Feet Pain

[DBchip]

I have posted in the past. I have been suffering for 1 1/2 years on/off again with pain in both of my feet. The pain is in the arch muscles and is aggravated when I stand or walk. My feet cramp up when I curl them up. Some minor hand pain and muscle twitches all over (big time in feet and calves).

I have had all the tests done:

Blood labs (Too many to count)
2 EMG's (including NCS and Sweat Test)
MRI

Everything shows normal levels.
Nero said I have BFCS (Benign Fasculation Cramp Syndrome) and once had the Epstein Barr Virus.

I really want to relive my symptoms. Orthodics do not work. Only relive I get is from heat and rest.


Anything else this could be??
Also has anyone else experienced this and what can you recommend?

PLEASE HELP!
Thanks

[ainee]

G'day DBchip - I wonder if you have had an accident or back injury in the past. I've found that injury to the spine - years before, forgotten or even unknown - can cause damage to the spinal nerves, to cause symptoms such as cramps, twitches, spasms etc. throughout the whole body.

I had many symptoms, I found that 250mgs Vitamin B1 -
OR - 1000mgs Vitamin C
either one - taken 3 or 4 times a day, suppressed my horrific symptoms.
I found that I had to increase each VB1 dose to 500mgs and the VC to 3000mgs. for my body weight - 14st or 87kls - but I think anyone could gain benifit on 250mgs VB1 - or - 1000mgs VC.

It was a case of experimenting to find the right amount for my body weight. Do NOT take VB1 if on pain relief, as it takes away the effect. Please see your doctor before changing any medication you may be on. I've posted on several threads - the most recent one being in Spinal Disorders.

[Tootsie]

BD Chip,
Do you have extremely high arches? What is your family history like? Anyone else have similar problems, history of limping or difficulty with their hands? Is there any deformity?

I have just returned from a pre-Christmas vacation and have not been on the computer. Therefore, just read your post. Cheerio.

[Boopers]

Hmmm, do the bottoms of your feet feel hot? Does it make a difference with the different pair of shoes you wear? I mean do some shoes aggravate the problem more than say, other shoes?
It's possible, you could have periferal neuropathy. I have that and the bottoms of my feet hurt and burn and I have twitches in my legs and back. You could have some damaged nerves that are causing you to have PN.
I hope you can find a solution. The docs have me on heavy pain meds for other conditions, so that is a relief for me.
Sorry, for rambling, just trying to throw out some suggestions.
It's three in the morning and I'm a bit tired from having a sleepless night.
Linda

[DBchip]

Tootsie,

I have flat feet. No family history.

Boopers,

I was tested for PN by Nero and I don't have it. My problems are in my feet and hand muscles. Crampy/pain like feeling. No weakness (strong as ever). Most of my issues are in my feet and rest and heat seem to help.

Any chance I could be caused by something missing in my body like potasium or something. Blood tests showed nothing, but if nothing is wrong with my nerves or muscles then what could it be?????:confused:

Right now I need to manage these symptoms.:eek:

[Tootsie]

There is a genetic neuromuscular disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease that is characterized by problems with feet and hands mostly. However, it can also involve the trunk. There are hundreds of variations and degrees of severity. It is a sensory-motor neuropathy usually passed on through the female of the species.

Were the orthotics you tried made by a podiatrist? If all other paths seem normal, I would try to find the most experienced and knowledgable podiatrist in your community. You may want to ask for second opinions. Cheerio.

[Tootsie]

I forgot to mention that the name of the condition is from the doctors who first described it. There is a CMT forum here at brain talk. Other information is available under the hereditary sensory and motor neuropathy subject. It is overwhelming! I have a nephew whose wife was diagnosed after 4 of their 5 children showed symptoms. Cheerio.

[DBchip]

Tootsie,

I have no weakness (classic sign of CMT and most all Neromuscular Dieases). I had multiple (Normal) EMG's and NCS.

The Orthodics were made by a podiatrist. I should try wearing them again. They hurt like **** when I wore them before. So I tossed them in a drawer after only a few days. $$$ down the drain. Maybe I should wear them for a longer period of time.

I have something strange and am looking for relieve.

[annelb]

Hi DBChip,
I have PN. Ever since I was in my 20's my feet hurt. I was diagnosed with planter facitis and given exercises that never helped. I was fitted for orthotics a few times and bought every shoe insert I found. Nothing helped. In my 50's my feet became numb and extremely painful. I was only then that I was diagnosed with PN. I wonder if tests can pick up early PN? Took me over 30 years to get an answer. I even had surgery for Morton's neuroma on one foot. Did not do the other foot as the surgery did not make a difference in my pain level.

What I find interesting is that my son who is in his 20's started complaining of foot pain.

Our stories have taken a turn for the better. Turns out we are both sensitive to gluten. Going on a gluten free diet has greatly relieved my pain. My son has had total relief of foot pain. I wonder if his foot pain was the start of PN? It has been reported that 40% of those with idiopathic PN are sensitive to gluten.

You may want to check out the PN forum here on BT. There are supplements that have been found to help with PN. You may also want to check out the vitamin deficiency forum.

I hope you find some answers,
Anne

[Tootsie]

I wonder if it might work better to try wearing those orthotics for brief periods of time, then gradually increasing the time. Starting out, I'd try one hour or so, then remove them. Do this for at least a week, perhaps more. Then gradually increase and by all means AVOID producing pain. That might wean you onto the orthotics in a way that would provide some relief.

I did this when I first got bifocals. This was before they had the graduated lenses. I wore the bifocals only at work where I really needed them. Then, took them off when finished work. I never even noticed the lines of the bifocal and now have graduated to trifocals. Never had a bit of adjustment problem and cannot stand the graduated lenses...too much distortion. Cheerio.

[DBchip]

Thanks so much for all the advise.

I will try them.

[dahlek]

Try wearing the orthotics in 'bits'. To dive rite in wearing them is to invite more discomfort than anyone needs. Tote a bag or case to work and switch off and on as you get used to them. I liken it to exercise, you don't go running a marathon if you've been in bed for a week!

While not stylish, I've tried successfully wearing shoes called 'Crocs'. They make shoes for folks on their feet and a couple for professionals on their feet a lot [like docs and nurses] and for people with neuropathies. Check out the Crocs rx section of www.crocs.com and under 'products' click onto the crocsrx section. I found customer service staff super helpful in deciding which ones to buy. My foot doc LOVES them and said I would get the support I need...where I need it. Lots of my docs nurses wear them and endorse them as well. Relatively cheap too.

Hope this helps! and treat those feet as special! - j

[chairjogger]

I hate waking up in the middle of the night with my foot arch in a huge cramp as it is trying to curl inward!

I spend many nights on my vanity with my feet in the sink tring to keep super hot water in the bowl, drain and more hot water to relieve the pain. Truth be told. The skin scalded ( without blisters), skin is the first message to the brain, heat allows muscles to relax since pain is overridden. . Doctors do not recommend this to those with thin skin, elderly, sensitive to burns.. yadda yadda.

Second. Love the new products out that can be worn on skin or over thin long socks to keep heat on feet ro calves while sleeping.

third and last thing...don't laugh. My guy and I ride a motorcycle together. I sleep in my motorcycle boots ( ! ) . they keep my feet firmly in one position, my calf muscles are relaxed since the curl of my foot is not allowed ! You have to iqnore the weight of the boots!

Good luck !

Dystonia with parkinson ( isms) Diagnosed and second opinion agreed upon 3 years ago. Am on Sinement, Konoplin for the general body muscular diagnosis I have described. Other meds for brain disorder related to memory degeneration.

Chairjogger