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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spudmato | @spudmato | Apr 13, 2023

I have neuropathy as well.
Although one of our respondents indicated that he received no relief from Gabapentin, I have.
I believe the key is working with your doctor/s to reach the correct dosage.
I moved from 200 in the evening/ 100 in the morning, and --MG at lunch to 400MG at night, and the other 2 doses at 200MG.
(Gabapentin seems to work on the small nerves as in the feet, not in the big one in other parts of your body).
The result was the removal of the pain.
I believe that the maximum is 3600MG a day.
Find a cooperating doctor or pain clinic.
Good luck.

bonniethompson1234 | @bonniethompson1234 | Apr 13, 2023

In reply to @pamelaz "I tried Cymbalta, Gabapentin, Lyrica and nothing helps. It started in my feet and moved up." + (show)

Jumping in. In the morning, I take duloxitine (Cymbalta) with my gabapentin. I get some relief into the later part of the afternoon and then my gabapentin alone at bedtime helps me get to sleep. On bad nights I will also take one extra strength Tylenol which helps me stay asleep. Wish we had real answers.

davelobb12 | @davelobb12 | Apr 13, 2023

In reply to @kaptainkat "I had sudden onset of SEVERE foot pain - as if someone had driven a railroad..." + (show)

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

julkun | @julkun | Apr 15, 2023

In reply to @pamelaz "The progression was fast. They try to say it stress and anxiety. Wrong. I can hardly..." + (show)

It restricts your life, so you really are living a different life. A life I am not happy about where the pleasures are reduced by so much. I know I won't be cured but I just want some relief.

miserable | @miserable | Apr 16, 2023

I was prescribed gabapentin and on the max dose. It barely helped and I had swelling and rash. I was then prescribed amitriptyline and it definitely helps with burning pain and I'm able to sleep. I hope you find something that helps you. I am not 100% yet, but hopefully it will improve with time.

cgs | @cgs | Apr 17, 2023

In reply to @miserable "I was prescribed gabapentin and on the max dose. It barely helped and I had swelling..." + (show)

I just thank God and it's thank you for the encouragement of sharing that with us about finding a drug that would help with that pain because I know how I know how it feels when it wakes you up in the middle of the night and you're sweating and your feet feel like they've been held in the campfire I'm on Gabapentin now and my doctor says there is a limit but there are other drugs that can be tried it's pretty scary just thinking about it thank you for sharing that with us

miserable | @miserable | Apr 17, 2023

In reply to @cgs "I just thank God and it's thank you for the encouragement of sharing that with us..." + (show)

It started 1 year ago for me with numbness and loss of strength, then came the burning. The sweats are on and off, I thought it was menopause. I spent hundreds on supplements and otc creams. It was burning so bad I couldn't feel the capsaicin cream. Now the painful burning is in check, and I am currently looking for a job to be able to pay my bills. Don't give up on yourself and keep trying different things. Some medications may take a couple weeks to feel better. Best of luck and remember we are all here to support each other.

kaptainkat | @kaptainkat | Apr 17, 2023

Just as I wrapped up eight months and 41 sessions of PT for some EXTREME sciatica, I suddenly could not walk again. It was off the scale in pain. ANY pressure on my right foot sent it to the next galaxy!
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Eight hour in an ER finally yielded xray results of arthritis. They sent me home with Motrim.
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And Medicare gave me another half dozen PT session.
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I owe my LIFE to my physical therapist! Re-HAB-ilitaion and Re-HOPE-bilitation.
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Ask about 'ritis. It can't hurt. The Dr. will know that you are taking an ACTIVE ROLL in finding a solution.
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(=^..^=)
KK