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Diabetic Connect Member prbaby

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foot pain

by prbaby
August 21, 2008 5:43 PM
39 Replies
1231 Views

has anyone ever had really bad foot pain and has tryed everything to make it better but it does't go away

Tags: foot pain, neuropathy, burning feet

From Replies
Diabetic Connect Member Gabby
Gabby
Gabby replied August 21, 2008 6:01 PM 

This topic was my first question on this site. The tingle, burn, pain, and frustration of cold feet can be related to the damage your diabetes does to your circulation and nerve endings. It is called nuropothy and it is not fun.
I can't make it "go away" but a few things that I do that seem to help are:

Soak my feet in warm water and epsom salts once a week, checking every toe carefully. Make sure you dry your feet very well after you are done.

I keep Flexitol Heel Balm near by and use it almost every nite to keep my feet supple. It is the best lotion I have found for my feet.

My hubby gives me foot rubs atleast twice a week while we watch TV. It helps the circulation and just is nice to be inimate.

A weird thing that I do (and I am not sure it is a great idea, but it works for me) is at night on very bad days when they really are bugging me, I rub a little Icy Hot balm into my toe joints and arch, then some lotion, then I put on socks at it seems to relieve the symptoms.

Tylenol PM somedays is my last resort to try to sleep thru the annoyance of the pain.

I also have been taking Primrose Oil, but I am not convinced that is does too much for me, but you might want to try it for yourself.

Hope these things help you out

ldybugg47 replied August 21, 2008 7:32 PM 

Hey Gabby thanks. I can use that info. Are the foot massage baths good to use? I was thinking of buying one. Also my feet swell on top. Have you had that problem? They swell and it's hard to get shoes on and they burn some and of course are tingly. I just would like the swelling to be down so I can get shoes on right and not have the pain...they are better now but still somewhat swollen. I try to massage them myself.Seems that helps some. Always one thing or another.

Gabby replied August 23, 2008 4:09 PM 

I use a foot bath that has a vibration "massage" in it. I don't soak for too long, you don't want your nails to get a fungus (my podiatritist told me that is where I got mine, so dry them very well after)
I get swollen feet when I sit too long at my desk. I try to get up often durning the day and elevate my feet at night as much as possible.
I have found that since I have been walking for my exercise, I am having less issues with swollen feet. I don't know if it is related, but anything that helps is worth a try.
My feet feel like I am walking on gravel all the time, so having a very soft shoe inside works great for me. As ugly as they are, Crocks are a great casual slip on shoe that I love. My husband got me a pair for Christmas and I wear them every day. They ease the gravel feeling a lot.

linlsa replied July 4, 2009 4:18 PM 

omg thank u crocks i wear them everyday my feet in reg shoe does not work, like walking on sand and pebles

butterfly_8 replied August 23, 2008 5:59 PM 

Hi Gabby,
I have been taking the evening oil of Primrose and it helped quite a bit. I could feel the difference immediately.

Gabby replied August 23, 2008 6:23 PM 

Really? How much do you take per day? I am following the dose on the bottle, and I take 1300 a day in the mornings. Should I be taking it at nite? Maybe if I stop taking it I will see how much it is helping (the hard way) LOL

Goddess replied August 26, 2008 1:22 AM 

I would also like to know how much to take.

butterfly_8 replied August 26, 2008 9:30 AM 

The capsules are 1000 mg,with 90mg GLA. It is recommended that you take 1 gel 3 times a day peferrably with meals.You are not to take if pregnant,nursing.It says you should consult your Doctor. I do not know what a Dr. might say about taking herbs.It really helped Me.

Gabby replied August 27, 2008 4:46 AM 

I switched my brand and it has the 3000mg a day recommend on it, so I am going to try that. I started a couple of days ago, and it seems to be better. I will see how much of it is my brain and how much is my feet. LOL Thanks

butterfly_8 replied September 9, 2008 9:39 AM 

Abby,
you said you switched brands and have a 3000mg. Which one is that? I would prefer to take one a day instesd of three.It has been good for me.

