@lorirenee1, yes I forgot to answer your question about how the pain began again. I started having a dull pain in big toe and under the ball of big toe. The Podiatrist took an X-ray and thought I had sesamoiditis. They put a large Metatarsal pad in my shoe along with some Superfeet orthotics. That really set everything into a huge raging flare. I could never wear orthotics or most shoes without stirring up pain before any of this happened. The Podiatrist ordered an MRI which said the sesamoid bones were “unremarkable”. The Podiatrist was on the fence concerning a CRPS diagnosis so he sent me to the Pain Specialist and the Pain Specialist is glad I requested from my PCP to get a referral to the neuro. Although the Pain guy doesn’t feel I have CRPS...I feel like I’m reliving the past going around and around again with doctors. They never performed a skin biopsy for sfn so that could be done as well. I had a herniated lumber L-3/4 disk when I was pregnant with my second son. After he was born I had an injection they did back in the 80’s called chymopapin which was derived from a papaya enzyme to shrink it. It is no longer done because in some cases that enzyme not only dissolved the disk but also nerves. Thankfully that did not happen! So, who knows, maybe there is a lumber spine issue. I had an MRI in 2005 of spine which was ok...God, I hope you feel a lot better on the 15th after that epidural!! You would definitely be experiencing tears of relief!!! It makes sense that it may help being that your toes and balls of feet are involved. My entire feet both hurt up to ankles with an added ball of foot and big toe pain. Thanks for listening and all of your sage advice! I appreciate it! -Laura