Foot neuropathy question | Arthritis Information

I noticed there are quite a few people with neuropathy that had foot problems. Did you develop foot drop over a long period of time or suddenly? I have sensory loss in one foot but only slight motor nerve damage. Lately the neuropathy is spreading and I have noticed I walk a little differently. Today I went for a walk and found I couldn't seem to walk normally. It almost seemed like I had to pick that foot up too high to walk(?) Not a good description - but that's how it felt. I am wondering if I am developing foot drop.

Laker

Hi Laker, sometimes I do the same foot movement that you described to take a proper step. For me it's not foot drop but leg and foot weakness. My leg and foot feel very heavy. LindyHi Laker, my feet have changed too, I do have neuropathy also, originally they put it down to Arava, but it went away after I came off of it, now I don't know what is causing it, I get it in my fingers too. My arches have dropped and I went to see a podiatrist who has made some insoles , she got me to stand on some foam to get the shape of my foot, so now I have JAnie insoles, I don't notice much of a difference except where they press into my arch, it hurts at times. Sorry can't help you more, Janie. I do not have foot drop at the moment. I have had. I do not know that it was sudden onset. I believe i had cramping and other odd problems first. Very difficult to walk with foot drop. You can maybe drag it along or lift your leg as you are saying. There may be a foot flop, that proceeds foot drop. And i do not remember how long it would last. Not the sort of thing i like to take to the shopping mall. Best tell your doctor about it, it is a true nusance. It is a weekness or just like the muscles that hold your foot up totally relax and quit working for you and foot becomes a liabilty to drag around instead of something to stand on. For me it is a come and go sort of thing. Had an eight year period it would come and go. Seems it has been a while. I wonder if my pred is keeping it from bothering me at the moment. I say this but i do remember looking it up about seven or eight months ago so it may have been bothering me then and i forgot. I would tell your doctor for sure.Laker. You should have this checked out. Could be other problems going
on. There are also some good orthotic devices to help this out. Good luck.Alot of different things cause foot drop. I was taking a quick look on the old net. I for one have a buldged disk L 5. As well as RA and fibro. But this could also be a symtom of diabetis and whole bunch of other stuff drug toxisities. Are you stiff like in your low back and hip area. I ususally believe i get that fisrt of my own experience. And i also get swelling in my leg and foot. Just under my calf muscle above the ankle i just almost always have a bit of fliud there. That is just me. I get some times foot drop in my right foot, but i have had my left knee just go limp. My body just likes to take turns playing games with me to keep me from getting board i guess. My nuerologist gave me shots in my spine for awhile and it helped me out a bunch. It helped with some of the vascular problems also. I do not know how that would work with RA drugs? Laker, as previously discussed, you and I have very similar vasculitic issues. I've been developing gradual weakness in the left foot for many years with a generally heavy feeling that comes and goes in my arm and leg and a tense feeling on the left side of my face. I don't know if foot drop ever comes on suddenly. I was at the point where I was having difficulty holding my foot level above the ground and I've been wearing tie on shoes for a couple of years. There's been a very slight improvement since the RA drugs, but not enough. I think we both need to try different meds to get these issues under control. If I find something that works for me I'll let you know. Maybe it will work for you too.

Thank you so much for your help. It does seem as if the foot just "flops" down and I keep tripping on the bottom of it and sometimes the toe. I have noticed for months that it is not quite right but was hoping it was my imagination. I have started walking at lunch with some ladies from work and they go so fast it is about killing me but I lost 2 lbs. (at least that's better than gaining which is my trend). It is the going fast that I think is making it so noticeable although I have been stumbling on it for some time. Maybe I should not be walking so fast?

Will it actually do any good to call the dr? They just increased my pred because I am having so many new nerve issues and the vasculitic rash on my legs. I don't want to take a whole day off work to go - it is a 3 hour drive.

Laker

Laker, I think the exercising is a great idea. I know it makes my leg/foot feel better/stronger as long as I don't overdo it. I'm afraid being forced to walk faster than you're comfortable with might be causing you problems. Maybe you should walk on your own for a while until you build up strength and then join the ladies again.

I don't know what to say about the doctor. I can understand why you don't want to increase the pred again. I wouldn't take the day off, maybe just see if you can get some information on the phone. Hugs.