I had a full blood test panel done at a health fair.  After a winter being mostly bedridden from severe foot pain and numbness in both feet from a yet unknown cause.  This had been ramping up over the past 20 years disguised as psoriasis pain.  The perepheral pain killers given me were either ineffective or made me too sleepy.  The pain was so bad that I would nod off or pass out if I try to do something on the computer or read my books and magazines.  I broke a cheap task chair the last time I hit the floor. 
  This pain was a constant hellfire burning type with numbness radiating into my lower legs.  It didn't matter if I sit or stood.  Walking had some relief for awhile the past 5 years, but the pain got worse over time that I was unable to walk for long since early December.  Walking in the store was hell these past few months.  I could not concentrate on my grocery list and often I leave the store with one or two items on that list not purchased.  Sometime this type of pain will actually put me to sleep at night. 
  The results of the test had several out of ranges in the kidney and liver sections, including low sodium and low vitamin D.  I showed my doctor that and he sat down next to me and explained that these were the result of the spiro plus inactivity.  I was actually ok.  He halved my spiro dosages and gave me a bag of the expensive painkiller that seems to work now.  This painkiller is a perepheral pain type and not the brain narcotic such as the opiates.   
  My E and thyroid dosages are unchanged.  Whew!

  Joelene

The things that come to mind are: DVT, herniated disk, diabetes, sciatica.  All can cause the same kind of pain.

Big hug! Stay healthy, girl! Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Ms. OBrien CVT on April 27, 2013, 08:28:44 AM
The things that come to mind are: DVT, herniated disk, diabetes, sciatica.  All can cause the same kind of pain.

These were checked plus gout, MS, and was ruled out.  My doctor said there were more than 200 causes. 

  Joelene

Quote from: Joelene9 on April 27, 2013, 01:57:14 PM
  These were checked plus gout, MS, and was ruled out.  My doctor said there were more than 200 causes. 

  Joelene

Seems as if I have a similar complaint, there are times when my feet and ankles are just killing me and other days when it's mostly gone. My VA healthcare provider asked me if I have diabetes. I reply, "Uh you're the doctor, aren't you suppose to tell me if I have diabetes?" Then she says that it's neuropathy and that they have pills for that. I say, "I'm not into pills to mask something that hasn't been diagnosed, how about we try and discover the cause instead?" I think they think I'm a contentious A-hole, but no-one really seems to want to do the homework and discover the cause. I do know that excessive salt or any alcoholic beverage seems to exacerbate it.

A blood glucose meter is not a prescription item, although in my state, they must be covered by health plan money if you belong to one.  You talk about VA, but there are other health organizations that will screen you for diabetes for free, or little cost, and help you get a meter.  Plunking a set of numbers taken at a regular intervals down in front of your otherwise clueless Dr. Watson will at least get him thinking you do have something to go on. Paramedics  literally peeled me off the floor in a pool of blood from a head wound I had when I passed out from a blood glucose reading of 826 which is not compatible was life, at least long life. 

Quote from: Vicky on April 27, 2013, 07:29:59 PM
A blood glucose meter is not a prescription item, although in my state, they must be covered by health plan money if you belong to one.  You talk about VA, but there are other health organizations that will screen you for diabetes for free, or little cost, and help you get a meter.  Plunking a set of numbers taken at a regular intervals down in front of your otherwise clueless Dr. Watson will at least get him thinking you do have something to go on. Paramedics  literally peeled me off the floor in a pool of blood from a head wound I had when I passed out from a blood glucose reading of 826 which is not compatible was life, at least long life.

Thanks Vicky, I'll have to look into it.

  This was a good day!  The snow had stopped falling and the late hard freezes that murdered my spring flowers had passed.  A very late spring here.  I managed to hand till 3 of 6, 10' x 15' plots in my garden without fuss from my feet!  I am slowly getting back into shape.  That painkiller is doing the trick.  Yes, the feet and legs were sore at the end, but this time that particular pain subsided after resting.   Soles of both feet are still numb though.  Arches are ok and was never the problem.  Sunny day, good vitamin D exposure. 
  I need to get back into shape and getting that garden on automatic before leaving to the NW to visit cousins I haven't seen before in 3 weeks.  Seattle area and in Oregon.  I want to go up the Space Needle! 

  Joelene

UPDATE:

  Things are getting better considering that the problem is still there.  The meds seem to quell the pain, but it still flares up at night as the 3:00am alarm clock.  I am regaining my strength as evidenced from mowing the lawn today without stopping in the middle as I did 2 weeks ago before visiting cousins in the northwest, 2 of whom I have never met before.  I also weeded the most of the garden without stopping as well.  Other tests to the cause of the pain will be done as I can afford them.
  My Dr. gave me a application to the drug company to get the painkiller for free.  I filled it out and mailed it before I went traveling.  I will get a response from that when my doctor does.  This is a heavily advertised, expensive med still in patent protection. 

  Joelene

Jolene,
      I'd sure be interested in finding out what it is that is the actual cause. I have a similar problem, I have to change shoes several times a day and a shopping trip for a few hours at the mall will kill me for the rest of the day. Keep us updated will you?

