Non diabetic neuropathy and osteoarthritis in feet, my feet are disintegrating?

[Teri0905]

I'm brand new here, should look around more but searching for answers- went to podiatrist yesterday cause I have big lump in my arch, cant feel any pain in feet. Apparently my right foot has really bad osteoarthritis and is deteriorating. All he said was to come back if it gets swollen or red, and that there is nothing that can be done. My Dr says the same, he says sorry but cant send you to rheumatology cause you have osteoarthritis and that is not an autoimmune disease. No one has said what I can or cannot do, so I keep working (truck driver, using that foot 10 hrs a day) and working out, kettlebells and krav Maga, until my feet give out and I'm wheelchair bound, I guess? I feel like no one cares and no one can help, so add depression to my list of other ailments which include Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (since I was 20) Crohns (just diagnosed) . Ugh.

[Swallowpoint]

Dear Teri, I have had non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy for over a decade. But unlike yours, mine is mild and has remained constant. (Like I have socks on when I don't--and sometimes feeling hot) Certainly I can live just fine with mine. Possibly my good fortune is that I have taken heavy daily doses of straight NIACIN for nearly forty years. You are as young as your arteries. I also take four aspirins/day as just prophelactic against "general" inflamation. Have done that for thirty years. NO ARTHRITIS AT AGE 76. But doctors have no idea about the causes of nerve damage in peripheral neuropathy. They simply say there are too many causes to list them all? Anyway take Niacin---at least 500mg to begin and increase to maybe three grams. You will have the extreme flush---but after a week or two you won't even notice taking Niacin. But the initial flush scares nearly everybody away! Good luck. I am sure you have also read about the usuals--such as Alpha Lipoic Acid and other nerve supplement. But Niacin is medically known to clear out clogged arteries.

[Teri0905 in reply to Swallowpoint]

Thank you, niacin is certainly worth a try! I do take the alpha lipoic acid too. Among other vitamins etc like B complex , D3, E , etc. Thanks!

[Swallowpoint in reply to Teri0905]

Dear Teri, As I said--don't be discouraged about the NIACIN flush and take the regular nicotinic acid, not niacinamide for circulation. My Mother totally reversed and then got rid of "intermittent claudication" with NIACIN. If nothing else, I believe that NIACIN will assure that other nutrients reach the capillaries? I take a 500mg with every batch of supplements throughout the day. And NIACIN is cheap. I buy the RUGBY 1000pill bottles which cost about what they did thirty years ago! But the "flush" will be difficult the first few days or weeks--but it will be well worth it.----good luck, Eric

[rory1957]

Please read, "Plant Paradox." It speaks of arthritis, autoimmune, Crohn's and thyroid. Don't know if you'll find a solution but the author, a Dr., cited several cases that Drs could not fix - until the patient took matters into their own hands and went on a special diet. Just a thougt since you are desperate and Drs are useless to you. Have you gone to specialist / neuro - 2nd opinions from other MDs or specialists ? Sometimes they are stuck in their own little world - or paradigm. Good Luck.

[rory1957]

And, maybe a CRP test to determine if you have inflammation in your body.

[Teri0905]

Yes I did an inflammation test and it was positive. I have to go look exactly what test it was, and I'm also positive ANA, but borderline at 1:40. I'm doing my best to eat better, I don't eat junk or packaged food much, tons of veggies and healthy choices. I work and work out, but still feel like crap. Pushing myself. But I will read plant paradox, thank you for your help!

[Marz]

I was diagnosed with Crohns at 27 - some 45 years ago - and then with Hashimotos in 2005. I am wondering if you are being adequately treated for your thyroid ? - what treatment are you on and how much ? If you have some thyroid test results - do post them with ranges - and I am happy to take a look. Always good to obtain copies of all bloodtests so you can monitor your own progress and check what has been missed !

Have you had your B12 - Ferritin - Folate & VitD tested ? All need to be optimal and not bumping along the bottom - for you to feel good and for your thyroid hormones to work well in the body

If possible try to go gluten free and also dairy is known to cause inflammation in the gut.

There is Thyroid UK - here on Health Unlocked with 78,000 members and so much knowledge - maybe see you there !

[Teri0905 in reply to Marz]

Hi , thanks. I'm on 175 mcg levothyroxine for many years, though I still have all the symptoms of my Hashimoto's. Tired all the time, losing hair, dry skin, etc. Last two TSH 3rd generations were 0.808 and 0.610, my doc hasn't checked T3 and T4, so I dont know.

My GI doc said that gluten wasn't my problem and it would not do anything to go gluten free. I do take B vitamins and other vitamins.

