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Cold feet due to neuropathy - need help
Neuropathy | Last Active: Apr 28 3:43pm | Replies (200)Comment receiving replies
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?
Replies to "I started to get an ice cold left foot about 3, maybe 4 years ago. My..."
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.
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
Twins! My feet are cold almost all the time.....except for when they are burning, which is weird when I put them in cold water and they still just burn away there. I just did all the same tests you have coming up (Brain MRI, nerve conduction, punch biopsy) and have the SFN diagnosis with possible Sjogrens. I see that I am falling behind you in fun activities, though. I need to learn table tennis and bridge! 😀
Hang in there. And, don't do what I did--have ALL those tests, one after the other, in the same week. I freaked, my insurance freaked, it wasn't a wise choice. :0
Hi there @smiddy73, welcome. Thanks for your reply to one of my older posts. I feel for your situation and understand how complicated it can be having a plethora of symptoms while trying to be patient and optimistic throughout testing and diagnosing. Your neurologist seems to be right on par with trouble shooting and it sounds like you're in good hands.
Luckily, you've come to the right place by finding Connect. There are so many helpful folks here that offer great suggestions and share common experiences. I love the fact that you're keeping up with physical activity. That is so important! I recall being scared of what I used to feel in my body, but these years later I've come to find acceptance and ways to work through pain, discomfort, cold feet and all.
Like @minfromtexas finds distraction through art, reading or exercise, I also use distraction as a tool. Humor is a good distraction - funny movies, pod casts, comedy shows. Journaling is great for mental health to release swirling thoughts or fears. On the flip side, journaling is also great for finding gratitude and shifting mindset to what is good in life and what we CAN do. You will find a neuropathy ally in @artscaping who shares a wonderful outlook of honing in on a quality care plan. Mindfulness, deep belly breathing and meditation helps many of us keep calm and cope with neuropathy symptoms.
You asked for comments as you ended your post...my final comments are that you appear to be very resourceful and determined to persevere. With a little help from Connect and it's members, I have a feeling you will manage whatever comes your way, neuropathy or not, and keep on playing competitive table tennis (which is awesome by the way)!
Will you report back on the March testing results?
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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