Cold feet due to neuropathy - need help

Posted by napa @napa, Feb 9, 2020

Hello, I have extremely cold feet due to my neuropathy. The doctors cannot help. Any suggestions or help? Thank you!

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@rwinney

Hi @napa and welcome to the group! Glad to have you join us. I'm sorry to hear about your neuropathy and cold feet. I share cold feet symptoms. Mine are from Small Fiber Polyneuropathy.

For me, Drs needed to rule out vascular and heart problems as I also have extreme variations of color (red, purple) and had a nasty bout of Chilblains. Once, chalked up to being SFPN, I learned it's just about the blood vessels not being able to contract properly

I suggest a warm water soak with Epsom salts, microwavable heat packs, massage with warm hands...then lock in warmth with warm, soft comfortable socks and/or a blanket or sherpa lined slippers or boots. Extreme temps are not good so be careful to gradually warm.

Neuropathy presents so many mitigating factors, each persons needs may be unique regarding whether you can tolerate socks, certain fabrics, etc...

I hope these tips help! Have a pleasant day.
Rachel

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I started to get an ice cold left foot about 3, maybe 4 years ago. My right foot too but not nearly so bad. I had been told in Jan 2020 that I had high blood pressure and thought the amlodipine I was prescribed might be the culprit. I put up with for some time but eventually visited my GP. He checked my circulation but it was tip top he said. He took blood and tests were done but nothing untoward. So he suggested I monitor it. He retired shortly after.
Subsequently I contacted my GP practice again. I was advised to stop taking amlodipine for a month. I did but started taking again after 2 weeks as my BP was getting high.
I went back to my GPs again some time later, and saw a lady doctor who took blood for further tests. They were again ok but she had missed a B12 deficiency test. She did one and it was OK.
There was nothing left so either BP medication or a neuropathy. I got her to change my BP medication to lercanidipine to see if that made a difference ( still a calcium channel blocker ---could it be calcium channel blocker that is the problem, but unlikely..). She arranged a private consultation with a neurologist. The change of tablet hasn't helped.
I saw the neurologist last tuesday and he performed some tests and arranged a nerve conduction test plus MRI scans of spine and brain I think. These will be done in March.
He wrote to my doctor, copy to me, saying, essentially, that he thinks I have a small fibre neuropathy. But will do the tests.
The soles of my feet feel warm to touch but to me they are ice cold, mainly left foot so I suppose that suggests a neuropathy. Paradoxically, when i go to bed my feet warm up quickly and stay that way all night. I've taken to use a hot water bottle at times eg when playing bridge and my feet get freezing. It makes a huge difference but reverts very quickly to coldness after I stop.
Walking and gym can help a bit. I am still very active and also play competitive table tennis too.
I have had shingles twice and glandular fever when I was 17. I was tested a while back for Sjogren's but it was inconclusive ( I have dry eyes, dry mouth, skin etc, muscle pain, a touch of Raynauds etc). Not sure if these are factors..There is more but I've rabbitted on too long for now..Any comments?

REPLY

Wow!! I'm going thru the same thing. Cold feet! I wear socks constantly walk around dancing etc to see if it helps. Unfortunately only for a wee bit. I have to make an appt. soon to see my Dr as it hurts alot. Good Luck and Cheers!

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@smiddy73

I started to get an ice cold left foot about 3, maybe 4 years ago. My right foot too but not nearly so bad. I had been told in Jan 2020 that I had high blood pressure and thought the amlodipine I was prescribed might be the culprit. I put up with for some time but eventually visited my GP. He checked my circulation but it was tip top he said. He took blood and tests were done but nothing untoward. So he suggested I monitor it. He retired shortly after.
Subsequently I contacted my GP practice again. I was advised to stop taking amlodipine for a month. I did but started taking again after 2 weeks as my BP was getting high.
I went back to my GPs again some time later, and saw a lady doctor who took blood for further tests. They were again ok but she had missed a B12 deficiency test. She did one and it was OK.
There was nothing left so either BP medication or a neuropathy. I got her to change my BP medication to lercanidipine to see if that made a difference ( still a calcium channel blocker ---could it be calcium channel blocker that is the problem, but unlikely..). She arranged a private consultation with a neurologist. The change of tablet hasn't helped.
I saw the neurologist last tuesday and he performed some tests and arranged a nerve conduction test plus MRI scans of spine and brain I think. These will be done in March.
He wrote to my doctor, copy to me, saying, essentially, that he thinks I have a small fibre neuropathy. But will do the tests.
The soles of my feet feel warm to touch but to me they are ice cold, mainly left foot so I suppose that suggests a neuropathy. Paradoxically, when i go to bed my feet warm up quickly and stay that way all night. I've taken to use a hot water bottle at times eg when playing bridge and my feet get freezing. It makes a huge difference but reverts very quickly to coldness after I stop.
Walking and gym can help a bit. I am still very active and also play competitive table tennis too.
I have had shingles twice and glandular fever when I was 17. I was tested a while back for Sjogren's but it was inconclusive ( I have dry eyes, dry mouth, skin etc, muscle pain, a touch of Raynauds etc). Not sure if these are factors..There is more but I've rabbitted on too long for now..Any comments?

