Stiffness in hands and feet for 3.5 years--can anyone help
 

Hello, and here is my story

In 2005 I had a very stressful year. My stress comes out in my muscles, and I began to get very stiff all over my body (also exhausted and unable to undwind). Around Christmas that year my hands and feet both became stiff and painful over a period of two days. I went to foot doctors who wanted to treat me for the usual foot issues, which this was not and is not to this day. The hand therapist didn't provide any help.

In March 2006 I started to take benzodiazapines for muscle issues. The result has been a horrible experience with a complete change in my life when I discovered I was dependent (not addicted) on them. I spent 15 months tapering off Klonopin and at 7 months off I have continued symptoms while my body continues to heal.

BUT, though all this my hands and feet did not heal up. I believed it was nerves that caused it the first place, and I still do. All my other stress symptoms were gone by the time I got off the Klonopin, but my hands and feet remain stiff and painful (no weakness, no hot/cold issues, no burning, no real numbness, though going off the K made my hands and feet much worse at the first 4-5 months off the drug--kind of a rebound or just an exacerbation of an existing problem.

I have been to a neuorologist--no nerve damage. I have been to a rheumatologist--no fibro, no CFS, no rheumatoid arthritis, no anything. I have a great deal of trouble walking. I still hope when my nervous system is complete healed from benzo withdrawal the nerves in my hands and feet will heal too.

I am completely healthy except for a low vitamin D due to being housebound during the taper. I guess I also now have osteopenia, but I don't think that would be a factor. B12 is normal, though I have heard I should have further tests that would better identify a B12 deficiency.

Has anyone on this board ever heard of anyhting like this? Could my peripheral nerves still be in some really bad shape (no nerve damage) and be taking 3.5 years to heal. Being off them does not make them better, or I would ahve improved while being so sick during withdrawal.

Thanks for any thoughts. Stiffy

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Hi

I do believe you and I know it's not in your head.

We'll try to help.

Here are some links I Googled for research purposes.

http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic116599.html

http://symptoms.wrongdiagnosis.com/c...fness-desc.htm

...to much info sometimes. You have to seperate the wheat from the shaft. It's up to us sometimes to find out what all this means.

not a doc but just don't sound like good blood supply to me, and more specifically oxygenation. Your extremities are the farthest points to supply for your heart and kidneys will demand a reserve for their needs and the pancraes does too (endrocrine system), but to all four extremities, equal in stiffness... hummmmm... without injury or understood cause, it's tricky for doctors. Just remember Rome wasn't built in one day. It may take a while to figure out what it is and treat it with good results. or to not understand what it is and accidently find something that seems to help and gives you your mobility back.

How is your capillary refill? you know, press your fingernail and/or toenail until white, let go and see how quickly the pink comes back.

How's about water and relaxation techniques. Can't hurt. It's good for you. Lately I've been drinking alkaline water and I think it's helping.

I've found a nautropathic healer. She believes in positive thinking... and alkaline water. I also went through a natural detoxing or cleansing. I think I needed that cleansing because of all the pills I'd taken. I'm not a good patient. I can't always follow instructions or take as directed, you know. I think we're all guilty of that at times. Just give it your best effort and do the best you can.

Regarding the dependency, well, you needed the meds and it may have helped you more than you realize right now. I'm sorry you developed a dependency. That's okay too. There's always a trade. you can handle it.

You're doing the right thing by asking. Someone may come along and give you better guideance.

Keep in touch...

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Hello stiffy, and welcome to NeuroTalk! This is such a nice place to be with lots of friendly and helpful people.

We're so glad you found us! :)

Here is a link to the General Health forum, maybe you can find some answers there.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum2.html

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. We are all here to assist each other as possible.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene:hug:

Hi Stiffy

I also have issues with my feet. But mine is considered part of the fibro.
I have a stiffiness that just gets worse, and its not just there. The things
that have worked for my legs, calf muscles and some other muscles don't work here.

There is pain and things too.

But I go to a massage therapist, and she helps all the rest. So far we haven't solved the feet issues.

Donna