How can I minimize foot pain/burning during strenuous walking?

Posted by scampano3 @scampano3, Sep 20 8:01pm

After 13 spine surgeries, I am suffering from severe chronic pain and worsening neuropathy in my feet. I can still walk up to 2.0 miles every other day, but what keeps me walking farther is not back/buttocks/leg pain; it's severe pain, burning and numbness in the soles of my feet and toes. I've tried so many different "snake oils", nerve pain creams, etc..., but the pain after I've walked only 1/2 mile is insane! After I've gone about 1.5 miles, my back/buttocks/leg pain almost goes away, but with every step I take, I want to scream because of the intense burning pain in the soles of my feet. The doctors say that I can't do anything about it. Besides the creams and balms, I've tried magnesium, B-vitamins and R-alpha lipoic acid supplements. Still, after a year of experimentation, I've found nothing that gets me over the hump. Any suggestions from the group?

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Hi, I get the Biofreeze Nighttime Cooling Gel and mix it with cheap lidocaine 4% lotion. The menthol gel mixes with the lidocaine and helps the feet absorb it more deeply. I get the Nighttime Cooling Gel Biofreeze instead of the regular Biofreeze gel, because the regular has camphor in it which raises seratonin when absorbed and overly compounds the seratonin effect of other drugs taken. I aslo put capsacian cream over that to obtain the hot/cold nerve signal cancelation affect. Then I put some type of moisture sealing lotion on top of that to seal the medicine in and keep the skin on my feet from drying out. I tried many other topicals, but this regimen works best for me. Low dose tricyclic antidepressants help calm the nerve pain signals also if they don't make you sleepy in tve daytime.
Hope that helps.

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Profile picture for rockon79 @rockon79

@scampano3 I get it about the sneaker thing and hope. Getting the physical plus of more helpful activity and a temporary psychological boost are both relatively rare and much needed in our situations. " that is, they don't know why it's getting worse, and there's nothing I can do about it." "I am starting to feel a bit hopeless" When you are told by the "experts" what I quoted above no wonder you feel that way! Although honesty is important, dashing any hope for a patient's pain relief is a very unprofessional and ignorant bedside manner! Keep in mind; that is only what your doctor thinks and is perhaps a window into his expertise and abilities not that of the entire medical profession dedicated to this condition. On another note-I just bought a couple pairs of Sketchers (of all things). Many I know rave about them and for me the support and comfort are amazing, Brooks are great and worth it if you find the right ones and New Balance are basically work horses. Anyway Sketchers-I don't believe that I bought them.

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@rockon79 I bought two pair of Sketcher slip-ins for medical appointments when I know I'll be taking them on/off. Otherwise, I find them very uncomfortable for walking, unless I slide an orthodic insert in them. I also own three pairs of Brooks Beasts, which I thought were awesome until I tried the Hoka's. I'll never exercise in anything but Hoka's now.

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Profile picture for greengold @greengold

Maybe it's unrelated!
I have peripheral neuropathy now, but years ago I developed something in my feet. I could do a 5 hour mountain hike up to that point, but then I started developing a burning foot pain about 10-15 minutes into the start of the hike..very painful, and I was leading hikes...not good!
I did not have a formal diagnosis, but I began treating it like a "Mortons Neuroma".
I bought hiking boots (and running shoes) with a wide and deep toebox, I bought (over the counter), foam toe spacers and used them for 5 minutes 2x/ day. They separated the toes and I think brought better circulation. I also bought Dr Scholl's "BALL OF FOOT" inserts for the shoes/boots. I bought both in the foot section at the pharmacy. (Shopper Drug Mart). For awhile I did a warm/hot foot soak before bed, then did a foot massage for a minute or two. The pain went away and I contued for about a year. It hasn't come back but I now only wear my shoes/runners/ boots with plenty of space for toes to spread out, and about twice/ week, I wear the toe spacers for about 5
minutes. I think what was the most was the Dr Scholls "Ball of Foot" inserts. There are 2 types, one for runners/hiking boots and the other for ladies shoes. I'm avoiding ladies shoes unless a wedding etc,
I hope this helps as I think peripheral neuropathy and Mortons Neuroma are different problems, but entail burning pain.
That would be 11 years ago and I walked The Frances Camino in Spain after that ..750 kms, no burning no pain.

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@greengold- It is encouraging that that you have lessened or even eliminated the burning and pain by physically increasing the comfort for your feet. Never the less, as you posted, activities that you could do before now developed into "a burning foot pain about 10-15 minutes into the start of the hike.. very painful, and I was not good! to quote. Since that is the case, perhaps you should get a formal diagnosis because pain and burning can indicate an eventually life altering condition. I don't want to be a "calamity howler" but I speak from my own experience and from that of many others because timely treatment can provide successes and avoid difficulties that might not be available later on as any deterioration progresses. Just my suggestion for an early diagnosis which can be a huge positive.

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Profile picture for scampano3 @scampano3

@rockon79 I bought two pair of Sketcher slip-ins for medical appointments when I know I'll be taking them on/off. Otherwise, I find them very uncomfortable for walking, unless I slide an orthodic insert in them. I also own three pairs of Brooks Beasts, which I thought were awesome until I tried the Hoka's. I'll never exercise in anything but Hoka's now.

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@scampano3

I agree with your assessment on Sketchers. Now I use them only for very short walks or in the house. Even my LL Bean boat shoes are more comfortable because they have arch support and their comfort sneakers are pretty good, too. For major walking I use my Brooks or Hokas. I do not have discomfort with neuropathy but the Brooks and Hokas are great for my shins/calf and they support my lower back. I found ortho inserts uncomfortable. So we are on same page and I wish you success with your exercise activities.

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Profile picture for arcuri24 @arcuri24

@scampano3

I agree with your assessment on Sketchers. Now I use them only for very short walks or in the house. Even my LL Bean boat shoes are more comfortable because they have arch support and their comfort sneakers are pretty good, too. For major walking I use my Brooks or Hokas. I do not have discomfort with neuropathy but the Brooks and Hokas are great for my shins/calf and they support my lower back. I found ortho inserts uncomfortable. So we are on same page and I wish you success with your exercise activities.

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@arcuri24 Thank you for your reply. Can I ask with Brooks and Hoka models you use? I'm just curious because you like the support for your back.

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I have a pair of Hoka Bondi 6 which I found around my block when walking my dog. They were in mint condition and fit perfectly. I also have two pair of Brooks Ghost 17-very comfortable and my one pair in black will complement my winter outfits. Years ago I also found Saucony to be helpful-those I used in my running days which are basically over now. When I have to switch into a regular shoe like I did at church today, you can really appreciate how much support the sneakers provide. My back is very grateful!

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Profile picture for scampano3 @scampano3

@arcuri24 Thank you for your reply. Can I ask with Brooks and Hoka models you use? I'm just curious because you like the support for your back.

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@scampano3

Following up on earlier discussion on footwear, I made the decision to toss one pair of my Sketchers this morning. I had worn them this weekend during the dreadful Nor'easter-they did keep my feet dry but even just walking around the block while wearing them caused back and leg pain. I still have one pair left ad they sit in my closet for the most part. It is kind of sad as the shoes are advertised everywhere and seem to be affordable (maybe not so much anymore) and the Sketcher folks claim to donate some of their profit to helping animals. The Nor'easter is going away-it came with its own discomforts. Now I am back in the Hokas and am awaiting dryer days. Also, I should mention that I exercise on a mat and do routines barefoot every morning.

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