posted
I feel like I have a weird symptom. Shock in my toe. Maybe other places. It's pushing me further to the edge. Like emg test with out the test. How lucky. Can't take these scary symptoms. Anxiety keeps increasing and of course the inevitable doom, hopeless feeling. I really need relief from all this.
Posts: 606 | From sw suburbs of chicago, Illinois | Registered: Mar 2016
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posted
I get sharp pains in my feet from sciatica sometimes. Have you had your back checked out?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
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- Good point TuTu makes about your back.
If at all possible, see a good podiatrist. Just don't let them shoot you with any kind of steroid shots.
I think your foot should be physically examined - and likely imaged - to see if there is a structural problem.
It's important that a podiatrist assess the mechanics, assess shoes (take in 2-3 pairs) as well as any supports you wear.
You may need to be prescribed a good footbed / arch support that would be specific to your needs.
PT may be suggested and they would know the best foot PTs around, too. Ultrasound therapy helped my feet.
Be sure to avoid going barefoot other than when bathing. Avoid flip flops, etc. Have good stable shoes for indoor wear.
www.6pm.com is Zappos bargain basement of sort. One brand (at least for women) that has a good footbed is ARAVON and they come in wide sizes with good toe room, too.
Any shoe shoe have that toe room for a good wiggle. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- You speak of anxiety. Now, of course, with the actual nerve tissue invasion of lyme, the toxicity (add toxins and anyone well experience anxiety) the inflammation / swelling and misfiring . . . anxiety as a medical condition does go with lyme often.
However, as much as you can, make it a game if you need to - do not allow self thoughts of doom and gloom. If you "hear" yourself going there, like a SNL skit, kindly catch yourself and redirect language.
We just do not have the luxury of negative thoughts. However, it is still important to face reality that, yep, indeed, this is a rough & tumble ride for sure. It can be painful and just awful much of the time. And our feelings do deserve identifying and acknowledging.
If we can make all this "unpleasantness" (to say the least, eh?) just matter of fact, though, and not place future projections onto that we might stand a little better chance at mood maintenance. Can we name it, acknowledge it without it kidnapping us? That's the trick, indeed.
I'm not talking about pushing it down, though. It's more about taking the power out of it and figuring out how to still move through the molasses effect that lyme brings in so many respects. A good LL therapist might help you to give voice to your feelings and then also be able to help you hone thoughts so they are more your friend.
MAGNESIUM might help for both anxiety and for the foot pain. ADRENAL support key for mood & Liver support vital, too. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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Topic: NATURAL SLEEP & ADRENAL SUPPORT -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Backing up, if you have an LLMD, tell them about all this, the shocks, the anxiety, etc.
As lyme - and whatever other infections that are on board - must be addressed adequately. Then, many have found that the anxiety just disappears. All the stuff I mention is good support but the infections must also be faced full on.
Bartonella seems to affect the feet more than maybe the other tick borne infections do (and bart can be transmitted by pets, too). Bartonella also seems to bring much more neurological anxiety with it.
Still, I'd get to a podiatrist for their structural wisdom. -
[ 01-25-2018, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- If there is anyway to get a professional massage, just be sure they are lyme literate (or maybe "fibromyalgia" minded). Some techniques are wonderful yet some might be too harsh or not enough.
Someone trained in myofascial release would be good but that alone would leave me wanting some real massage, too. Same with Reiki or some other pressure point forms. All nice but rather light in some regards.
If you are lucky enough to have a good friend or family member who might massage your feet (and you might reciprocate) that would be splendid. But choose a few of the best videos that you both will watch beforehand for safety reasons.
If a non-trained person works on your shoulder or neck, be sure they do not work over your spine. That's for those who are trained.
There's a lot we can do for our own tootsies, though be mindful of pressure on knees. If knees are a problem, choose other ways to massage feet that don't require folding of knees.
Just don't push too hard as that can damage tender nerves or other tissue. Ease into it. A tennis ball is perfect and it has some give to it yet also some support as you push into it.
I do not suggest using a golf ball as some might do - or any pressure with any hard instrument. Even if it feels good (or hurts so good) during pressure, damage can be done.
