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Nerve Damage in the Foot
My 21 year old daughter had a car accident 5 weeks ago. She lost the feeling in her foot and the outside of her leg up to her knee. She needed a 4 hour surgery to fix up her broken pelvis. She was doing okay for the first several weeks, Dealing with her pain better..or maybe it just wasn't this bad, but things have taken a downward spiral. She is in constant agonizing pain and feels like her foot is burning off. She can't do physical therapy. Her foot is a still a drop foot. Is this her nerves regenerating...dying?
She is on 150mg of Lyrica twice a day, 30mg of Cymbalta, which will change to 60mg after a week..it's been 4 days. Percocet every 4 hours. And also Cumadin as a blood thinner. I don't know what to do. I am trying to get ahold of the family doctor to refer her to a pain management doctor, but I can't get a hold of him. Her foot is warm and a good color, but I am scared. Should I take her to a hospital? To make matters worse, we are in the middle of a bad storm. Snow, no power, roads closed or should be. I can get out tomorrow and take her to the hospital if I need to. I am hoping someone will see this and write me.
She is on 150mg of Lyrica twice a day, 30mg of Cymbalta, which will change to 60mg after a week..it's been 4 days. Percocet every 4 hours. And also Cumadin as a blood thinner. I don't know what to do. I am trying to get ahold of the family doctor to refer her to a pain management doctor, but I can't get a hold of him. Her foot is warm and a good color, but I am scared. Should I take her to a hospital? To make matters worse, we are in the middle of a bad storm. Snow, no power, roads closed or should be. I can get out tomorrow and take her to the hospital if I need to. I am hoping someone will see this and write me.
Hi,
Following hip surgery and leg lengthening I am now experiencing the same problems as your daughter. My foot feels like it is burning,I have stabbing pains in my big toe and it is very sensitive to touch. My surgeon says these are classic symptoms of nerve regeneration and is a positive sign as opposed to nubness/lack of pain. I am seeing a pain management docter tommorrow and I can let you know how it goes. Apparantly there are drugs that are specific to nerve damage and procedures that can help which have something to do with pressure on the nerves. I understand your distress - It is very painfull and unpleasant - however it is important to rember that it is 'fake' pain as it does not come from any injury it is just the nerves 'misfiring'. The important thing is to get the right medication - I have been on very strong general painkillers since my operation and they don't seem to help very much - you need something more specific - my surgeon has mentioned Gabapentin - but you need Neuropathic medications which operate in a completely different way to standard painkillers.
I too have the same problem that I can't do my Physio as my foot is too sensitive.
Please email me if you have any more questions on ***@**** - I will be better informed tommorrow. I am also seeing a nerve specialist on Thursday. I would also be intersted in how you get on.
Please send your daughter my sympathies.
Ben
Following hip surgery and leg lengthening I am now experiencing the same problems as your daughter. My foot feels like it is burning,I have stabbing pains in my big toe and it is very sensitive to touch. My surgeon says these are classic symptoms of nerve regeneration and is a positive sign as opposed to nubness/lack of pain. I am seeing a pain management docter tommorrow and I can let you know how it goes. Apparantly there are drugs that are specific to nerve damage and procedures that can help which have something to do with pressure on the nerves. I understand your distress - It is very painfull and unpleasant - however it is important to rember that it is 'fake' pain as it does not come from any injury it is just the nerves 'misfiring'. The important thing is to get the right medication - I have been on very strong general painkillers since my operation and they don't seem to help very much - you need something more specific - my surgeon has mentioned Gabapentin - but you need Neuropathic medications which operate in a completely different way to standard painkillers.
I too have the same problem that I can't do my Physio as my foot is too sensitive.
Please email me if you have any more questions on ***@**** - I will be better informed tommorrow. I am also seeing a nerve specialist on Thursday. I would also be intersted in how you get on.
Please send your daughter my sympathies.
