What to Do for Burning, Pain, Numbness, and Neuropathy of the Feet and Toes???
 

Would appreciate any advice on what doctor to see regarding burning, pain, numbness, and neuropathy of the feet and toes. My wife has this problem, and it is bothering her considerably.

She has also had some back pain and difficulty with walking in the past few months, but recently her walking ability has improved a little. The back pain is likely related to the curvature of her spine which has been abnormal for many, many years.

The thing that bothers her the most is the constant numbness and burning of her feet and toes. It even affects her sleep at night. She often has to get up at night due to her feet burning. Some creams can numb the burning for an hour or so, but the burning returns repeatedly regardless of what she puts on them.

Any recommendations for a good doctor in the Leesburg or Clermont area or even further away, if necessary, would be appreciated.

Burn
 

The most common cause of a burning feeling in your feet is nerve damage, often related to diabetes, but there are other possible causes.

The pain from burning feet can be intermittent or constant and range from mild to severe. Your feet may feel hot, tingling, prickling, or numb. The pain is often worse at night.

No recommendations for you sorry, I would make some calls.

If she isn't being treated for diabetes and hasn't been checked for it in the past few years, she needs to get checked for it ASAP. A blood glucose (A1c) test is where it begins, they just prick your finger and a little device reads the level in the drop of blood that comes out.

If she is being treated for it, she needs a check-up to find out if her meds are working, or if the neuropathy might not be related to the diabetes (it usually is related).

If she knows she does -not- have diabetes, then a trip to a neurologist is in order.

Absolutely. There are many causes for peripheral neuropathy other than diabetes. Her primary care doctor can screen for the most common ones, and if nothing turns up, a neurology consult would be in order. But the presence of back pain might also suggest that she has a radiculopathy rather than a peripheral neuropathy

You may want to try using Therapeutic Mineral Ice (the blue goop in a big plastic jar). This is an "off-label" treatment for peripheral neuropathy. Also get a pair of thin socks for bed so the goop doesn't get on the sheets and to prevent any slipping if she gets up at night.

They might want to try howling at the moon as well, but my advice is to get a legitimate medical diagnosis before indulging in the remedies of the hill folk. If she has a severe cyanocobalamin deficiency there will be other consequences if left untreated while she spreads "blue goop" on her legs.

(Better known as Vitamin B12 deficiency which could be caused by pernicious anemia, restrictive diets or medications). Simple bloodtest may solve a lot of questions.

cause of pernicious anemia, not by, but otherwise correct.

That's right, semantics... posted in a hurry while I was pursuing other interests. I think they got the gist and at least I shared the discussion in layman's terms. :wave:

I only used the professional vocabulary to offset “blue goop”😂😂😂

I have had it for years
 

I have had all those symptoms for years. It forced me reluctantly to take disability at age 49 from the RR. I would talk to a neuro surgeon and have a full MRI done. I recently had my second cervical fusion done. I had C5-C6 fused 18yrs ago and now needed C3 through C7 fused to take pressure of my spinal cord. I take 300 MG of Gabapentin in the AM and 600 to 900 MG at night. Unfortunately in my experience is she will have to somewhat get used to it. Mine has never gone away but the Gabapentin has helped. My first fusion was an emergency surgery. I had no symptoms of a spinal cord injury, I went in for back pain on Monday and had surgery on Thursday! I wish all the luck in the world for a better outcome and speedy recovery.

Lidocaine Patches on feet
 

My friend has this and uses large lidocaine patches on his feet at night. The VA prescribes them. They are 5% Lidocaine. You can use them 12 hours a day. He has gotten some relief by using them.

Geeeezzzz..... see a medical doctor. Taking advice from strangers on the internet makes no sense.

Neuropathy can be caused by diabetes so the first thing I would do is be certain that is not the reason for her symptoms. I have Sjogren’s Syndrome that cause neuropathy and I take Gabapentin for the pain. It is effective but makes me sleepy so I only use it at bedtime. Good luck. I hope she gets relief.

Get an appt with a neurologist or neurosurgeon. If you are willing to drive a ways, go to U of F in Gainesville. You will get top notch care.

Or, see her PCP and get a CBC, ESR, FBS, HbgA1C, B12 level, ANA and possibly an MRI of her LS spine so a professional, rather than amateur posters on TOTV, can make an appropriate referral.

You may want to do research on the following supplements for Neuropathy:
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Benfotiamine
B-12 and B-2
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Do your own research about the above supplements. They have been effective for many with Neuropathy. In addition, have a lab test for Vitamin D to be sure you are above the 30 threshold level.

Peripheral Neuropathy
 

Be your own advocate and research internet for a Neurologist and get referral from your PCP. I did things a bit backward and discussed my symptoms to a foot dr who only said i had weak ankles. Having had back issues for years, I presumed it to be that, and my chiropractor had a division of pain management who conducted epidural(s). I thought that would help with pain in my feet and legs, but once my toes became stiff and I no longer could stand on my toes nor back on my heals, my PCP sent me to PT who after a time said I should see a neurosurgeon. ?? This has been over a year's time, and I finally got an EMG (nerve conduction test) and extensive blood work showing results consistent with CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy). This condition is not back related by an autoimmune issue. Feeling very let down by the medical field, I am now in search of a neurologist specializing in it.

Foot roller - massager will definitely help
 

I have had burning feet for years and it’s not diabetes. I got plantar fasciitis in my feet when I got older. What helped me the most was a foot roller/massager I bought from Amazon. It breaks up all the stubborn tissue in your feet. The roller got ride of my plantar fasciitis and my sore feet. It’s an exercise tool I use often. Hope this helps

I agree with all the other posters about seeking medical advice. Something non-medical she may try to relieve some of the symptoms is to purchase a pair of compression socks and wear them at night. They can help improve circulation in the feet/legs and provide some relief to the pain, numbness, and tingling.