Foot and ear massage a couple times a day is a good idea that can help in so many ways. Ahhhhh.
Dr. Wei Yuan - TCMworks.com - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
. . . According to TCM theory, when you massage your ears, you also give yourself a full body massage as the ears represent the whole body. . . . -
[ 01-25-2018, 04:38 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- Hey, everyone: I'll bet you a cup of green tea that if you stop what you are doing now - and do that tennis ball foot massage, you'll feel more relaxed.
I don't have a tennis ball but something similar and improvised. One reason I come here is to (I hope) help others with stuff I've gathered all along this (not so) garden path . . . but it's also to keep myself reminded of what helps -- and things I've forgotten.
Some folks say if you do one thing differently each day, that can be a snow ball effect - in a good way, of course. Maybe foot and ear massage - with mindful breathing (is that all too much?) . . . well, it might just have some nice ripple effects.
I have a nice rounded plastic lid storage bin-turned-ottoman under my computer "desk" and am always using that for some kinds of pressure and stretching. But it's sure not as effective as the tennis ball trick for relaxation.
Ahhhhh. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I have actually seen 2 podietrists. First been to many times and he did 3 ultrasounds on my feet. Each time they were a little different, seeing some narrowing or --not pinching, but can't think of the word--inside.
The 2nd one, referred me to a supposedly renowned guy where all he does is ultrasounds...didnt find anything like above. Just somewhat flat feet, zero fat padding on my feet and I think stretched ankle tendons. She had me buy some Green Superfeet inserts to replace the custom ones I had from about 3 years ago I've been wearing---https://www.superfeet.com/en-us/insoles-and-sandals/green
I haven't put them in yet b/c they make my shoes so tight.
So it's confusing that the findings from 2 ppl are conflicting.
I do also have an area under my big toe that tingles when pressed on.
The shocks were usually when I would step heel to toe as normal, and my heel would feel like I stepped on a bunch of electrical bursts, and a shock would shoot to my 2nd toe. Now I've gotten them just sitting down. Possibly in my finger too.
Posts: 606 | From sw suburbs of chicago, Illinois | Registered: Mar 2016
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I had to have custom orthotics. I tried 8 pair before finally finding a local guy who made some GREAT orthotics for me.
When you get orthotics, you must have larger shoes so they will fit properly in the shoes.
Find a new podiatrist.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
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posted
- Ditto: find a good podiatrist. This matters very much. Your very life can depend upon your feet, how well you can walk, balance, etc. Your very life - at least your ability to live where you do and take care of yourself depends a lot on foot stability and health.. Really. Any kind of instability of the feet and falls are much more likely.
The orthotics can't help if you don't wear them. If the shoes are then too small, yes - as TuTu states - you have to have a half or whole size larger.
But I'd see a new podiatrist first for their recommendation on the exact style & brand of shoe best for your feet. They know the best brands and can teach how to shop for shoes.
And be sure to wear socks, cotton, white or light color the best for at home use, anyway, and for any activity. Lighter dress socks / stockings for dress occasions, of course.
Socks will help with your grip and stability in the shoe and minimize infections to the skin on the feet, also decrease calloses (sp?). Never go barefooted in shoes when you leave the house. Socks protect in a number of ways.
However, it's easier to drop the socks with something like Dansko clogs - or Birkenstocks. If you go that route, be sure to NEVER buy imitations. They should be authentic brand.
Ask the new podiatrist if they think those would help and how to get the best fit. They help some feet but not others.
With any new shoes - especially a new style like a clog - only wear a short time at first at home. Gradually introduce feet to any new style. And best to not wear the same shoes day in and day out. Though many of us can't afford more than one pair, so that's where the foot massage with a tennis ball comes in a few times a day to give the feet a break.
It's important to have the soles of your feet smooth and not with any calloses but be careful with a pumice stone as you attend to those.
If you have excessive calloses the inside of the shoes are often to blame / ill fit. Best to go with leather materials for the upper as they can give and breathe and cause less sores.
