Extreme pain in my feet. Neuropathy

Posted by jim777 @jim777, Mar 31, 2023

This started in Aug. 2008 at age 43, I put my sneaker on and it felt like the sock was bunched up at the tip of my big toe. Adjusted the sock and it was still there, checked the sneaker and found nothing. I finally went to buy new sneakers and thats when concern set in, it was the same feeling when trying on new sneakers. No pain at this time. a few months went by and felt some discomfort in my toes in both feet, my doc sent me to a foot doc, he said it wasn't my feet but something effecting my feet, maybe my lower spine? The discomfort in my toes/ball of my feet stared becoming painful as time went on. in 2011 I went to see a neurologist, got an MRI and there was some issues but nothing major, also no diabetes. I basically got nowhere. The pain would start in the afternoons and night. When I woke up it would go away, my feet almost felt normal but sometime in the afternoon it would start, pain level was low to midrange. I started putting a large blue gel icepack around my foot at night while in my recliner, switching off each foot. The cold would help. That eventually led to putting my feet in a foot basin with ice and water. The pain gradually got worse. In 2021 it finally moved from only being on my toes/ball of my feet to my arch and top of my foot. Took a chance with the neurologist again but got nowhere. in 2022 I started to get sharp stabbing/electric jolts, not all the time, some days nothing, then one toe would get a shard stab every 5-10 minutes. When this happens its usually the same place, the next time a different to. It seems to now effect my legs from the knee down. Sometimes when in the recliner my calves feel discomfort. I never had a lot of hair on my legs and the hair was a light color, almost white but I notice there is no hair from my knee down. Early this year it moved to my hands. Not nearly as bad as my feet and sometimes they dont bother me. The odd thing is warm water makes them feel better when they hurt where as my feet ice water takes some of the pain away.

A few notes. Does not effect my motor skills and never had pins and needles. Ove the last 8 yrs I've tried Tramadol, then went to Neurontin and now Lyrica. Now of them help with the pain. The only thing that helps is Percocet but cant get a permanent script for that. I actually have a few but dont take them because of the Lyrica(Pregabalin), 200mg 3 times a day. Money is an issue to, no insurance. I also tried the usual like ALA, B1, b12, turmeric etc I spent a lot of money over the yrs, nothing ever worked. The burning part I thought may be Erythromelalgia which it cold still be along with neuropathy. Whats the pain like at times? I tell my wife its like getting your foot run over by a truck, them having boiling water poured on it. Its two pains, a deep nerve pain with a burning pain.

Anyone have a similar experience? I just want pain relief and to fix this issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Profile picture for drmeb @drmeb

I had a sudden episode of very numb feet and a collapsing leg minutes after taking prednisone for a rash that started after gardening in my yard. The same thing happened the second day I took the med, again minutes after swallowing the pill. I discontinued the med but have had mild and worsening neuropathy in my feet and legs ever since. When I explain this to doctors I am treated with disbelief or indifference. I don’t think the cause matters, it is a finding a solution that I care about. Good luck to everyone.

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I am not surprised at the doctors' reaction. I took methylprednisolone--a form of prednisone for two days and now have neuropathy that is not getting better. The doctors have yet to offer me a diagnosis or solution. They all want to continue doing more tests. Can you hear the anger in my voice?

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Profile picture for cgs @cgs

I would like to know that myself !! the only thing that my doctor has recommended is vitamin B12 which my last blood test it was actually higher than the limit that was recommended

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@cgs it’s essential to use methylated B12!

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Profile picture for davelobb12 @davelobb12

I have the same problem. I use Cannibas at night to sleep and have found Tramadol is helpful for the pain.

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@davelobb12 how much Tramadol do you take?

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CRPS? Only because of the mention of hair loss the bottom of the leg

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Dear jim777 my heart goes out to you! I know you are so miserable. I had similar symptoms and mine turned out to be Tarsal Tunnel syndrome. I went 2 years without much sleep and torture night after night until I researched TTS and found another doctor. I noticed your post was from 2023 I pray you have found peace

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Profile picture for julkun @julkun

So sorry for you. I am 72 and dealing with this for maybe 10 years. Neuropathy was caused by diabetes but my numbers were never real bad. As per doctors orders, I'm pretty strict with my diet, not perfect but strict. I am not even heavy. It has basically ruined my life as when it flares up I do not want to be far from home base. I take Gabapentin 2400 per day. Maybe works a little, maybe. "like getting your foot run over by a truck, them having boiling water poured on it" says it all. I've tried stem cell, prp, light therapy, electro-acupuncture, many different pills and lotions. NADA!!!! I hope you find something and pass it on to all of us. Good luck, my friend!!!

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@julkun get off Gabapentin! Try Lyrica it has fewer side effects. Alternatively you could try R form Alpha lipoic acid at 600 mg per day.

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Profile picture for blowerk1216 @blowerk1216

@julkun get off Gabapentin! Try Lyrica it has fewer side effects. Alternatively you could try R form Alpha lipoic acid at 600 mg per day.

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@blowerk1216 Good advice. I am down to 1200 Gabapentin per day. I already tried Lyrica prior to Gabapentin and I'm not going back. Done with useless drugs.

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Has anybody tried to reduce gabapentin for neuropathy to try something else? Every time I go down even 100 mg my mood becomes awful. Any ideas?

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Surprised I never noticed this post earlier. Similar symptoms. Extreme pain in my left foot only, which is constant. Mainly on the inside of the foot, the toes and the arch. It is hypersensitive to the touch, so even putting a sock on it is excruciating, plus I get these random jolts that amp up the pain. They come out of nowhere and have a rythem to them, about ever 5 to 10 seconds. It can last anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes. I started on Gabapentin low dose to high dose. That didn't help much, so they switched me to Lyrica, low dose to high dose. This has helped a little bit. Muscel relaxers help a little as well.

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Profile picture for julkun @julkun

@blowerk1216 Good advice. I am down to 1200 Gabapentin per day. I already tried Lyrica prior to Gabapentin and I'm not going back. Done with useless drugs.

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