Foot Neuropathy, "Tingle" Relief - Can You Help?

[TOBEY32]

My feet are numb 24/7. For the most part I'm used to that. That's not the problem (so to speak). But in the last several months (more so the last couple of weeks) off and on I get a tingling in the small toe of my left foot. The tingling builds a few moments in intensity than dissipates, builds a few moments and dissipates. It repeats this ALL DAY! It is SO, SO annoying. I've never, since having Wegs, been able to see a doc re my neuropathy because I haven't have insurance. Just because I've never been I would like to go. Wondering if there's a cream, an exercise, something that might help.

Do you experience anything like this? Hope my explanation is good enough.
And I hope everyone is well enough.

David

[Pete]

Hi David,

I have the constant tingling in all of my toes. I've not had the pulsing. I'm trying massaging my feet several times daily to see if it helps. (Just started yesterday.) My feet do feel better for a little while afterwards. The tingling never goes away completely.

[drz]

There are creams that have a strong pepper that over loads the sensory nerves to help reduce such sensations. You should be able to find some at a good pharmacy and ask a pharmacist for help. Some one just showed me the one they use today for pain.

I have serious neuropathy and a lot of numbness but it is the occasional cramps, stabbing sensations, burning or itching that bothers me the most but they generally go away in a few minutes. Right now I think I am dealing with the inflammation issues I had before my diagnosis of Wegs cause I developed a sharp pain in my ankle yesterday. I had been misdiagnosed with plantar fasciitis and treated for it unsuccessfully before my Wegs was finally diagnosed. The Wegs treatment seemed to eliminate all those symptoms.

Does walking help you? That was my doctors recommendation to try slow down the neuropathy. It helps improve the circulation. Massages should also help with that.

[debra]

David, wow, I was thinking of you, just recently reading old posts, wondering how you are... Weird two old members both posting to day... David, I get like a going to sleep, type feeling? It's like that, but kinda different, if that makes sense? It's almost always, legs and feet, but more pain in the legs than this... It roams, and lately I've been getting it in my hands... The only thing I've found is movement to help... It seems for me, some of my worst pain is while lying down? I guess circulation problems from Wg... Makes sense since it effects circulation... Nothing like trying to sleep, and the pain and burning is one thing, but having to get up, just to get a little relief, stinks... David, have you managed to get any better care, with you're insurance dilemma? Nice seeing you, David... Debra...

[Debbie C]

Hi David, have you tried one of those foot spa machines, you can get them at the drug store for less than $ 20.00. Maybe put some Epson salts in it. Just a thought. I know I had twisted my ankle once really bad and used it and the swelling went down and it was better ...Good luck .

[Christina32]

Hi David, I have neuropathic problems in one of my feet/legs and likely permanent damage. I have similar feelings among others. Massage can help although for me the foot bath with hot hot water and or a heat bag on it has helped in getting some normal feeling or relief. Stay on it as best you can in case it's leading to further problems. Best wishes in somehow getting to a neurologist!

[TOBEY32]

Why do I have PN? Why do YOU have PN? Can we say for sure it was due to Wegs? When I entered the hospital my feet were normal, when I'm discharged I have PN. It was as simple as that. I thought some botched thing happened while I was there (being diagnosed) and no one was owning up to it.

drz: When you speak of "pepper"-type creams, I'm guessing you're speaking of capsaicin creams. Yes, I would like to try those.

Yes, it's good to "talk" with everyone again. Still don't have the Internet at home, but will check msgs in a couple days...

[annekat]

Hi, David, nice to hear from you again. The capsaicin cream is readily available at drug stores. I bought it years ago for some other issue and would like to try it on my PN. For me, too, it is mainly in the toes, not as bad as some. But several years before the start of my WG, I was having a little of this issue, tingling toes while trying to sleep at night, and it driving me crazy. Another woman my age said she had the same thing. My dad was a doctor, and he said some of this is normal as we age, and he called it peripheral neuropathy due to nerve degeneration. Little did he know I'd ever have Wegs, and he never did know, and of course it has gotten worse with Wegs, and would be especially so for people like drz with diabetes. Now I need to dig up that capsaicin that is hiding somewhere and try it out! Good luck with your issues, and with getting health insurance and internet at home.

