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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Buzzing in Feet
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Buzzing in Feet
by LLM7, Feb 13, 2007 12:00AM
Background:
1. Sex - Female
2. Age - 43
3. Area - suburban Mass.
4. Onset - started (mildly) around 2001 (around time of disc removal (between C6 and 7).
5. Symptoms: I have buzzing feeling in both feet all the time for about the last 3 months or so.
Around the time of my operation in 2001 I noticed a small tremor(couldnt see it, just felt it) in my left foot every now and then. I'd stretch and it would go away, but its progressed over the years, now I feel the buzz in both feet almost all the time, especially at night. Feels like the buzz right before the tingle when you're feet fall asleep. My arm had gone numb when I had a herniated disc removed from my neck (I have chronic back and neck problems since I was 16, see a chiropractor once a month) but this is not like that, no tingle at all, just buzz. I went to see my neurosurgeon, he did minor testing (strength tests/squeeze his hand, etc). He said it didn't seem like I had any neurological issues but I have doubts. I am worried it is something more serious (Parkinsons?). My PCP isn't very helpful in this dept. I went to him for months with my neck problems before he sent me to the neurosurgeon and by then it was too late and I needed the operation, he will just refer me back to the same neurologist anyway. Any ideas on what it could be and what kind of doctor I should see? Another neurologist? A different specialist? I asked my neurosurgeon what I should do if it never went away or got worse but he didn't really answer directly. Just need some direction on where to go from here. Thanks!
1. Sex - Female
2. Age - 43
3. Area - suburban Mass.
4. Onset - started (mildly) around 2001 (around time of disc removal (between C6 and 7).
5. Symptoms: I have buzzing feeling in both feet all the time for about the last 3 months or so.
Around the time of my operation in 2001 I noticed a small tremor(couldnt see it, just felt it) in my left foot every now and then. I'd stretch and it would go away, but its progressed over the years, now I feel the buzz in both feet almost all the time, especially at night. Feels like the buzz right before the tingle when you're feet fall asleep. My arm had gone numb when I had a herniated disc removed from my neck (I have chronic back and neck problems since I was 16, see a chiropractor once a month) but this is not like that, no tingle at all, just buzz. I went to see my neurosurgeon, he did minor testing (strength tests/squeeze his hand, etc). He said it didn't seem like I had any neurological issues but I have doubts. I am worried it is something more serious (Parkinsons?). My PCP isn't very helpful in this dept. I went to him for months with my neck problems before he sent me to the neurosurgeon and by then it was too late and I needed the operation, he will just refer me back to the same neurologist anyway. Any ideas on what it could be and what kind of doctor I should see? Another neurologist? A different specialist? I asked my neurosurgeon what I should do if it never went away or got worse but he didn't really answer directly. Just need some direction on where to go from here. Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Feb 22, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms that you describe (buzzing in the feet) are non-specific and can be seen in multiple conditions. This 'buzzing' in the feet just before falling asleep, sounds the most like a peripheral neuropathy. There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy including diabetes, vitamin deficiency, heavy metal toxins, mutliple myeloma, collagen-vascular disorders, lyme, and many (at least 30%) with no known cause despite testing. I would suggest that you see a neurologist, and get an EMG (Nerve-muscle test). The uncomforable feeling of 'buzzing' can be alleviated by medications that treat neuropathic pain, such as neurontin, lyrica, elavil, etc. I would also suggest some screening lab work including HGB A1C, B12, ANA, TSH, serum/urine protein electro-pheresis, urine heavy metal screen and copper/ceruloplasmin. I do not think that any thing you decribed is consistent with Parkinson's disease. This usually presents with a unilateral (arm/hand) tremor, slowing down of all movements, decreased arm swing on one side, and problems walking (shuffling feet).
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms that you describe (buzzing in the feet) are non-specific and can be seen in multiple conditions. This 'buzzing' in the feet just before falling asleep, sounds the most like a peripheral neuropathy. There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy including diabetes, vitamin deficiency, heavy metal toxins, mutliple myeloma, collagen-vascular disorders, lyme, and many (at least 30%) with no known cause despite testing. I would suggest that you see a neurologist, and get an EMG (Nerve-muscle test). The uncomforable feeling of 'buzzing' can be alleviated by medications that treat neuropathic pain, such as neurontin, lyrica, elavil, etc. I would also suggest some screening lab work including HGB A1C, B12, ANA, TSH, serum/urine protein electro-pheresis, urine heavy metal screen and copper/ceruloplasmin. I do not think that any thing you decribed is consistent with Parkinson's disease. This usually presents with a unilateral (arm/hand) tremor, slowing down of all movements, decreased arm swing on one side, and problems walking (shuffling feet).
I hope this has been helpful.
You are aware that you can get a copy of any medical report generated (exception may be psych); you are paying for it.
I take the report and go to sites such as MedHelp.org.
First the buzzing, then harsh electric static shocks from the bottom of my feet, then the bottoms were so yellow and at times burning including my toes (this all comes and go) and oh gosh the pain.
The orthosurgeon said plantar fasciitis. The neurosurgeon said that's ****.
One such cause of chronic burning feet is sensory peripheral neuropathy. This results from damage to the nerves that transmit sensation from the arms, hands, legs and feet to the brain.
The one thing about my nerve damage, there is always something.
I also think that 3 sectors are absolutely over the top. If there is spinal protrusion at any level it is 90 to be at C.
L/T unlikely.
I also have plantars fasciitis in my right foot, but the buzzing started in the left foot and years earlier. Thanks all! and no fudging don't worry.