advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-20-2014, 11:48 PM #11
IH8PN IH8PN is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 82
10 yr Member
IH8PN IH8PN is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 82
10 yr Member
Default

The way my health insurance is set up (Kaiser) I need a referral from my GP to see a neurologist. It wasn't until about 2 1/2 weeks ago I even considered serious nerve damage/neuropathy as the cause of my foot pain. My GP requested I try the Nortriptyline for 3 weeks before we try a neurologist.

I don't blame my GP. I've seen him twice and 2 podiatrists in the past 3 months trying to figure out what was going on. The symptoms kept morphing and progressing. Really screwing with my head, which led me to a little hysteria on my part. I'm sure they all think I'm a hypochondriac and I don't blame them.

It wasn't until the burning started that things started clicking. Once google searches led me to people with identical symptoms as me, I was convinced. I'll probably start pushing my GP for a referral within the next week or two. In the meantime I'm starting a treatment protocol based on the most likely causes I could come up with (alcohol tops my list)
IH8PN is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 02-21-2014, 02:27 AM #12
Dr. Smith's Avatar
Dr. Smith Dr. Smith is offline
Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost in Space
Posts: 3,515
10 yr Member
Dr. Smith Dr. Smith is offline
Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
Dr. Smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost in Space
Posts: 3,515
10 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by IH8PN View Post
The symptoms kept morphing and progressing. Really screwing with my head, which led me to a little hysteria on my part. I'm sure they all think I'm a hypochondriac and I don't blame them.
Not if they know anything about PN. I hope you've learned/realized by now that changing/progressing symptoms are par for this condition, especially during early phases.

The head trips are pretty standard too—fear, confusion, frustration, desperation, etc. PN is, for most, a life-altering event, and fits the Kübler-Ross model as applied to chronic illness.

Doc
__________________
Dr. Zachary Smith
Oh, the pain... THE PAIN...

Dr. Smith is NOT a medical doctor. He was a character from LOST IN SPACE.
All opinions expressed are my own. For medical advice/opinion, consult your doctor.
Dr. Smith is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-21-2014, 03:43 PM #13
IH8PN IH8PN is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 82
10 yr Member
IH8PN IH8PN is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 82
10 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Smith View Post

The head trips are pretty standard too—fear, confusion, frustration, desperation, etc. PN is, for most, a life-altering event, and fits the Kübler-Ross model as applied to chronic illness.

Doc
I think I skipped over denial and anger and went straight for bargaining and depression. I'm still bouncing back and forth between bargaining and depression right now. Part of me doesn't even care about all the debit I'm racking up on doctor visits and tests because money is useless if I have no quality of life. Then there is the depression associated with being sick, scared, and in pain.
IH8PN is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 01:33 AM #14
Dr. Smith's Avatar
Dr. Smith Dr. Smith is offline
Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost in Space
Posts: 3,515
10 yr Member
Dr. Smith Dr. Smith is offline
Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
Dr. Smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost in Space
Posts: 3,515
10 yr Member
Default

There's no standard progression through the Kübler-Ross stages; they can occur in any order, skip stages, repeat stages, etc.

Quote:
Originally Posted by IH8PN View Post
Then there is the depression associated with being sick, scared, and in pain.
That's another model known as the vicious cycle.

I think it helps to understand these things we go through. If we're aware of them and can recognize them for what they are, it can take away some of the fear and help us cope. You're not alone in these feelings.

Doc
__________________
Dr. Zachary Smith
Oh, the pain... THE PAIN...

