Another Shot at it
 

I posted a few months ago about tingling and nerve pain in the feet after I started a walking program, probably in bad shoes.

Saw Professory of Neuromuscular medicine at UF Shands in Jacksonville. After conduction tests, he told me I have neuropathy. As I had had a positive tinel's sign when I visited my podiatrist a couple of weeks ago, I asked him about tarsal tunnel, and he said he "couldn't see any evidence of it in tests, but it's hard to diagnose sometimes". He took 15 vials of blood for numerous blood tests, some of which take 6 weeks to complete. I follow up in 2 months. He prescribed neurontin, up to 1800 mg daily.


Yesterday, I saw my podiatrist. Thyroid, diabetes, SED, B12 all ruled out. She asked if anything was said at Shands about tarsal tunnel, and I gave her the above statement. She had strapped my feet two weeks ago, and I told her it helped some. She wants me to be fit for orthotics, but does not have an appointment open until the 22nd; and they take 6-8 weeks to come back.

I am kind of beside myself at this point. Walking does not seem to bother me, but when I quit, that's when it's bad. I tried an ace bandage on ankle and arch overnight, but when I took it off the next day, the buzzing was crazy. Ice seems to help somewhat.

It just seems like this is a long time for me to wait to get some help. I am so afraid of damaging myself further before they figure this out. I am taking advil and aleve on my own - they don't do much for pain and I find methadone doesn't cut it. I am doing stretches I was taught in physical therapy. I don't know how far I should be walking, if I should get some sort of insoles on my own, whether to pick up some night braces or if they will make it worse, or whether to try the ace bandages again.

Do you have any suggestions for me while I wait for something definitive - or at least more near to a diagnosis?

Thanks for your time.

I have started on 1000 B12 a day.

While waiting for those insoles, try "sofsouls" I got them at Sports Athourity. 20 bucks. Expecsive and I'm on my second pair. They are bright colored Red, Blue or Yellow according to size. They have made walking and hiking fun again. Make sure your shoes are not too tight. I had to go up a whole size. Diabetic socks or a light sock liner is also helpful. You have to try different stuff as most of us find ourselves doing this all on our own. Hopefully you will get a diagnosis with a solution. I haven't, but what you wear makes a big difference. You may also want to try Mrs. Ds tried and true method of soaking in Epson Salts.

I recently found some socks from eBay called 'World's Softest' for diabetics.
Mine are boot length, but they come in crew lenth too.
Really nice socks, soft - and anywhere from $3 to $7 a pair.
(in lots of 3, to 6, or 12 pair) Reasonable price.

Hey, thanks for the suggestions, guys. Both sound like good plans to me.

I also just got an invite to "Understanding the Mangement and Treatment of Neuropathy" at the Neuroscience Institute and Neuropathy Center at Shands Jacksonville. I am thinking I should make the drive to see what these docs say.