Sharp, shooting pains in my feet? Please help

[JeanD]

For the past month, I have been having episodes of electric shock like feeling in my left foot. It comes on sudenly without warning and last only 10-15 seconds at the most, but it is very sharp. It feels as if I am being jabbed all over my foot with needles. It affects the top and bottom of my foot, but the soles of my feet feel tight and tingly most of the day now. After the 3rd episode today my foot burnt for a while. Also, the middle of the sole of my foot keepts twitching? I have no idea what all the signs mean or if they are even connected.

Thanks,
Jean

[Mckstacy]

Hi Keith,

Your symptoms sound very similar - I eventually was diagnosed w/MS.  You need to see a neurologist, preferably one who specializes in MS.  

And if that's your case - don't panic!  There have been incredible medical advances & disease-modifying drugs are now available.  I've been on GILENYA for over 4 years & have not had any MS progression or disease activity (per annual MRI results).

[Keitharmstrong]

My pain started five (5) years ago, with just the numbness of my right big toe.  Now, it has progressed to both feet, and legs.  It feels like someone is stabbing an icepick in both feet.   I am unable to get a full nights rest.  I am taking Gabapentin 600mg  FIVE TIMES A DAY, together with MS Contin, Norco 325mg SIX TIMES A DAY..I still get no relief.  There are days that I cannot walk or sit up and constantly tripping over my feet, and falling several times, and unable to get up without assistance.  I am also taking medication for depression, high blood pressure, and have had a hip replaced, and the other one needs replacement.  Doctors don't know what to do for me..already have had a nerve study, and I AM NOT DIABETIC.  Can anyone help me?

[adaletheactor]

i have the electric shock pain on the outside of my right foot, ONLY. and it's on the little toe -- nowhere else. happens both when the foot is elevated and when i'm standing. i am considering seeing a neurologist. is there a particular practice i should be searching for?

[maxd124]

I have also been having these same pains in the instep of my feet, i don't quite know if it's nerve related, haven't quite spoken to a doctor about this. I am epileptic, but again i don't know if these are symptoms of it. Is it possible to get these same pains in your hands as well? I always try to massage them but they NEVER stop, sometimes they twitch and sometimes they just last for about 5mins or more. They started of as sharp spasms them escalated to a non-stop burning/tingling feeling in my hands and feet. What can be the cause of this?

Mell

[JeanD]

Thank you for replying. I did see a Dr today and she agreed it sounds like nerves are involved. I have a referal and a RX for Gabapentin (Neurontin) as well as Tramadol. The arch of my foot has been twitching off and on today and it does feel tight. I have tried stretchigng and massaging and thought maybe that was the answer and then @ 8 tonight I had an episode of sharp pain that lasted off and on, for 30 minutes.

I need to get to the bottom of this. I will keep searching.  I wish you luck in finding answers.

Jean

[Spring-02]

Hi there:
Read your post about your foot problems and sorry to hear that you are suffering.  Does the arch on your foot hurt as well and do you have problems walking?  I had foot drop in the fall of 2002, afer having months of suffering with spastic pain and a tightness in my leg and foot.  It felt like continual charley horses and I was popping pain pills and muscle relaxors but couldn't get relief.  I had to stop work as I couldn't walk properly any more or put weight on my left foot.  I had special insoles made as the left foot arch ended up being higher then the right foot.  My knee reflexes were hypersensitive and I became overly sensitive to external stimulii.  It felt like my whole central nervous system was raw.  To make a long story short, this is over five years later and I still don't have any answers, after having numerous MRI's an EEG, EMG, testing for Lyme etc.  I take oral B12 shots monthly but they told me my B12 level was OK. My ANA (Anti-Nuclear Antibodies) were elevated and I suffer from allergies.  I had Bell's Palsey in my 30's and chicken pox as an infant.
It MAY have been a post viral condition that set off these symptoms, but when I look back, I did have several episodes, when my leg or foot would act up and I would have trouble walking for a couple of weeks.  

You should ask your immediate family if there is anybody who may suffer from auto-immune disorders.  I found out later that MS runs in my mother's side, as well as Pernicious Anenmia and several others.  I now have left sided weakness and suffer from chronic nerve pain, which I take Neurtontin also known as Gabapentin for.  I tried not to take it but the pain is just too overwhelming and I could not function.  The nights are always the worse and the pain wakes me up. Sleeping soundly through the night would be the greatest gift I would ask for.  

Please do not ignore your foot pain.  If you have not suffered from an injury, then you have to find the reason for the pain. They still think I may have an Upper Motor Neuron disorder, as that would explain the symptoms, but to date nothing has shown up on the MRI.  I still continue to see the neurologist on a yearly basis.  He can detect the left sided weakness and spastisity but still can't make a diagnosis.  They even sent me for a psychiatric evaluation, which was probably the best thing that ever happened.  THEN, they finally listened to me as I had no reason to make up these symptoms and I was not depressed.  That is the first thing they usually label you with depression, when they can't find the cause. One neuro told me to take some anti-anxiety pills, and get back to work.  

So, please take note of your symptoms and whatever other unusual things are going on in your body. Twitches, burning pain and numbness usually are indicators something is awry in the Central Nervous System.

God Bless and Good Luck,
The Canadian