Have you had a work up for autoimmune issues lately? The big toe thing does sound like gout but it could be rheumatoid arthritis. It sounds as if you are overdue for some testing. And perhaps a new neuro might be a good idea.

Good to see you back.

Billye

The sesamoid bones in the ball of the foot can crack, move and slip around.
This causes pain typically. A simple x-ray of the foot will reveal this.
I think this is the most common cause of pain in the foot. Sometimes a steroid injection here can do wonders.

Secondly, there can be a spur under the toenail...this hurts quite a bit too.
Will show up on the same foot X-rays.

Gout also presents here, or pseudogout...but there would be redness and considerable swelling compared to the sesamoid/spur causes.

I'd go to a podiatrist first, or at least an orthopedic doctor.

first stop! It was my own Pod. who thot the neuro that first treated me wasn't up on what even HE was seeing! Saved my life...
Also, IF you've broken a sesamoid...I have experienced both orthopod and Podiatrist interventions...The Pod. was a] far more knowledgable about the foot and what to do/or not and b] could wrap up that afflicted foot ten times better!
I learned the hard way that the anti-seizure meds such as neurontin Lyrica and all are notorious calcium depleters...therefore we are more prone to easy fractures. More so for those who are post-menopause, and thus calcium supplements are critical to trying to keep 'whole'.
Remember also, that fractures, per-se, do not show up on x-rays UNTIL calcium starts to replace and heal any gaps. Breaks are a different thing tho, and are more clear cut usually.
BOO to having to break in a new doctor? Sigh?!!!!!
As for the new 'sensations'? Is it where you already have some signs of PN? If so, please play your mind to believe these are signs of healing! They feel just the same only less well, coordinated? The healing [which I mite just be experiencing myself] is less organized than the destructions, but it too is freaky-TOTALLY FREAKY! Whatever I feel in the way of changes, I attribute to healing...less is known about this part...and probably will always be that way.
Oh Mrs D? Those toe-nails are a total PAIN! I've got ingrowns that the docs refuse to cut out...fear of infection and all, and when they act up, they do make themselves known!

Hugs Jarratt and all others!!!!!!!!! - j

a spur under the toenail of the big toe is different from an ingrown.

Spurs form from pressure from the top of tight shoes, pushing down on
the toes. It forms right under the nail in the middle.

The pain is sharp, and goes away when you take shoes off.
Sometimes it might bleed under the nail, but not always.

Some very good advice here. Yes, the gout thing has been considered. But my previous doctor never seemed to want to deal with issues. Just throw meds at symptoms. For instance, when I asked her and showed the big toe thing she threw Endo-something at me. I was to take in a way similar to how you take steroids. I didn't take the stuff. It was guaranteed to tear my stomach up and I don't like it when she throws meds at things without knowing exactly what's being treated. It's like shooting at the dark. You can't see the target let alone know what the target is.

Don't think it's a spur. It's not in that area. The pain I mean and it's not like that kind of pain you described, MrsD. I've never been one to wear tight shoes. Can't wear any kind of heel either and haven't been able to for many years. My feet, right across the ball area, would get so sore from just a few hours of wearing heels (even the so called 'flats' with the tiny half-inch or less heel) that I couldn't walk well or without pain for several days afterwards. I'm at a bit of a disadvantage in that being adopted I know very little of my family medical history. So gout, arthritis and other things like that are a big unknown.

My previous doc didn't even bother to x-ray the ball area. How's that for common sense?

A number of years ago I had what I believe was a gout attack. The ball of my left foot, the same one giving me trouble now, swelled up and was so painful no matter what I took for the pain...I couldn't even touch it. I wanted to rip the toe off it hurt so badly. What's going on now feels like the same pain only muted compared to that attack. And so far no redness and swelling like what I saw that one time.

And the last blood work done for auto-immune was aimed specifically at the PN diagnosis, looking for specific things known to be associated with PN. So that's due as well I believe. Thanks, Billye.

It's just when one has PN and things start happening like this one tends to panic. "OMG! It's spreading!!" Sigh. And not having a diagnosis lends itself to this panic cause I don't know what to expect...or not.

My other half did point out to me a little while ago that the thing with my hands....if it was 'just' the carpal tunnel it would be odd to see it happening in both hands at the same time to the same degree in both. I hadn't thought of that aspect of it til he mentioned that. Sigh, that scares me.

Hello. Long time and I am sorry you have so much going on. I am sorry about your child and as someone who has been residential many times I know the stress this can cause on the whole family. I hope you all can do family therapy because I think it will help you and your child cope.If I can help on that front please pm me. I have experience in that front and really it can help your child so much. I used to have ocd so bad for ex my hands would blead from the washing and now I really don't have any ocd behaviors. It took time even after residential but it was a good starting place.
As for you pain I have sometimes where a fan blowing feels like a beating. Mine is similar to rsd they say and that is a symptom.Can you take a sleep med in combo with that med? I am sorry I don't have more to offer.