here's an interesting "twist" on the subject of PN. . . about 5 years ago I began to notice that my sox felt all balled up in my shoes . . . but
they weren't. these abnormal sensations (
"paresthesias") persisted and worsened. after a few hours on my feet I was very uncomfortable. I tried several different types of shoes - wider and longer; tried insoles and inserts of all types. NO HELP at all. got to the point that I was loosing the ability to locate my feet in space - altered proprioception - a dangerous situation becasue that can lead to falls. I discussed it with my internist. all my labs were perfect - it WASN'T a diabetic neuropathy. I wondered if I should see a neurologist becasue SOMETHING was really NOT right and it was steadily worsening.
about the same time I began to develope calouses on the heads of my 5'th metatarsals. went to see a podiatrist about the dang things becasue they were getting so bad. I mentioned the "neuropathy" to him and that it was NOT a diabetic neuropathy based on blood work. he took a look and told me I'd developed an equinus deformity related to very tight calf muscles and shortened achilles tendons (
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Equinus_Deformity;
Equinus Treatment | Foot Doctor Southlake, Keller, Flower Mound, North Richland Hills, Argyle and Denton, TX) . he explained that the altered/abnormal sensation I was feeling in my feet wasn't a true nerve related paresthesia but a type of myofascial referred pain and that it was associated with the thight muscles in my calves. he suggested that I begin to work at stretching my calf muscles and achilles tendons. one of my closest freinds here is a DPT - doctor of physical therapy. I talked with him about it and he suggested that I look into a "Flex and Go" board (
HERE: A body in motion must stay in motion!).
I started using this and within about 3 months I'd improved the condition by 75%. I now spend 15 min
E V E R Y morning stretching - the bulk of this is devoted to lower extremity and glutes. I spend 3 min DAILY on this flex and go. it took about 5 months to completely resolve that paresthesia and loss of propriception. I am now 100% recovered from what was a very disturbing and progressive condition that could have developed into a potentially dangerous situation . . . I'd begun to trip over my own feet.
all that to say simply this - if you are unsuccesful in ferreting out the exact cause of your paresthesias (abnormal sensation) consider the above as a possibility.