By Malia Wollen - The New York Times - January 26, 2018
Excerpt:
. . . Whatever your reason for refashioning your stride, symmetry should be the goal. Determine whether your walk is off-kilter by studying the wear pattern on the soles of your shoes. Have you ground your heels down into a lopsided wedge? “If you see uneven wearing, get new shoes,” Rose says.
You can’t learn a new gait when the old one is imprinted on your shoes. . . . [much more detail at article but I'd not look down at your feet, either as the first sentence might suggest. That can throw balance off.]
[my voice here now] Qigong or Tai Chi would be excellent to help learn a good internal balance and how to be mindful but in an posture-right way - of your feet. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- I mentioned ultraound THERAPY. I don't think ultrasound is a good way to image the foot at all. It would require an x-ray, a CT scan or MRI.
And, still, a hands on exam with a good podiatrist is best to start so they can feel about and interview you on specifics. They can learn a lot by just having your feet in their hands. Again, though, it should be a really good podiatrist. Like with any doctor, don't just pick one without first asking around a various patient groups and the best shoe stores in town.
Ask the sports teams and dancers in town who they recommend. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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This is a new podiatrist actually. Was recommended by my roommate as she helped him w his issues. She did examine my feet first visit. She said I think, that MRI would be needed if the ultrasound person didn't know what they were doing. I can ask to have one I suppose. Already had an X-ray a couple years ago. Showed my bone growth on my heel.
And yes I know you said U.S. therapy. I was just stating semi-related that I had it used for dx. These shoes are new. An intern at my naturopathic clinic said to get a more supportive shoe which I did. She said didn't have to be fancy and I had the custom insert.
When I shopped I brought the insert w me and picked a shoe out with it inside. Took forever. Bc the shoe may accommodate the insert but be too big other ways. Usually the shoe gets longer and taller going up on size. So I needed one where the insert would fit and I wouldn't slide around.
Finally found some adidas that worked. Then I saw the new podiatrist and she recommended different inserts. Sigh. And they are I guess bigger vertically so are tight. The assistant recommended taking out the insole that comes w the shoe but it's glued in there. I don't think they're removable most of the time right?
I have to walk one the side of my foot somewhat to not activate the self inflicted shock.
Posts: 606 | From sw suburbs of chicago, Illinois | Registered: Mar 2016
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Keebler
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- Walking on the side of your foot can create so many other very serious and long lasting troubles. And put you at risk of falling. with injury. It will destroy the shoes, too, and make them not be able to be used later on.
Shoes must maintain their stability to work for us. It's not just our feet but our knees, hips, spine, neck and even brain that rely on proper shoes. Really. Our brain needs a good pair of shoes to be on our feet. The neuro connections that go from feet to spine to brain all rely on good shoes.
While it's troublesome to find shoes that will adapt to orthodics and offer a proper fit so you can put the full weight of your feet as intended on each foot - it's priority to keep with this search.
I still think you need more specific diagnostics, though, on what exactly might be constricted or triggering the shocks in your foot. That's one thing. The other: shoes with proper insert specifically for your feet.
If you have not worn a pair shoes outside - or inside - more than just a little bit - you might be able to exchange for larger size.
WIDER shoes might be needed rather than just half or whole size up. Shoes that come in wide sizes are less available but they are out there. Never accept any shoe that is not going to be comfortable for your feet and toes, during walking.
This can be expensive yet is more important than any supplement you might now be taken if money needs to be shifted. The better quality the shoe the better chance it will serve your feet & your body. Never buy cheap shoes.
But there are sales on shoes that are well made with good materials that breathe and move with you (leather is best). Get a good expert's advice on the shoes style and fit - not just a shoe clerk.
Call all the podiatrist offices around you for recommendations of shoe stores who have the most knowledgeable staff and best brands, styles. They all likely have suggestions.
Good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I will ask my pod. about shoes for sure. Unfort., I have to walk this way for now. Or I dont' walk at all.
Posts: 606 | From sw suburbs of chicago, Illinois | Registered: Mar 2016
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posted
I asked my lyme doc and my old podiatrist about morton's and they dont think I have it.
Posts: 606 | From sw suburbs of chicago, Illinois | Registered: Mar 2016
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