Neuropathy in feet and legs

Brain and nerves
1

Hi guys,

I started having nerve issues in my feet after lifting at the gym. It went away for some time, but came back for good.

It started in my left foot with paresthesias. Mostly a muscle twitch kind of feeling. In the mornings I'd have a little pins and needles in both feet. As time went on it got worse. Still only in left foot and a little pins and needles in the morning. I would get more frequent occurrences of paresthesias in the left and some shooting pain. I decided on an MRI on my lumbar spine. It a was determined that I had a mild bulging disc and mild central canal stenosis and mild left foraminal stenosis. Because of this news I decided on different forms of treatment. I tried acupuncture, nerve conduction studies, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. Because of the mild stenosis, the chiropractors had me doing prone push ups, which looking back, could have made the problem worse. I don't know. As time went on, and mind you I got the MRI in early January of 2016, the issue got worse. I started experiencing paresthesias in both feet. Lots of pain and more throbbing/muscle spasm type feelings in my feet, but mostly the left foot. Currently I'm experiencing burning issues in my feet and parts of my legs, knee pain, feelings of water dripping down my legs. I don't have back pain. Sometimes I get issues in my thighs, but it's mostly the knees or below.

One chiropractor suggested that it might be MS and I told him that it runs in the family. I have a hard time believing it, because whenever I do squats or have sex, the issues get worse. Especially since this first started after weightlifting. It seems to stem from my back, even though there's no back pain. Is MS plausible? For instance, after sex or even masturbation, assuming I'm simulating sex, (using my lumbar spine during the act) the paresthesias and pain are worse. Could this be a cause of MS?

I recently visited a neurosurgeon and he looked at my MRI from January. He said that my besides the mild bulging disc and mild stenosis, I wouldn't need surgery. That my spine looked great. I mentioned the prone push ups that 2 different chiropractors had me doing. I wondered if that had caused the symptoms to intensify so quickly. He didn't seem to think so and he was positive that stenosis was not at play or that it wasn't my back that I had to worry about. He thought it could be muscular, but he didn't know. But I just don't know if I agree. It's hard to agree with that considering the issues get worse after sex or after body weight squats. I'm young, only 33. I really miss doing the things I used to do. Please help if any of this sounds familiar. I don't know where to turn or what to do. I want my life back.

2

Hi Gordo,

 I think I did something similar with weightlifting but, in my case, injured my neck.  What I've learned after about 6 months of specialists is a) they really don't know that much and b) spinal issues can manifest themselves in so many crazy ways.  

I suspect you have spine issues of some sort as well.  I would say it's pretty unlikely you have MS and an MRI should rule that out either way.  Since they didn't say anything after your MRI, you should feel good on that front.  

My recommendation:

1. Be patient,  Spine issues will take months to recover potentially, not days/weeks. 

2. Lay off the stenuous exercise, stop lifting. But go ahead and do regular low impact exercise like walking fast or swimming.  

3. Make sure you don't have any bad posture or seating issues that could make it worse. 

4. Try heating pads, maybe ice or a mixture. 

5. Keep a journal (probably the most important). Track daily what you did and document how you feel.  You may see a pattern emerge so listen to your body. 

BTW, I had tingling, cold feet, hands, fatigue, depression and no neck pain but believe it was all neck.  

Now I have hardly any of those symptoms and all neck pain.  The spine is an odd one and symptoms can change over time.  

3

Ok, thanks for the response, acydgod.

In my situation, this has been going on for about a year and only gotten worse. What do you think about cycling?

I feel like I've been pretty patient. For instance, no lifting, except the occasional low weight deadlift, to see if the movement can help. That hasn't been the case, so haven't done that in a while.

I'm thinking about a spinal tap to see if it's something more serious.

Ok, I will document what's going on. Thanks for the advice.

4

Hi Gordo, I'm really sorry to hear your experience. I don't have any advice for you sadly. What I do truly connect with is the fact that you want your life back. Please don't give up. I know its hard going, but surely there is someone out there who can help. Try to stay positive. I wish you all the best. Leah

5

Hello Gordo, Can't help you much but I suffer from peripheral neuropathy and it was classified as idiopathic meaning they don't know where it came from. My symtoms were similar in the feet all below the knee's and now I suffer from cronic pain due to an injury sustained to my left ankle. You might seek a second opinion from a neurologist. Sometimes a different pair of eyes see different things. It has taken me years to pinpoint my problem but my neurologist was dead on target. Hope that helps and hope your health gets better you are rather young to have these problems but they are not uncommon.

poolplayer

6

Also Gordo, ask for a blood test to rule out MS if it runs in your family!

poolplayer

7

Hi poolplayer,

Thanks for the response. So if you had caught the problem earlier, would it have been a different outcome?

Also, what happened with your ankle? Was it a separate issue or did it arise from the neuropathy? And do you have chronic pain all over or just in that area?

8

Thanks, Leah. I'm trying. Some days are better than others. I appreciate your message.

9

I started getting my peripheral neuropathy some years ago and at first I thought it was due to having a steep sloping garden and working on it had my feet, legs, etc at an awkward angle.  However it persisted after I moved to live elsewhere on the flat.  In the end I went to see a neurologist and he did tests and diagnosed me with peripheral neuropathy - no cause identified.  I feel like I am wearing socks when I am not, I get sharp pains like shocks or like being stuck with a needle, feel  like water dripping down my legs. etc.  the test is one for nerve conduction - nothing would show on a MRI as nerve problems dont show up.  I dont think anything chiropractic would help with this.  amytriptyline helps with the pain and some people take gabapentin but I dont want to do this because of side effects.  dont know if this helps you at all

10

Mine started nearly three years ago with just a strange feeling on the top of my right foot and when I eventually got to see a neurologist (over a year later) he basically just said idiopathic peripheral neuropathy and nothing could be done.