Ben
My brother has been involved in a motorbike accident and he had fractured both his pelvis and that caused damage to the nerve on his left foot. he can't feel his toes or hes upper foot and hes got a foot drop. he sometimes gets pain but i dont understand how he gets pain when hes saying that he cant feel hes foot at all. i was just wondering does nerve repair itself by time or by physio therapy or an operation that he can do to repair the nerve on his left foot if there any chances of getting the nerve repaird or is hes foot gnna stay like that forever please helpppp ! :(
Sorry to hear about all the pain. Jim, my husband, pain just started in his feet bout 7 years ago. he has taken Lyrica, Neurontin and bout all the pain killers possible. HAS ANYONE HEARD OF THE NEUROLIGIST TAKING A NERVE OUT OF THE FOOT AND TESTING IT TO SEE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PAIN. THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT NOW. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
Hi
Im a brit living in Holland.
I am 33 years old and two years ago i had two hip replacements, after the operation I was so so happy as i had the bad hips for ten years.
I hated taking pain killers, I am a preacher and an ex drug addict, I became a christian in prison where i was doing five years for cutting a guys throat, then one night i asked God to come into my heart and I was changed.
Being an ex drug addict and a christian i had some conflict taking pain killers whilst I had bad hips, I tried everything from co codamol to dyhidracodiene to morphine, I was on so so much of mst I was looking terrible and getting quite confused.
After the op as I say I was really happy as it was all over now, I went back to work as a life coach, support worker in a homeless hostel and then all of a sudden One night I suddenly realised I had been running round all night with a screwed up face and not hearing a thing anyone had said to me.. I was in unbelieveable pain, a terrible burning and a feeling of walking on my knuckles except on my feet.. hmmm yeah.
It has been so hideous to have to go through all this and now i am built up to 300 mg of lyrica a day and also 900 MG OF TRAMADOL A DAY.. i still take more, the doc put me on a special prescription for the pain but i can honestly say it isnt doing a thing for me, i was taking amytriptaline aswell but it was making me fall asleep and when i got up for work in a morning i would be falling sleep whilst standing up on the tram.
So i stopped the amytriptaline and tomorrow i will go and see the doc and get some bad *** pain killers, i dont care anymore if i have to take a thousand mil a day of morphine.. i really can not have any kind of life unless i am outa pain.
After 15 mins the pain starts.. its a war.
well i wanted to just ask how your daughter was doing, i think there is just a little comfort in knowing that someone else is going through the same stuff.
Im a brit living in Holland.
I am 33 years old and two years ago i had two hip replacements, after the operation I was so so happy as i had the bad hips for ten years.
I hated taking pain killers, I am a preacher and an ex drug addict, I became a christian in prison where i was doing five years for cutting a guys throat, then one night i asked God to come into my heart and I was changed.
Being an ex drug addict and a christian i had some conflict taking pain killers whilst I had bad hips, I tried everything from co codamol to dyhidracodiene to morphine, I was on so so much of mst I was looking terrible and getting quite confused.
After the op as I say I was really happy as it was all over now, I went back to work as a life coach, support worker in a homeless hostel and then all of a sudden One night I suddenly realised I had been running round all night with a screwed up face and not hearing a thing anyone had said to me.. I was in unbelieveable pain, a terrible burning and a feeling of walking on my knuckles except on my feet.. hmmm yeah.
It has been so hideous to have to go through all this and now i am built up to 300 mg of lyrica a day and also 900 MG OF TRAMADOL A DAY.. i still take more, the doc put me on a special prescription for the pain but i can honestly say it isnt doing a thing for me, i was taking amytriptaline aswell but it was making me fall asleep and when i got up for work in a morning i would be falling sleep whilst standing up on the tram.
So i stopped the amytriptaline and tomorrow i will go and see the doc and get some bad *** pain killers, i dont care anymore if i have to take a thousand mil a day of morphine.. i really can not have any kind of life unless i am outa pain.
After 15 mins the pain starts.. its a war.
well i wanted to just ask how your daughter was doing, i think there is just a little comfort in knowing that someone else is going through the same stuff.
Hi ANIMALS569,
I am so sorry to hear about your pain and suffering. I know pain affects every aspect of our lives and we feel like we are less of the person that we were before but remember what you have instead of dwelling on what you don't or can't do anymore. Being positive helps and also support and we are all here for you and know what your feeling and I wish I could tell you that it will all be better but it is something we have to work at. I am really sorry about your loss of income, do you have workers comp or any kind of insurance to help? I am not familiar with disability to much but you can always get your Dr to help you apply. Also there are agencies that will help you like churches and other organizations that will help people with their rent light bills etc. Catholic social services is one that comes to mind, maybe you could check with your local community services and see if they have a list. Again I am sorry your in this position and you have accomplished a lot losing that much weight is really GREAT so you can do anything you set your mind to just don't let the pain get you down and make you start believing you can't!