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First...I'm so sorry to hear about all of the maladies that have attached themselves to your body. Its great that you continue to be so active. I too have icy feet. The cold comes and goes but is at its worst when I go to bed. Thanks to someone who posted on this site, I've found an heating pad that basically acts as an envelope for my feet. Its heavenly!!! During the day, all I can do is distract myself by doing art or reading or exercising. So much of this disease can be diminished if I can occupy my mind. Wishing you healthier days ahead. min from Texas

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@smiddy73

I started to get an ice cold left foot about 3, maybe 4 years ago. My right foot too but not nearly so bad. I had been told in Jan 2020 that I had high blood pressure and thought the amlodipine I was prescribed might be the culprit. I put up with for some time but eventually visited my GP. He checked my circulation but it was tip top he said. He took blood and tests were done but nothing untoward. So he suggested I monitor it. He retired shortly after.
Subsequently I contacted my GP practice again. I was advised to stop taking amlodipine for a month. I did but started taking again after 2 weeks as my BP was getting high.
I went back to my GPs again some time later, and saw a lady doctor who took blood for further tests. They were again ok but she had missed a B12 deficiency test. She did one and it was OK.
There was nothing left so either BP medication or a neuropathy. I got her to change my BP medication to lercanidipine to see if that made a difference ( still a calcium channel blocker ---could it be calcium channel blocker that is the problem, but unlikely..). She arranged a private consultation with a neurologist. The change of tablet hasn't helped.
I saw the neurologist last tuesday and he performed some tests and arranged a nerve conduction test plus MRI scans of spine and brain I think. These will be done in March.
He wrote to my doctor, copy to me, saying, essentially, that he thinks I have a small fibre neuropathy. But will do the tests.
The soles of my feet feel warm to touch but to me they are ice cold, mainly left foot so I suppose that suggests a neuropathy. Paradoxically, when i go to bed my feet warm up quickly and stay that way all night. I've taken to use a hot water bottle at times eg when playing bridge and my feet get freezing. It makes a huge difference but reverts very quickly to coldness after I stop.
Walking and gym can help a bit. I am still very active and also play competitive table tennis too.
I have had shingles twice and glandular fever when I was 17. I was tested a while back for Sjogren's but it was inconclusive ( I have dry eyes, dry mouth, skin etc, muscle pain, a touch of Raynauds etc). Not sure if these are factors..There is more but I've rabbitted on too long for now..Any comments?

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I have had to walk out of places because my feet and hands could not take the cold. I did find that Gabapentin helped me tremendously with the extreme pain and numbness from cold - it’s not as severe and I can warm them up more quickly, though I often need to get away from situations that are aggravating. I wear socks 24/7 pretty much except when out in the sun. Just keep wiggling those toes, that’s our best defense. Non-stop at times I know.

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I don’t know if this will help anyone else, but I have found a few cold feet/ SFN strategies that help. One is to wear wool or wool blend socks. Another is to order shoes a 1 - 1.5 sizes too large and wearing shearling, faux shearling, or felted wool inserts. In summer sport length wool socks help. There are hand and foot warmer activation packs that can be inserted into gloves or boots to pre-warm them and wear them while outside. Usually these “hot hands” packs are available from hunting gear stores. Etsy has several shops offering microwaveable cotton and corn or flax warming pads including some that can be worn as mittens or slippers. Warming topicals like icy hot offer minor help, and plain topical lidocaine helps to take the sting edge off, sometimes.

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@minfromtexas

First...I'm so sorry to hear about all of the maladies that have attached themselves to your body. Its great that you continue to be so active. I too have icy feet. The cold comes and goes but is at its worst when I go to bed. Thanks to someone who posted on this site, I've found an heating pad that basically acts as an envelope for my feet. Its heavenly!!! During the day, all I can do is distract myself by doing art or reading or exercising. So much of this disease can be diminished if I can occupy my mind. Wishing you healthier days ahead. min from Texas

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Can you tell us the name of the heating pad you describe, such as a link to it on Amazon?
I actually have trouble with both heat and cold, so a "normal" heating pad, which touches my feet, wouldn't work. When anything touches my feet, even shoes and socks, the slight pressure is interpreted as burning, rather than pressure. My feet actually can turn red, and feel hot (this is called erythromelagia). Then, when I take off the socks, I go through a short lived comfortable stage, and then into feeling freezing cold (and cold to the touch). Something such as a tepid foot bath would help, but it's very inconvenient.
BTW, I have small fiber idiopathic PN, proven by NCS and skin biopsy.
Anybody else out there have the same problem, and hopefully, suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

