[wheelst]

I went to a psychical therapist the other day and she was showing me some new exorcises and grew very angry with my toes, which constantly wiggle. I explained to her that it was not something I had any control over and it would stop by it's self eventually. It did however she was still not pleased when my toes curred up and locked into a hammer toe position. Again not something I can control. She kept telling me to relax my feet and I kept telling her I was.

I have been taking Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) for about a year now at first it did stop the wiggling but over time has become less effective I am currently at the max dose.

Anyone else have the same problem? Did you find something that helped?

[ridehard2208]

Originally Posted by wheelst

I went to a psychical therapist the other day and she was showing me some new exorcises and grew very angry with my toes, which constantly wiggle. I explained to her that it was not something I had any control over and it would stop by it's self eventually. It did however she was still not pleased when my toes curred up and locked into a hammer toe position. Again not something I can control. She kept telling me to relax my feet and I kept telling her I was.

I have been taking Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) for about a year now at first it did stop the wiggling but over time has become less effective I am currently at the max dose.

Anyone else have the same problem? Did you find something that helped?

Hey wheelst, My name is Rich it sounds like to me you should see a neuroligist the hammer toes and uncontroled toe wiggle could be signs of peripheral neuropathy, might visit some pn sites and read up on it. Hope you find help, as for your PT getting upset I would find another with a better understanding keep seeking knowledge there you will find the power. God luck Rich!!

[daniella]

I am not sure about the wiggling. I do know people who have locked areas though. For myself I have very little range of motion. The people I know though with locked for ex can't open their hand. Has your neurologist or treating doctor seen this?
As for your pt does she/he work with people with neuropathy? I am not a fan of someone who gets upset or angry with you on this. This not your fault and their should be positive encouragement. I know I got yelled at in PT when I was at Cleveland Clinic but then it turned out the PT person was wrong in terms of what she was telling me to do.
I wish I had more to offer but hope things look up for you

[mrsD]

I have some ideas.

The very first one is that you are low in magnesium. The spasms of clawing up... could be a sign of low magnesium, which around 70% of folks in US have.

You can choose oral supplements starting at 1/2 RDA ...here is my magnesium thread on choosing them:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html
(avoid magnesium oxide which is in many products, and is not useful and is basically only a laxative).

Or you can soak daily in some epsom salts, to see if that helps.
Or you can try the new CVS lotion (which I am using now quite successfully). A poster clued us in on this new product recently here.
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/sh...new_crumb=true
I'd use the lotion on your lower legs front and back, and tops of the feet. You don't need to rub it into the toes, as the muscles that run your toes, are in the calf and instep.

When you go to the doctor I'd get tested for Vit D levels, and also magnesium and calcium levels. Spasming toes may indicate beginning issues with calcium/mag balance. When calcium is not balanced properly it tends to cause carpopedal spasms, which when severe will also get your ankle and wrists to spasm inwards eventually. I used to have "hammer toes" before I started my magnesium fix, and I don't have them anymore. Some shoes will aggravate this too forcing you to grip the ground when you walk and also should be considered.

Some rare conditions of the parathyroid glands (tumors mostly) will cause this too. But low Vit D will cause poor calcium balance and your toes may just be the beginning of something later that will be more severe.

There are dyskinesias that are centrally mediated in the brain, and are mostly derangements of dopamine. A neurologist is who you would consult for this, and an evaluation for Parkinson's or some other dystonia may be present. But the magnesium issue is far more common, and you can see yourself by using the lotion or epsom salts, if you get some relief. I'd leave the neurologist for later evaluation.

Get your Vit D tested and also your B12 at your regular doctor and bring the results here. Treatment from doctors today, remains problematic and they use antiquated lab ranges and less effective forms of the vitamins to treat with.
Anyone with neuropathy issues should have these two nutrients tested in the beginning. Much can be improved with them alone!