I am so sorry to hear about your pain and suffering. I know pain affects every aspect of our lives and we feel like we are less of the person that we were before but remember what you have instead of dwelling on what you don't or can't do anymore. Being positive helps and also support and we are all here for you and know what your feeling and I wish I could tell you that it will all be better but it is something we have to work at. I am really sorry about your loss of income, do you have workers comp or any kind of insurance to help? I am not familiar with disability to much but you can always get your Dr to help you apply. Also there are agencies that will help you like churches and other organizations that will help people with their rent light bills etc. Catholic social services is one that comes to mind, maybe you could check with your local community services and see if they have a list. Again I am sorry your in this position and you have accomplished a lot losing that much weight is really GREAT so you can do anything you set your mind to just don't let the pain get you down and make you start believing you can't!
I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PLANNER FACIITIS AND I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN PAIN FOR A YEAR. I USED TO RUN SIX MILES A DAY AND LOST EIGHTY POUNDS IN LESS THAN A YEAR.MY LIFE IS NOW LOST AND I FEEL AT GREAT LOSS.I AM NOW BEING TESTED FOR NERVE DAMAGE AFTER I HAD MY SURGERY OF CUTTING MY LIGAMENT. I WISH THAT I COULD SAY THAT I NOW HAVE NO PAIN BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.IT IS WORSE.I DON'T NOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO ASSISTANT MANAGING IN THE CAFETERIA AND I COULD LOOSE MY HOME.I FEEL SO LOST AND HELPLESS.
tacoma, apparently your post never made it to the forum because if it were deleted by me or TMA it would still show on our end. Make sure to check the upper right hand corner when you post and it will say post successful. If your still having problems please let me know.
Five months ago I droped my mic, stand on my foot... I went to one doctor who stated I broke the top of my foot, he sent me to a foot Doctor, who then said that my foot was not broken but I had nerve damage... Duh... I have MS, the Doctor gave me a cortizone shot, why I don't know... Now my foot is still bruised and is turnig white with a burning sensation, Whats my next move my foot is getting worse...
Thanks for your time.
Melissa Perez
Thanks for your time.
Melissa Perez
Hi, I am starting to get the feeling that some of my posts aren't making it to the forum. Maybe I am not supposed to relay info about dosages that my daughter is taking? There are two missing. One from her saying thank you for relaying your experiences and another from me explaining what the doctor put her on now, meds-wise. Here goes and we'll see if it gets to you.
What is working now and keeping her out of pain is 150mg Lyrica 3 times a day, 30mg Cymbalta 3 times a day and Percocet when needed. This is working, She's not loopy or dopey. I am however worried about the withdrawal symptoms from Cymbalta when it is time to taper and quit.
She still has no feeling in her foot, but we are still early in the game. We never heard from the Nerve Doc for an appt. maybe it would be a waste for her as well. I hope you get this. Glad you are feeling better!
What is working now and keeping her out of pain is 150mg Lyrica 3 times a day, 30mg Cymbalta 3 times a day and Percocet when needed. This is working, She's not loopy or dopey. I am however worried about the withdrawal symptoms from Cymbalta when it is time to taper and quit.
She still has no feeling in her foot, but we are still early in the game. We never heard from the Nerve Doc for an appt. maybe it would be a waste for her as well. I hope you get this. Glad you are feeling better!
Hi,
How is it going? I saw the nerve guy who wasn't very helpful - I got more info from the pain specialist. He prodded my foot abit and said if it's not feeling better in 4 weeks come back. I suppose that means he's not too worried about it and thinks it will heal naturally, but it wasn't a very illuminating visit!
I have stopped the Amytriptiline and moved on to the Lyrica ( I was told to start one and move on to the other if it didn't work) I found the Amytriptiline really made me feel doped up and I couldn't really cope with the simplest tasks like making coffee and getting dressed.( I was taking up to 5 tablets every evening) I think the Lyrica is much better altough the pain isn't completely gone it is definately more beareable. Out of interest what dose of Lyrica are you on?