Gabby replied September 9, 2008 9:47 AM 

No, it is still 3 times a day. I think it is better to spread it out during the day. This routine has given me some relief, so that is the key.

carina52554 replied August 30, 2008 6:38 PM 

Hi Gabby:
I keep tubes of aloe in my fridge and I mix that or other lotions with cream capcasin(just a little)to get the same effect. But really just a little of the capcasin!!!
Carina

Gabby replied August 30, 2008 7:28 PM 

I have never seen tubes of aloe? Could I use gel? We drink that.
Diabetic Connect Member Avera
Avera
Avera replied August 23, 2008 8:07 PM 

Hi All,
Enjoyed everyone's replies. Concerning myself, I have the foot problem "really" bad. I suffered for 8 years with it. I've tried what you all mentioned and then some. Finally, I'd had enough. Now I take Percocets for it. Usually, I don't have to take one until the late evening. They work for me. I realize this is not the path for everyone, but for me, it changed my life. We are all different on this site. What works for one, does not work for the other. Take care all.

mary j replied August 30, 2008 4:10 PM 

I have had terrible foot pain, neuropathy and unable to sleep. My neurologist read the taking a blood thinner (coumadin) has helped some others. He put me on it, monitored by a nurse in the Dr. office. I had almost instant
relief. It has made such a difference for me.

carina52554 replied August 30, 2008 6:05 PM 

Last edited about 1 year ago

Hi, just like everyone else I tried everything. I have to use the massage, primrose and sometimes a cool foot bath in my vibrating foot bath. My neurologist put me on a very very low dose of Methadone, 7.5mg. It does help and I am not as concerned about drug dependence. It makes the other things seem to work better. For the swelling, I find getting your feet up above heart level with a cool compress helps to bring down the swelling,(CON)you have to do it for at least 30 mins.
Diabetic Connect Member just4us3
just4us3
just4us3 replied August 23, 2008 11:13 PM 

I was diagnosed with neuropathy in my left leg in 1988 . I have had a lot of problems with it and with my leg and foot including the swelling you mentioned above. I had a special therapist come out three times a week and just work with the motion and circulation in my foot, and believe it or not, it worked. I have been seeing physical therapists for almost 20 years for my leg and couldn't believe that out of all of them this one worked.I have still had problems with it, but nowhere near as many since then

butterfly_8 replied August 26, 2008 9:34 AM 

I can understand what you are saying. I massage my feet regularly the best I can, and it helps.I cannot afford a professional. I can imagine the relief I would get if I could. I always say every little bit helps.

carina52554 replied August 30, 2008 6:12 PM 

Last edited about 1 year ago

Dear butterfly:
Check with your doctor first. I have nerve damage and very little strengh in my hands (upper back probs). I got one of those palm massagers (fits over your hand kind)and that gave my hands the umph they needed to work on my feet. But ask your doctor first. My doctor said not to go above the ankle.
Diabetic Connect Member Ms. Lizz
Ms. Lizz
Ms. Lizz replied August 30, 2008 10:47 AM 

Last edited about 1 year ago

I have neuropathy and suffer
from foot and ankle pain
along with wrist and hand
pain with tingling and numbness
all the time. I have a spot
underneath my left foot that
is about the size of a
quarter that is dry and is
sometimes sore too. My
doctor said it is exzema,
but nothing makes it go
all the way away. My
feet are well cared for
and this spot is annoying.
I guess I should be glad
that it is out of view of
everyone but me. My foot
pain feels like it is
inside my bones and my
feet pop and crackle when
I walk sometimes. I also
have leg cramps and restless
leg syndrome. To date, nothing
I have tried has helped. I had
no idea that Percocet
could help, I am on Cymbalta
and it helps my Fibromyagia
a little, but my feet and
ankles, wrists and
hands are still troubling.

butterfly_8 replied August 30, 2008 1:03 PM 

It is very interesting what you said about the eczema. I never had it in my life Now I have been diagnosed with it after the diabetic diagnosis.The foot problem has been a nightmare for me.It started with 2 ingrown nails and then 2 ulcers on little & big toe of left foot,and on and on. he diagnosis for the slow healing was poor circulation.

carina52554 replied August 30, 2008 6:28 PM 

Last edited about 1 year ago

HI:
Drugs work differently for each of us. It took years for the right combo for me. I have severe RLS (175 moves per hour during sleep) and fybromyalgia, with the neuropathy, the list gets long everyday it seems. Is the Cymbalta for your restless leg? I have had the best success with Mirapex (an older medication) and the low dose Methadone. Also, I have lost 50 lbs (slowly) over the last year and stopped smoking 1 yr- 4 mos ago. Both of those things have helped.

