I only soak when my feet hurt. Maybe once a week.
I used to do it with every bath. But I don't soak in the tub as much because I find it hard to get out! (embarrassing to admit...but my muscles are shot).

I use the magnesium lotion now almost daily, and that takes the
edge off for me.

Thank you Mrs.D. I dont have magnesium lotion at home now. My feet are really hurting. I think the pain in my feet is getting worse. Can I soak more than once a day Mrs.D?

Thank you.

Yes you can. I wouldn't go over twice a day though until you
find out what is causing your feet to increase with pain.
Epsom salts are just for relief of discomfort. If your PAIN is being generated in the spine it will not block that. But magnesium can help with vascular issues (circulation). That is called ischemic pain as opposed to pain generated by inflammation (arthritis), or compressed nerves. I've lost track of your history, other than the thyroid issues. So do pay attention to your worsening feet as a sign that something else may be going on, etc.

Do you have compressive issues? Have you tried Biofreeze?
Lidoderm patches? Do you have increased PN in the hands as well?

Thank you as always Mrs. D.

I am not sure about pain generated in the spine - I dont have any pain in my back. As to the vascular issues (circulation), I had a Lower Extremity Doppler (not sure if that was the name of the test), but the purpose is to see if I have good circulation in my leg - the result was normal. I have osteoarthritis, but mostly in my hands and fingers.

What could be the symptoms of compressive issues? I had MRI of the cervical spine and the impressions are:

1. Mild cervical spondylosis, particularly at C-3-C4 where there is an
approximately 2.5 to 3 mm focal central disc herniation, which extends
to the level of hte cord with no mass effect on the cord.
2. Mild ventral extradural defect on C4-C5 from a small posterior disc/
osteophyte complex.

The neuro seems not concerned about the results.

I tried Biofreeze in my osteoarthritis.
Last night, I put Lidoderm in the spots where you suggested : back of the knees, in-steps and at the front of the ankles.

The pain that I feel in my feet is the same I felt before when the first neurologist diagnosed me of Peripheral Neuropathy. Painful soles (like you are stepping on sharp marbles; tired feet/legs, like the feeling when you stand too long but mine is 10x the regular tiredness; sensation of sharp sparks beneath the skin in the ankle areas.

I dont have much problem with my hands except with the pain of the osteoarthritis.

Thank you.

Compressive issues in the foot can be felt if you tap the top of the foot with a hard thing (like the handle of a butter knife or a wooden mixing spoon)...
If you feel zings easily in your toes/foot, some compression is happening around the ankle.
There is also a spot on the inside lower ankle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinel_sign

Same for the hand. This is called Tinel's sign.

Compression in the spine can be from spurs, herniations, or vertebrae that have collapsed from osteoporosis.

Arthritis can compress nerves in any joint affected. This is from inflammation in general. I have some referral to my feet from my knees, and that is where I will do Lidoderms if they flare up.

Thank you so much Mrs. D!

I tried this morning the tapping of my front feet, there was no zings..

When compression happens in the spine by spurs, herniations, or vertebrae - is the pain at the back or does it have a referral to the feet?

Again, thank you.

Sometimes there is pain where the arthritis is located. Sometimes not. It depends on alot on mechanical factors.
Also some nerve paths vary from person to person genetically.
This is something I learned fairly recently while reading a medical acupuncture site. So if someone has a nerve running close to an inflamed area in a joint, they may have compressive pain from that. I only get mine in the right knee, for example.

In regards to Tinel's sign, I have it in both feet. Hence, I have to tie shoes very carefully over that area, and avoid sandals that hit that area as well. Otherwise my feet will go numb. This I believe is a hold over from my years of untreated hypothyroid.