Update: Painful neuropathy of the feet
  My doctor referred me to a better podiatrist today, the one down the hall from him.  I had a check-up today with this podiatrist and actually got somewhere with this one.  The pain moved from the soles to the tops of the feet, leaving behind numbness and lack of motor in the previous area.  He went right to work on the feet, no Xrays or other expensive crap.  He found extensive nerve damage.  He thinks my cause is from the mercury I was exposed to on my old job.  He found no circulatory problems nor the other problems associated with this type of neuropathy.  He gave me some pills that is usually given to diabetics for the same problem.  I will see in a few months if this latest therapy works.  These pills contain a different folic acid formulation that has been proven to stop and reverse somewhat the nerve damage in the feet.  Metanix, these are concidered a prescription vitamin.  I am off of the painkillers!  Just Aleve when necessary! 
 
  Shantel, see if your doctor could recommend a good, no nonsense podiatrist for your foot pain.  Your symptoms are a little different than mine. 

  Joelene

Quote from: Joelene9 on September 12, 2013, 06:14:50 PM
Update: Painful neuropathy of the feet
  My doctor referred me to a better podiatrist today, the one down the hall from him.  I had a check-up today with this podiatrist and actually got somewhere with this one.  The pain moved from the soles to the tops of the feet, leaving behind numbness and lack of motor in the previous area.  He went right to work on the feet, no Xrays or other expensive crap.  He found extensive nerve damage.  He thinks my cause is from the mercury I was exposed to on my old job.  He found no circulatory problems nor the other problems associated with this type of neuropathy.  He gave me some pills that is usually given to diabetics for the same problem.  I will see in a few months if this latest therapy works.  These pills contain a different folic acid formulation that has been proven to stop and reverse somewhat the nerve damage in the feet.  Metanix, these are concidered a prescription vitamin.  I am off of the painkillers!  Just Aleve when necessary! 
 
  Shantel, see if your doctor could recommend a good, no nonsense podiatrist for your foot pain.  Your symptoms are a little different than mine. 

  Joelene

Hey Joelene, that's great news! Thanks for your advice! I went outside of the VA system to a podiatrist who doesn't know squat either. The one at VA is just a clock puncher waiting to retire. I'm searching for someone like you have found. Keep us updated will you? It sounds like this guy is going to get you sorted out and back on your feet! 

  Update on the neuropathy:  I saw my podiatrist after nearly two months since my last visit.  My regular Dr. took me off of the Spiro since my last posting due to the flushing may aggravate this situation, just E and thyroid.  No over the rail, non-linear rants, but my Dr. will still test me for T levels if I run into any problems.  My podiatrist has given me some Lyrica to see if it will ease the pain.  There has been improvement with the Metanix folate pills with some recovery of sensation on the soles of my feet.  But the pain on the tops of my feet has progressed to the tops of my ankles.  He also gave me a script for a generic Lamisil for the fungus on the feet and nails.  He even called my pharmacy while his assistant worked on my feet!  It was ready when I left his office!  What service!  He will check me for liver damage in two weeks from the Lamisil plus any problems from the Lyricia.   
  My podiatrist has seen a neurologist who did a seminar since my last visit.  This neurologist specializes in periperal neuropathy and my podiatrist may have him look into my case.  The problem is at the base of my spine where the nerves to the legs and feet exit.  Nerves that are pinched, eroded, or from some other things causes these very painful symptoms.  You lose feeling and motor functions in the feet which causes swelling from the damaged muscles if you are on them for an extended period.  The muscles work in sequence when standing or walking.  Out of sequence or not working muscles causes cramps and swelling. 
  Shantel, I received a package today from one of my sibs called You Can Cope with Peripheral Neuropathy By Mims Cushing and Norman Latov, MD.  A good book.  Available from Amazon.  It tells us to take it easy when exercising.  Plus it has other good tips. 

  Joelene

It is good to hear of Doctors who are really doing their job. I'm glad things seem to be improving for you.

My leg and feet pain is getting worse but I think from a much different cause as the pain is different than you describe. It does give me hope that a cause and possible solution can be found.

Quote from: Joelene9 on November 07, 2013, 10:25:43 PM
  Update on the neuropathy:  I saw my podiatrist after nearly two months since my last visit.  My regular Dr. took me off of the Spiro since my last posting due to the flushing may aggravate this situation, just E and thyroid.  No over the rail, non-linear rants, but my Dr. will still test me for T levels if I run into any problems.  My podiatrist has given me some Lyrica to see if it will ease the pain.  There has been improvement with the Metanix folate pills with some recovery of sensation on the soles of my feet.  But the pain on the tops of my feet has progressed to the tops of my ankles.  He also gave me a script for a generic Lamisil for the fungus on the feet and nails.  He even called my pharmacy while his assistant worked on my feet!  It was ready when I left his office!  What service!  He will check me for liver damage in two weeks from the Lamisil plus any problems from the Lyricia.   
  My podiatrist has seen a neurologist who did a seminar since my last visit.  This neurologist specializes in periperal neuropathy and my podiatrist may have him look into my case.  The problem is at the base of my spine where the nerves to the legs and feet exit.  Nerves that are pinched, eroded, or from some other things causes these very painful symptoms.  You lose feeling and motor functions in the feet which causes swelling from the damaged muscles if you are on them for an extended period.  The muscles work in sequence when standing or walking.  Out of sequence or not working muscles causes cramps and swelling. 
  Shantel, I received a package today from one of my sibs called You Can Cope with Peripheral Neuropathy By Mims Cushing and Norman Latov, MD.  A good book.  Available from Amazon.  It tells us to take it easy when exercising.  Plus it has other good tips. 