Number1Nana replied September 4, 2008 9:56 PM 

I have had neuropathy in the outside two toes of my left foot for 15 years. My neurologist told me at the time that eventually I would be diabetic. Of course, I knew that was not going to happen. This year I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. By now the neuropathy has spread to my entire left foot and has started on my right foot. I also have restless legs and fibromyalgia. I was very surprised to read about the spot underneath your left foot, because I have exactly the same. It was very hard to the touch. Nothing helped until my doctor prescribed Fluocinonide Cream to be used morning and night. Now the exzema is almost gone, along with the hard spot on my foot.

butterfly_8 replied September 5, 2008 6:23 PM 

I have been reading the answers on neuropathy, and It is interesting that this is usually the left foot or leg that starts first.. It was my little and big toe on the left foot that cause the most trouble.

I'm using Privacy Manager
Anonymous replied August 30, 2008 3:24 PM 

i try alcohol baths for my husbands feet nightly and avon care deeply lotion to put the moisture back in that the alcohol takes out.. also just the massaging some times works.. but not always.. the foot pain from the neuropathy is something else indeed.. there is a new treatment out there available for people with neuropathy that they are trying now on my hubby.. that is called microvasc and it is a electrical stimulation that takes forty five minutes a teatment two times a week for twelve treatments then they elevaluate the progress and then maybe have you come back for twelve more so so and so on.. hoping desperately that these will help.. but who knows at this point.. he has the neuropathy for some time now and so the dial on the machine shows no feeling in the feet and ankles for him and little in the lower legs and some in the upper thighs.. only time and god welling will help...

Anonymous replied August 30, 2008 3:31 PM 

also tried lyrica and that didn't seem to help a thing.. maybe xtra strength tylenol a bit but usually have to suffer it out.. as painful as it is..

caspersmama replied September 9, 2008 9:31 AM 

I also have neuropathy in my feet. The right one is the worse. I have very little feeling in it. I actually broke my big toe and did not know it until I could not put on my shoe one day. But my doctor prescribed me Lyrica and it does seem to help me. I also use a recumbent bicycle twice a day for my exercise, because I have a bad back and can not walk far or even really at all. But Lyrica seems to work for me plus I check my feet every night and massage them with Johnson's Baby Lotion( I love the smell).
Diabetic Connect Member angel mom
angel mom
angel mom replied August 30, 2008 3:34 PM 

I AM LUCKY I DO NOT HAVE FOOT PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH MY DIABETES AND THE DR. SAID I PROBABY WON'T SINCE I HAVE NOT HAD IT ALREADY I DO HAVE TENDINITIS IN MY RIGHT ANKLE THAT HAS LASTED 5 MONTHS AND JUST WONT GO AWAY IT REALLY STOPS ME FROM DOING THINGS I USE TO LOVE TO DO AND THAT IS VERY AGGRAVATING

PAT L replied August 30, 2008 6:25 PM 

I ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE OF THE MEDS I TAKE THE WATER DOES CAUSE MY FEET TO SWELL. I HAVE FOUND THAT ITS OK TO TAKE ASPIRIN IF YOU DOC OKS IT. I TAKE UP TO 6 A DAY SOMETIMES, FOR PAIN AN THE SWELLING THAT THE WATER CAUSES. THEN I WALK A BLOCK OR TWO EVERYNITE THAT HELPS WITH THE BLOOD FLOW.. NOW MY FEET ONLY HURT WHEN I HAVE TO STAND ON THEM FOR 6 TO 8 HOURS WHICH I DO ONCE A WEEK TO HELP A FRIEND OUT IN HIS R/C SHOP. IF YOU CAN TAKE ASPIRIN CHECK WITH YOUR DOC FOR IT DOES THIN THE BLOOD AN THE FEEL WILL STAY IN BETTER SHAPE...