Dr. Smith is NOT a medical doctor. He was a character from LOST IN SPACE.
All opinions expressed are my own. For medical advice/opinion, consult your doctor.
Dr. Smith is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-26-2014, 03:12 PM #15
beatle's Avatar
beatle beatle is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 424
10 yr Member
beatle beatle is offline
Member
beatle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 424
10 yr Member
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by IH8PN View Post
I think I skipped over denial and anger and went straight for bargaining and depression. I'm still bouncing back and forth between bargaining and depression right now. Part of me doesn't even care about all the debit I'm racking up on doctor visits and tests because money is useless if I have no quality of life. Then there is the depression associated with being sick, scared, and in pain.
We are in the same boat although I may be a bit ahead of you in terms of progression. I hope yours changes course for the better.
beatle is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-01-2014, 03:25 PM #16
IH8PN IH8PN is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 82
10 yr Member
IH8PN IH8PN is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 82
10 yr Member
Default

Weekly update:

I blew it yesterday. After 19 without alcohol I broke yesterday and had 2 beers. I guess it could have been worse, but the sobriety count now stands back at 1 day.

Other than a lack of will power on my part I blame it on a really painful day. Went out to run some errands and I knew it was going to be bad as soon as I put my shoes on. Burning feet, painful raw soles, agony with every step. The pain and anxiety got to me and i needed a couple beers to take the edge off and get relief for and hour or two.

Let's throw in some positive news. The burning has continued to be down from where it was 3 weeks ago. The Tinel sign on the top of my left foot is less sensitive. Not sure what it means but I assume its good. Little to no numbness in either feet.

Now for the bad. Right foot still aches bad when standing. Developed a new pain behind the middle toe in my right foot that comes and goes. Pain is even reaching up into my ankle and calf, maybe from bad walking mechanics as I compensate for the pain when I walk. Pain in the ball of left foot is still bad. Skin felt very raw yesterday on both feet.

Feet have felt really cold on occasion. I thought maybe a circulation problem as my feet seemed really pale at times. Checked pulses on both feet and seem to be ok. Hair on my feet seemed patchier than I recall from the past. I did a few extra epsom salts in hot water to get circulation going. I think I might have overdone it which is what I'm hoping caused the skin rawness, so I'm going to back off soaks for a week and see if my skin doesn't improve.

Saw a psychologist the other day who prescribed me Prozac. I'm going to give it a try because I'm really down mentally right now, and I'm willing to try anything that'll help. I'm hoping to get my feet under control and get off the meds down the road. I'm normally a fairly healthy happy person until all this started.

Finally I'm starting to question whether my PN symptoms are alcohol related. Mrs D mentioned a slow progression with alcohol neuropathy, where mine came on rather quickly. Did I miss early warning signs? Toxicity perhaps? Injury I ignored? Hereditary? The investigation continues. Either way giving up alcohol is for the best regardless and my body needs to heel, so I'm sticking with the plan until I come up with a better idea.

-96 days since left foot symptoms
-49 days since right foot symptoms
-24 days on Nortriptyline
-1 days sober
-18 days on supplements
IH8PN is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-01-2014, 05:09 PM #17
Kitt Kitt is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,438
15 yr Member
Kitt Kitt is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,438
15 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by IH8PN View Post
Weekly update:

I blew it yesterday. After 19 without alcohol I broke yesterday and had 2 beers. I guess it could have been worse, but the sobriety count now stands back at 1 day.

Other than a lack of will power on my part I blame it on a really painful day. Went out to run some errands and I knew it was going to be bad as soon as I put my shoes on. Burning feet, painful raw soles, agony with every step. The pain and anxiety got to me and i needed a couple beers to take the edge off and get relief for and hour or two.

Let's throw in some positive news. The burning has continued to be down from where it was 3 weeks ago. The Tinel sign on the top of my left foot is less sensitive. Not sure what it means but I assume its good. Little to no numbness in either feet.

Now for the bad. Right foot still aches bad when standing. Developed a new pain behind the middle toe in my right foot that comes and goes. Pain is even reaching up into my ankle and calf, maybe from bad walking mechanics as I compensate for the pain when I walk. Pain in the ball of left foot is still bad. Skin felt very raw yesterday on both feet.

