Aching legs, burning, feet and pins and needles..

maddyone

Shinamae you say your pain is constant. Which painkillers do you use for it?

The pain is not that bad it’s more uncomfortable and irritating, especially the pins and needles.
The burning feet is no picnic either, but like I say the pain is bearable, unlike some people on this thread to sound as though they’re in excruciating pain
I have taken two paracetamol and two ibuprofen, but they seem to make little difference..

Shinamae you say your pain is constant. Which painkillers do you use for it?

Candelle I’m so sorry to hear how ill you’ve been. I knew you weren’t well, but I had no idea.
Has anyone else got it in their hand? Mine started in my fingers, just two fingers, and is now in the hand and arm. I take painkillers every four hours otherwise the pain is very bad. There have been times when it’s felt unbearable. I don’t know why my GP doesn’t want to send me to a neurologist.

Might be worth trying Reflexology. I have found that sometimes it is really helpful, even if it doesn’t help a nice relaxing foot massage is very restful!

"You need Revitive" as Ian Botham says in his advert. I was sceptical about this having tried cheaper alternatives but I'm pleased to confirm this machine really does work. My legs and feet feel invigorated. Use for 30 minutes a day while sat reading a newspaper or magazine. I know the machine seems expensive but I bought a fully reconditioned one on eBay and its perfect.

I too am suffering with muscle pains in my legs worse in evening and night time. It’s mainly the front of my thighs but can be all down left leg and groin area. Seen doctor had X-ray and full blood tests nothing shown up. I had covid bad at Christmas so don’t know if there is a connection. I’m an active person, walking daily for an hour, swim twice weekly non stop for an hour, gardening, housework and volunteer work in a cat home. Hate to say it but I’m glad I’m not the only one but feel for you all.x

Candelle

I really do not wish to worry you but I had 'fizzy feet' for about six months before I decided to visit my GP (I thought such a vague symptom would not be anything to worry about. I had read of neuropathy in Dr Google's online surgery and rather assumed that was my problem).

The following is what happened to me and it probably is not the cause of your problems but I relate it in case you see any similarities and decide to have a further chat with your GP.

The GP asked a senior GP into the consulting room followed by an immediate visit to the Neurologists who had me MRi'd in no time. I was then an in-patient for three or four days (whilst I had Covid, so was 'caged up'!) and had tests. It was found that my spine is narrowing and 'disintegrating' and in doing so is pressing on my spinal cord: the place it is making contact giving the 'fizzy/tingling sensations to feet and hands. In certain circumstances, this could lead to paralysis.

I was read the riot act regarding what I can and can't do (can't travel abroad and have to be within an hour of a hospital with neurological services if in the UK. This is until a further decision can be made about me - the appointment of which has been delayed now to December - which I view as a good thing, as I can't be that ill!) but have not deteriorated and in fact some symptoms are slightly improved. Oh, the condition is 'Cauda Equina'.

If you think this may sound like you, do be checked out, it's a faff but worth doing.

I wish you well.

Thank you I will mention it when I go for a second opinion in about a week I think it is…

Esmay

So sorry - Shinamae when you've done so well with your diet .

My first thought is a severe B vitamin deficiency requiring injections .
A member of my family has very odd symptoms without them and I have three friends , who have strange burning sensations and shooting pains as you describe .
Wishing you well .

Hi Esmay a few weeks ago, I had a series of seven vitamin B injections cost me a fortune and unfortunately has made no difference at all, but I thought it was worth a try. 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️ (£25 a time)

Another one who has developed exactly the same symptoms, but without any numbness or loss of muscle strength. It is very odd the sensation going to my brain is that several toes have gone numb, but if I immediately wiggle them I can feel them perfectly.

I have recently spoken to my doctor and I am awaiting the result of a blood test.

I had, what was diagnosed as a TIA, but a very odd one, just after Christmas. It began with shooting pains up my left arm, thn a pulse throbbed in my lip, then the symptoms went more mildly down my right arm. I had no loss of muscle tone and deliberately walked round the house and did washing up while it was all taking place. I had no unwellness or brain fog, but I was left with what felt like extreme carpal tunnel pain in my left arm for about three months afterwards, as that seemed to clear. all the symptoms we are all describing started.

I am beginning to wonder whether my problems could be connected with COVID. Last summer I was unwell for several months with what was diagnosed as a severe bacterial infection, and was still under the weather, when DH, DD and I all returned from holiday in mid September, feeling unwell, and when tested we had COVID.

