Hi. I ran across this website and I was wondering if anyone could offer me any advice. I have horrible burning foot pain. I went to my doctor got diabetes test, lupus, lyme disease, vitamin definicency, etc. went to a gastrointestinal doctor and had some kind of sugar test, and some scope thing to see if I had celiacs, then I went to a neurologist and had nerve conduction and EMG plus a MRI of my back. Tomorrow I see a vascular surgeon to see if he can offer some help. Some people say it's a neuropathy, some people say maybe its circulation issues. I changed socks, shoes, started vitamin B shots, lots of things and I get no relief. The neurologist says that they think its small fiber neuropathy and nothing came up on the nerve conduction or some other test they did. They will do a skin biopsy. I also get really dry mouth, lightheaded a lot, I bruise easily and I tend to get out of breath easily even though I don't smoke and I'm a runner. (These things may be unrelated, who knows) Anyway, I need some relief, I can't stand it anymore. Do you have any ideas on what I can do, or who I can talk to? By the way, I tried Neurontin and it's horrible side effects, I'm on cymbalta now but only for about a month so I don't know if that's been enough time to start working yet.

Thanks so much in advance for any advice!

Hi myeamans, just replying to let you I have posted something on my original post (small fibre peripheral neuropathy). This is the best place to be and get information, I have learnt so much since I joined. Just by reading other peoples posts you also learn a lot and everyone is very helpfull and willing to give advice.
Best wishes

Lesley

Hi myeamans, I have something else at home that help with my burning feet, I have a pair of boots(slippers) that have herb packs that slip in a pouch in the sole of these boots, they can be put in the freezer or microwave. there are 12 different herbs in them not wheat. I brought them at a stall in my local shopping centre, but can be brought online, the website is

www.herbpack.com.au

the slippers they show on their website are different to what I brought but they would do the same thing. they can be used for your feet or hands.

hope this is of interest to you.

take care

Lesley

Have you been tested for sjogren's? You said you started b shots. What was your level before? It can take time for nerves to heal and deficiencies to get better. What dose of Cymbalta are you on? I ask cause I was on too low of a dose to start off with. Did your doc give you as needed meds? Sometimes a combo of meds like Cymbalta are needed. I know at one time I could not tolerate neurontin but then tried it again a few years later but started very slow to lessen side effects. You stated you had an mri of the back but what about the brain? I am sorry I wish I had more answers for you but I would talk to your doc about as needed meds or adding/changing to the current

Wow. I understand your frustration. I personally don't know if my feet are burning up or freezing. The pain is bad and the sensation really interferes with life.

I don't know why I have this neuropathy. I did a healthy amount of drinking and I smoked for 40 years, so I got those potentials. I was dx'ed with MS 22 years ago and PN is a known result of that. I'll say one thing - this is one sucky thing to have to live with. You really need to want to live to live with this crap. It took me a few months to adapt. I wasn't suicidal - I just wanted to kill everyone around me without this problem - people just don't understand. I would suggest you just develop a serious attitude and ignore the stupid pain and climb mountains. It seems to be working for me. You're allowed to use all sorts of expletives while doing this...

Now - to address the question at hand. Cymbalta - worked for a couple of days. Stopped taking it because I really would like my wife to stay with me (complete loss of the obvious). Lyrica - doesn't work. Gabagabagaba whatever doesn't work. There's been a few other drugs but I forget their names.

This is something you can live a normal life with. Check out the NASA channel during the next shuttle mission (launches 4/5/10). You'll see me at the back left console (GC) occasionally. Nobody knows what I'm living with...

Tom

Tom will touch a few raw nerves with this post, probably not politically correct , but I think every one can relate to some part (s) of this witty little dig at P.N

Love your attitude!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have developed the same but it took me 12 years. Now I run, climb mountains and wakeboard. I just got home from a run and have my feet in an ice bucket, took a half dose of Lyrica and 50mg Tramadol while my wife get's ready for a movie were going to see Some days a really bad. I hiked a 13,356' high mountain that took me from 4am to 10pm to do and I paid the price for months. My feet swelled up so bad and the pain was intense. I remember thinking it's not worth the serious attitude but I got through it.

Good luck,
Marty

Quick update: had my first acupuncture session on Wednesday. I told him that all I want is pain relief and he said he can help. Well, of course he did. What I didn't expect is that he said I should notice some difference right away. So far, I haven't. If anything, the last few days have been pretty bad. I'm scheduled to see him again this coming week--I'm planning on giving him maybe 4-6 visits to see some results.

Scheduled to see the doc who said he has a new idea the middle of July.

99% don't get any relief from this

Even placebos have higher success rates than that.

Thanks, myeamans. I am going to collect all the stuff you've said here to take to my next doc visit in a few weeks.