It is definitely worse at night - I regularly get cramping in my feet and calf muscles and the bedding feels very strange against the skin on my legs and feet - they just seem so sensitive.

The feelings do change - this weekend the top and side of my right foot started to feel like I had been stung by nettles - just a constant prickly sensation and that still hasn't gone away.  I also wake up every night feeling hot and very sick, so my body temperature is being affected in some way.

When I get out of bed it feels like the arches of my feet are going to collapse - so painful - and under my toes it always feels like I am wearing socks that have ruckled up into a lump.

I just wish I could find something to stop this.  I have tried osteopathy, acupuncture, Bowen therapy, vitamin B12 supplements, magnesium supplements and more. 

Any suggestions to improve things would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

11

I sometimes find using the tens machine helps distract the pain.  amytriptyline at bed time helps me sleep.  Over time the pain changes as the nerve ends die I believe but to be honest I have not found anything that really helps I have tried taking Acetyl-L-carnitine and believe I have felt some benefit but would not say for certain.  trouble is the pain is such that you will try anything to help!

12

Kersey, thanks for the message.

How long did it take for your symptoms to get much worse? This started about a year ago and in the last 2 months it's really started to get worse. For instance, in the past 2 weeks I've been experiencing dyesthesias or burning and an itchy feeling. I'm wondering what's next, you know? If this will continue to get worse.

13

Hi Lodge,

Have you ruled out MS?

Also, how fast did the symptoms go from bad to really bad? I just started getting a burning feeling and an itchy sensation. I'm worried for what's to come.

And honestly I don't know what can help this. I'm trying everything, mostly stretching. It's a living nightmare.

14

This was my first fear when it all started, but at my request the neurologist let me have an MRI scan (head and neck only) and lots of blood tests, but he ruled that out and said everything came back clear.

I asked GP to refer me again as things have deteriorated, but it takes ages to get to see a neurologist in this area and undoubtedly he will just say there is nothing he can do.

I was wondering about trying chiropractic or perhaps reflexology - I am willing to try anything if there a chance of it helping.

15

Thanks for the informatin Kersey, I hadn't thought of a tens machine.  I don't really want to go down the drug route yet.

My OH was given Amytrityline, then Gabapentin and finally Pregabalin for nerve pain (following lots of surgeries), but the side effects far outweighed any benefits and thankfully he is off them all now.

I just don't know where this all came from, it's really quite frightening isn't it?

16

Hi  everyone,

 I have many of the same problems with pins and needles in my feet, sore knees  at night when I lay down, and especially my left ankle all day. I was diagnosed with lupus by  my rheumatologist.    

I have lost weight and muscle and I am trying to come up with an exercise program that will work. Lifting weights does not work because it causes severe pain in my feet.  I’m going to try doing push-ups to build up chest muscles and arm strength.  Any suggestions?

17

Have you looked into homeopathic remedies? I use Hypericum Perforatum for nerve pain, and it helps. Arnica Monatan is great for muscle soreness. I've also heard that taking 175 mg milk thistle 3xday has helped some people with neuropathy, though I don't know about the back issues you have.

I would definitely Google homeopathy for your specific symptoms. You may find something in this forum as well. I studied pharmacy and I use herbs, homeopathy or acupressure over drugs. Fields like homeopathy have been around a while, and don't seem to cause side effects in most cases.

I do know that I used to think alternative medicine was garbage: that's what we were taught in pharm tech courses. Then I got sciatica so bad I couldn't touch my foot to the floor: pain meds barely even touched the pain. After searching for help online, I kept seeing acupressure/acupuncture, and when I saw that acupressure didn't use needles, just firm or gentle pressure, I thought, "Why not? I'm dying here anyway."

I didn't expect it to help at all. To my surprise, I felt much better immediately. In three days, using it once or twice daily, I was walking normally, after weeks of using a walker to even make it to the bathroom. I found the vids showing how to do the technique on yourself online. I know you said you had had acupuncture, but you might try acupressure just a bit every day and see if daily self-treatments help.

Also, yoga would be a good thing to look into. It has gentle movements that focus on not stressing the body. I had to take a physical for a job, and because of yoga exercises like the cobra, salute to sunrise, etc., my back was stronger than that of the big guys there (I'm a 5' woman). The physiotherapists were asking me what type of exercise I used. When I told them yoga, they looked at me like I was crazy, LOL.

Anyway, there are some very helpful folks here, so hopefully you'll find something that helps. 

18

GuitarBob, try yoga. It is a gentle form of exercise, but it really will keep your muscles toned and your joints flexible. Isometrics is also an old but good form of resistance exercise that may be of help. But yoga also gives your entire body a feeling of relaxed well-being and increases your balance and a lot of other benefits too. Stress is a big part of illness, and the less of it you have to deal with, the better for your body. You don't need th Om chanting stuff, just the exercises.

Also, when you're sleeping, try to notice when you first wake up if your knees are bent. If you are sleeping at night with them bent too much, it might be making them sorer. I have this problem and have to watch to make sure I don't bend them too far, though I still wake up that way sometimes. It will even make my feet hurt worse all day if they are jammed against the footboard as they sometimes are. Hope this helps.

19

Thanks leemcb,  I will give Yoga a try.