Walking/Running with neuropathy, need suggestions on general foot care.

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HoovesDouglas
HoovesDouglas Posts: 12
in Health and Weight Loss
I *love* to walk. I like to run a little, too. My problem is that I have some neuropathy in the toes of my feet. This has improved slightly as I've gotten more exercise and lost some weight, but soreness is keeping me from walking and running as much as I'd like. Can anyone offer suggestions on how to minimize soreness and fatigue or how I can speed up my recovery process? (I usually do 3 miles per day, 5 days per week, with rest days in between.)

Thanks in advance! I'm also fresh back on the site and looking for friends with 75+ to lose so add me if you like. :)

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  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,627 Member
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    have you considered doing exercises that aren't on/hard on your feet - I'm thinking weight lifting? exercise bike maybe?
  • HoovesDouglas
    HoovesDouglas Posts: 12
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    Maybe I could blend that in.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
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    Do you have a doctor or PT that you can ask?

    I don't have any tips for you, but if I were in your shoes, I think that I would be swimming a lot.
  • Zedeff
    Zedeff Posts: 651 Member
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    I love that you are asking this question but I'm afraid you won't likely get good info here. The average lay person doesn't realize that something as simple as neuropathy and exercise can lead to life threatening infections or amputations. I assume that you have true neuropathy (Charcot's Foot); if not then my comments may be too severe.

    OP, you can't do this yourself generally. You need regular foot exams where somebody can see every inch of your feet. Probably weekly. You need good socks and shoes, possibly custom made orthotics, and a foot care specialist to see.

    Do you have a foot doc? At my hospital this is either an orthopedic surgeon or infectious disease specialist, but other places may have a podiatrist, vascular surgeon or plastic surgeon seeing these patients. I would suggest talking to your foot doc about a care regimen.

    If you don't have a true severe neuropathy then this advice may be too harsh, but it's good to post for others even in that case.
  • laura3977
    laura3977 Posts: 191 Member
    edited March 2015
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    I agree with @Zedeff‌ - my dad suffers from neuropathy and it's definitely something that you need a true professional for. He tried to do it on his own and it only caused further damage. Please contact someone who knows what they are talking about.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
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    Make sure you have good, supportive shoes and consider custom insoles. I go to RoadRunner [url](http://www.roadrunnersports.com)[/url] They can do a custom fitting for you including insoles. I've had a happier body since I've been buying shoes/insoles there. You can even run on a treadmill to try out the shoes!
  • softblondechick
    softblondechick Posts: 1,276 Member
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    Not a good idea. Especially if you are diabetic. You could get a blister, infection, and it keeps going...or you could have a serious fall.

    Better plan, walking on a treadmill, rowing, cycling..
  • HoovesDouglas
    HoovesDouglas Posts: 12
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    Thanks for the input, everyone. If I had access to a pool, I'd definitely be swimming. I don't have severe neuropathy, assuming it isn't an either/or sort of problem, just the slight numbness in certain areas. I do need to consult a physician for sure, but I'm wondering if anyone does anything mundane to help themselves? Maybe a soak or a certain rotuine? I like the idea of stationary bikes and lifting, but I *really* like to walk. I'd hate to have to give it up. Thanks again, MFP :)
  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
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    Sounds self diagnosed.
    Go to see a doctor,specialist nurse etc like normal people do to get medical diagnosis and a treatment plan.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,943 Member
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    HoovesDouglas wrote: »
    I *love* to walk. I like to run a little, too. My problem is that I have some neuropathy in the toes of my feet. This has improved slightly as I've gotten more exercise and lost some weight, but soreness is keeping me from walking and running as much as I'd like. Can anyone offer suggestions on how to minimize soreness and fatigue or how I can speed up my recovery process? (I usually do 3 miles per day, 5 days per week, with rest days in between.)

    Thanks in advance! I'm also fresh back on the site and looking for friends with 75+ to lose so add me if you like. :)
    Have you consulted with your doctor and a podiatrist?

    Also, get fitted for shoes if you have not done so. Where I love, we have three sporting good stores that fit for running shoes, which includes a run on the treadmill to get a reading of your gait and stride: Fleet Feet, Heart and Sole, and Dick's Sporing Goods. The fittings are usually free.
  • exoticpumpkin
    exoticpumpkin Posts: 24 Member
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    Go see a doctor or a physical therapist (you probably have direct access in your state, meaning you don't need a referral for PT and they are cheaper and more available than an MD). A PT receives training in differential diagnosis and can examine your feet and determine if you need to be referred to an MD and can also give you some exercise ideas. I know you said you didn't have access to a pool...but if you live anywhere near a YMCA (most, if not all have pools) or a high school/college that has a swim team (just ask the coach/aquatic director if you can come in and walk the length of the pool off to the side while the team is practicing, most wont mind). But please start by seeing a medical professional

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