I've written about this before and you have given me good advice, but I wanted to know how many of you have disabling foot pain? Is this a fibro symptom? It's crippling me. Mine is the single worst thing about the fibro. I can't walk more than 30 minutes without having to get off my feet and I am tough as I can push through a lot of pain. But, this foot pain is disabling. I cannot avoid staying off my feet. I need to walk to get around. There seems to also be some numbness in the right foot. Does everyone who has fibro suffer from this disabling foot pain? I complained to my rheumatologist about it and he is sending me to podiatrist. He also started me on gabapentin to see if it would help my overall pain and the foot pain. I am taking 200mg 2x day. I don't feel like the gabapentin is helping yet. Should I be taking more? I have been on it for a little over a week.
Yes, the pain is so severe that I can bearly walk on my feet. I head out to go to the grocery and end up having to come home because foot pain is so severe. Then I end up recovering from it for several days, My feet feel bruised and aching as a result of my brief foray out into public. This original pain started out as if my feet were starting to cramp and turn inward, that was back in the mid 90's. It has gotten so bad over the years, it is painful to walk. Cannot wear regular shoes, must wear crocs or walking shoes with double orthodics.
In answer to your last question, sometimes it takes meds a few weeks to kick in. So you might want to give it one more week or so, although I myself am too impatient to wait.
I had really bad foot pain from having flat feet plus bone spurs plus plantars fascia. I ended up needing custom made orthotics, which helped a lot. I tried to get new ones recently, only to be told that they now cost $350. Ouch! Still, if I didn't still have my old pair, I'd shell out the money for them, they are that worth it to me.
Fibro certainly can and does strike us with disabling pain. Unfortunately. I know cause I'm going thru it with my knees. And yes, numbness can also be part of the deal.
I'm truly sorry you're going through this. It's awful when your walking is affected. I sincerely hope your podiatrist can help you with the pain, or else the gabapentin helps.
Gabapentin and Lyrica have to be increased slowly or the side effects can be overwhelming.
Going to a foot specialists will be good for you, going to a shoe store that actually measures your foot will help too. In many cases the sales people are very knowledgeable and can help you with specific problems. They may not be the most attractive shoes you have ever worn, or the shoes of your dreams, but they will help you walk better, and keep you walking longer. This podiatrist may also want to do custom insoles to correct any mis-alignments, that you may have.
Let us know how this works out! I wish you success!
Very good post, SK. I totally forgot about the extreme dizziness that Lyrica can cause when you first use it. And your shoe store suggestion is also good.
My entire body hurts everywhere. It's sore to the touch like someone has been beating me all over with a cane. I wonder if it could be that my fibro is so severe that weight on the sore muscles and joints of my feet are just too much?
I will let everyone know how things work out with the podiatrist. That appt. is unfortunately not soon enough, but I am thankful I have the insurance and a work place that can accommodate me for now! I hope the gabapentin starts to kick in soon as I just want to scream out loud. The pain my body is feeling is that bad at times. :(
Try some anti-inflammatory, if this has been approved with your Dr. Some of the stronger OTC anti-inflammatories may help with the pain, there are a few with stronger mg, like the arthritis ones. I also use OTC 'Sports Cream', which even helps my arthritis. It doesn't smell bad, stain your clothes, or get hot or cold, just do not use with a heating pad.
Thanks, SK. I can take anti-inflammatories. I was just told by a few doctors that they don't help fibromyalgia, so I really haven't tried. Would Aleve be a good anti-inflamatory? I will also pick up the sports cream. Is it called OTC Sports Cream?
Dear Baltimore: In the same shape here. I'm sending you the "Pink Chair" for comfort. Screaming is good, crying too. Petunia and SK helped me to be able to cry. I am so thankful, that has helped in my ability to handle the pain. Let us know what your podiatrist says, I probably need to enlist the aid of a podiatrist also. This chair is old and tattered, and given aid to a lot of pain, yet she still serves a purpose, It makes her more able to understand other's pain. Comfort to you sweet lady.
I find that anti-inflammatories sometimes do help me to feel better. You might have inflamation as well, perhaps with arthritis or other issues. I myself prefer Ibuprofin to Aleve but everyone's different. Just be sure to take a minimum dosage of one to start with, and two if the pain is really bad. Not three.
I've found over the counter pain patches, called Salon Pas, and they help me quite a bit with some pain. They're only $4-6 and are available in drug stores and some grocery stores.
How sweet is that?!? Awesome! That old chair sounds like it has a million stories to tell about life.
I'm really glad that SK and I helped you to cry. Getting our feelings out about this sukkity illness helps a lot. I've finally talked to my sis about my fear of not being able to walk anymore and it's a bit easier to look at the thought without absolute panic. Talking helps us out. It truly does.
When I was having GB problems, the first thing after being admitted was to make sure that I did not have an ulcer, the digestive disorder Doc's first question was " do you take Aleve? Most stomach ulcers are from Aleve" Personally I always liked Advil best, but choose what helps you most, always eat something with them even if it's a few crackers or a piece of cheese.
Personally, I think it's a good idea to give them a try, but do check with your Doc, or pharmacist, in any case if they do help you and you begin taking them make sure your DR knows. if you do suspect it may be joint or bone pain, the Excedrin for Arthritis is good, again ALWAYS eat something. A friend of mine eats yogurt to coat her stomach.
