Severe pain in little toe

[Ferret18]

Hi everyone, I’ve been getting really severe pain in my right little toe. It’s pain like I’ve never had before - sharp, intense, not like a pin prick - much stronger. It only lasts for a few seconds at a time but it often goes on for an hour or more. I’ve taken ibuprofen and used some roll on Biofreeze, which has been great for other areas of pain.

Ive got an appt with my rheumy next week and of course I’ll mention it to him but wondered if anyone else had had this and what might have helped.

Thank you so much

[girli1111]

I wonder if it could possibly be gout? My husband has experienced it a few times and described it as like having broken glass or razor blades in his toe. His pain however was in the big toe. A blood test confirms, but there is emergency medication to dissolve the úrico acid crystals which are the cause if the pain . Best wishes

[Ferret18 in reply to girli1111]

I think goût is mainly in the big toe. But I will mention to the rheumy. Thanks.

[girli1111 in reply to Ferret18]

It can be any joint apparently, but I agree that gout is more common. As I say, blood test would confirm and then cochichine medication would provide almost immediate relief. Gout is a form of arthritis

[AgedCrone]

If you haven’t banged it or dropped something on it….it could be osteo arthritis……

[Ferret18 in reply to AgedCrone]

Mmmm I have OA in my knees - this pain is nothing like that. But who knows.

[AgedCrone in reply to Ferret18]

Believe me OA pain can be anything like a bit of an ache or screaming agony! I have it in both hands & the joints bend in very unnatural ways & the pain can occur just as a spasm or hurt all day.

Hope you get some relief soon.

[Ferret18 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you

[Green230461]

My friend has this and she has been told she has gout. Speak to your gp for blood test- and eat cherries! They help gout. 🤒

[Ferret18 in reply to Green230461]

Just as well I love cherries.

[Cazzie52]

my husband has gout and this seems like the pain u r experiencing. . It can affect any joint, he even has it in his knees. See ur gp for tablets but also recommend cherry juice which helps to remove the uric acid crystals which causes it . Drink plenty of water too , to flush it out

[Jimminey]

I get what seem like severe needle pricks in my hands and feet that only last a few seconds, but often recur in the same place for a while. I've spoken to my rheumatologist about it, had a couple of nerve conductivity tests, and a vascular examination of my hands and feet, but nothing has been found and it remains a mystery.

Please do let us know if you find out anything about your symptoms.

[Ferret18 in reply to Jimminey]

Thanks, that doesn’t sound dissimilar to what I have. I’ll let you know what the rheumy says.

[Ferret18 in reply to Jimminey]

Hi Jimminey - just back from Rheumy appt. I've got 20 days of prednisone - it's an RA flare. I think I realised that when yesterday out of nowhere my right hand, over my knuckles, swelled up and became very stiff. Will discuss with Rheumy in a month about changing current meds. He's suggesting methotrexate, which I've had before, but I'll see what else might be on offer. I live in France so they are not so much into triple therapy, rather biologics - but I'd prefer to stay away from them as long as possible really.

I hope you soon get relief from your pains. Take care

[Jimminey in reply to Ferret18]

Hi Ferret18 - thank you very much for the update. I'm a bit surprised that your rheumy put it down to basically RA symptoms as my various rheumies have always been a bit puzzled. I've had plenty of RA symptoms, though I must admit I've never had what would be called a flare - so I will raise it at my next appointment.

I hope the sharp, intense pains subside and that your flare is dealt with. Thanks again for the info!

[Hollyhock123]

I have a similar pain in my big toe, and the toe lost most movement. After a while a blister type thing appeared but when it burst a whole load of jelly like liquid oozed out. Pain abated a lot, but then rebuilt and same thing repeated. GP & Rhemy team both at odds to what it was. Was told to take cocodamol, but was quickly becoming uncomfortable to walk and pain was awful. However, I had shingles back in January and was given pregabalin for nerve pain. Pain in toe disappeared! I spoke to GP about it and she said lets give it a go. Been on pregabalin since then. Rarely have pain, no more sac fluid, have much more movement in toe, walking no longer uncomfortable. My podiatrist has made a mould to wear between big toe and next which ensures no rubbing (added precaution). And he thinks from looking at MRI scans that it’s old disease deterioration and now osteoarthritis and trapped/vulnerable nerve endings. All I know is, I’m a LOT more comfortable and no more exploding toe!

[Ferret18]

Glad you finally got it sorted. Sounds awful . I’ve got my rheumy appt on Thursday, but no pain since!