Feet have felt really cold on occasion. I thought maybe a circulation problem as my feet seemed really pale at times. Checked pulses on both feet and seem to be ok. Hair on my feet seemed patchier than I recall from the past. I did a few extra epsom salts in hot water to get circulation going. I think I might have overdone it which is what I'm hoping caused the skin rawness, so I'm going to back off soaks for a week and see if my skin doesn't improve.

Saw a psychologist the other day who prescribed me Prozac. I'm going to give it a try because I'm really down mentally right now, and I'm willing to try anything that'll help. I'm hoping to get my feet under control and get off the meds down the road. I'm normally a fairly healthy happy person until all this started.

Finally I'm starting to question whether my PN symptoms are alcohol related. Mrs D mentioned a slow progression with alcohol neuropathy, where mine came on rather quickly. Did I miss early warning signs? Toxicity perhaps? Injury I ignored? Hereditary? The investigation continues. Either way giving up alcohol is for the best regardless and my body needs to heel, so I'm sticking with the plan until I come up with a better idea.

-96 days since left foot symptoms
-49 days since right foot symptoms
-24 days on Nortriptyline
-1 days sober
-18 days on supplements
Anyone in your family have similar problems? Thanks.
__________________
Kitt

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It is what it is."
Kitt is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-01-2014, 07:42 PM #18
IH8PN IH8PN is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 82
10 yr Member
IH8PN IH8PN is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 82
10 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitt View Post
Anyone in your family have similar problems? Thanks.
My mom mentioned that she had feelings of burning feet throughout her life although has never been diagnosed with PN. She seemed puzzled when I mentioned some of my other symptoms and how bad it had become.

Could be something to it. My pain and symptoms sounded way worse than what she described. It was more of a annoyance rather than a pain in her eyes. I tried explaining that at times I struggle to stand/walk through the pain. Maybe it's hereditary and I got it worse? I wouldn't rule it out, it just seems like there is more to it in my case so I'm not just going to lean back on hereditary PN as the diagnosis right now until I do more investigating.
IH8PN is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Kitt (03-01-2014)
Old 03-02-2014, 09:29 AM #19
mrsD's Avatar
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Lightbulb

Raw feet? Epsom salts shouldn't cause that, but they will sting, if used on raw skin.

I wonder... do your feet normally sweat when you wear socks?
If you normally sweat and there is a residue in the socks of soap and/or fabric softener, this will dissolve in the sweat and burn and irritate the skin on your feet.

If so, I am going to suggest that you give your clothes an extra rinse when washing them. Lots of soap will come out during that second rinse...if you watch it you'll see. Then DO NOT use a fabric softener. The chemicals in fabric softeners can cause all sorts of skin grief.

Also if you have athlete's foot, you will have red/raw skin on the bottoms of the feet. Sometimes people think their fungus is gone, but it is still living in the deeper areas of the dermis, and can cause burning by stimulating the nerve endings there. If you had athlete's foot in the past, I'd suggest using Lamisil for a week and see if things improve. Lamisil is the strongest one out there and there is less resistance by the fungus to it.
__________________
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

************************************

.
Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017


****************************
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
mrsD is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
hopeful (03-02-2014)
Old 03-02-2014, 11:29 AM #20
Kitt Kitt is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,438
15 yr Member
Kitt Kitt is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,438
15 yr Member
Default And -

most people use way too much laundry detergent in their wash. I've read that and also experienced it in seeing how much soap comes out. So less is more. Use what you need and not what they say. You can experiment. After all, they are selling their product.
__________________
Kitt

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It is what it is."
Kitt is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Dr. Smith (03-02-2014), hopeful (03-02-2014)
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hi Everyone! My Story piratemet Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 0 01-12-2012 03:06 PM
Here is my story.... marykay1959 New Member Introductions 3 10-18-2010 02:04 AM
Social Security News: Powerful TV Story On Backlogs (VIDEO Story) Stitcher Parkinson's Disease 1 07-14-2008 10:55 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:09 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.