Severe Pain in bottoms of feet-strange Neuropathy. Anyone else?

Hi, I'm Tina, and have a "tentative" dx of Churg Strauss Syndrome....For about ten years I have suffered with severe pain in the bottoms of my feet-feels like they are infected from the inside out.  I had a lung infection in October of 2006 that triggered many things in my body to go haywire, and tripled the foot pain.  The soles swell kind of marsh mallowy, and turn very, deep red and sometimes show a temp of up to 101.1 degrees. I do seem to have flares that are worse, and the pain is there regardless of standing, sitting, propping, or applying hot or cold compresses. I also have this same thing in my hands, though not really bad. There is burning, but more like that of calluses being made-and socks and shoes make this much worse. I have searched the internet for this but haven't found a lot of info. Does anyone else have this kind of pain in the bottoms of your feet, to the point that you walk or sit funny so that you try not to let your soles touch the floor?  

Thanks PaLady, I've searched everywhere...my neuro and other Dr.s say it is peripheral neuropathy. And, thanks so much for the welcome. Tina

Hi Tina,

Welcome to HW! I'm so sorry that you have to join us because of your pain, but we're always more than happy to add a new member to the group! This is a fabulous place to vent frustrations & get support from people who UNDERSTAND, regardless of their pain condition, as well as to share & compare experiences.

I wish I could help you out with your foot pain, but unfortunately, my pain is very different, so I don't know very much about your condition. I have severe eye pain from a traumatic injury. I'm still undiagnosed (for 2 1/2 yrs), but my condition continues to progress & has baffled more docs than I can count on two hands. I can't imagine living with bad foot pain! Clearly, your feet are VERY important, as they are the foundation for standing & walking, & many other activities! I do hope that you are able to find something to help this pain! Have you tried using an arnica gel (homeopathic)? It helps me when my joint capsules in my shoulders get inflamed (I've had many shoulder surgeries & they still give me problems from time to time - depending on the weather & the activities I perform, but nothing like my eye). You wouldn't think it would work on something that deep rooted, but it really does help me. Other than that, I'm not really sure what to suggest to you. If you haven't had any luck with conventional treatments, you might think of trying some alternative treatments, if you haven't already. They do wonders with some people & I myself see many alternative therapy practitioners (currently: acupuncturist, practitioner of Chinese Medicine, MD-homeopath, & osteopath).

Best of luck to you & keep posting with us! I'll definitely have to check out your blog.

Skeye

PS - I love the heart in your signature!

Welcome Tina,
I haven't heard of your diagnosis before. I have arthritis and fibromyagia and the bottom of my feet burn a lot. I never wear shoes unless I have to leave the house. If my husband is driving and the trip will be long the shoes come off as soon as the car door clothes. I keep special socks in the car so my feet are as comfortable as possilble. If I get up during the night I can barely walk because it feels like the bones in my feet are broken. But, nothing I go through is anything like you go through. I have a friend that had horrible neuralgia from diabetis and she says that her feet feel like someone has a torch on the soles of her feet. She takes Oxycotin twice a day and has for years. Otherwise, she walks the floor crying terribly because of the pain. I pray that they can find something to help you!
Nurse2

Welcome to the Chronic Pain Forum. We are fortunately to a have many very knowledgeable members. What you described is new to me. I also suffer from peripheral neuropathy in my feet. Symptoms that I experience are:

1. Burning and tingling sensation

2. A feeling of warmth w/o actual skin temperature changes

3. Pain - especially when walking on them first thing in the morning

4. Permanent numbness on portions of the bottoms of my feet.

Cymbalta has been the most helpful. Lyrica, Topamax, and Neuronin were not helpful
for me. My Spinal Cord Stimulator is the one thing that has done the best job scrambling
the sensations from my feet.

Again, welcome to our family and I hope you find the answers you are looking for. Please keep up posted.