LymeNet Flash: hot, burning pain in hands and feet

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Posted by cindy_leigh (Member # 3514) on :

I've been treated for persistant lyme for about two years now, (probably had it for ~12 years prior to accurate dx), my last round of abx was mepron and zith back in July. My sx have beenf fairly minor. Now I'm noting a hot, burning pain on the palms of my hands (not fingers) and burning pain on the soles of my feet and sometimes along the tops. Sometimes it feels like I'm walking on rocks. it gets better with rest, and worse with the lenght of time I'm on my feet.

Sounds like peripheral neuropathy to me, not sure if this is connected to lyme. At the same time, I've had some twitching in my elelid and "vibrating" around my eyebrow, so maybe my lyme is creeping back.

I don't have diabetes or pre diabetes, which I would logically think of as a cause for peripheral neuropathy.

Anybody else have this?

Cindy

Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

Wow, I know this pain all too well. What you just described, I could've said, verbatim, just a few years ago.

I'd say that this IS a symptom of LD and that you are probably herxing. (remember Herxing is intense Lyme symptoms you've had in the past, AND NEW Lyme symptoms that you've never experienced before.

Once I'd taken enough abx, these symptoms seemed to clear, but, they do raise their ugly heads every now and again when I am severely herxing.

Actually, the burning of the palms, and the "walking on rocks" was two of my first persistant symptoms of LD.

We were living in the tropics at that time and though I may be having an allergy to the water, so I stopped washing dishes. Then we thought it was the dishwashing liquid...we now know why I was having all those weird symptoms...years later was my dx of LD.

IMO, this, too, shall pass after enough abx and for a long enough duration. It just takes time...and, lots of it for some of our symptoms to disappear and not come back.

Rosemary

Posted by achey (Member # 6284) on :

Sorry you are having the hand foot pain. This is how I spent most of my summer, so I know the feeling.

Yes, it's a Lyme symptom.

I have gotten great relief from Myer's Iv pushes, once weekly from my naturopath.

It's an iv that is high in Mg with Ca, vits B, and C.

Posted by lymesux (Member # 6248) on :

Cindy,

I have those symptoms right now!!

I couldnt tell from your post if you had them before or not? Are they your only symptom? I do also have peripheral neuropathy so mine is confusing.

Mine seems to come at odd times and I've been trying to track it - like maybe toxin related. Probably leftover lyme but I'm sure it could be something else (lots of help I am).

I'd definitely see the doc and get his/her opinion, I like the iv idea of the above poster - maybe i'll look into it!

Good luck!

Posted by lymesux (Member # 6248) on :

Cindy,

I was searching since i have the symptoms too - this seems rare but figured I'd copy it anyway

Erythromelalgia

Erythromelalgia (erythermalgia) is a rare syndrome in which arterioles of the skin dilate periodically, causing a burning pain, making the skin feel hot, and making the feet and, less often, the hands turn red.

Usually, the cause of erythromelalgia is unknown. In such cases, the disorder tends to start when people are in their 20s or older. A rare hereditary form of erythromelalgia starts at birth or during childhood. Less commonly, the disorder is related to the use of some drugs, such as nifedipineSome Trade Names
ADALAT
PROCARDIA
(an antihypertensive) or bromocriptineSome Trade Names
PARLODEL
(a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease). It also occurs in people who have certain blood disorders (myeloproliferative disorders), high blood pressure, venous insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, lichen sclerosis, gout, spinal cord disorders, or multiple sclerosis. Erythromelalgia usually develops 2 to 3 years before the underlying disorder is diagnosed.

Symptoms include burning pain in the feet or hands, which feel hot and appear red. Attacks are usually triggered by environmental temperatures of over 84� F (over about 29� C). Symptoms may remain mild for years or may progress and become completely incapacitating.

Diagnosis is based on the symptoms and the increase in skin temperature. Tests, such as blood cell counts, are usually performed to help identify a cause.

Treatment includes resting, elevating the legs or arms, and applying cold packs to the legs or arms or immersing them in cold water. These measures sometimes relieve symptoms or prevent attacks. If no underlying disorder is identified, aspirinSome Trade Names
ECOTRIN
ASPERGUM
may relieve symptoms, and drugs that constrict blood vessels (such as ephedrine, methysergideSome Trade Names
SANSERT
, and propranololSome Trade Names
INDERAL
) may help. However, aspirinSome Trade Names
ECOTRIN
ASPERGUM
does not relieve symptoms for the form that starts at birth or during childhood. If an underlying disorder is identified, treating that disorder may relieve symptoms.

Posted by Jewlbug (Member # 4554) on :

Hi,

This has absolutely been my worst and longest standing symptom of this darn disease. My feet will burn all day w/ an IcyHot sensation that is not exactly hot or cold. It is more bothersome and annoying than painful.

My LLMD said that it is neuropathy.

I bought one of those foot baths that heats, bubbles, and vibrates. I found that just by using that for 15-20 minutes, the pain subsides...ever after a whole day of achiness. Too bad I can't use one of them all day while working! That would be a sight. LOL!

Hope you feel better!
Jewl

Posted by Jewlbug (Member # 4554) on :

Hi,

My LLMD said that it is neuropathy.

Hope you feel better!
Jewl

Posted by cindy_leigh (Member # 3514) on :

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Roses, I did not associate with herxing because I'm off abx so long. My LLMD says herxes only happen while on abx, but if not on abx, he describes an increase in sx as "blebbing".

I've not had this exact sx before, but HAVE had some numbness and tingling in hands, arms, legs, and feet. More down the fingers, though, instead of just palms. And definitely NOT the heat/burning. My feet will feel cold, but when driving for instance, i put on the heater (to the floor setting), I can hardly stand it.

achey, I've never heard of that IV before, but I do take all those things orally now.

lymesux (boy doesn't it!), thanks for that info. My hands and feet are not truly hot, I just percieve it that way. And they're not red. The only drug I take is Atenolol, a small dose, to prevent migraines, and I've used that on and off for about 20 years.

Jewel-- i have one of those foot things too. I'll break it out and use it tonight-- maybe watch a DVD or something. With the cold feeling and then the hot feeling, maybe I need just room temp water!!

Thanks again everyone, I'm going to give it a few more days, and if it does not pass, I'll call my LLMD.

Cindy