Hiya, After having Psoriasis for 20 years my doctor as connected it with the pain i have in my joints and is sending me to see a Dermatologists (appointments August). My main problem is my feet are burning and i have shooting pains up my legs, i cant stand on them for very long and im becoming a recluse,
Hi there Maria, I assume you mean your appointment is with a rheumatologist as they are the joint experts? Burning feet is something a lot of us complain of, it can be inflammation in the joints but several of us also have nerve pain or neuropathy .... add in any psoriasis on your feet ..... we all get what a total misery this can be! At least you now have an appointment in the diary and seeing an expert is the first step towards proper diagnosis and treatment.
Just a couple of practical things which have helped me are seeing a chiropodist (many have a mobile service so can visit you in your home) to keep my feet corn and callous free and help with skin health. I do have horrible psoriasis on my feet but when the skin isn't broken I have found that gently rubbing in a cooling gel, I like Flexall but there are plenty of others like Biofreeze, really helps with the hot, burning sensation. I can be a bit of a recluse too .... so I invite people to see me rather than go out to meet them on days I'm struggling ..... and I'm always surprised by how many friends arrive carrying cake!!!!!
Let us know how you get on with your appointments.
Hi Maria, I'll tell you how my foot neuropathy was "cured". After I put up with that pain I described as "walking on a bed of hot spikes with burning coals" for a couple of years (and the pain was there even when I was off my feet), my doctor put me on Nortriptyline, which she told me I could take 10 to 30mg per day. It wasn't long before the neuropathy went away. (I usually only took the 10mg dose.)
Before I started the Nortriptyline, applying ice packs to my feet at night would relieve that burning pain within 10 minutes so I could sleep. Unfortunately, the ice pack is only a temporary fix, but it did work well for short periods. I also had the pain creeping halfway up to my knees like you mentioned--it felt like someone was squeezing my legs and twisting, causing them to ache and burn. My heart goes out to you--neuropathy is horrible! I hope you try some of the remedies we suggest and keep telling your doctor. I have a fault in that I don't tell the doctor how bad it is until it gets unbearable (I'm usually hoping my different aches and pains will miraculously disappear without the help of pills, but then so pleasantly surprised when the doctor hits the nail on the head and prescribes something that cures it!) Good luck, and let us know how you're doing! :-(
Hi Maria! Going through the exact same problem and just started Neurotin. I use ice packs 2-3 x a day to help. My pain med does not work on the burning only lightly dulls it sometimes. It slowly gets worse so please get in and see someone about it. I have only been taking the Neurotin for 2 weeks and it is a slow build IP med so I have at least 2 months to go but got my fingers crossed. Ice is the key!!
Good luck with the Neurontin, Rachael! Yes, the neuropathy does slowly get worse! I also agree that OTC pain pills don't do much if anything for that type of pain. It just plain sucks!
Rachael said:
Hi Maria! Going through the exact same problem and just started Neurotin. I use ice packs 2-3 x a day to help. My pain med does not work on the burning only lightly dulls it sometimes. It slowly gets worse so please get in and see someone about it. I have only been taking the Neurotin for 2 weeks and it is a slow build IP med so I have at least 2 months to go but got my fingers crossed. Ice is the key!!
Oh yes, foot pain and leg pain. I remember it so well, especially lying in bed. I still get the “feet on fire” feeling when I’ve been on my feet too much, but things are much improved since I started a biologic. Anyone who has been on this board for a while will be rolling their eyes, because they know that the word “Feet” is the cue for That Seenie to wind up and let fly with her “Can We Talk About Feet?” party piece. No fear: sometime just read my blog entry:
http://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/profiles/blogs/listen-up-take-notes?id=6339595%3ABlogPost%3A143519&page=2#comments
Isolation because of foot and leg pain isn’t fun, and just adds to your problems. After resisting for quite some time, I finally gave in and got myself a collection of mobility aids: crutches, canes, a walker (rollator) that I can use as a seat, a wheelchair, and finally, a mobility scooter. I can’t tell you how much I hate being out and about with these things, but it is one whole lot better than sitting at home.
Something else: if you are using a mobility aid when you go to see a doctor, they do pay attention. I’m not suggesting that anybody should bring theatrical props along to a doctor’s appointment, but if you are in enough pain that it is isolating you and you need help, don’t hide that from the doctor. Being honest about your problems and how they affect your life is key to getting the help that you need. This is especially so when you are seeing a specialist who you may not have the chance to see again for a long time. The doctor’s consultation room is not the place to put on a brave face.
Finally, I’m wondering the same as Jules: are you going to a dermatologist or to a rheumatologist, or maybe both? The dermatologist can, and often will, start patients on treatment for their PsA, but the rheumatologist is the expert in caring for your joints. Finally, do keep in mind the words of Gladman and Chandran (world PsA experts and authors of the book that I recommend in Book Reviews): early and aggressive treatment gives the best outcome.
Good luck with this, Maria!
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Thank you for your kind words and support. Yesterday was a good day, i rested all day and did nothing. Ive decided to go back to the doctor and discuss foot neuropathy and discuss a few of your pointers. Thank you
Hi Maria, I notice August is here! I hope you have or have had a very good appointment.
If you get a mo, let us know what's happening?
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