, and the effect is wearing off, so I'm going to resume using it and see how good it can get.
Do you also have Restless Leg Syndrome? They seem to be related, and it bugs me more than the PN. Iron supplements help with that. Check with your doctor before following any therapy suggested by a stranger on the internet, of course.
yeah...those look interesting...and not too expensive at Amazon(I first had to look up what a TEN machine was!)...
I had the same experience with a neurologist..gave me a doppler test...the tech who actually gave me the test seemed to have a compulsion to put the electricity in my upper thigh near my groin,just to watch me jump. Prescribed Neurontin...did shiite for me..stopped after a year.
At the time I had just quit smoking;but he kept dwelling on why I ever smoked,how bad it is,etc.etc.
Total waste of the Insurance Company's $$.
As I think I mentioned,it only hurts when I'm standing up or walking more than a few steps...No pain whatsoever when I'm lying or sitting dow,just the numbness and vague feeling that I can't feel my feet.
Tks for your suggestion.
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