A Sugar Solution: A Journey to Find Relief
In December 2020, Amy, a 74-year-old New Yorker with a career in construction, was working remotely to avoid COVID-19. After a rare on-site meeting, she tested positive for the virus. Along with the typical symptoms, there was an added surprise; Amy developed peripheral neuropathy (PN). Though she’d experienced mild numbness in her toes the previous spring, this was much more severe, with numbness and tingling on both feet, toes, and arches – eventually affecting her legs as well. In the following weeks, Amy was preoccupied by discomfort, exasperation, and a relentless search for solutions.
The Search for Answers: Exploring Options
In early 2021, Amy kicked off her search by making appointments with medical professionals. These included two neurologists: one from her primary care team and another at a major NYC hospital. Both confirmed she had peripheral neuropathy, but neither could provide a cure. They ruled out diabetes as the cause and suggested gabapentin* as a possible treatment, though it would offer only limited relief. Disheartened but determined, Amy continued her journey of exploration. She proceeded to rule out pharmaceutical approaches and other medical interventions, and moved on to physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, Epsom salt soaks, and even meditation and talk therapy. She was committed to finding a solution.
A Turning Point: Discovering the Sugar Connection
In late November 2021, Amy was listening to a neuropathy podcast when the expert began discussing the role of sugar. Something clicked. The conversation resonated deeply as Amy reflected on her lifelong love of sweets. As a child, a meal was something to get through on the way to the real prize—dessert. Holidays and birthdays were always marked by sweets and cakes. In college, a bowl of M&Ms got her through all-night study sessions. As a parent, Amy made sure to limit sweets for her children, but not as much for herself… Could sugar be contributing to the discomfort she was experiencing?
After the podcast, Amy decided to make a big change. She would remove all processed sugar from her diet! Cookies, cakes, candies, and sodas were out. So were dressings, condiments, and prepared foods that included sugar. No artificial sweeteners either. Fresh fruit was fine. That meant date syrup—basically mashed-up fruit—was also fine and became an important staple for oatmeal or a latte. Good changes came quickly and over the next few weeks, her legs started to improve, and the numbness in her feet began to calm down. While her peripheral neuropathy was still there, it was now bearable!
The Results: Other Changes
The discovery of the sugar connection was a game-changer for Amy and her feet. It also encouraged her to make two more changes: 1) no more dairy (she’s lactose intolerant), and 2) much more protein. As she settled into this new way of eating, Amy allowed herself the occasional scone or biscotti—not too sweet, but a nice treat. Meanwhile, there was a surprising side benefit: most sugar-filled foods are now too sweet for Amy to eat! So, the effort to avoid sugar not only addressed the immediate problem but, as a bonus, led to a complete transformation in Amy’s diet!
Advice for Others
Amy’s advice to anyone struggling with neuropathy is this: keep searching for answers. “Everyone’s journey is different,” she says, “but don’t give up. Share your story with anyone who will listen—doctors, patients, friends, family, and acquaintances. You never know where you’ll find the ideas and solutions for relief.”
If you think sugar might be contributing to your symptoms, Amy suggests trying a sugar-free approach. “Buy yourself some date syrup or honey and do your best to avoid processed sugar. If this works and some discomfort is alleviated, you might be inspired to continue!”
Inspiring Others Through Shared Stories
Amy found the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy during her search for answers and has since become a dedicated user of the valuable resources provided. As an active member of the PN community, she hopes her story will inspire others on their own journeys.
If you have a story to tell, we’d love to hear from you! Submit your story HERE. Your experience could be the spark someone else needs to keep moving forward in their own journey.
Disclaimer: *This is one patient’s personal approach overseen by their doctor. FPN does not endorse any specific treatments. We encourage you to discuss all available options with your physician.
