Tried gabapentin last night and actually slept without my burning feet waking me. Is this nerve pain typical of RA?

[RuthyBabe]

Not yet diagnosed but pain in many joints

[Hidden]

webmd.com/pain-management/b...

Many conditions can cause burning pain in the feet but you should make sure that Diabetes and B12 deficiency are ruled out while you're waiting to find out whether you have RA. I have had burning feet on and off since my RA started - it is neuropathy or nerve pain. I don't know whether it is part of RA or not I'm afraid.

[Nork]

I also have burning and tingling in my feet, but not sure if it has anything to do with RA as I have vascular insufficiency. Sometimes it's hard to tell which symptoms go with which diagnoses/conditions.

[pineapple_head]

I have also burning in my feet and I think it is because of the damage in my lumbar spine. I have severe damage in L4 and L5. When my back is sore, my legs jerk and my feet are burning.

[julie_warwick]

my feet burn and tingle , also my hands and other parts of my body , but my feet drive me mad , either freezing or burning , a lot of people seem to get this , not sure if it's inflammation putting pressure on the nerves or damage , going to ask the question next time I see someone , glad the gabapentin has helped you x

[RuthyBabe]

Thanks again for your replies. My GP THINKS I MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT 3-6 months for a referral. Paid to see a rheumatologist privately last year who told me I did not have RA. I WENT AWAY AND SYMPTOMS SUBSIDED SO I THOUGHT HE WAS RIGHT. I NOW KNOW HE COUKD HAVE DONE MORE NOT JUST RELIED ON THE BLOOD TESTS DONE BY MY GP.WOULD GLADLY PAY AGAIN TO GET PROPER INVESTIGATION BUT GP SAYS WE NEED TO BUILD UP EVIDENCE OR CLINIC COORDINATORS ORM PRIVATE CONSULTATION WOULD HAVE SAME RESULT. IS WAIT AND SEE OR PAY BEST? Can't afford cost of X-rays scans MRI Know I have bone rubbing on bone in back from old herniated disc ( had MRI 4 years ago) but can't es that causing neck arm hand pain and weight loss. Building up the gabapentin seems to give me sleep Thankyou GP! Shall I go for the rheumatologist consultation? Think my user name should be mimi or wimpy!

[nomoreheels in reply to RuthyBabe]

3 months for a referral is somewhat acceptable in my area. 6 months seems excessive bearing in mind you're suffering and the sooner you see a Rheumy the better for your long term prognosis, whatever your problem. If only you could get that referral upped to urgent, something is obviously amiss or he wouldn't have prescribed gabapentin. Did your GP explain what he meant by "build up evidence"? It could be your neurological pain is due to inflammation pressing on the nerves which I know is so wearing having had carpal tunnel release & the relief was wonderful.

Also, what was the private Rheumy doing relying on the bloods your GP requested? The nature of Rheumatoid Disease (as I'm calling it now) is it can subside at times when not controlled & it could be possible you had less (unseen) inflammation when you had those bloods taken. Any Rheumy worth his salt at initial consultation should have had new bloods & at least x-rays imo. You were paying for his expertise after all. This gets me so cross.... grrrr as basically you've wasted your money. It's your decision alone to see another consultant privately but if you do decide to go this route do some internet trawling & find one who's been recommended by others. I did this for my mother-in-law's Parkinsons & the one I found was brilliant. She was fortunately in a position financially to continue seeing him but still had to be kept in the loop with the NHS but saw a different specialist to her original NHS one.

Rant over :ç

[RuthyBabe in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi Have done some trawling but can find no reviews or recommendations for Leics or East Mids. The one I used seemed to have the right specialities but what do I know. He didn't even pursue the pins and needles etc then. Just told me I had osteo in fingers. His words were I can tell you you definitely do not have rheumatoid arthritis at the moment. I was dancing on air and didn't know this would come back with a vengeance. He just seemed to want to reassure me.i realise osteo could impinge on nerves but. Surely not everywhere at once with no previous warning and no hard use.? I've only had the odd creaky knee and swam and gymnastics reguarly till this struck. Really don't know if to wait and see or plough into private referral knowing I can't afford to fund tests that might be need edge scan MRI etc Knees and hands beginning to burn so gabapentin wearing off. It's magic when it works! I look normal so no one can feel this d...n burning.Cannot sit still !

[nomoreheels in reply to RuthyBabe]

The only thing I can think for you to do is if you're able to get a same day appointment with your GP make one when you're at your very worst. Is he checking for anything else, has he done a full blood test by that I mean a less specific test?

chooseandbook.nhs.uk/patients is a helpful site.

[JayneR]

Hi, I have recently developed burning pain in my left foot, I've been diagnosed with trapped nerves L5 and am waiting for spinal surgery as a nerve block injection didn't work, I have been taking amatriptaline 25mg at night which help as it's used as a nerve relaxant and a cream which for small regions is ok..I was told by Rheumy nurse that Complex Regional Pain Symdrome (CRPS) is often found in RA patients and the arthritis council produce a good booklet about it...I've been told it may ease after my surgery... Let me know how you get on with Gabapentin, nerves tried it, but heard lots about it good and bad so would like to know if it helps...

[RuthyBabe]

Hi

Funnily enough I also have a lumbar herniated disc and spinal stenosis but hasn't caused problems for more than 2 years. The gabapentin (also taking amitryptoline at night worked wonders at one dose first night third night I had dose am and pm but very restless night. Hoping its effects don't wear off, though I am a bit tired all day. See doc tmw but a walk today and my knees seem ok. Do the soles of your feet feel sore when you touch them- my palms burn instead of tickle... Wonder if I have more trapped nerves in neck

Will try not to self diagnose and rely on GP I hope!

[Dina69]

Gabapentin is a pill I was just put on and it really helped me.

[RuthyBabe in reply to Dina69]

Hi Dina What symptoms did it help? If you don't mind me asking...