Peripheral Neuropathy: Any Riders Dealing With It Successfully?

I've got something called "Insidiously-progressive ideopathic peripheral
neuropathy" - which seems to be medical terminology for "Your sensory
nerves are slowly dying, we have no clue why, there's nothing to be done
about it... that will be $150.00, and you can pay the receptionist on
the way out."

I've been coping pretty well so far: monster flats on my pavement and
SUS bikes, cages on my SS.

But this winter seems to have brought a new level of something-or-other.

The Big Bite comes when one, raises out of the saddle, applies some
horsepower, and a foot slips off the pedal that it's already half off
of. Kind of like breaking a chain under load except there's no pedal
underfoot - just an intimate re-acquaintance with the top tube.

I've been avoiding clip-ins because:

- I'm not sure I can afford to pay the inevitable dues

- I like being able to walk normally when not riding - and
especially on the hike home with a broken frame.

- I'm guessing the increasing lack of feedback will create
an issue with being able to clip in.


The Question:

Is anybody else dealing with this? Do you have any solutions?

Have you resorted to clip-ins?
--
Pete Cresswell

On 3/5/2013 7:59 PM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
I've got something called "Insidiously-progressive ideopathic peripheral
neuropathy" - which seems to be medical terminology for "Your sensory
nerves are slowly dying, we have no clue why, there's nothing to be done
about it... that will be $150.00, and you can pay the receptionist on
the way out."

I've been coping pretty well so far: monster flats on my pavement and
SUS bikes, cages on my SS.

But this winter seems to have brought a new level of something-or-other.

The Big Bite comes when one, raises out of the saddle, applies some
horsepower, and a foot slips off the pedal that it's already half off
of. Kind of like breaking a chain under load except there's no pedal
underfoot - just an intimate re-acquaintance with the top tube.

I've been avoiding clip-ins because:

- I'm not sure I can afford to pay the inevitable dues

- I like being able to walk normally when not riding - and
especially on the hike home with a broken frame.

- I'm guessing the increasing lack of feedback will create
an issue with being able to clip in.


The Question:

Is anybody else dealing with this? Do you have any solutions?

Have you resorted to clip-ins?


IMHO you need the ability to promptly twist your ankle to
release at any moment. Has to be an instantaneous response.
If you don't feel confident in that ability I would not
suggest clipless pedals of any format. I'm not an MD ( hey I
don't bill at that level either!) but I think you should be
able to evaluate your abilities in this regard.

If that seems dicey, you might look at the not-quite-toeclip
systems trendy youth ride nowadays:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2906057...pes& var=sbar


--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Mar 6, 1:59*am, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
I've got something called "Insidiously-progressive ideopathic peripheral
neuropathy" - which seems to be medical terminology for "Your sensory
nerves are slowly dying, we have no clue why, there's nothing to be done
about it... that will be $150.00, and you can pay the receptionist on
the way out."

I've been coping pretty well so far: monster flats on my pavement and
SUS bikes, cages on my SS.

But this winter seems to have brought a new level of something-or-other.

The Big Bite comes when one, raises out of the saddle, applies some
horsepower, and a foot slips off the pedal that it's already half off
of. * Kind of like breaking a chain under load except there's no pedal
underfoot - just an intimate re-acquaintance with the top tube.

I've been avoiding clip-ins because:

- I'm not sure I can afford to pay the inevitable dues

- I like being able to walk normally when not riding - and
* especially on the hike home with a broken frame.

- I'm guessing the increasing lack of feedback will create
* an issue with being able to clip in.

The Question:

Is anybody else dealing with this? * Do you have any solutions?

Have you resorted to clip-ins?
--
Pete Cresswell

I haven't bothered to seek out a useless diagnoses (I've had enough
already), I have been experiencing sensory loss in my feet and down
much of my right side. Walking in the dark has been near on
impossible at times. A change of diet to more alkaline-forming foods
little meat (and no processed crap) has helped along with body
oiling. I use castor oil as the most effective and a couple of days
later, magnesium oil, another two day and rub out the magnesium with
heavy metals and general dirt. I also use coconut oil, almond oil,
walnut oil and sesame oil. I bathe only with pure soap, making my
bath sudsy with soap-flakes before getting in. I scape my skin when I
bathe releasing more crap. I try to fast for as long as I can (cold
weather makes this difficult for me) When the sun is bright I
sunbathe.

