Burning pain in lower leg.

[Janann66]

Hi, I'm new to this forum thing but I'm getting no where with the professionals so I thought I'd give it a try. I have been suffering from burning pain and some numbness in my lower leg for over a year. I've seen different G.P,s in same practice, I've been given pain killers none which have worked. I am currently on 300mg of Gabapantine daily still no relief from pain. After a course of physio I was told ' I would have to learn to desencertice myself from pain'. The pain is so intense it is preventing me from doing day to day things not being able to walk so far as usual ect. I just feel that no one seems to listen or understand. Just wondered if anyone could help as to what I do next.

[Lisahelen]

Do you think you have any other symptoms?

It sounds like you have developed a neuropathy which should be investigated as to why.

B12 could be the reason but do not supplement before any tests.

[Janann66 in reply to Lisahelen]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. I had an X-ray a year ago which showed I had arthritis in both hips and curvature to my lower spine. I also feel it should be investigated but it seems you have to jump through so many hoops before you get anywhere.

[357alldaylong in reply to Lisahelen]

You mentioned the B12 in your comments. I have had my B12 checked and it was fine. The big thing about B12 us your body gets rid of any excess. I atl east had a doctor willing to let me try it. I have found out that if I miss even 1 day my neurapthy gets bad and it takes several days to get it back under control. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Marz in reply to 357alldaylong]

You are right B12 is so good. I am self injecting every other day at the moment as I have Trochanter Bursitis - along with other issues like Hashimotos/Crohns. So people are low in the range and anything under 500 can become neurological if left untreated .....

[Lizziesview]

Hi Janann66

I'm sorry to hear of your pain.

The pain and numbness that you describe certainly sounds like neuropathy. I am not a doctor, so do not presume to diagnose, however, having peripheral neuropathy myself, (in legs, feet, arms and hands), I can confirm that I too, have these symptoms, as well as many others, eg. 'electric shocks' through my legs; burning sensations; freezing sensations; drop foot etc. I'm on Pregabalin, which helps.

Whilst pain is inevitable with this disease, you should be getting some medical help. Have they tested you for neuropathy? If not, perhaps you should return to your doctor.

I wish you luck for the future.

Lizzie

[JenGorm in reply to Lizziesview]

I have neuropthy in my feet , now knees , which is progressing quickly and they can't find a reason.

I am now taking statins following a stoke in December. It seems to have got worse since I started taking them

[Marz]

I would rule out deficiencies in the following - B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD and have a FULL Thyroid Test to include anti-bodies ....

[stephbriggsuk]

I was diagnosed with erythromelalgia (EM, or "man on fire") and Raynaud's a few years ago, although I have suffered from both for as long as I can remember. My feet and lower legs turn BRIGHT RED, with burning and tingling. It's been compared to having second-degree burns.

Medication for Raynaud's is available - nifedipine - which increases capillary flow, but in turn, it can make EM worse. What I've been allowed to do by my doctor is decide to take the nifedipine only if the Raynaud's flares up, and to stop it whenever the Raynaud's seems to be less of a problem as the weather warms up.

The EM tends to flare more as the weather warms up, whereas the Raynaud's kicks up in winter. Interestingly, my symptoms for both were fairly mild and didn't require medication...until I moved from Winnipeg, my hometown in Canada, to the UK. I suspect the higher humidity in the UK, especially during winters, may have been a factor. Winnipeg winters are much colder and dryer.

I use Dramamine (Gravol), which works most of the time, and occasionally paracetamol. My mom also has both diseases, and it's believed there's a strong genetic component to EM as well as Raynaud's; Mom's brother also has Raynaud's. Research is ongoing for treatments but at the moment, none are available to the general public as far as I know, which sucks.

This talks about the gene that's believed to cause EM: wired.com/2017/04/the-cure-...

This has general information resources for support and research updates: erythromelalgia.org/