[annekat]

Hi David, have you tried one of those foot spa machines, you can get them at the drug store for less than $ 20.00. Maybe put some Epson salts in it. Just a thought. I know I had twisted my ankle once really bad and used it and the swelling went down and it was better ...Good luck . This sounds good to me. I heard that there were lots of these at the Goodwill, too.

[TOBEY32]

I recently gave away a foot massage thing-y to a neighbor. Got it from a thrift shop. Was never used, and I never ended up using it. Plugged it once, but couldn't see "soaking" and trying to watch tv too, as it was kind'a noisy. Maybe I should ask her if she's used it. If not, I might ask for it back!

[whatthewhat]

Hi! Our daughter was diagnosed at age 14. She was a competitive athlete before she got sick, and concurrent with all her other symptoms was PN, so I always just say (along with her doctors) that it was part of the Weg. She did have physical therapy, both to specifically address the PN and also to regain muscle tone. I'm so bummed you don't have access to PT, so I am moved to write what I remember of her exercises. First, I was fascinated by the PT just taking a regular safety pin, and without our daughter looking, poked her in the bottom of her heels with the rounded end and with the dull end. The foot with the worst PN could not differentiate between the two ends. That was such a visible demonstration to me of what was going on. I remember they massaged her feet a lot, and her dad did also at home in between visits. There was an exercise where our daughter would dump about 70 or 100 marbles on the floor and then pick them up with her toes and put them into a box. There was an exercise where she would sidestep back and forth in between lines. Anything that encouraged nerve stimulation (going barefoot or having very supportive shoes) was helpful. And it all really did help. Then again, she was a kid with faster healing! Anyway, I hope this helps you. I remember the PN was very frustrating for her.

[annekat]

Also, David, if your toes are clumping together at all, along with the PN, there are devices online for toe separation, as well as special shoes and socks that keep the toes separated and thus more able to receive adequate circulation and operate independently in supporting your foot. I have a pre-existing condition of bunions, which for me is hereditary, and is caused by a weak arch and a misalignment of the toe bones. This can cause the toes to clump together as well, which is even more uncomfortable when the PN is thrown in. I also get some uncomfortable cramping which seems related to all this and can radiate up the legs, especially at night when trying to sleep. I know my PN is not as bad as some, but a lot of people may have bunions or other toe issues, and separating the toes with a comfortable device, shoe, or sock, can help overall when these problems coincide. I've tried a few devices and have been looking online for better ones that might be available, and will share if I find something great. I'd like something I could wear inside a shoe that would separate all 5 toes..

[whatthewhat]

Just curious - do those novelty socks with individual toe compartments work? Or the toe separators they sell for pedicures?

[annekat]

Just curious - do those novelty socks with individual toe compartments work? Or the toe separators they sell for pedicures? All I can say is they help. Some are better quality than others, last longer, launder better, etc. There are a lot of things I haven't tried. My favorites are "yoga sandals" sold to me a few years ago under that brand name, but they've changed their style so I can't speak for the newer ones. Something like the old style I have is now being sold online by other companies as "pedicure sandals". I can't be sure they are the same quality. Mine have lasted for years, have sturdy, foot-friendly soles, and I can wear them all over, and they were not expensive. As for socks, I think any toe separation would make the foot more comfortable, and looking for good quality ones that would hold up would be the ticket. (I got some at the Dollar Tree and don't have high hopes.) Whether anything will actually "fix" bunions, if that is your problem, I have my doubts, but slowing down the progression of it could be possible. In any case, with bunions, NP, or both, comfort is a big plus. I'll let you know when I find something really great, or that looks promising; there's a lot online and hard to make decisions on what to order.

[Pete]

This was in the Columbus Dispatch:
Neuropathy patients take to tango as therapy

Neuropathy patients take to tango as therapy | The Columbus Dispatch (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/09/04/neuropathy-patients-take-to-tango.html)

(Via Dispatch)

[Gab122]

I just saw this useful info in the news for diabetic neuropathy. Thought the info could apply to all neuropathy probably. Wanted to share with my GPA friends that suffer with this.

Coping with diabetic nerve pain
https://www.healthgrades.com/conditions/coping-with-diabetic-nerve-pain?cid=t1_atfapp2&sr=C53310a10