pain/burning infeet

I have constant burning and pain in both feet. I' ve had this condition for several years, take cymabalta and pain meds.was told I had idopathic neuropathy. I have trouble sleeping, or doing my work, I ' ve been told there's not much anyone can do for me, Is this true? I have considered coming to Cleveland Clinic if anyone thought they could help me.I am 54 and have suffered for 10 plus years, would love to live a more pain free or reduced pain life where I could enjoy doing some of the  things I use to enjoy

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Idiopathic neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves for which no cause can be identified. It is fairly common as almost one third of all neuropathies are idiopathic.
Treatment is mostly symptomatic including medications, injection therapy, steroids, physical therapy, topical capsaicin cream, local anesthetics, nerve blocks and alternate therapy like acupressure and acupuncture.

Hope this helps!

[jjm0019]

Hello Wag478

I have suffered with pain since I was 18 years old.  I'm 31 now.  I can't say how hard it has been living in pain for all my adult life.  I have really cold feet and legs accompanied by a intense burning sensation throughout my entire body.  It ranges from my feet all the way through my back and chest.  The onset of these symptoms was literally overnight, and I went to many doctors trying to diagnose where the pain was coming from.  All of which could not find anything wrong with me.  I because very frustrated, gave up, and just lived my life with the pain.  Un able to tolerate the pain any longer, I started visiting doctors again.  I started with a pain management specialist who put me on Norco and Cymbalta.  The Norco does help with the pain, but does not take it away completely (nothing ever does).  And the Cymbalta has helped my depression (because of the pain) but hasn't reduced any of the symptoms.  I recently went to a neurologists who had a dermatologist run a couple "punch biopsy's" on me.  Much to my shock, they came back positive for Small Fiber Neuropathy...which does help to explain the symptoms I've had for many years.  I find that hot water and a warm climate helps reduce my symptoms, but again, doesn't take it away completely.  Do you notice the same?  Also, is the burning only located in your feet or has it spread to other parts of the body?  Have you found that the Cymbalta has helped?   Sorry about the rant here, I guess it feels good to get some of this off my chest with other people that share the some of the same idiopathic symptoms.  

JJM0019

[Carol in PA]

Wag,
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum has written a book, "Pain Free 1-2-3: A Proven Program for Eliminating Chronic Pain Now."

You can read about the book at Amazon.com, or you can go to Dr. Teitelbaum's website, endfatigue-dot-com, where he has book notes with most of the information.
http://www.endfatigue.com/book_notes/Pf123_book_notes_overview.html

Also, see this article:
Effective Treatment for Neuropathic (Nerve) Pain
by Jacob Teitelbaum MD
http://www.ei-resource.org/expert-columns/dr.-jacob-teitelbaums-column/effective-treatment-for-neuropathic-pain/

You may be surprised at some of the things that can help you.
Wishing you the best,
Carol

[rudyhorse]

Dear Wag,
I also have that type of pain and in my arms.  I'm sure you have tried many things as I have.  So I have no real words of wisdom just something my Dr once told me that helps me laugh and realize it isn't me.  Idopathic he said just meant "us (meaning Drs) couldn't figure out what was wrong.  Sorry I don't have more, but thought that might help.

Hang in there, best wishes.
Rudyhorse