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Frustrating dr apt yesterday foot dr says I think it's a nerve issue I think you have neuropathy. I say isn't that when your feet are numb and it's pins and needles? Because I don't have that. He said there's lots of forms of neuropathy. So off to the nerve doctor he sends me. The nerve doctor squeezes me in does a test with a toothpick and says you don't have neuropathy. Then says I want to run the neuropathy test. I had one 6 yrs ago he said well I'd like to make sure and run another one. Neither dr thinks the pain is coming from my back although epidurals in my back take away the pain for 2 months. They gave me inserts for my shoe like I need another pair of those like I need a hole in the head. And wants me to start taking Lyrica just great a medication that will make me brain foggy and fat. I feel defeated.......
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Is it possible to find another dr? Have you asked current dr why the spinal epidurals give temporary relief? It’s a huge pain but may be worth seeing Another dr and maybe even another if possible until you get answers and relief Also have you had an mri of your back? Any issues noted? It’s really sad that we just about need a medical degree ourselves these days 🥰
I have the exact same story!! I take 75 mg of Lyrica 3x a day. It does help but the brain fog is terrible. I understand your frustration with the doctors and trying everything under the sun I’m 54 years old and I just wonder if this is going to be a part of life or is it ever gonna get better?
Foot pain is the worst and even podiatrists don’t understand how it impacts so much of other things in your life. I recently bought Hoka shoes and Reef sandals. Both help but are very $$. I also went to Physical therapy. The exercises for my back and strength plus foot exercises do help all over. But compliance to that is hard
Very similar!☹️I’m on Lyrica…have been for over 5 years….helps but not a cure. Like you, I think it’s a back issue but several doctors disagree. Sandals work the best for me but here in the PNW can’t wear all year. Have spent a fortune on custom orthotics with no relief.
It is so frustrating!! My tests have come back normal, too. Injections in my feet for 2 years with misdiagnosed plantar fasciitis then to another doctor for ultrasound, no sign of plantar fasciitis to another doctor who prescribed shoe insoles and physical therapy. NOPE! X-rays all normal. Nerve testing all normal. X-rays all normal. They say nothing is wrong. It has been 4 years. Can hardly walk from the pain and also the pins and needles and burning are terrible. I’m starting to lean towards Menopause. It can affect the feet in horrible ways so my next step is a menopause doctor. I don’t know if menopause related to you but I wanted to share just in case. Stay strong, we got this !
I take pregabalin as one of my mental health meds and for me it does absolutely nothing for the neuropathy and pain in my feet. In fact my Dr said it was the med he would put me on but since I'm already taking it there's no point. Sure there are other meds out there but I was too tired to argue with him. It may work for you. Ask if there are other meds that can be used.
um, if the epidural works for your foot pain, I don't understand why anyone is suggesting that the pain is not from your back...? I have several different kinds of foot pain, and only recently realized that the burning pain in my toes is indeed from my back- specifically L4 and L5- where I have stenosis. I am using PT to strengthen my core etc and that's helping but if the pain comes back as bad as it was, I will go in for an epidural. I've seen 3 foot drs (2 podiatrists, one foot surgeon) and they all just scratched their heads and wanted to send me off to other drs I've already seen. I'm not diabetic, I don't have an auto immune disorder but I do have frequent nerve pains (zapping sensations) in my thigh from the spinal stenosis. Happens if I bend forward and lift things mainly- at other times I'm not sure what the trigger was. BUT the burning pain in my toes, I can't stand that! I have a pr of crutches I use when it gets really bad- I will use them more like monkey bars, though- to take all my wt off BOTH feet at once LOL anyway I hope you get your issue sorted. Did they suggest any PT! it works wonders when you do it (it's so easy to forget, I know)
I never took this lyrica as I felt drowsiness. I took ayurveda medicine for 10 years . It did relived only 40% . I lived with pain . From 2019 I do sudharsana kriya a breathing technique of art of living . No cure but relief is there From 2020 stopped working
I take gabapentin and have not gained weight.
Right there with you.
I own 3 pair of Hokas they are great shoes but unfortunately not a cure for me
what kind of sandals do you wear?
, Keens and Tevas work best for me.
if you have burning and tingling that sounds like neuropathy have you had a neuropathy test? I'm not supposed to take any type of hormones because I've had cancer in the past but I'm not going to lie I've been thinking about talking to my oncologist about this
I have had the neuropathy test and results were normal. I’m hoping you are healthy and cancer free.
Are you a diabetic? My mom is, and her foot issues are due to diabetic issues.
no I'm not I even had an A1C test
I'm type 2 and the neuropathy is a direct result of the diabetes. I have bunions on both big toes so all my toes are starting to lean over. The pain/neuropathy in my feet is due to type 2 and bunions.
are your feet numb, tingling or just pain???
the soles of my feet/toes feel nothing because of the neuropathy. However, so far from my ankles (including back of heel) and the tops of my feet/toes has tingling sometimes really bad shooting pain and sometimes it feels like someone is wringing out a wet dish cloth. An aching feeling. I tried the 5% lidocaine cream from Amazon last night and it was amazing. The end of the day and the beginning of the day is where I have the most pain.
mine is also the beginning and the end of the day but I have no numbness or tingling. Doctor still wants to do neuropathy test because I went through very extensive chemotherapy years ago so I agreed to it. I have lidocaine cream I should try it I've tried it on other parts of my body and it's done nothing but I guess I haven't tried it on my feet
yes chances are you have neuropathy from the chemo. I have 2 friends that have gone thru chemo and they each got some level of neuropathy in their feet and hands. The test for neuropathy is just a matter of the Dr using a tooth pick and poking the bottom of your feet. You may have neuropathy on the complete sole of your foot or just partial. Either way make yourself an appt with a nurse practioner or podiatrist to get your toenails trimmed and at the same time he or she will clean up calluses etc. When you have neuropathy in your feet it is very important to have your toenails trimmed and feet looked after every 6 weeks. You may have something going on that you can't feel but the nurse or podiatrist will be able to see it and treat accordingly.
if the cream you have is 3% lidocaine it may not be strong enough. I'd say invest in a tube of 5%. I can't remember who it was in this group that steered me in the direction of lidocaine cream but THANK YOU!
I'm not at home but I'm going to check and see what the percentage is
I have my toenails trimmed I have ingrown toenails at the podiatrist in October. Just this past doctor appointment he poked my entire foot ankle and shin with the toothpick I felt everything he also did a cold touch I could tell it was cold he said I don't think you have neuropathy but I'm going to have the test for it anyway even though I had it 6 years ago and it was negative
also I just looked my lidocaine is 5% I tried it last night I didn't notice much of a difference maybe I need to try it a few more times
did you try just a thin layer or did you lather it on pretty thick? Pthen is better and really rub it in...should take 15-30 minutes to do the job. Has the one you got expired? I'm just trying to figure out why it's not working
It could be expired I'd have to look. I didn't put it on real thick it's very greasy.
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