[sunnydee]

Hello:

I have a couple of questions on PN.

I have stiffness in the morning in my heels, calf and foot that doesn't last more than 5 minutes. It hurts to walk on my feet when I first wake up, but then does get better. Does anyone else have this symptom?

I also have pain in my calf and heel if seated too long in the same position. Does anyone else have this symptom?

My pain started as numbness in my feet, then pain, which spread up my legs, knees and in the thigh muscles. Is this typical for most PN sufferers?

Lastly, I understand that the nerves have to heal before they can get better. What does the healing process feel like? Is it similar to the pain I've been having since the onset.

Thanks!

[mrsD]

There are bursas (cushions) under the Achilles' tendons.

You can get a bursitis in them that hurts like mad.

Have you gone to a good podiatrist and had an evaluation for this? There is also a plantar fascitis that can give pain like that.

[Augie]

From what you say, it could be, as another member has said, something like plantar fasaciitis. Maybe you could start with a podiatrist. Plantar fasciitis is easier (and cheaper) to diagnose than PN.

[mrsD]

When I had my first experience with PN, I had pain in the feet first. Severe pain in the morning upon getting up. This slowly progressed to numbness which I interpreted as "getting better"... I was only 30 and didn't know much about PN at the time. I stood on my feet LONG hours, and in those days there were no comfy athletic shoes.

When I finally received the thyroid hormone I needed (many years later), my numb feet started to wake up. This was tingling and burning but no really severe pain. This took almost a year to resolve.

Depending on what is going on, I think the various pains/symptoms will vary.

[Leslie]

Originally Posted by sunnydee

Hello:

I have a couple of questions on PN.

I have stiffness in the morning in my heels, calf and foot that doesn't last more than 5 minutes. It hurts to walk on my feet when I first wake up, but then does get better. Does anyone else have this symptom?

I also have pain in my calf and heel if seated too long in the same position. Does anyone else have this symptom?

My pain started as numbness in my feet, then pain, which spread up my legs, knees and in the thigh muscles. Is this typical for most PN sufferers?

Lastly, I understand that the nerves have to heal before they can get better. What does the healing process feel like? Is it similar to the pain I've been having since the onset.

Thanks!

Hi Sunny -

I have something similar I think. Each time after being seated or laying down for a while, when I stand up from those positions I have stiffness and some discomfort in my ankle and lower calf and feet. I have wondered many times if this is because I've let my muscles get out of shape or if the neuropathy is causing this.

It has gotten to the point that I have to stand up and sorta move the muscles around before I can be sure I can walk. My husband calls it the Fred Sanford shuffle. And it does look like that.

[sunnydee]

Hi Leslie:

That sounds very similar to what I have. It also happens when I sit for long periods of time and when I wake up in the morning.

The pain in my heels in the morning has led to major stiffness in my feet. Once I get up and moving, it gets better.

Does anyone else experience extreme fatigue? This week I feel I had no energy at all.

[Hope15]

I also get pain sometimes in my heals. Sometimes it feels like it is just on the bottom of the heal themselves, on the surface. It comes and goes.

Leslie, the Fred Sanford Shuffle??? Great description! I do that too....

[GanaQ]

Mine got better with regulation of my Thyroid meds.

But deficiency in vitamins, especially B vitamins like B6 and B12 can also cause this.

Take care and get some blood tests done

[jsrail]

I doubt my SFN is ever going to get better. I do get sore heels sometimes, but its because I tend to walk on my heels most of the time cause my front part of my feet hurt so badly (I have very high arches).

Jay