I am very fortunate because I am able to continue running. But it does present a few problems.

A few weeks ago, I extended my long run a little too far. Both of my feet started having a dull ache during the night (on top of the burning, pins and needles already there from sfn). The ache is in my inner ankles.

The left foot began swelling. So I went to an orthopedic and told him about SFN---he looked at me like I had two heads. He took an x-ray, found nothing, and said it's probably tendonitis. Mind you, the pain is in both feet. He prescribed steroids.

I asked if the steroids could make SFN worse. He said, no, if anything it will make it better. He admitted he had never heard of SFN. I feel he thinks I made it up. I told him it's a form of PN.

I don't trust him. Has anyone on here been prescribed steroids? Did it affect your SFN?

My orthopedic acted exactly the same way .

After my dx of SFN in Sept 2013 I turned my left foot while walking the dog. Not much of a turn mind you but the next thing I know I have a large lump along the outside of my left foot. It's like the outside middle part of the foot that curves out a little anyway just got bigger and very painful. My ankle started swelling after that also when I was on my feet too long.

2 1/2 years later it's still the same. The ortho gave me the same dx as you but wanted to put me in a boot for a few weeks. That didn't help and just made my foot hurt worse. No steroids at that time.

My PCP had been wanting me to try steroids even though mine is not immune related as far as tests show. When we went to Florida for a week long vacation in May of 2014 I started 20 mgs of prednisone and took it all week. I thought it was a Miracle ! I had so much energy that I drove the family crazy. Very little pain.

I know steroids are not good to use on a daily basis so I just used them each year at vacation time and Christmas. That worked for me until recently. They don't seem to help me anymore. I have no idea why.

I know that's a long story but just wanted to give you a sense of what I went though.

I don't think it would hurt to take a short trial to see if it would help your feet.

Take care and keep us posted

Debi from Georgia

Thanks Debi. I think I'll give it a shot then. I was just worried that it might make it worse. Heaven knows I don't want anything to get worse.

It might not help at all but I've never heard of it making PN worse. Thank goodness

Let me know how it goes.

Debi

Hi teachermom

You mentioned in your first post about your left foot swelling - do you know if it's swollen from inflammation or is it more likely to be some form of edema (fluid build-up)?
Please note that some types of steroids can cause edema (or make existing edema worse) - particularly in hot weather, and with prolonged exercise or standing.

I take 3 different steroids daily to manage an auto-immune condition (at varying 'maintenance' doses). I can say from experience that the steroids have relieved the neuropathy pain at some times. I take the larger dose first thing in the morning, and for a few hours after, this has really been the only time I have been pain free. However recently even that hasn't helped. I don't know if it's the steroids being less effective, or the pain increasing, or other medication changes or just from it being a particularly hot summer.????

Do you know the name of the steroid you've been prescribed (and doses)? Depending on that, and for how long your doctor intends for you to be on them, it is essential that some type of monitoring plan is put in place to watch for side effects.

I hope this info is of some help and good luck for finding some relief.