New..I have questions about this disorder

[Pattylyn]

Hello, I have posted on brain chat, but usually on the headache forum, I suffer from migrianes.

My symptoms that bring me to this board are these, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Approx 1 year ago I noticed slight numbness in my left toe, and slightly on the left upper part of the bottom of my foot. I did not think to much of it at the time. It stayed in that area, and did not spread to any other part of my foot.

Approx 8 months ago and several work outs walking the treadmill, I experienced severe heel pain, (not realted at all to the nunbness in toe and bottom of foot.) but the plantar fasciitis is also in the same foot. I did see a foot specialist, and he gave me the diagnose of plantar faciitis.

I have not properly taken care of the plantar fasciitis, such as streching, PT, icing it, and I, of course am still walking, (however not nearly as far, fast, and in much pain.:) all the time)

Now for the past few months the top part of foot is feeling numb, my heel is numb, and the pain is very severe in my heel all the time...If I even rub a sheet at night over the top of my foot it hurts..its a weird type of numbness.

I saw my neruo, she stated that I should of felt the vibrating in that foot longer, and she ordered blood work, a emg, a doopler.

I had the blood work it was all neg., I am affraid to have the emg, (bad me I know) and I plan to have the doopler, since that is a easy test to have done, with no pain.

I also was told that a pinched nerve in my back could cause numbness in my toes, and she may order a MRI of my back.

But could something wrong with my back cause a slight numbness just the one toe, and a small part of the bottom of my foot, that seems hard to believe...and I have no back pain, NO leg pain, No injury!

My feeling is that the plantar fasciitis could be causing a majority of the weird numbness that I am experiencing, and that if I get it treated by PT, maybe it would reduce the pain and numbness.., however that still does not explain the numbness in my toe, and the top part of my foot on the bottom, that I suffered from way before the plantar fasciitis...

So I guess my question is just what is PN, and wouldn't it most likely affect both of my feet?

I am very worried...I am frightened that I have some horrid disease...and my foot is really feeling badly.

Tomarrow I see another foot specialist for his opinion...to many doctos saying different things.
Thanks
Pattylyn

[Silverlady]

Pattylyn,
This link will tell you all you ever wanted to know about Peripheral Neuropathy and then some: http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1756

It is possible that something in your spine could be causing the symptoms you are experiencing. But it also could be a foot injury. Check out your foot problems first and see what the doctor says. If it is not your foot causing it, I'd follow thru with a neuro.

Billye

[dahlek]

afraid of the EMG? I realilze that while some people have not had good experiences[and are vocal about it], the majority of folks don't. It is certainly one of the less invasive medical tests known to man! Yes it involves essentially 'wiring you' up, but, at the same time it will tell you and your docs soo much about what is going on---GOOD and not so good. My view is I'd rather know where/what the problems are and DO IT.

Yes, back problems can cause pain in just one Part of your foot! Look up posts by NYCSilk...also known as LizaJane. She developed neuro exam tracking sheets during her own adventures in 'neuro-land'. They sum up, essentially, about 95% of the tests neuros can, should and do conduct in the loong process of eliminating other conditions during the diagnosis process of PN. Also, keep in mind, that while you've had blood tests...this is just Round One in the process. If I recall correctly, I'd had at least 7 sets of blood tests, done in 3 big 'clumps'.

Diagnosing nerve problems is a tricky thing....Nerves are small, some not seen by the eye...When they act up tho--THEY ARE BIG!! To us, at least.
As long as your doc keeps up testing for other things, your process of elimination has begun, and sounds like a keeper.

I hope this helps! Read all that stuff Silverlady's suggested and welcome! - j

[nide44]

What PN is - articles:
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00131.html
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm

[Pattylyn]

Thanks everyone for you posts, I will read the information and let you know what is going on.

Patty

[Boopers]

Good luck to you Pattylyn!! I hope you find a doc that can find the answers for you.

Take care,
Linda