  Joelene

Joelene,
      Thanks for the update and the head's up. When you think about it feet are the most abused and least cared for part of the human body, they go through a lot over the years and probably have a right to complain and say, "Hey wait a minute here!" 

I'm going to get that book you recommended. I'm not sure about Lyrica, I think it's another symptom masking medication. I have found that now that I am a completely dry alcoholic and have quit altogether that the pain and intense tingling in my feet and ankles has dissipated to a great extent, though I know that having feet flat as boards is still a big part of the problem. The alcohol may have been a big contributing factor due to toxicity which was creating a gout-like condition.

Shantel,

  Alcohol is related to the sugars.  I didn't put sugar in my hot tea last night and I woke up pain free, or not nearly as much.  In the book mentioned above there was a passage that says that if you reduced the sugar intake whether or not if your a diabetic, it reduces the symptoms.  Alcohol is another trigger along with those bad student chairs at the Olin 105 lecture hall.  The Lyrica does mask the problem, but it will allow you to be more functional until the problem is located.  I took a couple last night before going to bed.  Minimum dose to start.  If this works, only at night instead of the twice daily.  Also there are hoops available to put under the covers to keep the covers off of the feet, yet keep them warm.  Just a sheet itself is torture here.  I will probably make mine out of PVC pipe like some other PN'ers do. 
  My first Podiatrist and my brother, the Tea party/ Southern Baptist "One size fits all", type blamed my high arch.  The arches are unscathed at this time. Orthotics do help with walking and standing.  My shoes and socks are not as torturous today.  They were murder yesterday. 

  PN'ers: People with Peripheral Neuropathy, or the Public Night volunteers in my club. 

  Joelene

Quote from: Joelene9 on November 08, 2013, 12:21:12 PM
Shantel,

  Alcohol is related to the sugars.  I didn't put sugar in my hot tea last night and I woke up pain free, or not nearly as much.  In the book mentioned above there was a passage that says that if you reduced the sugar intake whether or not if your a diabetic, it reduces the symptoms.  Alcohol is another trigger along with those bad student chairs at the Olin 105 lecture hall.  The Lyrica does mask the problem, but it will allow you to be more functional until the problem is located.  I took a couple last night before going to bed.  Minimum dose to start.  If this works, only at night instead of the twice daily.  Also there are hoops available to put under the covers to keep the covers off of the feet, yet keep them warm.  Just a sheet itself is torture here.  I will probably make mine out of PVC pipe like some other PN'ers do. 
  My first Podiatrist and my brother, the Tea party/ Southern Baptist "One size fits all", type blamed my high arch.  The arches are unscathed at this time. Orthotics do help with walking and standing.  My shoes and socks are not as torturous today.  They were murder yesterday. 

  PN'ers: People with Peripheral Neuropathy, or the Public Night volunteers in my club. 

  Joelene

You're on to something about sugars. My spouse has had horrible asthma all her life and was terrified to even leave the house without her albuterol inhaler. We have a nebulizer with albuterol packets in the event she has a real bad episode. She quit all sugar intake two years ago even reads labels on products to avoid sugar. She uses Stevia for a sweetner now and I can attest to the fact that she no longer has any asthma symptoms. The inhalers are gone and the nebulizer has been put away ever since. It turns out that the increase of sugars in peoples diets have multiplied in pounds per year over the last decade alone and is responsible for a lot more than just diabetes, heart disease and obesity. It can be attributed to several types of neurological disorders so it stands to reason that it could effect the brain's electrical signals to parts of the body. I've been aware of this for awhile, but my penchant for alcohol has taken precedence over my reasoning processes when it comes to acknowledging what might be good for my health.

Quote from: Shantel on November 08, 2013, 09:05:15 AM
I have found that now that I am a completely dry alcoholic and have quit altogether that the pain and intense tingling in my feet and ankles has dissipated to a great extent, though I know that having feet flat as boards is still a big part of the problem.

Shantel - While I am far from an expert, I would say you had the symptoms of alcoholic nerve damage there. I would suggest that taking a vitamin B complex containing thiamin B1 and niacin B12, might prove helpful in ameliorating this. It's what is often given to recovering alcoholics in the UK, and it does seem to help.

Quote from: Doctorwho? on November 09, 2013, 07:08:51 PM
Shantel - While I am far from an expert, I would say you had the symptoms of alcoholic nerve damage there. I would suggest that taking a vitamin B complex containing thiamin B1 and niacin B12, might prove helpful in ameliorating this. It's what is often given to recovering alcoholics in the UK, and it does seem to help.

Thanks hon, I'm going in for a shot of B-12