Helena replied August 31, 2008 11:22 PM 

I too suffer from foot pain, and swelling of the feet, ankles and legs! It is miserable and since I am allergic to nsaids and aspirin and others I can only take Tylenol, which helps some. I am on Lasix now but my legs have broken out in bumps all over which itch as well as hurt.so the Dr. will probably take me off the Lasix. I buy shoes a size larger than I wear as I cannot bear anything touching my toes, and Wide for the swelling. The only thing I can use is a Foot lotion which helps some. I pray a lot! Hope you all are in better shape than I. I'll try some of the ideas you all have given-perhaps I'll find something that works. Best to all.
Diabetic Connect Member Lady Sharon
Lady Sharon
Lady Sharon replied September 1, 2008 11:59 AM 

I have been using a product called "Biofreeze Pain Relieving Gel with Ilex" made by Performance Health. It seems to lessen the acute pain and eventually all the pain. My big toes are the worst and this actually calms them for a couple days. Hope this helps!

butterfly_8 replied September 1, 2008 2:26 PM 

Thanks I will give it a try as soon as I can find it.
Diabetic Connect Member Edie
Edie
Edie replied September 5, 2008 5:25 PM 

I find that soaking my feet in warm epsom salts water for 15 mins and then massageing them with warm lotion but not between the toes helps alot.
Diabetic Connect Member Edie
Edie
Edie replied September 5, 2008 5:39 PM 

Last edited about 1 year ago

When we moved into the trailer almost 4 years ago I lost what I thought was the best relief I had ever found which was my wirl pool tub and Hot tub in the back yard. Well I found that useing a body massager that cups my shoulders works great for my feet also. I turn it on lay it on the floor and set my foot where it hurts the most. after it starts to relieve some I move the foot around on it till the pain is gone about 20 mins. Then I switch feet and do the same with that one. I have been doing that now for almost 3 years, that with the soak in the foot bath for no longer than 15 mins my Dr. said and then lotion on last. The only time my feet hurt now is when I don't put my shoes on and step into the kitchen after Bill has gone to work and he hasn't swept up the morter that falls off of his workboots. LOL

I almost forgot to let everyone know that you can take apart the Foot baths and disinfect all of the parts and then put them back together and that helps cut down on infections with the Feet.
It also helps to drain them completely. I got tired of sores when I used it after Bill had. I found out how to clean it and now do that once a week before I use it. It works wonders for me.
Diabetic Connect Member Gabby
Gabby
Gabby replied September 8, 2008 9:16 AM 

Last edited about 1 year ago

There is another discussion "Twitchy Hips" where I posted a question about my twitchy legs at night. Someone there suggested Biofreeze and another suggested an oil called nurogen. These items are for pain and both memebers swear by them. I have not had the opportunity to try them yet, but it is on my list! You might want to try them to see if they relive your foot pain.
Diabetic Connect Member flores
flores
flores replied July 4, 2009 7:11 PM 

My wife has foot pain and she was told it to be diabetic neuropathy. She has suffered for years with this and has some relief on her feet with some meds. called gabepentin but her legs still hurt a lot with no relief yet.She is going thru some testing to see if it could be damaged nerves or blood clots on her legs. We will soon find out and I'll get back with you with more results. Flores
Diabetic Connect Member flores
flores
flores replied July 4, 2009 8:05 PM 

My wife has had foot pain for many years. Her Doctor gave her pain management medication called gabapentin.But,she is still experiencing lots of leg pain. She is getting tested to see if she might have damaged nerves or blood clots on her legs.I will keep in touch as we find out more results about her pains and how to take care of the pain. Flores
Diabetic Connect Member Rick_W55
Rick_W55
Rick_W55 replied July 5, 2009 5:53 AM 

Last edited 4 months ago

I HAVE NEUROPATHY, and was on gabepentin which did little to nothing. Now on Lyrica and getting some relief, at work am on my feet for whole shift, so any relief is of great help.

geneo1 replied July 5, 2009 4:05 PM 

I too am on gabapentin and it helps me quite a bit on most days.The doc wants me to go to the pain clinic, so will see how that helps. I am also on hydrocodone for back pain,but it is not helping much anymore. Maybe the pain clinic will give me some relief.