The cues to heavy-metal toxicity are dark rings at the outside edge of
the iris. Skin may also be cold, but this could also simply be
calcium. The magnesium shoyld help reabsorb some calcium along with
the sunbathing but I do see myself rubbing it out (like rolling paste)
after waking of a morning having applied the magnesium the day
before. I've yet to suss out which exact routine puts the calcium
back into the body, but I'll take tablets when I detect acid in my
mouth in any case. Eating onions will also draw heavy-metals due to
sulphur binding. When cut thick enough I've seen them black when
passed through. RAw ripe fruits are the key for general mobilisation
and elimination of stored toxins, herbs possibly better used for
targetting specific areas. Actually lemons are good for tagetting the
right side, the liver and gall-bladder and also the kidneys. Pears
for stomach and upper intestines, potatoes for lower intestines and
legs. All cooked veg should be assisted with ginger, chilli ,
turmeric or other warming stuff.

Did your doc not say "there's a lot of it around" ?

Get the castor oil and cover your foot, your leg, your arse and 12" or
so up your spine, then start massaging it in. A radiant lamp or fire
will help. Stretch your lymphatic ducts to trigger their working by
pointing out your toes and slowly flexing your ankle with your knee
locked out. Painful spasms indicate there's crap getting shifted, it
will move to your abdomen to be dumped in your bowel. Here's where
the potatoes help in easing the pain that may otherwise also occur
here. Do the stretching each mornong before getting out of bed. Have
some water handy to drink so that you can evacuate the toxic load
quickly. I felt the benefits within a few days, certainly much
improved by a week without any evidence of possibility of reverting to
previous level of disability.

Whatever is causing your problem, a fruit and veg diet along with the
castor oil rubs could be all that you need. Food will be your
medicine. If you don't see it helping your not eating the right foods
or you ae consuming something which is depressing the healthful
activities of the fruits and veg.

On Mar 5, 8:59*pm, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
I've got something called "Insidiously-progressive ideopathic peripheral
neuropathy" - which seems to be medical terminology for "Your sensory
nerves are slowly dying, we have no clue why, there's nothing to be done
about it... that will be $150.00, and you can pay the receptionist on
the way out."

I've been coping pretty well so far: monster flats on my pavement and
SUS bikes, cages on my SS.

But this winter seems to have brought a new level of something-or-other.

The Big Bite comes when one, raises out of the saddle, applies some
horsepower, and a foot slips off the pedal that it's already half off
of. * Kind of like breaking a chain under load except there's no pedal
underfoot - just an intimate re-acquaintance with the top tube.

I've been avoiding clip-ins because:

- I'm not sure I can afford to pay the inevitable dues

- I like being able to walk normally when not riding - and
* especially on the hike home with a broken frame.

- I'm guessing the increasing lack of feedback will create
* an issue with being able to clip in.

The Question:

Is anybody else dealing with this? * Do you have any solutions?

Have you resorted to clip-ins?

I'm not familiar with the syndrome. It sounds like you've lost sense
of touch in your feet, is that correct?

It also sounds like you're riding with flat pedals and no toe clips or
other retention devices. While others have disparaged my choice, I
really like platform pedals with toe clips and slightly loose straps.
I wonder if they would work for you. You can probably adjust the
strap so your foot would be prevented from slipping off the outside of
the pedal, but sliding out straight to the rear of the pedal would be
nearly instantaneous. That's how mine are usually set up.

- Frank Krygowski

"(PeteCresswell)" wrote in
:

I've got something called "Insidiously-progressive ideopathic
peripheral
neuropathy" - which seems to be medical terminology for "Your sensory
nerves are slowly dying, we have no clue why, there's nothing to be
done
about it... that will be $150.00, and you can pay the receptionist on
the way out."

I have never heard of your disease before so don't know if this helps.
I use half clips when touring. They allow the use of a non-clipless
shoes which are far better for walking and is one less thing to break
and ruin a tour.
Amazons have them, beware of a broken line:
http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Bicycle-.../dp/B000FSQQMS
If that link does not work use:
"Amazons Delta Bicycle Strapless Toe Clips" as the search phrase in
Google.

Another type, which I have not tried:
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...alf-clips.html

Zefal used to sell them and may still do. I've used Zefal Half
Clips and found them good. The Delta ones are also quite good.

Best of luck,
Peter

TRY SWIMMING

STRETCHING

SLEEP WITH FEET ELEVATED

stop cycling

On 03/05/2013 08:59 PM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
I've got something called "Insidiously-progressive ideopathic peripheral
neuropathy" - which seems to be medical terminology for "Your sensory
nerves are slowly dying, we have no clue why, there's nothing to be done
about it... that will be $150.00, and you can pay the receptionist on
the way out."

I've been coping pretty well so far: monster flats on my pavement and
SUS bikes, cages on my SS.

But this winter seems to have brought a new level of something-or-other.

The Big Bite comes when one, raises out of the saddle, applies some
horsepower, and a foot slips off the pedal that it's already half off
of. Kind of like breaking a chain under load except there's no pedal
underfoot - just an intimate re-acquaintance with the top tube.