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@jeffrapp

Can you tell us the name of the heating pad you describe, such as a link to it on Amazon?
I actually have trouble with both heat and cold, so a "normal" heating pad, which touches my feet, wouldn't work. When anything touches my feet, even shoes and socks, the slight pressure is interpreted as burning, rather than pressure. My feet actually can turn red, and feel hot (this is called erythromelagia). Then, when I take off the socks, I go through a short lived comfortable stage, and then into feeling freezing cold (and cold to the touch). Something such as a tepid foot bath would help, but it's very inconvenient.
BTW, I have small fiber idiopathic PN, proven by NCS and skin biopsy.
Anybody else out there have the same problem, and hopefully, suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

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Since you mention anything touching your feet, I'm not sure this (or any other heating pad would work for you. When I put my feet inside the 'envelope' of the heating pad there is slight pressure on my feet. On the other hand, its wonderful to have the warmth and that this product has good insulation between the heating elements and the inside of the envelope. Wishing you the best... min
KADORVA Electric Foot Warmer Fast Heating Extra Large Pad with 9 Settings for Men and Women with Cold feet, Remote Control Double-Side Feet Heating, Perfect Relaxation Gift for Women

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@minfromtexas

Since you mention anything touching your feet, I'm not sure this (or any other heating pad would work for you. When I put my feet inside the 'envelope' of the heating pad there is slight pressure on my feet. On the other hand, its wonderful to have the warmth and that this product has good insulation between the heating elements and the inside of the envelope. Wishing you the best... min
KADORVA Electric Foot Warmer Fast Heating Extra Large Pad with 9 Settings for Men and Women with Cold feet, Remote Control Double-Side Feet Heating, Perfect Relaxation Gift for Women

Jump to this post

Thanks for your reply. I think you're right; it wouldn't work for me when I get into the hot part of the cycle.
BTW, your link was to your orders. Luckily, when I clicked it, it went to my orders on Amazon. I don't know whether this is a risk for you, but I would edit it and delete the link, and just direct people to the Kadorva foot warmer.

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@smiddy73

I started to get an ice cold left foot about 3, maybe 4 years ago. My right foot too but not nearly so bad. I had been told in Jan 2020 that I had high blood pressure and thought the amlodipine I was prescribed might be the culprit. I put up with for some time but eventually visited my GP. He checked my circulation but it was tip top he said. He took blood and tests were done but nothing untoward. So he suggested I monitor it. He retired shortly after.
Subsequently I contacted my GP practice again. I was advised to stop taking amlodipine for a month. I did but started taking again after 2 weeks as my BP was getting high.
I went back to my GPs again some time later, and saw a lady doctor who took blood for further tests. They were again ok but she had missed a B12 deficiency test. She did one and it was OK.
There was nothing left so either BP medication or a neuropathy. I got her to change my BP medication to lercanidipine to see if that made a difference ( still a calcium channel blocker ---could it be calcium channel blocker that is the problem, but unlikely..). She arranged a private consultation with a neurologist. The change of tablet hasn't helped.
I saw the neurologist last tuesday and he performed some tests and arranged a nerve conduction test plus MRI scans of spine and brain I think. These will be done in March.
He wrote to my doctor, copy to me, saying, essentially, that he thinks I have a small fibre neuropathy. But will do the tests.
The soles of my feet feel warm to touch but to me they are ice cold, mainly left foot so I suppose that suggests a neuropathy. Paradoxically, when i go to bed my feet warm up quickly and stay that way all night. I've taken to use a hot water bottle at times eg when playing bridge and my feet get freezing. It makes a huge difference but reverts very quickly to coldness after I stop.
Walking and gym can help a bit. I am still very active and also play competitive table tennis too.
I have had shingles twice and glandular fever when I was 17. I was tested a while back for Sjogren's but it was inconclusive ( I have dry eyes, dry mouth, skin etc, muscle pain, a touch of Raynauds etc). Not sure if these are factors..There is more but I've rabbitted on too long for now..Any comments?

Jump to this post

Oooh the neuropathy… my feet go from freezing cold to burning hot. What I’ve used for the cold feet is life flow, magnesium lotion from Amazon, Cozy Winters envelope, type heating pad for foot of the bed also from Amazon, Rock Dove slippers, Pure Enrichment large heating pad that I put my feet on top of so it’s not pressure on my feet. Walking helps warm up my feet. All of the above and a lot of mind games to distract myself! The envelope type heating pad I just put my feet on top of because I can’t tolerate the pressure. Some of these may be helpful to you, I hope so. You just never know. What helps one person seems to do nothing for the next. Wishing you peace and warm feet! Bcool123

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Sorry, I forgot to include heat holders socks from Amazon. They work but ribbing around the legs and arch of my foot sometimes is too tight so they may not help you at all. Peace to you, Bcool123

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