DH &DD had it for a few days. I had it for over 2 weeks, although very mildly, and, while it would be exagerating to say I had long COVID, I was feeling very lack lustre and lacking in energy until Christmas, and beyond, when I had this supposed TIA.

I am beginning to wonder whether all my problems this year are associated with COVID.

I really do not wish to worry you but I had 'fizzy feet' for about six months before I decided to visit my GP (I thought such a vague symptom would not be anything to worry about. I had read of neuropathy in Dr Google's online surgery and rather assumed that was my problem).

The following is what happened to me and it probably is not the cause of your problems but I relate it in case you see any similarities and decide to have a further chat with your GP.

The GP asked a senior GP into the consulting room followed by an immediate visit to the Neurologists who had me MRi'd in no time. I was then an in-patient for three or four days (whilst I had Covid, so was 'caged up'!) and had tests. It was found that my spine is narrowing and 'disintegrating' and in doing so is pressing on my spinal cord: the place it is making contact giving the 'fizzy/tingling sensations to feet and hands. In certain circumstances, this could lead to paralysis.

I was read the riot act regarding what I can and can't do (can't travel abroad and have to be within an hour of a hospital with neurological services if in the UK. This is until a further decision can be made about me - the appointment of which has been delayed now to December - which I view as a good thing, as I can't be that ill!) but have not deteriorated and in fact some symptoms are slightly improved. Oh, the condition is 'Cauda Equina'.

If you think this may sound like you, do be checked out, it's a faff but worth doing.

I wish you well.

So sorry - Shinamae when you've done so well with your diet .

My first thought is a severe B vitamin deficiency requiring injections .
A member of my family has very odd symptoms without them and I have three friends , who have strange burning sensations and shooting pains as you describe .
Wishing you well .

I have had neuropathy for about a year now. The tingling, burning sensations go from the base of my feet up to my knees. I had the Doppler test, I am not diabetic, my vitamin b12, c and d are all fine. I tried 3 different drugs to no effect; in fact they made me feel quite nauseous. My sense of balance is getting worse. I have never had covid.
I am nearly 70 and it just seems that I will have to learn to live with it.
I was told that it could be a side effect of having had chemotherapy more than 10 years ago.

I am an alcoholic in recovery and have been for years, so no alcohol, passes my lips.😁
I don’t really get shooting pains,very occasionally in my left groin, but that is very occasionally, as I say, it’s mainly burning feet and pins and needles and the aching of the legs.
I occasionally take two paracetamol and two ibuprofen but seems to make a little difference 🤷‍♀️

DaisyAnneReturns

Shinamae

growstuff

I'm curious about which tests you've had for peripheral neuropathy. You certainly seem to have the classic symptoms of it.

My doctor sent me to the hospital, and I had electrodes fitted to me, and also some sort of reflex tests…🤷‍♀️

The results of your test should have gone back to your doctor and should be accessible on line if you have that set up Shinamae.

I spoke to him on the phone about it, and he said everything was fine 🤷‍♀️

I have the same problem but mine started suddenly about 5 or 6 years ago when I bent down to turn on a socket. First it was one leg, shooting pains and numbness on lower leg and foot and I actually had foot drop for an hour. A few years later I realised my other leg was doing the same but not as bad. I’ve had MRI scans and neurological tests but nothing was evident. It gets worse if I do a lot of walking on uneven ground. So I am convinced that something is irritating the nerves in my lower back, although I never get pain there, fortunately.

Soles of my feet burn as if I’ve been walking on hot grainy sand! Worse at night.

Shinamae, Bamm, and others, I’m actually amazed at how many of you/us are suffering similar symptoms which do appear to be peripheral neuropathy and are not getting much help from doctors. GPs seem disinterested once they’ve done the usual basic tests and come up with nothing. There must be a reason for this pain. I don’t believe you get pain for no reason.

