Morton's Neuromas with SFN and RA - an electric current sensation?
 

Hi - I am wondering if anyone else has a morton's neuroma that behaves like mine.

It started about 18 months ago when I was having an RA flare in my metatarsal joints of both feet. After the flare went down with steroids I was left with this ping/ twitch in my right foot - between toes 2&3. My podiatrist said this was an MN, nothing to do with my RA and very common in women my age (50), and said he would give me a steroid short if it worsened. So I thought not much of it - I've always had delicate, narrow feet and never worn heels.

But started feeling as if I had an electric current running through it - not painful most of the time unless I wear the wrong shoes - which I don't very often. Although after rigorous exercise it can be very painful for a while too.

Now every night this MN starts to twitch and when I get up in the night and the morning it is really powerful and very disconcerting to walk on - especially with just socks or bare feet. I thought it would only be an issue at the end of the day or after wearing tight shoes or being on feet a long time. But it seems that this non painful electric shock sensation affects me in the opposite way. The other foot has occasionally been excruciatingly painful and swollen in the same place but only if I've worn the wrong pair of shoes. I can understand this.

The thing is that this electric shock sensation/ ping/ twitch is affecting my gait now because, although it's mostly painless, it is very strange and uncomfortable and makes me walk oddly. I don't want it to impact on my ankles or knees, which already have problems with the SFN and ache a lot.

It would be good to learn if this tarries with anyone else's experience of MNs? And why it worsens in the night and mornings for me if anyone knows?

Hello,

I don't know if you meant to post on the RSD page for your issues....
However, I can say from having a swollen foot pre and post-op that the MN area nerve does not like pressure and can give an electrical feeling even in a swollen foot without MN. I experienced that sensation when I had a lot of swelling and found it worse at night and first thing AM. I think it may have to do with hemostasis changes that occur when we lay down at night. Many people find neuropathy symptoms worsen at night for this reason. Anything that addresses swelling, cool pack (not ice), elevation, Epsom salt baths for the foot as well as offloading by making a little cut out in your shoe insert may be helpful. Feel better soon,
Littlepaw

Oops sorry Littlepaw:o I'm still pretty new to this site and learning to navigate it. I put Morton's Neuroma in the search box and this support group come up.

Thanks for explaining about why the neuroma might worsen at night. I suppose I hadn't really seen it as a part of my neuropathy - just something that lots of people suffer from as they get older because of wearing high heels as my podiatrist explained it. Thanks for advice on methods of calming them. My toes often go white with cold and I have a lot of connective tissue overlap so I tend to just post where I think people will know the most about my various symptoms. Take care. Mat

No worries Mat,

There is certainly overlap for many and there are certainly plenty of foot problems on the RSD/CRPS forum! Not saying your symptoms are related to your neuropathy, just that nerve symptoms in general often worsen at night with that bit of tissue flux from laying down and blood flow changes. If you had an RA flare you're sure to have some inflammation and swelling.

Take care, LP

Hello Littlepaw
 

I am new to the forum and trying to link up with others that may have my problem. I broke both heels and my right talar bone in a fall and have been trying to recover for 10 months. The Pain Specialist has suspicions that I may have CRPS. I am in pain all of the time and the medicines I have been prescribed, most recently Gabapentin and Butrans patch and a compound pain cream have not helped so far. I am frustrated and depressed and can't do anything that I like to do anymore. I have no tolerance for walking distances and I used to walk five miles a day. The medicines scare me because of a cardiac issue and although the pain specialist says they should be fine, I am having more palpitations since I have been taking the meds. Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought foot problems could cause so much disruption in my normal life. I am using the forum as a way to communicate and educate myself with others experiencing the same. Good luck to you.

Hello RJS,

Welcome to the forum! So sorry for your reasons for being here. You can always start a new post to introduce yourself. Feet are so under appreciated aren't they? We don't realize how hard those little warriors work until we have an injury. It is really difficult having your mobility impacted.

Calcaneal fractures are notoriously difficult to heal. If the fractures were displaced and required surgery and hardware that takes even longer and can have long term effects on gait and weight bearing tolerance. I am always harping about making sure doctors didn't miss anything. If you have doubts or questions about your healing process go back to your ortho or even get a second opinion if that makes you feel better. You need a bone and joint man to manage your fractures and PM to make life more comfortable. If they think you have CRPS make sure there is nothing that needs to be treated that may be contributing to the problem. If your doctors ARE sure everything has healed properly also keep in mind that fractures in general take up to 18 months to remodel. Some people continue to have swelling and aching periodically during this time. In my own personal experience, though all my surgeries were soft tissue, feet just seem to take longer than expected. And I am healthy in general, no diabetes, etc. Hang in there and take care of yourself. As an active person, I find getting in the pool and riding the bike immensely helpful. My mood goes to hell when I don't get exercise and I think it helps my pain. Anything that helps you feel stronger without hurting your recovery is a good thing. Activity is good for CRPS just not too much of it, same goes for foot injuries, so either way. Don't know if you are on an ortho forum but that might be a good place for feedback specific to your calcaneal fractures. I'd sure be curious what they have to say.

Sending Healing Love, Littlepaw :hug: