Foot pain

[grandmaj8]

I have degenerative back problems.  I have been having for 4 years or longer pain in both feet.  I am in pain all the time never without it. On my right foot between my big toe and the 2 one it is numb with pain that is there most of the time.  I am getting the feeling that something is crawling on my ankle. Sometimes my feet feel like they are in a vice with sharp shooting pains and pins and needles.  I have a lot of pressure in both legs, laying down makes it worst.  I have been on every drug for arthritis there is with no relief.  The rheumatoligst I go to sees me every 3 months. I am getting no relief.  I do not want pain pills I want help.  I suffer from chronic fatigue and I think that I have been labeled by the DR. When I lay down, my hip and feet hurt.  I experience a deep pain in the right shin. I know about putting pillow between legs when sleeping but I cannot lay still very long.  I had a sleep study done and along with sleep apnea the Dr asked me if I knew how much I moved my legs. (39 times in 1 hour not related to the apnea) Is their any relief for this kind of problem?  Like a lot of women I have a large stomach.  My mother and brother suffer with degenerative back problems.  I get relief if I lay down on the floor with my hips against the couch and my legs on the cushions part on the couch.  My right knee is starting to burn.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

A couple of possibilities come to mind. In addition to arthritis, you could have what's called a painful peripheral neuropathy which is an abnormality of the nerves to your feet. This is caused by a number of conditions such as diabetes, alcohol, thyroid disorders, electrolyte abnormalities, and protein disorders among many others. An EMG may help to establish the diagnosis and blood work can be done to look at the causes. Treatment would consist of symptomatic relief with durgs such as neurontin or elavil and of course treatment of the underlying cause.

A second possibility that the doctor was hinting at was restless legs syndrome which you do not have the typical case for, but could be. If you feel like there's wormy sensations inthe legs, or feel as if you have to get up and move around at night, familial predisposition to these synptoms, then it could be a possibility. This can be treated with meds such as sinemet, requip, and klonopin. It may help you sleep at night, too. Talk to our doctor about getting a neurologuy consult. Good luck.

[jillybabe]

I too, have similar symptons and I think it is called peripheral
neuritis. I have scoliosis and the nerves in my back get pinched and pulled when I am in different positions for very long. My feet and lower legs are the worst with the burning, tingling and itching. I can scratch my leg and feel a twinge in my back! I also have numb spots in my hip or thigh (moves around). Sometimes I can't feel the floor under my foot and don't know where my right foot is. This does not happen all the time. I am about to begin a vitamin B12 regimen as suggested to me on a forum I go to. You might want to check it out and see if this sounds like you. They can direct you to all kinds of books on this B12 deficiency. http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Peripheral+Neuropathy&number=73&DaysPrune=365&LastLogin=  This is a long address but it will take you to the right page. It is a large forum an lots of subjects. Just copy the whole thing and paste it in the address bar. I hope it helps you.

[LIL MOMA]

I HAVE ALOT OF PAIN DAILY IN MY RIGHT FOOT AND ALOT OF PIAN IN THE RIGHT LEG. I HAVE NOT YET BEEN TO THE DOCTOR FOR THIS PROBLEM YET I HAVE BEEN ALITTLE AFRAID TO GO BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY MIGHT TELL ME IS WRONG WITH MY LEG AND FOOT.   THE PAIN REALLY HURTS ALOT IF I LAY DOWN AND GET UP TO WALK IT IS VERY HARD INORDER FOR ME TO WALK ON THE LEG THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOT FEELS NUMB AT TIMES I HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE SYMPTOMS FOR ABOUT A MONTH OR SO.   I HAVE NOT FELL OR ANTHING AND I WAS EXCERCISING ON THE TREDMILL BUT THE PAIN ONLY GOT WORSE SO I DECIDED TO STOP THE EXERCISE FOR NOW UNTIL I FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY LEG&FOOT I JUST AM REALLY ARAID OF THE OUTCOME.  SO IF YOU COULD EASE ,Y MIND ALITTLE FOR WHT YOU MAY THINK IS WRONG WITH ME.  I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.  THANKX  LIL MOMA

[GOLDEN DENNIS]

Be careful, LIL MOMA.  that's the way I started out, it got worse, went to other foot and leg then both arms, hands, tops of shoulders and base of neck.  I have Peripheral neuropathy, specifically vasculitic neuropathy, i.e., neuropathy caused by vasculitis.  Rare and extreme. But, if you have peripheral neuropathy, you need to get to the doc asap.  I also have spinal stenosis and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome which is like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome but in the feet, and you may have that.  Get to a neurologist directly or via a referral from your primary cre physician.  Good luck to you.  Dennis.

[Nedo]

I, too, have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.  However, the meds that I've received do not really help.  I cannot hardly walk by the time I work all day (teaching 6th graders).  I do ok during the day; just stiff in the feet when I stand after sitting a little while.  Also, the mornings are almost impossible.  I can hardly stand the pain to stand up and walking is...well, I walk like an 80 year old who has leg problems in the mornings.  I'm 40.  The pain seems to be coming further up my legs and now my hips are truly bothering me.  I can't sit very long without severe pain.  I started out on neurontin (it made me feel a little crazy).  I then went to nortriptylin.  I'm returning to my doctor on Friday to see if maybe I have something along with the peripheral neuropathy...I'm quite frustrated.  What to do?  Thanks, Nedo.

[GOLDEN DENNIS]

Nedo---you sound like me, except I have progressed to a point where I am no longer able to work.  have applied for Soc. Sec. Disablity.  They agreed cannot walk, stand for very long but was denied on the sitting issue, which they ignored as to the problem that I described because like you, am unable to sit lon, maybe 15 minutes at a time.  I have a bed near my computer so that I can lay down and rest as necessary.  Currently using cane to get around, feel as thought wheel chair is coming soon.  Do not be bashful with you doctor, tell it like it is.  Have you been to a neurologist yet?  If not, get to one asap.  Good luck to you DENNIS

[mickyfinn]

Am 41 and have experienced the same symptoms, the crawling on your ankle sounds like sciatica, i also experience lower back pain and pain down the back of my leg. i have been told i have  prolapses at L4/L5/S1. Read a book called treat your own back by Robin Mckenzie, the exercises described have made a massive difference to my symptoms. The last 6 years were spent in agony. I have had a huge turn around in the last 6 months. Go see a physiotherapist who specialises in the Mckenzie technique and do the exercises religiously.