Hi,

I'm new to the group but after reading some of the discussions, I felt like this was the place to get some suggestions as to why I get red feet. I've had PN for 7 years. I take Lyrica and Noritriptylan. The last few months whenever I'm standing or walking, my feet start turning red. It starts at the toes and goes part way up my leg. My feet swell and, of course, the burning sensation returns with a vengenance. If I sit down and raise my feet and have a fan blowing on them, the red color dissipates. Of course, as soon as I stand up the red comes back.

I've discussed this with my neurologist, my cardiologist and podiatrist. No one has an answer, but all want to know if I ever find the cause.

Does anyone else have this happening?

Bummed,
Snikerdudl

Hi and welcome Snikerdudl,
Has anyone mentioned Erythromelalgia, does this sound like similar symptoms ?
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec07/ch080/ch080c.html

Brian

Brian,

Thanks. I've checked it out and, no, no one has mentioned this before. I'll bring it up at my next dr appt. It's really strange. By looking at my feet, you can see definite outlines of where the redness usually occurs. It's almost like I'm wearing red shoes all the time. When I'm on my feet for a short time, the red gets brighter and fills in any gaps of color and starts going up my legs. The last dr I saw brought in 4 other physicians and they were all stumped.

Snikerdudl

I have this problem too. The last time I seen my Dr. I was wearing red chogs and he thought they had faded off on my feet.It is PN and that is all I can say about it. They have never explained anymore about it and I quit going to that specalist. One Dr. said there was no cure, they only try to keep it from getting any worse. One told me I had nerve damage.
_______
Billie

Hi Snikerdudl

I have had these symptoms too, although not very badly. It seem that erythromelalgia is not well understood but some experts think it may be related to or associated with PN. Here are some refs:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/2gqp84
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2ck5zo
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3ctux7
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2u6wte

Regards

Martin

Hi Snickerdud,

I do notice that at night especially, after I've been in bed for a couple of hours and get up - that my feet are bright red and veins sticking out - look weird... not sure why - my feet are pretty numb so I dont know what is happening when I lay down - but it does - you're not alone!

I showed my red feet to the cardiologist. He brought several of his associates in to see them also. No one had ever seen a case this bad. He even got the podiatrist across the hall to check out my feet. No one had an immediate cause to give me. A couple of days later, the cardiologist calls me. Erythromyalgia can be a rare side affect from taking verapamil. He has had me on it for about 12 years. I quit immediately and started taking an aspirin a day. It's been just over 10 days and my feet feel so much better. I don't take pain pills much at all now. His office says it should only get better.

Thanks to those who suggested it might be EM. You really helped me.

Feeling happier...
Snikerdudl

I am glad to read that they found the cause, it must be a great relief.

Brian

I'm so glad you've gotten good results and thanks for returning and sharing it. It may help some less fortunate person. I hoope you get better and better.

Billye

Very glad to hear that your feet are improving. Good that you have such a conscientious and concerned cardiologist.

Martin