Numbness and painful tingling in feet and ankles

Tubby

After a a great 3weeks after a steroid injection, I have returned to pain and new symptoms. I now have very painful ankles and feet which is combined with numbness and intense tingling. Seen the Rheumy Nurse today and she said it is a form of tendinitis and will go away when the inflammation goes down. They have increased my Methotrexate but all I can cope with is sitting down with my feet elevated -not great when you have a full time job in the sports industry. Anyone else have these symptoms, any coping strategies, any comments to let me know I am not alone?

dreamdaisy

Hello Tubby, it's nice to meet you. I suppose the good news is that she thinks it's tendonitis and should clear in due course but your meth may not have the required 'welly' to help it do so. Have you been offered an anti-inflammatory tablet at all? I turn to diclofenac every now and again to help my joints, I get tingling in my hands but that's carpal tunnel. Steroid injections are not a long-term answer as you have discovered so it may be time to introduce some other meds to help you get over this. I wish you well. DD

stickywicket

My only experience of tendonitis was in a hip earlier this year. I had no option other than rest at first as I couldn't put any weight on it. I got moving again with a zimmer but it was weeks before I could trust that leg and a couple of months before I could manage the lowest of straight leg raises on it. It seems to be something that just requires time. Unfortunately, meth probably doesn't aid the healing process but it does help in other areas. My advice would be to go as easy as possible on it, ask for a change of pain relief and, if necessary, go back to the rheumatologist and say it isn't working.

Numptydumpty

Hi Tubby,
I'm afraid I have no advice to offer you.
I just wanted to say hello, and welcome to the forum.
Numpty

Tubby

Thanks for the welcome and advice.....off to the GP tomorrow to discuss painkillers and a trip to see the Physio, Occ Health and Podiatrist on Thursday. Maybe one will just chop off my left foot - I sure won't miss the intense tingling!

valval

hi this was interesting to read as getting similar trouble with right foot numb and hurting strange sensation rhummy nurse said it prob coming from my ankle not had much trouble with ankle so was surprised knee causes me most trouble lol so reading this with interest

dreamdaisy

I wish you well with the GP, please ler us know what he says, yes? This must be so uncomfortable for you. Take care and good luck. DD

Tubby

Not sure how I have got on with the GP. My toes feel like one solid block of wood with tingling on the end and I have a fair amount of pain around my ankle and across the top of my foot. I can only hobble if I don't have shoes on and limp when I do. The GP thinks I may have a trapped nerve in my back and 'it will just go away in time'....Considering I am a sports coach and a tutor/teacher, have long distances to walk around work (a football stadium) and I am not on holiday at the moment, 'it will just go away in time' is not a great piece of advice. She has also suggested that I only take Diclofenac as a last resort and use paracetamol as a replacement for pain relief. I am OK about not taking Diclofenac as often but not sure paracetamols on their own will be enough for my 'normal' soreness, nevermind at the moment with the added pain... She has given me a short course of Amitriptyline at a low dose but tells me it may knock me out so only take it at night. Can't say I am very keen on this drug - anyone have any experience with it?

So now I have either a trapped nerve or tendinitis in the diagnosis box and no solutions for either in terms of recovery. Off to physio and podiatry tomorrow - here's hoping they are a little more constructive as I feel like a. Crying, b. shouting at all close family (who else is there?) and c. Chopping my foot off!

dreamdaisy

Oh dear, I am so sorry. I know that amytryp works well for people (I'm not on it) and apparently the secret is to take it between 7 and 8pm so that you can sleep but not wake up feeling too groggy. Trapped nerves can cause all sorts of problems, and tendonitis can clear but that can take time.

I wonder why the GP wasn't keen on you taking the diclo? After all she isn't the one living with this - oh they do love their theories but it's us who are coping with the reality! I take diclo as and when needed but I also have a stomach protector to take alongside. My husband however, when he has a blast of gout, just takes the diclo until it clears. I have to go now as 'im indoors is off to bed and I want him to do the Voltarol bit on my ribs - he does it better than me. I hope you manage some sleep and please keep in touch. DD

julie47

Hi Tubby

Sorry I can not help but I hope that todays visit to the physio and podiatrist is a little more positive.

Take care
Love Juliepf x

Soretoe2

Hi Tubby, I have similar problems with my feet and ankles (also my spine, hands and fingers) that has been diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy.
I am told that this is mainly due to the effect of the arthritis and damage to the nerve endings over the years. I have also had 6 operations over a twenty year period because of the damage the arthritis has done to them.
Unfortunatley there is not a lot that can be done for this except anti-convulsant and amitriptyline type medications to calm the nerves down, which I personally found the side effects difficult to live with.
Tendonitis does settle down in time but can reoccur. You are definitley not alone and I suspect loads of people are nodding and feeling sympathy for you.
I do hope you get a proper diagnosis and that it comes with a treatment that makes it clear up and you feel a lot better soon ,and that today's experience was a positive one for you.

Tubby

Thank you for all of your thoughts, it helps knowing you are out there. Physio and Podiatrist were much more interested in my problem, did lots of prodding and testing reflexes. Unfortunatately, they don't know what the problem is as the tests didn't point to anything specific. Most likely candidate is inflammation, particularly under the foot but neurological problems and a trapped nerve in my lower back are still on the list (physio gave me an exercise to losen my lower back). The usual advice of take it easy was given but both were going to contact Rheumatology with their thoughts and to encourage them to keep an eye on me. They were also a little mystified why the doctor has suggested I only use Diclofenac as second line pain relief as it has anti inflammatory qualities. They have suggested I talk to Rheumatology about this.

Feel better that someone has listened today - always a bonus. Taken the Amitriptyline tonight and will see how I go.

I am now debating whether I should be volunteering at the Paralympics as I think the constant standing at the Olympics didn't do me lots of good. 6 x 12 hour shifts which involves lots of standing aren't looking attractive just at the moment!

Soretoe2

Good to hear that your appointment went well and that they were both interested and helpful. You definitely need to see a rheumatologist, Scary I know but he/she could give you the diagnosis and other help you need.
I am also mystified that your pain relief is so minimal and not tailored to your problem. You need to ask again if you find that the pain is not under control with the amy.
Also Spinal problems often give all sorts of wierd symptoms down (and up) legs arms etc. numbness is one of them.
Wow, well done at the Olympics I am really impressed. You may feel that you need to take a back seat though for a while with the Para's as you really don't need to overdo things at the moment. I have a little friend who is 4 who has Spina Bifida who has tickets for several events and is so excited.
Hope the amy helps, don't worry if you feel a bit woozy tomorrow/dry mouth it is normal. Good luck.