So, is the folded sock feeling the beginning of numbness? It is a great analogy, it feels exactly like that. I have the sensation in my hands now too, you can't close hands into a fist, it feels like they are swollen on the inside of the fingers and toes, but they look normal. I have been getting the "folding sock" for about a year now, how long did it take to progress to the next stage for you? I realize that everyone's symptoms progress differently, mine has been progressing quite slowly for almost 30 years... I guess the next step is progression to the calf muscles and knees, this has been maybe the last 4 months...

FWIW, I didn't coin "folded sock"; I first heard/read it here from another member, and I wouldn't characterize it as the beginning of anything (as can be seen by accounts of others). I would say the "beginning"—for me—was edema in my feet and ankles (2009). I had that for about a year, and then began what felt like bunched up tissue under my toes. I didn't experience the "folded sock" sensation until the past year or two.

What's the "next stage"? During the interim (~2010 to present) I've had tingling, electric shocks, needle jabs, burning pain, cramping, aching, buzzing, semi-numbness, increased sensitivity to pain & cold, loss of leg hair, and the ubiquitous all-around discomfort; trying to find—unsuccessfully—comfortable positions. Some of this has gone partway up my calves, but so far—thankfully—no further.

Doc

It's been my experience that Yes this could be the beginning that will lead to the burning stinging full blown PN Pain. If i could turn back the hands of time I would look heavilyinto Nerve Health. I.E. all the meds and so forth to stregthen nerves and keep them healthy.

For me it was thefeeling of Sand in my Shoes. Not knowing the future, I'd laugh at work when taking off shoes to shake out invisable loads of sand. And I also felt the Folded Sock. Another strange feeling was not feeling the water or temprature.of the water when taking a shower. This went on for over a year before the burning and stinging in the planter area started up and had me literally crawling on floor.

Made printout of PN concerning the catch-all diagnoises of IDOPATHIC. Siad this is from doctors not skilled or motivated enough to find the underlining condition causing the PN. Or in other words, somsthing is causing your feelings in yor feet. It would be most helpful if it can be determind NOW while there is still time to hault any further damage. From all I've read once nerves aredamaged they do not heal like other organs on your body. So take this as a warning it can get worse and to try and get good help now. If only I had a crsystal ball ....Id have won the Mega Millions several times. :-) ha. ha.

Have you ever found out what causes the loss of leg hair? That was the second thing that developed for me, after burning feet. The visible evidence of damage is to me harder to understand than transitory, sensory symptoms. I asked my neurologist if it was related to sensory, motor, or autonomic nerves and she just said it could be any.

I think many people lose leg hair (and other hair) with age.

My grandmother had no hair on her legs for many years.

I lost my arm hair and most of my leg hair 20 yrs ago.

Some hair is a secondary sexual characteristic... supported by hormones.

I do have a bit left on my upper calf areas in the front. But I certainly don't miss my hair at all.

My husband lost his leg hair too... and he doesn't have PN.

I have alot of hand arthritis now, and find the new Salonpas Deep Relieving gel very "handy" for it...I am losing the stiffness and pain, and can now make a fist!

With sensory loss, many people with CMT experience dry skin and hair loss in the affected areas such as the legs and toes. Just an example.

Ummm... PN(?)

It's not a question that keeps me up nights.

Doc

Oh my gosh Jon_sparky ! That's it....the exact same thing is going on with my hands, fingers and toes (except toes are also burning..like on FIRE).

From Jon_sparky:
I have the sensation in my hands now too, you can't close hands into a fist, it feels like they are swollen on the inside of the fingers and toes, but they look normal.


It's not the joints in my fingers that hurt but under the nail....the skin below the nail and the area between the 1st joint and 2nd. I'm having some of the electrical shock things and it's really sore and the skin is stiff.

My symptoms started in my feet then hands.....now in the last few months it's legs, arms, jaw, tongue numb and teeth hurt. All of this in the span of 1 year. But mine is due to type 2 diabetes and having chemo treatments of taxol/carbo.

The joys of small fiber neuropathy.

Debi from Georgia

My PN has been progressing slower which is fine with me, I had the burning pain from the start in the hands and feet. This folding sock feeling is fairly recent, makes me want to curl my toes, kind of the beginning of hammer toe. I have got some relief from wearing those toe socks, kind of helps with keeping the toes straight. You can get them at Sierra trading post.
Well hopefully Debi, your condition can be reversed since it is so recent, watch the diet and maybe that will help get the nerves to behave.
Good luck!

From Jon_sparky:
I have the sensation in my hands now too, you can't close hands into a fist, it feels like they are swollen on the inside of the fingers and toes, but they look normal.


It's not the joints in my fingers that hurt but under the nail....the skin below the nail and the area between the 1st joint and 2nd. I'm having some of the electrical shock things and it's really sore and the skin is stiff.

My symptoms started in my feet then hands.....now in the last few months it's legs, arms, jaw, tongue numb and teeth hurt. All of this in the span of 1 year. But mine is due to type 2 diabetes and having chemo treatments of taxol/carbo.

The joys of small fiber neuropathy.

Debi from Georgia[/QUOTE]