Hello friends,

I have posted before, just a brief reminder of my history.

I am 50 years old, my present profession is a teachers assistant for the mentally challenged, I live in WNY.

I drink coffee, two cups a day of caffeine, a glass of wine on occasion, I am approx 50 lbs overweight, and very small framed.

Migraines for 20 years, but do not take medication, only pain meds. as needed, foricet, aspirin, and Tylenol. One aspirin daily.

Raynauds Syndrome

Diagnosed 3 years ago with plantar Fasciitis (both feet) from walking the treadmill.

Arthritis, in ankles, (have broke both)

Have suffered sciatica nerve pain on and off for 5 years, but pain does go away after resting, and usually comes on if I aggravate it by lifting, gardening, or working out.

I also was diagnosed with carpal tunnel when I was pregnant, and when I dental assisted. The carpal tunnel went away after I had my daughter 23, years ago, and after I stopped dental assisting it also went away.

PN

Experienced slight numbness a few years ago in the toes on my left foot.

In the past 3 years the numbness with pain spread to the top of the left foot, and the lower backs of both my legs. Mainly a weird numbness, and pain when touched.

Broke left ankle in July of 2007, but did not worsen PN in left foot.

Tests performed.

MRI brain, slight change in white matter, diagnose due to migraines, first showed up 7 years ago, no change since.

EMG of left leg - 2007 , Dr. stated it showed I had a pinched nerve in lower back, although I have no pain in back?

MRI of spine - 2007 normal

Complete blood work, all normal, except high sed rates at times.


The past two weeks, my right foot has been symptomatic, but not with numbness, but SEVERE burning...It appears immediately at night after I lay down. Why does it burn only at nighttime after I lay down? During the day the top of my foot hurts tremendously.

My neurologist claims that I have a pinched nerve in my back, causing PN, and has suggested I have PT on a routine basis to help the condition. He prescribed neurontin. He states that NO foot therapies will help, such as warm or ice to feet, or PT to feet, since the problem is a pinched nerve in my back, is that true I wonder?

I am concerned about taking the medication and have not started it as yet, but now with the onset of this severe burning I am fearing that medication will be needed to carry on.

I have my first PT visit today. I also saw a Chiropractor that stated he may be able to help.

Since the EMG showed a pinched nerve, I am wondering if I should be confident of his diagnose. Its hard to believe that I have a pinched nerve with no spine injury, no back pain, and a completely normal MRI of back. It seems the pain would travel down my legs, can a pinched nerve in back cause pain ONLY IN FEET and lower legs, with out having pain in back or down legs...?

1. Could being overweight place pressure on nerves causing my PN?
2. Is it true that foot therapies won't help?
3. Can pinched nerve in spine not show up on MRI, but on a EMG?
4. Can pinched nerve in spine cause pain in feet and lower legs, with NO pain in back, and no pain traveling down legs?
5. Why does burning pain appear only at night after I lay down?
5. Do you think I should be confident with diagnose of pinched nerve causing my PN.

Are there Any other things I should be aware of, therapy advice, medication advice? Natural remedies?

I hope you folks can help me out with some of my questions.

Thank you VERY MUCH!

Any input is appreciated.

Patty

P.S. I am sorry for you that also suffer from PN, and am thankful for this forum. I hope that I can contribute occasionally some support to you as well.