Foot Pain

[Dichotomy]

After a long illness (approximately three months spent mostly in bed both here and the hospital) my girlfriend is experiencing foot pain that is keeping her up nights.  She describes it as a 'burning sensation from her toes to the arch of her feet'.  It's keeping her up nights and neither of us are sleeping much.  Me because of work obligations and taking care of her.  Her from the constant pain.  I've been thinking that it's a circulatory problem and the nerves are being a PITA but we're in week two of this and watching her suffer is ripping me apart.  Her doc says he doesn't think it's a clot because it's in both feet instead of one but, due to the time of year, we cant get in to see him until next week. 

We've tried heat (makes it worse), ibuprofen (same result), regular aspirin (no luck), RICE (If you don't know what that is never mind), and everything I can possibly think of.

It's gotten better since we've weaned her off of her anti nausea meds but it's still distracting enough that she can't sleep more than an hour or so a night.

Any ideas gang?

Thanks in advance

[smoe]

Sounds like a really bad case of Gout, except this would have been easily diagnosed. I would suggest plenty of liquids, the body needs this to cure itself.

[Bizman]

Restless legs syndrome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restless_legs_syndrome, perhaps? There was an article recently in our local paper, saying that many doctors still might misdiagnose it.

[pembquist]

You can try compression stockings if you haven't. It's tough if your mobility is reduced because a lot of things respond to motion/walking.

[Brooke]

It seems like (other than athlete's foot, which is easy to spot, so I'm guessing it's not that) most cases of burning feet are the result of nerve damage, and for that, you and the doctor need to figure out what is causing it and stop the cause.  You're pursuing that angle already.

The only thing that I've seen that could fall into the realm of home treatment is that, if your girlfriend has a particular vitamin deficiency (folate, B-12, and/or vitamin C).  Those, you can administer at home as it won't hurt to take some more vitamins even if that isn't the cause.  I wouldn't take more per day than 800 micrograms of folate, more than 4 micrograms of B-12, or more than 1500 milligrams of vitamin C; and even those amounts, beyond about a week, I'd cut back to half those values on an ongoing basis (to get back to 100% RDA instead of more).

[Brooke]

Also, be careful following advice from non-MD's on message boards.  There are things you can do that would make things worse, not better.  Be careful of anything that would affect circulation, pressure on nerves, etc. unless prescribed by an MD.

[gyrene81]

if she's diabetic it could be diabetic nerve pain...not much can be done to get rid of that except pills which can create their own issues.

Pemquist's idea may help lessen the effects enough for her to be able to rest...you will have to try different levels of compression to get it right, too much is worse than not enough.

[PFactorDave]

If it was being caused by the anti-nausea meds, it may be that it will take a bit more time to work it all out of her system.

If it is circulatory , but not a clot (which it doesn't sound like), being on her feet and moving as much as possible during the day may help.

I would agree that plenty of liquids and a good diet are important, especially if it is some form of nerve thing.

She might try soaking her feet in room temp water for awhile before bed, see if that helps.  If it does, and she has access to a swimming pool, she might try swimming and/or walking in the pool daily.


Keep in mind that I am not a Doctor, although I did deal with seem chronic pain for several years after a severe accident.

[morfiend]

 Dicho,

  Heya Bro!

  A wise man already said be careful of what is said on a forum and take it with a grain of salt!

    If it is indeed some type of nerve pain it may or may not resolve itself depending on the cause.If it's cause is the anti-nausea medication and she can stop taking it then I would stop and wait a week to see if it gets better or not!  If not consult your DR.

  Nerve pain can be disabling at worse and difficult to deal with at best,lyrica is a drug that works quite well with neuropathic pain and it's not a narcotic.  Be careful of masking the pain with pain meds,we feel pain for a reason!  If it doesn't get better and is causing day to day activities to become a hardship,seek medical help!

   If you want to discuss this further,plz PM me.   You know I have been dealing with chronic neopathic pain for many years now so I have some experience with what she's dealing with.


   

[Shane]

Could be sciatic nerve related... you mentioned she was bed ridden for a while, perhaps a nerve has been pinched/compressed?

[Shifty]

if she's diabetic it could be diabetic nerve pain...not much can be done to get rid of that except pills which can create their own issues.

Pemquist's idea may help lessen the effects enough for her to be able to rest...you will have to try different levels of compression to get it right, too much is worse than not enough.

Dicho has she had a diabetes check recently? What Gyrene is describing is neuropathy. I have neuropathy bad, it sucks there's not much you can do for it. You feet burn and hurt all the time, yet they feel dead to the touch. My Dad had it my older sister has it they both had and have diabetes. I don't have diabetes but the doctor said I have the neruropathy.. Go figure.  The only thing they could do for me was prescribe anti depressants like Lyrica. However since I am not depressed... The friggin Lyrica depresses me.  So screw that I dumped the meds and I just live with the pain, it's constant and it sucks.

[wpeters]

Dicho has she had a diabetes check recently? What Gyrene is describing is neuropathy. I have neuropathy bad, it sucks there's not much you can do for it. You feet burn and hurt all the time, yet they feel dead to the touch. My Dad had it my older sister has it they both had and have diabetes. I don't have diabetes but the doctor said I have the neruropathy.. Go figure.  The only thing they could do for me was prescribe anti depressants like Lyrica. However since I am not depressed... The friggin Lyrica depresses me.  So screw that I dumped the meds and I just live with the pain, it's constant and it sucks.

.       Described what here symptoms were to my mom. She is a RN.  Said you should check out for neuropathy. Says sounds like the symptoms .   Try Asper cream till you see the doctor. Mom says that it doesn't have in aspirin in the cream

[Shifty]

Been to the doctor several times, regular doctor, foot doctor and even nerve doctor. There's a type of treatment I could have where they do some kind of electric therapy or treatment to my feet. However I would have to drive to Dallas twice a week for the treatment. That just doesnt work out because of where I live and my job. Tell your mother I appreciate the advice though.  

[Dichotomy]

Thanks guys.

I'm always careful about taking medical advice from a message board but looking at the responders and knowing them well I'm honored that you guys offered your opinions because I'm totally baffled. 

I'm going to nurse her as well as I can through the weekend and attempt to mitigate the pain as much as I can and get her to the doc on Monday.  Watching her suffer is substantially worse than if it was me. 

Shifty old buddy I did not know that about you.  Wow.  You're one tough bastard but I knew that already. 

Morph.. will do brother. 

Gents I appreciate your help.  I see many names of people I truly respect and I'm honored that you are willing to help.   

[Shifty]

Shifty old buddy I did not know that about you.  Wow.  You're one tough bastard but I knew that already.  

Eh not really.. Its just a lesson my departed Father taught me. You can do anything when you don't have a choice.  
I hope you find a solution for your girl friend's pain.