About four years ago someone trod on my toes very hard while boarding a train. I didn't do anything about it at the time as, even if broken, it would merely be a case of 'buddy-taping', which I could do myself.
However, over the last year I have apparently developed arthritis in them - they are permanently slightly swollen and tend to give me pain, particularly in bed, but sometimes when walking. My GP and chiropodist both say 'arthritis' as if it is a trivial condition. They suggest NSAIDz, paracetamol etc..but unfortunately, as was also the case with my mother, they - and stronger things like co-codamol, co-dydramol, tramadol, oxycontin, Butrans and Fentanyl patches never touch any of my back or other arthritis problems. I may also have fibromyalgia.
I do wish people would realise that pain in such a small area as the toe can still be really bad. I am going to the pain clinic for my sciatica in 5 weeks and will mention that as well.
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missrat
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I know exactly what you mean especially about in bed. I get awful cramp in my toes as if my feet were claws and turned down, yet they look fine. I also get burning sensations in my toe & finger tips. I have fibro too.
Magnesium supplementation made DRAMATIC improvements in cramping for me. Lots of info on-line
Hi MissRat :), I'm also on this site with Raynaud's - I wake up with pain in my feet, toes etc and tried all the goodies/medication the Pain Clinic prescribe - so know how you feel.
People seem to think that your pain equates to the size or seriousness or "glamour" of an accident, injury or condition. That's why no one ever believes that my arm pain can be the same as labour pain. But we all know that's not true. Ask anyone who's ever had a papercut!
I've found that keeping my feet warm (2 pairs of socks) underfloor heating and insulated boots goes a long way to reducing my toe pain to a dull ache. Sometimes my feet are numb and I can't feel if they are cold or not, so its now habit that thick socks are worn over thin socks, and then loose socks in bed.
I just love your name. I know how painful toes can be as I had gout when I was about 26 and found that it is one of the worst things to have. I think all these ideas are great but I know it was caused by trauma but ask your doc to make sure it is not gout as that is not nice but is treatable with medicine. Just reaching at straws here but I know how it can be.
I 'hurt' my 2nd toe last August just wearing a pair of shoes I hadn't worn for a while. Swelling, bruising pain. I saw the doc as I was pretty sure it must be broken but as I've been a very expensive patient over the years with relentless back pain I was fobbed off like a nuisance. I kept going back coz of the pain. Finally got X-ray. Toe was fractured. Recent surgical repair ( for better or worse!) and they found bones fragments in the joint which would explain the blessed pain and the increasing weird reshaping of the toe. Surgeon said it would only have got worse of which I have no doubt. You should get an X-ray to see what is going on in your foot. I even had an ultra sound of the soft tissue which apparently is important to check its integrity for the health of the toe. GPs can be very lazy and uncaring. So can others in society especially about small things like toes! So, I'm bed ridden for a week with bandaged, elevated foot to allow for post surgery healing and strangely my back feels relaxed and less painful. I have 'allowed' myself to chilax instead of pushing back against the pain. I hope my toe recovers as I like to walk but I would encourage you to persevere with getting your toe properly treated. Best wishes .
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Nerve pain in toes and feet
Weird pain in toe
so much pain and lack of sleep 
So much pain! Please help! 
