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Nerve damage from running?
I came across a site with other fellow runners that experience much of these symptoms and same issues as in Neuropathy. I have been to a Chiropractor, Podiatrist and an Ortho that specializes in feet. One Podiatrist said it was Morton's Neuroma, another said Metatarsalgia. The chiro said it was neuropathy and wanted to put me in his 7,000+-dollar program to cure it. Meanwhile he had no idea what caused it and what not to do to prevent it from coming back. The Ortho who took x-rays said it was neither and you could not typically get nerve damage from running. Others say you can. So, I have not gotten very far with a solution.
I have had lower back issues since I was younger due to gymnastics. I was a long distant runner for years. New York and Boston Marathon as well as others and triathlons and duathlons. I took some time off from running to see if the tingling in my feet would get better. I also did not walk on the hard floor without soft shoes. I do think it helped. One day I just wanted to take a short run. That was a mistake! Afterwards, I felt like my hamstrings were throbbing and my calves were in pain. Then a few days later I started getting muscle twitching. My feet were hurting a lot again with tingling and pain. Has anyone ever experienced this? I am not sure if it is from my lower back or nerve damage. My next stop is a Neurologists I guess.
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Hello @kimba8138, Sorry to hear you haven't found any answers yet for something that provides relief. There are quite a few members who have posted about nerve pain from running that might be helpful to scan through while you wait for members to respond - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=runner+%2Bnerve+pain.
If you haven't already seen these articles they might provide more information or answers.
--- Runner's World - How to Know When Your Pain Is Actually a Symptom of Nerve Damage: https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a34497220/nerve-damage-symptoms/
--- Assessment of nerve damage in the feet of long-distance runners: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3035293/
@susanop, @seekinginfo, @janebaxter and others with long distance running experience may also have some thoughts or suggestions for you. It sounds like you have seen quite a few different doctors and are thinking about seeing a neurologist. Have you thought about seeking help at a teaching hospital or major health facility like Mayo Clinic?
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2 ReactionsI am open to everything. Thanks!
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1 ReactionRequest an MRI on your feet and lower spine. I was also told I had Morton's Neuroma in my right foot but an MRI showed otherwise. I had surgery in 2019 for a herniated disk which permanently affected my right leg. Now I'm considering a spinal cord stimulator and getting examined for peripheral vascular disease, PVD.
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2 ReactionsI used to do long distance running. Not as diversified as you but trained and ran 2 marathons and lots of 10K’s. I noticed my feet would go numb - partly due to my shoes not fitting properly.
Now, 20 years later I can’t run due to ongoing neuropathy which is getting worse.
I am looking at the Scrambler therapy program ( not covered by insurance) As a last resort. I live in a major city and there isn’t a treatment program here. I did the same rounds as you did, podiatrist, and now neurologist ( They don’t have any methods for me except pain meds( gabapentin which I refuse to take )
I was sent to a pain management clinic this week and their solution was a spinal cord stimulation surgery where they implant a device under the skin( spine) where it’s controlled by a device that send electrical impulses to numb the pain!
I was shocked that this drastic measure was their solution..probably a big money maker for them!
I’m idiopathic too! Non-diabetic and have been physically active most of my life. I’m still working and unfortunately cannot look at retirement for about 5 years.. I work on my feet ( 35,000 ft above the air) and rarely sit down. Better than a sedentary desk job but having good foot health is crucial.
I feel your frustration- I am hoping to get more information from the nearest Scrambler or Calmare facility ( closet one is a 5 hour drive)
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4 ReactionsThank you for your post! When you make it there, I would love to hear back and if you think it is a good path to take.
I was speaking with someone else that is facing the same issues. He has tried everything, even stem cell I believe. He said noting has worked and he feels many people are trying to make money off of our pain with false promise and no real results. That is disappointing, but we can't give up!
@kimba8138 I am in a very similar situation: spinal stenosis back surgery in the past and ongoing lower back issues, ran 10 marathons, and was recently diagnosed with chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy. None of my doctors thinks that running caused the PN. I’ll see a neuro surgeon in 2 weeks to discuss my latest MRI and whether the issues in my lower back might be related to the hyper-sensitivity in my feet. I have been running with Naboso neuro insoles which basically overwrite the PN caused hyper-sensitivity in the feet ( my own theory). I am on Gabapentin and just went from 100mg to 200mg which seems an improvement. Planning to run the Chicago Marathon in October - if my feet cooperate. Let’s keep sharing findings!
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1 ReactionAll the best in Chicago!!
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1 ReactionI am a runner as well although not as accomplished as you. I have been running for about 15 years and I have not seen a correlation between my neuropathy in my feet and running. I took three months off, thinking I had shin splints, and during that time, nothing changed in regards to my neuropathy. I’m running slower and shorter distances now at 65 years old, but I am committed to keeping going because it’s what’s keeping me going.
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