Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
161 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

87 Years. Numb, Cold And White Feet, Difficulty In Walking. No Help From GP. Diabetes Test Negative. Guide

My Father is 87 years old and is struggling to walk as his feet are numb. He gave up driving last September as he could no longer feel the foot pedals. He says he can't feel his feet or toes and they are very cold to touch and also quite white in colour. He has stopped leaving the house as he is afraid of falling over.
We visited his GP together who could offer no help apart from cream and Paracetomol (even though there is no pain). A diabetes test was negative.
posted on Sat, 1 Jun 2013
Twitter Sun, 2 Jun 2013 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 5 Jun 2013 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to HCM,
Your father is having difficulty in walking and numbness in both lower limbs,possibly due to peripheral neuropathy which can be due to many factors as he is not diabetic other causes include,Vitamin deficiency like B1 and B12, Alcohol Induced, Even Excess of B6 vitamin can cause neuropathy.Hypothyroidism,Autoimmune diseases, certain drugs, infections like Leprosy and HIV.
He should visit a Neurologist detail history and examined and investigations are required to find out the cause and then it can be treated.
Test like Nerve conduction study. other blood tests and Neuroimaging like CT scan and MRI to find out any compressive pathology,may be required.
Hope this is helpful to you to take appropriate action.
Take care.
Good Luck.
Dr.Akhilesh Dubey M.D.
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on MRI


Loading Online Doctors....
87 Years. Numb, Cold And White Feet, Difficulty In Walking. No Help From GP. Diabetes Test Negative. Guide

Hi, Welcome to HCM, Your father is having difficulty in walking and numbness in both lower limbs,possibly due to peripheral neuropathy which can be due to many factors as he is not diabetic other causes include,Vitamin deficiency like B1 and B12, Alcohol Induced, Even Excess of B6 vitamin can cause neuropathy.Hypothyroidism,Autoimmune diseases, certain drugs, infections like Leprosy and HIV. He should visit a Neurologist detail history and examined and investigations are required to find out the cause and then it can be treated. Test like Nerve conduction study. other blood tests and Neuroimaging like CT scan and MRI to find out any compressive pathology,may be required. Hope this is helpful to you to take appropriate action. Take care. Good Luck. Dr.Akhilesh Dubey M.D.