Parts of foot now swollen up due to heat
 

New problem with my RSD: My foot came into contact with too much heat, and the ball of the foot, as well as part of the big toe and to a lesser extent the arch have swollen up. It hurt pretty bad for a couple days, and the contraction caused by swelling skin kept pullling my toes down. Its hurting less but it still reacts badly to any pressure- I can get away with brushing it lightly . In addition to hurting it also causes weird little spasms which make the toes go rigid or jerk around. There is almost an electric-like tingle or buzz to it. Now, I've had swelling before, but it was over the whole foot and wasn't especially painful (my RSD generally hasn't been to painful, more just swelling/stiffness/weird heat and cold etc). This seems like some kind of rash or burn injury.

Taking prednisone- worked wonders on the stiffness and other problems but hasn't solved this. will soon start amitriptyline)


Any suggestions or insights on this?

Will lotion of any kind help? Should I try to put a compression sock on it or walk on it, even though it would hurt?

For a picture see:
http://picasaweb.google.com/wackeddo...19117230582690

You, know, Wolf, I have a comment.

That part of the foot is the prime place for a gout attack.
Have you ever been evaluated for gout? It will get red, and swell and hurt like the dickens, and may look like RSD.

I've already been diagnosed with RSD; this is just a further symptom. So unless this is gout on top of RSD, and somehow brought about by exposure to too much heat, I dont think that is what it is. My diet is the opposite of a typical gout sufferer.

I am just asking.

Gout is a genetic issue. It is aggravated by overconsumption of some foods high in purines. But it can come on when the white blood cell count falls after being elevated for whatever reason, and those purines are trying to get metabolized off.
It comes during some chemo treatments, and also when there is tissue damage or poor circulation. A person with gout is lacking an enzyme which then results in uric acid building up in the body.

I have had one attack of gout, and while my blood levels of uric acid are moderately elevated, that is the only time I had one.
I have PN in the feet, but also have OTHER issues which overlap with it.

I only ask because I think sometimes people can have overlapping issues, and need to keep an open mind. Since you expect pain from your RSD... you may overlook something else if it occurs. If you have had serum tests for uric acid levels in the past, and they were normal, then gout is not likely. It still can occur in normals in the situations I listed above.

There is also pseudogout, which is not uric acid causing the inflammation but a calcium salt instead.
http://www.arc.org.uk/arthinfo/patpubs/6051/6051.asp

Some common drugs can precipitate gout...the most common are thiazide diuretics used for swelling/edema or for blood pressure, and niacin.

Whatever, I do wish you a speedy resolution to your new symptom. And welcome to NeuroTalk as well.;)