Neuropathy

There’s a bit about neuropathy on another recent thread under ‘Health’

Thanks! I thought this was under health! I’ll look.

You could try Ibuprofen gel on your feet. A Nurse suggested it when I was having chemo. I still use it now when it flares up. Hope you find something that helps.

Thank you @swampy1961

Ask your GP if you want a blood test.
Mine signs and leaves the form at reception.

Could be lots of reasons. Bloods are a good start, neurologist will rule out the usual suspects, maybe give you neuroconductive studies and electromyography.

Forgot to ask what blood tests were run? Some autoimmune diseases cause this so rheumatologist might be appropriate going forward as well.

Hello thank you for answering me. GP did complete bloods but I understand that the B12 test does not test active B12 and you need a separate test for that.
Having trouble getting an appointment with a neurologist.

It could be a problem with your neck vertebrae. Something purely structural that you have to live with. I have a problems with numbness and tingling in my fingures. I have been diagnosed with cervical spondylosis.

Thanks @M0nica
I have scoliosis so I wondered if it could be to do with that.
It’s not painful but I feel a bit weak when I walk about and it sometimes wakes me up at night. It feels as if I have slept awkwardly with my feet and hands curled up and the blood has got all ‘stuck’ iyswim! It’s weird anyway and it is beginning to freak me out.

Could this just be a circulation issue. I think it’s not uncommon as we age.

I had a private active B12 with both Medichecks and Superdrug. Both showed B12 deficiency . It also showed I have Intrinsic Factor Antibodies which meant I can only absorb B12 by injection which I have done at GP

I am very familiar with the symptoms you describe although I have pins and needles all over my body. This progressed to weakness in my arms and legs and I was admitted to the Neurological Hospital in London. The diagnosis in my case is Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Poly Neuropathy (CIDP for short!) It is treated with regular immunoglobulin infusions which work like a miracle for me. I'm not suggesting for one moment that this is what you have, Pinktulip, just illustrating the importance of insisting on seeing a neurologist if your problems don't improve.

Tingling & numbness. Mine started in my right arm immediately after receiving a pneumonia vax back in 2012. Immediate diagnosis by a neurologist was damage from the vax.
Within the year, whilst trying to chase this up, the neurologist withdrew his diagnosis. Closing ranks! GP disinterested.
Has gradually spread throughout my body until today it affects my legs and feet. Wild, guessed-at diagnoses have included - Arthritis, Diabetes, Stenosis, Cervical & Lumbar compression, Myelomalacia from some past trauma (I am unaware of). If it were that, I should be long dead.
The latest from my Podiatrist is Ischemia. I'm researching that now.
Just to give you a few things to research.
I wish you all the very best.

Well done your GP referring you to a neurologist. There could be many reasons for neuropathy.
I have lived with it for forty years, after an episode that was tentatively diagnosed as MS. But I am functionally okay and it doesn't get any worse.
Stillness may well be right to say that this is quite a common thing to observe as we get older.
Good luck. I hope the neurologist puts your mind at rest.

Do get your active B12 tested, plus your folate. B12 and folate work in tandem so you need both to be at a good level. If you need to supplement folate then make sure you take folate and not folic acid, which some people are unable to process adequately.

Do you have diabetes as this can cause numbness in your feet

I have tingling and numbness in my hands and feet BUT I also have a 3-monthly B12 injection so I know my feet and hands problem is not related to low B12.
I also have very swollen ankles which I deal with by using Bio-Freeze at night.
I am also offering the possibility of spinal stenosis which causes sciatica and numbness in the feet. The stenosis was discovered some years ago after an X-Ray. So wishing you well in whatever pathway you choose to go , there are quite a few!

My surgery (I'm in Suffolk) allows us to self refer to physiotherapy at the local health centre. I've been for Plantar fascitis and back pain and got really good advice and a course of treatment and six sessions of exercise therapy for back pain. My feet are good now and my back is better than it has been for years. Maybe worth checking if your surgery has anything like this available.

I have neuropathy from a herniated disc I only have it in my leg and foot .
Have you tried exercises you may find these help. Also bio freeze spray is gods send when your feet hands are hot and tingly. Or I've foot soak.

I have neuropath in my feet.
I had nerve conduction tests but there was no problem with the large nerves.
When I went back to GP she just said there was no point doing more tests as they could test forever and not find anything ! She just prescribed Gabapentin, which I do use at a very low dose if it's really bad at night

I have been tested for Diabetes but was negative.

Things I have found useful are Vick's vapour rub on feet (strange I know!)
Aloe Vera gel on feet.

Thank you all very much for your helpful info. I am wondering if it is an ageing thing. I did a lot of gardening yesterday and it was terrible in the night. I woke up at 4 am with really stiff and tingling legs and feet and fingers. Will persist in trying to get to see a neurologist but maybe it’s a circulation thing. I’ve had a curved spine for 53 years and it has never been a bother - but maybe it was always going to become one!

Siptree

My surgery (I'm in Suffolk) allows us to self refer to physiotherapy at the local health centre. I've been for Plantar fascitis and back pain and got really good advice and a course of treatment and six sessions of exercise therapy for back pain. My feet are good now and my back is better than it has been for years. Maybe worth checking if your surgery has anything like this available.

May I ask how the self refral works Siptree. It sounds like such a good idea.

ASk GP for a specific B12 bloodtest.

having said that after a blood test I was told by text to take a B12 supplement, after a few months I mentioned this at an appointment with GP who checked and said it was folic acid I was low on and needed to take as low on folate. I now take B12, and folic acid and B complex supplements. which I've comfirmed is alright