[Marz in reply to Teri0905]

Almost 95% of Hashimotos people have gluten sensitivity even if not a full blown coeliac. Why not try it and see how you feel . Testing just the TSH is a sure way of keeping you unwell. As you know it is a Pituitary hormone and is released to tell your Thyroid to produce T4 - which is a storage hormone. T4 must convert into the ACTIVE thyroid hormone T3 - needed in every one of the trillions of cells in your body. It is usually the LOW T3 that causes the symptoms. You need all the tests to tell the full story and to see if the 175 mcg of T4 is actually converting into the Active T3 in your body.

B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD - all need to be optimal for you to feel well and to help with the converting of T4 into T3.

Sorry but how does your GI Doc know that Gluten is not your problem ? Perhaps you had Endoscopies and colonoscopies ??

Best to test the levels of the vitamins and minerals I have mentioned - then dose accordingly. Are you taking VitD ?

thyroiduk.org

The above link takes you to the main website of the Thyroid UK forum. Private Testing is available - used by 100's & 100's of people in the absence of the NHS doing the correct testing. Kits sent to your home and results by e-mail. Click onto About Testing - on the Menu in the above link ! Also lots of other information confirming the things I have mentioned to you. I have been a member of Thyroid UK for over 6 years and have learned so much from the very knowledgeable members .... there are 1000's of posts about Hashimotos

[Teri0905 in reply to Marz]

Thank you SO much for the info, and yes I will try to be a member of the UK site and learn as much as I can, and probably order some tests! I do take D3 and E supplements, and had colonoscopy in dec, and just had CT scan done last week, which showed a cyst on my ovary and a severely degenerative spine. I bet that my neuropathy is trapped nerves in my spine. First thing everyone asks when I say neuropathy is ,"are you diabetic?" No, I've been tested at least 6 times in the last year in bloodwork done, always negative. But I know the thyroid controls a lot, and has a lot to do with how we feel overall. I am going to try to find a new Dr who is more informed about thyroid disorders, because this one just wants to push pills at me. I'm tired of meds, I want to get at the roots of my problems and fix them .

[BigBill]

I'm not sure where you live but I live in the US. My neuropathy was a post operative issue caused during a replacement knee revision. I don't have the knowledge these other folks do but when you tell me you have a mass of some type it makes me question how close to the nerves it may be. Based on the comments you shared from the podiatrist my suggestion is seek out a better orthopedic specialist. I have had both knees and both shoulders replaced due to osteoarthritis and have the damage in every joint but my hips. My thyroid has been removed due to goiters and add the additional complication of CHF

[joebeddall]

I have similar probs,Keep in touch with healthunlock.You will find some interesting reading.

[Matrix]

Teri so sorry for you , it’s miserable I know but surely you should be entitled to Benifits I can’t imagine how you manage to drive all those hours . Can you tell me something it’s a question really , well I have for about a year been having problems with my feet my ankle has been aching so bad and when I stand up I’m very stiff in ankles and have to wait a bit until I can walk is yours anything like that my knee is very sore too . X🤗🤗😇

[Matrix in reply to Matrix]

Ps I also have peripheral neuropathy and plantar fachitis in soles of feet . X

[Teri0905 in reply to Matrix]

Yes, along with flat feet comes plantar fasciitis, that sounds like what you have. I am able to move because I'm on diclofenac, it's almost like oil for the tin man. It helps my osteoarthritis. If I run out, or if my Dr asks me to stop taking it, I am in so much pain I can hardly move. I had to stop it for a week and I was miserable. I can live a somewhat normal life because of that med. I just got orthopedic shoes from Orthofeet, that helps too. I work 50-60 hrs a week, even with all my issues. I'm 57, and wondering though if I can make it another 10 years, but from the sounds of it, disability takes years to get and I would be homeless if I stop working so I keep going until I cant. The plantar fasciitis can come and go, and years ago I had it and Celebrex worked. Now I just keep trying to stretch my toes upward to keep that muscle along the ankle stretched. That and the shoes I got for flat feet and plantar really help. Moving around , working out, yoga helps people like us, because the more you sit the stiffer you get, and it's like the body just freezes up. That's why I keep going.

[Matrix]

My word you sound as if you are in a right state . I know how painful it all is . It’s very important to keep moving but it’s also important to rest up wheneeded or when you’re joints are warm or hot ,I’m so sorry you’re. suffering. I wish you all the best xx🤗🤗😇

[Matrix]

Teri did you mean along with flat feet comes plantar , if so that’s not me I have ballerina arches high instep. 🤗🤗😇

[7Lilsnkr]

I feel the same way!