to give you an idea of how deep my numbness in my feet is, about eleven days ago i noticed that my big left toe was infected and swollen. I must have banged it but never felt it ( its happened a number of times over the last few years resulting in breaks and bruises) and broke the nail into the toe and it got infected. i went to the doctor and got an oral antibiotic and a cream antibiotic. it didnt heal so today i went to a podiatrist and he had to cut the nail way back and cut into the toe which had absessed. anyway i didnt feel anything, the novacaine needles or the cutting at all. now 10 hours later i still dont feel anything even though the novacaine has long worn off. it was like the podiatrist was cutting into a piece of dead meat and i was just watching. like dahlek says feeling even some pain can be a good thing. at least there is still hope if you can.

So sorry you go through this type of thing, and yes, I understand why feeling pain is a good thing, in it's limits! Hope your toe heals soon.

I too, really feel for you, Echoes.

Take care of those feet, and esp when cutting your nails etc.

I put antibiotic on ANY sore, blister, or whatever I happen to get on my feet regardless. Also I clean with peroxide when in doubt.
I get rubbed areas sometimes on my instep from shoes because it is so high. I can feel those however. But I am very concerned with infection there!

Good thing ya didn't FEEL it? Bad thing ya didn't FEEL it! That's why I've sort-of almost ranted about US PN'ers treating NON-Diabetic PN feet as if they were?
You check, use mirrors, FEEL w/your hands what you can? and use your utmost common sense.
Yep, FEELINGS [should I hum here?] are both a blessing and a curse at times.
WE cannot be too proud or ignorant of our feet!!! They somehow get us places, even tho it mite hurt! It sure beats wheelchairs or worse options!
Hoping and praying that you DO get some 'maybe? cursed FEELINGs' back!
It almost sounds evil that I hope this? But, it is useful for self preservation.
My heart goes out to you and all I can do now is give you cyber-hugs!
!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It will get well, and you're gonna be super diligent, it's what we're all about. Wish I could be there to help you? Or at least 'poke' you now and then for 'assessments'!
My faith and hope to you to get thru this crud. - j

One good thing about getting that nail cut out? It won't bother you any bit any more, because...It's not there! I'm kind of jealous as I've had the PN AND ingrown Big toenails that can dig in deep.. and you KNOW the few nerves left aren't happy about such things! At least, that's what I've 'been told' by others who have had it done [that it doesn't hurt anymore]. No personal experience on it yet, myself. Always HUGS! - j