Peripheral Neuropathy - Shooting Foot Pains at Night

@tlund
Have you been formally diagnosed with PN? Do you know the cause? Did they do EMGs/nerve conduction studies? Were you tested for small fiber neuropathy with a skin punch biopsy? I have PN and Safe and take 100 mg Gabapentin at night, alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl l carnitine supplements for nerve pain, Calm magnesium supplement to help nerves, especially at night, Salonpas lidocaine pain patches, capsaicin or lidocaine creams, etc.

@tlund
My autocorrect changed my entry. I have small fiber neuropathy (SFN), not Safe. 😉

I also have plantar fasciitis and it is very painful for me. My pain is when I first wake up and try to walk on my feet. It gets a little better once I am up moving around. I started to rewear my orthotics in my sneakers which has helped to support my feet more (have flat feet).

I have chemo-induced neuropathy. Initially, I experienced pain overnight like what you are describing. I tried accupuncture for about 6 months. The pain went away completely, however the numbness remains. My practitioner did say up front that he had experienced good success with relieving pain but wouldn't likely be able to resolve the numbness (although it did improve a bit). I also started wearing barefoot shoes - initially in the house and outside, now just in the house.

Hello @tlund, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @kathyv66, @dlydailyhope and others. There is another discussion you might find helpful for suggestions:
-- Neuropathy Pain at Night: What helps?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/night-pain-2/

You might also find the list of complementary and alternative treatments on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy helpful - https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Complementary-and-Alternative-Treatments-Revised-2020-final.-1.pdf

Have you looked into any complementary or alternative treatments?

Wonder if anyone is having symptoms similar to those described below and has advice on what works to reduce pain? Overnight I am often awakened 2-4 times a night by a sharp shooting pain in the bottom of my feet. Lasts for only a second and repeats every 30 seconds or so until I get up. Pain sometimes feels like cramping in the plantar fascia and sometimes like an electrical shock. Pain is worse after a day where I've walked more. Very disrupted sleep.
Likely have bilateral idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. (During the day, after I walk, the bottom of the feet have a pins-and-needles sensation, but the real pain is at night.)
The following have helped somewhat. 50 mg. of Lyrica (I'm too groggy if I take more). Ice gel packs around feet, plantar fasciitis boots, and/or a hot bath. Have stopped taking atorvastatin. Am trying alpha lipoic acid and vitamin B1.
While plantar fasciitis is another possible diagnosis, I have no first-step pain. The usual treatments for PF (partial PF release, platelet-rich plasma injections, ESWT shockwave therapy). So, the more likely diagnosis is peripheral neuropathy, though nerve conduction studies/EMGs show no abnormalities in the long nerves and a biopsy did not support small-fiber neuropathy.
Would enjoy hearing from anyone with roughly similar symptoms. Would benefit from any insights on strategies to reduce pain. Thank you!

Hi @tlund, You will notice that we merged your discussion into the other discussion you started in the Neuropathy group on the same topic here - Peripheral Neuropathy - Shooting Foot Pains at Night: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neuropathy-shooting-foot-pains-at-night/.

Did you get a chance to read my response above to the first discussion you created?

I am new and what are barefoot shoes? Starting to experience some neuropathy on my fingers. Some on my feet but just starting so Im worried.

If you google barefoot shoes you will see lots of brands, I don't use the ones that have toes. The brand that I have been using is Leguano (they are expensive). The theory is it makes you use the muscles in your feet more than structured shoes that provide alot of support. I think it depends what works for you but they are worth trying.

What is safe
I have had skin punch (3)
One on my back upper shoulder
One right above my knee
One three inches from ankle
Outside ankle

I also had many EMG