Hello, the PN I have had in my feet for nearly 6 years appears to be almost gone (have been taking the suggested supplements), but for the past 18 months or so have been experiencing stiffnes,tightness and considerable pain in my feet (especially the left). My feet become increasingly tired as the day goes on.... My mobility is highly restricted and I am unable to go out at night - or even stay on my feet in the evening.

I have been having regular (about weekly) foot / joint mobilisations with my Podiatrist - which do help - and also generic type orthotics. I am about to have custon-made orthotics made to see if they provide more support...
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Could it be some type of rhumatoid problem?

Any advice / information would be greatfully appreciated!!

Christine.

You might want to try some Salonpas patches (OTC)

I have issues with my left ankle, stiff/tight.
I had a major surgery on my left instep when I was 12. (tumor removed). Then I had a spider bite on it about 8yrs ago...which aggravated it more.

It swells a bit sometimes, and gets stiff, etc. Yesterday was a 3 patch day for me.

I use the Salonpas alot on my feet. They are safer than taking oral aspirin or oral NSAIDs.

http://www.salonpas.us/salonpas.php

I use them at night, and next day is pretty pain free.
There are many types, I use the ones in the link above. They are inexpensive and even sold in bulk at Costco.
WalMart has them, and so does RiteAid and Walgreen's.
Sometimes they tingle a little, but they do help with inflammatory issues.

I keep a few around, in varying sizes for emergencies.
Even got a generic pouch-belt for on my back application.
A life-saver the last time I strained my back.
BTW, I heard about Salonpas, first - here, from MrsD.

Hey mrsD--I had seen you recommend Salonpas before and thought you meant that you use them to help PN. So I bought a box of them at Costco and put them on my feet, but it made the PN even worse so I decided they're not for me. Now that I see your post in this thread, I'm guessing I misunderstood you. But I did use them the past few days because I threw out my back, and they did seem to help for that.

Oh, and I did try them on my knees and they seemed to make my feet go crazy, so apparently I need to reserve their use for the upper part of my body. But at least I do have a use for them so they won't go to waste.

I think when you find the nerves acting up, that tells you what kind of pain you have, when you put the patches on.

You see I use both, Salonpas and Lidoderm, depending on what kind of pain I have. I have some arthritis, so the Salonpas are much less expensive and typically work for that.

But if you put them over a nerve-- in the knee they might just tingle too much. If you have Lidoderms also, you can put one or 1/2 of one on that spot and see what happens.

Alot of patch use is hit or miss...experimentation. I even ran into a sales person from the company at a conference and asked HER some questions, and she had NO answers for me!

I've seen in the nursing homes and rehabs, doctors order them, and have no clue on how or where to apply them. And it has been years now, and still the same problem ....major DUH?

Salonpas will also take down a bruise. (found that out by accident). They are good for strains too. But I get rash from them on my back. So I can only use them a day or so, and then have to rest the skin. I don't get rashes anywhere else! ???

Lidoderms RX have been studied against Celebrex and were found to be a bit better for pain relief in the knee. I only use them on the back of the knee just above the bend. I don't put them on the front at all. Behind the knee gives me alot of knee relief when I need it. My right knee, while much better than years ago, still may give me a bad day here or there.

Murgy, i often have that stiff joint feeling in my ankles and my legs and feet getting tired and very painful if i stand or walk too long and as the day goes on. My toes get very stiff too. I also get ankle swelling. But my PN is not in remission as yours is. Hopefully for you this is just a stage and will also get better. I didnt know about salonpas helping ankle swelling ill try it out my next episode.