Good evening
Does anyone have pain , tingling and feeling swollen to the soles of their feet to the point it’s really painful to walk and putting them up is uncomfortable. Any suggestions to how I can relieve them . I’ve been told it could be Peripheral neuropathy
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Oh @Eve64 what you are experiencing does sound really painful.
No I am afraid that I cannot help you.
Is it a medical person that has diagnosed peripheral neuropathy?
If not it might be worth going to your GP first to see what they can suggest and if you feel it is linked to blood cancer then perhaps your special nurse or consultant should know.
Please do stress how painful your feet are and the impact on your life.
Please let us know how you get on and really look after yourself.
Hi Erica
Hope you’re ok and had a lovely weekend enjoying the weather. Yes I saw a Hematologist Who said I needed a nerve conduction test as could be down to the para protein that causes neuropathy and for Gp to arrange but my Gp said as my b12 is low that could be the cause and a nerve conduction test would not be carried out but at times like today walking is unbearable.
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Oh @Eve64 does your haematologist know that your b12 is low?
Anyway they should know what your GP has said.
Yes, if walking is unbearable you really do need to get this sorted.
Sometimes life is a really battle and usually when you least feel up to it.
Look after yourself and please do keep posting
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Hello @Eve64. I am so sorry you are suffering. Has anyone mentioned plantar fasciitis? It is a condition where tendons in the feet become inflamed and it is extremely painful to walk. I have suffered with it myself. Just thought I would mention it. Thinking of you very much. Warm wishes Willow X
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Hi Willow
Thank you for your reply , no it’s not been mentioned. What/how did you manage it please x
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Hello @Eve64. I was referred to podiatry where I was given some inner soles for my shoes which helped. There are also exercises that can be done to stretch the tendons. I will add that I have mild cerebral palsy so my walking is rather ‘abnormal’ anyway which doesn’t help. It might be worth asking your GP what they think? My feet were examined by the podiatrist and they were able to pinpoint the exact area on the sole of my foot as it was very painful when they pressed it. I do hope you can get some relief and some answers soon. Warm wishes, Willow x
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Bless you Willow thank you for that , I hope you have a good day
Sending (((( hugs )))
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Hi @Eve64, thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m so sorry to hear of the symptoms that you’ve been dealing with. They certainly sound so uncomfortable for you. Do you have any follow-up planned with your GP/haematology team? May I ask if the GP has offered you B12 replacement? Please don’t hesitate to follow-up with them- it’s horrible trying to push through symptoms that are making you uncomfortable, and I hope they can offer you some understanding and support around the symptoms.
Should you wish to talk anything through with our Support Team, please do remember that we are here for you on 0808 2080 888 or support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
Best wishes,
Tanya.
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Hi Tanya
Thank you for your reply, I have been on b12 tablets for around 6 months but as they haven’t made any difference so I’m just starting loading dose b12 injections. I’m seeing my haematologist on Tuesday so will speak with him. I try to be upbeat in front of family but I’m struggling.
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Dear @Eve64 ,
I think I have a milder form of Peripheral neuropathy (maybe early days as I’ve only done 1 cycle of this new treatment). I use Frankincense and Myrrh neuropathy rubbing oil at night to calm it down, as I have done when on Myeloma treatment before. It is at its most annoying when I’m trying to go to sleep but does not (yet) hurt to walk.
Also last week I made an appointment with a reflexologist, who used to be a nurse before retraining. I have found that I haven’t needed the rubbing oil for the three nights since the appointment so I am planning to go regularly for the time being.
As with anything, please check with your GP or consultant before trying it, especially as if it sounds as if you have a more complicated problem with the swelling and the pain when walking. I think reflexology is also meant to help reduce fluid retention /swelling but again it may depend what the cause is and you may not feel you could bear anyone touching your feet at this time.
I hope that your GP or consultant will soon be able to give you some answers and helpful solutions.
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Hi @Eve64 perhaps our forum is the one place that you can say how it really is for you
Please do let us know how your appointment goes on Tuesday, don’t forget to write everything down and be pleasantly assertive and really say how bad it is, Look after yourself
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Myeloma proteins can cause neuropathy as can treatments
I have neuropathy in my feet and hands
My feet don’t hurt to walk but I don’t feel stones if I step on them. I’m on maintenance dara with Dex and I have burning sensations from tops of my toes all the way to knees more pronounced once in bed. I also have to be careful cutting toe nails and hot water as it feels tepid to both my hands and feet.
I have fallen a couple of times going up steps as I thought I had lifted my foot and it had stayed there or I have caught the edge of the step and not felt it.
I have had my steroids reduced to see if that helps
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I too suffer from peripheral neuropathy, but in my case it was brought on by my type 2 diabetes. This is treated with Tramadol, I try not to use too much of it because opioids can be addictive.
Unfortunately my doctor told me that it is not reversible, once you get it you are more or less have to live with it. This is probably not the answer you are looking for, I do sympathise with you.
I this is my first post on this forum, I just wanted to say something a bit more cheerful.
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Hi Mike
Thank you for your reply, welcome to the site I have found it very helpful and it’s good to be able to talk with people who understand what we are going through. I wish you well and if there is anything that you need help/advice on I’m sure someone on here will help and that includes me.
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I have PN and it was diagnosed after a nerve conduction test as it is caused by nerve damage. I have no pain but complete numbness in feet and difficulty walking.
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Hi #Eve64. After 5 years of Chemo + other treatments I too have PN (peripheral neuropathy) - not as painful as yours by the sound of it, but very uncomfortable and can be dangerous for walking / tripping etc. I am constantly met by shrugs by my Medical team when mentioning my PN - and am told that it may rectify itself in a few months, a few years, or never. Not very helpful. I find that exercise (walking, cycling etc) and exercises help. But for the past 3 years progress has been minimal. I am prepared to be stuck with it for life - but will do anything to get rid of it. Homeopathy, Reflexology, Chinese medicine…I’ll let you know when I have a solution !! In the meantime you have my sympathy and support - PN is horrible. And in my experience too frequently ignored by the Medical teams. My advice is to try to exercise as much as you can.
Bonne chance.
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Hi, I’m sorry to hear about your foot pain and numbness. If you have had chemotherapy then it’s likely you have peripheral neuropathy where the small nerve endings have been damaged. This should be diagnosed by a neurologist usually. I have this in my feet and fingertips and unfortunately it can be a permanent condition or one that only time heals when the nerve endings regrow (frustratingly they grow very slowly).
Things that may help:
Reflexology
Magnesium bath soaks
Daily foot soaks and massage with peppermint oil
Socks from Amazon for peripheral neuropathy
Footpacks (like bags with moisturiser in that you cover a foot with)
Gentle exercise
Keeping feet warm
Hemp cream/balm
Medications under advice from consultant may include gabapentin/Amitriptyline but be aware of the risks of some of these meds particularly the gabapentin.
Definitely chat to your team so you get the right diagnosis and support to manage it.
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Thank you all for you advice it’s sad so many are suffering with PN it does seem as though it’s not fully understood the pain and problems it causes . I’m going to speak with my doctor about pain relief and will also take your advice on more non medication input such as the reflexology and foot Bath . Again thank you all such a supportive group xx
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Hi eve my B12 is also low and i am getting burning and pain in my soles although i have not yet discussed with mu GP i am seeing my haematologist tomorrow so i will.menyion about my b12 being low and my feet
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