Things are definately better but with the Oxycodone, Lyrica and the occassional Tramadol, I am finding it quite hard to be constantly doped up.
I hope all is well with you - it is definately nice to be able to get on with things again and sleeping is great!.
How is it going? I saw the nerve guy who wasn't very helpful - I got more info from the pain specialist. He prodded my foot abit and said if it's not feeling better in 4 weeks come back. I suppose that means he's not too worried about it and thinks it will heal naturally, but it wasn't a very illuminating visit!
I have stopped the Amytriptiline and moved on to the Lyrica ( I was told to start one and move on to the other if it didn't work) I found the Amytriptiline really made me feel doped up and I couldn't really cope with the simplest tasks like making coffee and getting dressed.( I was taking up to 5 tablets every evening) I think the Lyrica is much better altough the pain isn't completely gone it is definately more beareable. Out of interest what dose of Lyrica are you on?
Things are definately better but with the Oxycodone, Lyrica and the occassional Tramadol, I am finding it quite hard to be constantly doped up.
I hope all is well with you - it is definately nice to be able to get on with things again and sleeping is great!.
Hi,
I was wondering what happened with the Neurologist? I hope it was good news. My daughter is feeling so much better, but is taking much medication. Not so much Percocet, but lots of the Lyrica and Cymbalta. I am already reading about dealing with withdrawals with Cymbalta for later reference.
I was wondering what happened with the Neurologist? I hope it was good news. My daughter is feeling so much better, but is taking much medication. Not so much Percocet, but lots of the Lyrica and Cymbalta. I am already reading about dealing with withdrawals with Cymbalta for later reference.
Hi,
I saw the pain specialist today. He upped my dose of Oxycontin (oxycodon) and prescribed me Amitriptyline to take every night. Amitriptiyline is an anti-depressent but has a side effect of reducing nerve pain. He has told me to self medicate these up to 5 tablets every evening and if they don't work or they make me feel ill, he has told me to take Pregabalin (Lyrica) instead which is used for neuropathic pain and seems to me to be a little more suitable( in my humble opinion!) I don't know if these names are the same internationaly (I'm in the Uk).
I think the important thing is to constantly take what ever medication you have at regular intervals with or without pain.
Hopefully the nerves will sort themselves out whilst I control the pain and if not they can inject straight into the leg apparantly. I hope you get to see someone soon, I havn't taken anything yet but it sounds like there are very specific drugs for this kind of pain.
I see the nerve specialist on Thursday and will let you know how that goes - however at the momment it seems to be a 'wait and see' plan - nerves are very unpredictable.
Again my sympathies to your daughter - I know the pain can be all consuming at times and I hope they sort it soon.
Will keep in touch
Ben
I saw the pain specialist today. He upped my dose of Oxycontin (oxycodon) and prescribed me Amitriptyline to take every night. Amitriptiyline is an anti-depressent but has a side effect of reducing nerve pain. He has told me to self medicate these up to 5 tablets every evening and if they don't work or they make me feel ill, he has told me to take Pregabalin (Lyrica) instead which is used for neuropathic pain and seems to me to be a little more suitable( in my humble opinion!) I don't know if these names are the same internationaly (I'm in the Uk).
I think the important thing is to constantly take what ever medication you have at regular intervals with or without pain.
Hopefully the nerves will sort themselves out whilst I control the pain and if not they can inject straight into the leg apparantly. I hope you get to see someone soon, I havn't taken anything yet but it sounds like there are very specific drugs for this kind of pain.
I see the nerve specialist on Thursday and will let you know how that goes - however at the momment it seems to be a 'wait and see' plan - nerves are very unpredictable.
Again my sympathies to your daughter - I know the pain can be all consuming at times and I hope they sort it soon.
Will keep in touch
Ben
Oops, Realized that this was the original post the explained her meds, not the other one. So, you already saw what she is taking. What did they give you at first?
Hi, They don't let E-mail addresses post on these forums I guess. Don't know quite how to get yours. PLEASE let me know what the doc tells you. My other post lists what my daughter is taking. The only difference now is that she is taking Cymbalta twice a day and percoset every four hours around the clock. She still has good days and bad. She knows that this is nerve regeneration pain and she is a really good patient and has kept gracious through all this. She is a lucky girl to have survived the crash and she knows it. Keep in touch and you stay well!
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