I've been avoiding clip-ins because:

- I'm not sure I can afford to pay the inevitable dues

- I like being able to walk normally when not riding - and
especially on the hike home with a broken frame.

- I'm guessing the increasing lack of feedback will create
an issue with being able to clip in.


The Question:

Is anybody else dealing with this? Do you have any solutions?

Have you resorted to clip-ins?


I've been riding on SPDs for years and while I don't have your issues
(my sympathies, BTW, that sounds horrible) I apparently have low blood
pressure, had it all my life, I'm probably the only person to whom his
doctor has recommended *more* sodium in his diet. As a result my legs
go t sleep very easily if I am inactive and sit poorly, and I'm also
prone to hot-spotting etc. The whole point of this is it is not
uncommon for me to lose partial feeling in my feet on a ride and it
hasn't caused me any problems yet save for discomfort. YMMV.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Per Frank Krygowski:
I'm not familiar with the syndrome. It sounds like you've lost sense
of touch in your feet, is that correct?

Yes. Little or no useful information comes back from them. Plenty
other info... just nothing useful.

It also sounds like you're riding with flat pedals and no toe clips or
other retention devices. While others have disparaged my choice, I
really like platform pedals with toe clips and slightly loose straps.
I wonder if they would work for you.

That's where I am right now on my SS - and it has been working for quite
a few years. Went down three times in two days last week, but never
before over all those years - and I suspect it was because of a
mis-adjusted strap. Because of my size fifteens, I have to do unnatural
things to the toe clips (padding them forward...) but, all-in-all it
works.

Unless somebody comes up with something better, I'll probably convert my
other bikes. I just wasn't in love with having to slip that foot into
the strap every time I started out from a stop. Maybe it's time to get
*really* good at track strands.... -)


--
Pete Cresswell

Per Nate Nagel:
I don't have your issues
(my sympathies, BTW, that sounds horrible)

Some years back I found myself in the office of one of the big-time
neurologists at University Of Pennsylvania Medical Center.

The guy wound up crying on my shoulder a little bit - to the effect of:
"Do you have *any idea* what a relief it is to talk with a patient like
you - whose only problem is that they can't feel anything in their
legs???"

That put it into perspective for me.
--
Pete Cresswell

On Mar 6, 8:59*am, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
Per Frank Krygowski:

I'm not familiar with the syndrome. *It sounds like you've lost sense
of touch in your feet, is that correct?

Yes. *Little or no useful information comes back from them. *Plenty
other info... just nothing useful.



It also sounds like you're riding with flat pedals and no toe clips or
other retention devices. *While others have disparaged my choice, I
really like platform pedals with toe clips and slightly loose straps.
I wonder if they would work for you.

That's where I am right now on my SS - and it has been working for quite
a few years. * Went down three times in two days last week, but never
before over all those years - and I suspect it was because of a
mis-adjusted strap. *Because of my size fifteens, I have to do unnatural
things to the toe clips (padding them forward...) but, all-in-all it
works.

Unless somebody comes up with something better, I'll probably convert my
other bikes. * I just wasn't in love with having to slip that foot into
the strap every time I started out from a stop. *Maybe it's time to get
*really* good at track strands.... -)

I've talked about the fact that the Lyotard Mod. 23 pedals are so very
easy to enter. There are now (better) clones on the market, for
example
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=53437
although I'm not sure how they'd do for really large feet.

But another option: On one of my bikes, I've got a much more
conventional pedal fitted with toe clips. Those pedals have a rear
face that's square and vertical, the kind of thing that's not very
easy to slip into.

But I added accessories I bought many years ago. I think they were
called "toe flips." They're made of thin galvanized sheet steel, they
bolt onto the back of the pedal in the same way toe clips bolt onto
the front, and they protrude somewhat like the "funnel" tab on the
pedals I linked above (or the Mod. 23 Lyotards).

The ones I have actually protrude both at the top and the bottom. But
they make it very easy to flip the pedal upright, and to guide my foot
into the toe clip. Hard to describe the shape, but I'll try.

It's as if you took a 2" wide by 1.7" high piece of 20 gauge steel
sheet (0.035" thick), drilled two holes and bolted it to the back of
the pedal so it protruded both upwards and downwards, then bent the
protrusions so they both angled downward and back when the pedal was
in its normal horizontal position. Vaguely like this, in the ASCII
art side view:

|----\
|
|-----\

There are refinements to the shape - little curls and cutouts that
increase their effectiveness. But overall, they're pretty simple
devices that probably sold for less than five bucks. And I can slip
into those pedals as easily as into my Lyotards.

My real point is, you can take some suitable metal and tin snips and
make something to improve your situation. (And if your large feet
need more platform than the pedals in the photo provide, you might be
able to extend their platform size, using some aluminum alloy plate.)

Good luck!

- Frank Krygowski