Re: Causalgia = Betty

[Guest guest]

Hi Betty:

You have gotten me thinking on this one! I have such

severe pain in my feet, tops of the feet only, that

makes wearing shoes very difficult. I have to get

shoes that I can lace (which sometimes is difficult to

do lol), so that I can minimize the tightness on the

tops of my feet. My left foot is much the worse. The

pain is on the top of my foot, nearer the toes than

the ankle, and more toward the outer side of the foot.

It does not affect my toes. I have had my horses

step on my feet in the past, and that is what it feels

like has happened, that someone has been just stomping

on my feet. I cannot believe the pain sometimes it is

so severe.

I had been putting it down to RA affecting the small

bones on the top of my feet, but now, since I have

Fibro and have nerve pain in my legs, I am beginning

to wonder if the pain is not RA caused at all, but

something to do with peripheral neuropathy. This is

definately something that I will be discussing with my

doctor on my next visit. If it is PN, it is sure not

helped by either my Lyrica or Cymbalta, which do help

with the leg nerve pain. Also, the tops of my feet get

very hot - the rest of my foot is normal temp. I

usually end up putting Icy Hot on the top of my feet

for some relief, and that does not work very well, but

it's about the only thing I can think of, because I

thought it was arthritis based.

Thanks for this post - I probably would have gone on

thinking it was RA, when perhaps it is part of

peripheral neuropathy from the Fibro. Definately

something to look into. This is why I just love this

group - always something new to think over, and you

never know when a post will hit home for you!

Take care - Kathe in CA

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[Guest guest]

The major foot pain I had I do not think was neuropathy although I think I now

have the neuropathy in the feet. A Podiatrist pin pointed 2 problems and went a

long way toward fixing it. First I had a Morton's neuroma which is a tumor of

nerves. It is usually between the 4th and 5th toes but it is under the toes and

feels like a rock inside. The other problem was a trasal tunnel problem. That

is to the foot as carpal is to the wrist but is not nearly as frequent. He did

surgery on both at the same time, removed the tumor and released the tarsal

nerve. Recovery from the neuronal was difficult but I think the tunnel release

was no problem at all.

The other problem was what I think is RSDS. The big symptom of that is it is

burning like if it were really in the fire. He gave me shots that seemed to

help there but that may have spontaneously was better. I think at this point my

feet problems are neuropathy. I probably had the neuropathy but the other

things were so over powering pain I would never know I had neuropathy. But that

was before my hands were effected by neuropathy so it might have just developed

after the other things was taken care of.

Shoes are difficult to say the least. There was a small shoe store specializing

in wide shoes so I gave it a try. There was an old man who actually knew how to

fit shoes. I found that I had been wearing shoes that were too narrow because I

needed the extra width to give room top to bottom to eliminate the pressure like

you spoke of. It occurred to me that since there are walking, running, and all

sorts of shoes like that there must be a difference but had no idea what it was.

I told the man I thought I needed walking shoes. I had been wearing " wide " shoes

and had no suspicion my shoes were too small. He made a paper cutout of my

feet. When he came back he brought 2 pair for me to try. One was a walking

shoe, the other was not, and I could tell the difference. I ended up with a

pair of New Balance that was wider than was available elsewhere. What a

difference. It did not eliminate my problems but did help. When I went back

for my 3rd pair I found the store closed. So I went on the web to see what I

could find. New Balance makes their shoes on certain lasts and if you find

which last you need I think you can choose within that last. I called and they

were very helpful so I ordered a pair. My present pair has some extra comfort

features that the first ones did not. I am in no way selling New Balance and it

is just that was my experience. Now I have the Crocks, ugly thing as they are

but they are good. There is little or no support so I don't wear them shopping

to have the stability I might need.

My hands and feet are very different. I think I have neuropathy in my feet

because there is a very strong " stocking " effect. I feel like I have shoes on

when I don't and I have to actually look at my feet to know if I do or not.

That syndrome in the hands is called a " glove " as you can see it is like you are

wearing gloves. My hands do not have that syndrome. My hands are always very

cold. My feet are no longer so terribly hot but they are not cold. Sometimes I

keep the covers off my feet.

I had never seen a Podiatrist but learned a valuable lession. I first went to

one the hospital referred me to. I don't think he was even a doctor. So I gave

up on Podiatrist. Then one day on TV there was one on there. I don't know the

requirements to be a Podiatrist but there was a world of difference in the two.

The first one, did not prescribe medicine, said MediCare doesn't cover foot

problems and a few other sueh thing that brought me to conclude Podiatrist were

a farce. Then I went to the other and actually he has been the only doctor that

did anything to help me. He did the surgery, and MediCare did cover it. He not

only could prescribe medication he was able to prescribe the most restricted

ones like I needed after the surgery.

I hope you find relief. When you can't sleep it just ruins everything else. By

the was the podiatrist started me on Elavil and I think that has been the most

effective medicine and side effects are minimal if any. It may make you sleepy,

what a blessing! I take it only at bedtime.

Betty

Re: [ ] Causalgia = Betty,_._,___

I had been putting it down to RA affecting the small

bones on the top of my feet, but now, since I have

Fibro and have nerve pain in my legs, I am beginning

to wonder if the pain is not RA caused at all, but

something to do with peripheral neuropathy. This is

definately something that I will be discussing with my

doctor on my next visit. If it is PN

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Betty, for the great information - it is sometimes a burning pain in my

feet, but I know what you are talking about with the stocking affect sensation.

I had that before when I was on Arava and it caused PN in my hands and feet, so,

even though it was helping, I had to discontinue it. Yep, I have very wide feet

as well, and it is so hard to find comfortable shoes. I have heard that crocs

are comfortable, and want to check them out. Otherwise, the best shoes for me

are the little old granny slip ons that don't cover the tops of my feet, or

tennis/sports shoes laced loosely.

Kathe in CA

Re: [ ] Causalgia = Betty,_._,__ _

I had been putting it down to RA affecting the small

bones on the top of my feet, but now, since I have

Fibro and have nerve pain in my legs, I am beginning

to wonder if the pain is not RA caused at all, but

something to do with peripheral neuropathy. This is

definately something that I will be discussing with my

doctor on my next visit. If it is PN