I am 76 and have had burning, numbness and tingling with shooting nerve pains in my feet and occasionally lower legs since I was 71. I have got absolutely no where with the doctors really...after blood tests ( all normal) and blood sugar tests ...normal. I too went to hospital and had the nerve impulse in legs measured, result ' in the normal range' . GP wouldn't recommend a neurology appointment. In the first year of this problem I visited GP three times and was told to take Amytriptyline ( prescribed off label for nerve pain at low dose). I tried it for a week, read about it and decided that I was not going to take it long term as it does not effect any cure but works on the central nervous system and isn't a thing that is good long term. I paid for tests privately on thyroid and more blood sugar tests, all normal, but decided that both alcohol and sugar are not good things for neuropathy so took matters into my own hands and now eat no sugar or simple carbohydrates and very hardly any alcohol. Although I did not have high blood sugar I don't think the blood test measuring sugar over three months that is given now accurately measures peaks as it is an average, I would like a glucose tolerance test really as my symptoms very much like those of some diabetics. I also think a scan would be useful in case of a trapped nerve, but no chance I fear.
My symptoms have improved and they no longer keep my awake at night and my feet aren't painful in normal comfortable shoes any more. I still have some numbness and sensitivity in feet and recently asked to make an appointment at my surgery to discuss again, as I now get a lot of cramp in calfs. My doctor has left the practice and I was told there are no appointments other than phone up at 8.30 in the morning if you are in great pain and need to see a doctor urgently as they are very short staffed !
I have come to the conclusion after talking to others i know with similar problems, that if you are older and fit in other ways, which I am, the doctors just say that the neuropathy is ' idiopathic ' and are not prepared to devote any further time to finding a cause. I have been to physiotherapy, a chiropractor and a podiatrist and find that strictly avoiding sugar and alcohol are the only things that make a difference.

I’ve been experiencing aching legs for several years. I only get blank looks from the medical professional. I do have lower back issues. Sitting makes it worse. Best thing I find is exercise (against advice) . I’m 70 and still do spin, body pump, yoga and walk the dog - god - sounds exhausting!!!! Time consuming but pays off.

My tests by a neurologist didn't show any problems with my leg nerves transmitting improperly, but he said they only test the large nerve fibres, not the bundles of small ones, which could be damaged. And if they were fine then it would probably be spinal lesions, such as in MS! Ten years of crazy pain, highest daily dose of Pregabalin allowable (commonly called the Dementia Dose) and still no answers. I do know it's worse if my blood sugar rises. BTW, I don't have MS, just in case you were wondering!
I really hope you get a diagnosis soon.

Shinamae

growstuff

I'm curious about which tests you've had for peripheral neuropathy. You certainly seem to have the classic symptoms of it.

My doctor sent me to the hospital, and I had electrodes fitted to me, and also some sort of reflex tests…🤷‍♀️

The results of your test should have gone back to your doctor and should be accessible on line if you have that set up Shinamae.

I have similar pain and symptoms (pain, tingling, numbness, weakness) in my right hand, particularly two fingers, but now the back of the hand and up the arm too, and now beginning in the other arm. I’ve been sent for carpet tunnel tests, negative, X-rays, negative, to see the hand surgeon, nothing wrong that he can diagnose, the trapeziectomy done early 2020 was successful. So no diagnosis. I’ve tried acupuncture, it made it worse. I’ve been told twice that there is emerging evidence that people who have had Covid are presenting with nerve damage. Mine started within a few months of having Covid and has become progressively worse. I’m taking painkillers four hourly and am on a tiny dose of Pregabalin, which helps a tiny bit I think. Even a slightly higher dose makes my teeth extremely sensitive. I asked for a referral to a neurologist because my reading and research suggests neuropathy, but I’ve had no diagnosis. My GP ignored my suggestion of a neurologist. I’m currently trying to see one privately but I need a referral from my GP and I’m not sure she’ll give it. I’ve got another telephone appointment with her next week. I’ve been wondering whether to begin a thread on peripheral neuropathy to gather other people’s experiences. Shall I?
OP it is extremely painful and difficult living with this condition. And I haven’t even got a diagnosis.

Avoid yoghurt, sauerkraut and pickled vegetables too.

Whiff

Shinamae cheese causes a built up of lactic acid in your joints and causes pain and pins and needles. My mother in law had gout and no she didn't drink port😂. But she had to stop eating cheese as it made her gout worse. Plus she had to stop eating butter ,cream and full fat milk.

Whiff,You’ve convinced me,from today no cheese at all, it’s gonna be difficult but if it stops the pain is it will be worth it..😬

Shinamae cheese causes a built up of lactic acid in your joints and causes pain and pins and needles. My mother in law had gout and no she didn't drink port😂. But she had to stop eating cheese as it made her gout worse. Plus she had to stop eating butter ,cream and full fat milk.