neuropathic pain

[Guest guest]

Mitch, my neuropathy takes many forms, including feeling like knives sticking my feet, to where it really hurts to walk. Other times it feels like my feet will explode & I can hardly stand to have anything touch my feet, including my socks, even tho they are really loose socks. That sensation comes from having my feet dependent too long, so I carry a folding camp stool everywhere I go, to put my feet up. I've also felt like a crab was biting my toes--just the big toes. That's really painful, but doesn't last long. Along with the pain I have numbness. If I've had to drive too much, it feels like there are thick pieces of foam rubber on the bottoms of my feet, so that it's difficult to tell how hard I'm pressing the brake or gas pedal, but at the same time it hurts. Like your pain, it's hard to explain. It sounds crazy. The worst thing for me is to get stuck in a traffic jam on the freeway--stop & go, stop & go--I just cannot stand it, but I have to. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I cuss, I always beg God to get that traffic moving so that I can turn on the cruise control. In addition to all these sensations I periodically get an intense itch that is almost worse than the pain. Nothing relieves it; it's a "hot" itch, if that makes any sense. Like the crab, it doesn't last more than a few minutes, at least so far. All of these sensations have progressed gradually over 8-9 years & started with the feeling that I had pieces of tape stuck on the bottom of my feet. So maybe your pain is not neuropathic, but I never knew neuropathic pain could take so many forms until it happened to me. After researching it, I've learned that many people have different symptoms, depending on which nerves are affected. I've been blessed with both small & large fiber neuropathy--hit the jackpot, I guess. Sorry about the rambling & I hope your mystery pain doesn't return. All of this information is for the group, not necessarily for you. For anyone with neuropathic pain, or wondering if you have it, there is very good info at www.theacpa.org. This is the American Chronic Pain Association & they have wonderful info & resources. On the homepage, there is a place to click Conditions A-Z, then click on neuropathic pain or peripheral neuropathy; or any others that you need info on. At the bottom of the peripheral neuropathy page are links to the Mayo Clinic site & NINDS.NIH, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/National Institute of Health. The NINDS site has a lot more info.

Ramblin' RoseModerator A merry heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22