Pain in Feet - Not sure why?

[tomwct]

Fellow Expats. I am 64 and about 6-7 months ago I started having some tingling then pain in my toes and feet. One doctor thought

it was like a gout syndrome, but my blood test and uric acid were normal. Another doctor said it was tinnitus and to lose 15 kilos.

I have lost 10 kilos, but same pain. In Isan we don't have specialists, so does anybody have similar problems. Some days are better

than others, but it gets worse, if I do allot of walking! Any ideas?

[tonray]

Possible peripheral neuropathy due to type II diabetes. Have you had a blood sugar and AC1 test ?

Edited February 19, 2016 by tonray

[seank]

On the off chance you get a lot of foot massages, this caused me pain. Didnt figure it out for months,after I stopped getting the foot massages, pain gone.

[chiang mai]

Tinnitus affects hearing, it's characterized by a ringing in the ears, nothing to do with the feet as far as I have ever read.

[Sheryl]

No, could not have been tinnitus - perhaps tendonitis?

The first thing to do, if it has not already been done, is exclude diabetes. Since you had uric acid levels done I would expect they also checking fasting glucose or hb1ac but should make sure.

Ill fitting shoes, if you wear ones that enclose the toes, are another possibility.

If neither of these then you need to see a neurologist and there are specialists in Issan. Likely not in your village or town, but certainly in Issan. Khon Kaen Univ Hospital is the best location and has an after hours clinic where you can see the professors by appointment. Try Prof. Suthipun Jitpimolmard.

[tomwct]

No, could not have been tinnitus - perhaps tendonitis?

The first thing to do, if it has not already been done, is exclude diabetes. Since you had uric acid levels done I would expect they also checking fasting glucose or hb1ac but should make sure.

Ill fitting shoes, if you wear ones that enclose the toes, are another possibility.

If neither of these then you need to see a neurologist and there are specialists in Issan. Likely not in your village or town, but certainly in Issan. Khon Kaen Univ Hospital is the best location and has an after hours clinic where you can see the professors by appointment. Try Prof. Suthipun Jitpimolmard.

You are correct Tendinitis. I believe my sugar levels were fine, but I will check again. I have been 30-40 pounds over weight but I am also 6' 3" and carry my weight fine. Absolutely no medical history until this minor pain getting worse. I have lost about 20+

pounds.

Thanks for your continued recommendations and I will check them all out!

[stoffel45]

Tom, suggest you have full tests for Diabetes.

[JHolmesJr]

I use to have my feet ache for no reason....went away after i stopped gluten.

[sunnyjim5]

" tingling then pain in my toes and feet."

Sounds like a peripheral neuropathy caused by either diabetes or alcohol consumption.

As a;ready suggest you need to consult a neurologist.

[rodknock]

might also want to see a vascular doctor to check blood circulation in your legs, Doppler ultra sound.

[DogNo1]

In the meantime, vitamin B-12 supplementation can help with peripheral neuropathy. Methylcobalamine is recommended

[bark]

Glad to see all the good advice from the TV members. No one took any cheap shots at him.

Once again it show that most of the TV members are good people. Medical problems can happen to anyone at anytime.

Great job, TV members.

And to the member with foot problems, good luck.

[bkk_mike]

What sort of pain is it?

If it's worse in the morning when you first get up, it could be Plantar Fasciitis (google it to see if it matches your symptoms).

You can get it If you walk in shoes with poor arch support - i.e. flip flops are linked to it in Oz - although it first happened to me when I did a lot of walking/sightseeing in Hong Kong in regular office shoes.

Being overweight doesn't help.

Only solution I know of is better shoes, and even then it takes a while to go away... - I use it as an excuse to wear trainers to the office personally... (black trainers with no markings so it's not obvious I'm wearing trainers).

Go for a decent make - I go with Asics for trainers, but Reebok/Nike/Adidas/Puma, etc. would almost certainly be OK also. Avoid brands not known for their shoes. I had a pair of Lonsdale trainers that I got in the UK - and I had to throw them out.

[Nickhick]

It could be from drinking Alcahol....it happens....

[Hairyharry]

I started to suffer from the same problem a couple of years ago. Mine is caused either by Diabetes (diagnosed over 10 years ago) or circulation problems (angina attack last year resulted in a heart condition being diagnosed). Both mentioned by other posters and you need to ensure you have those both checked out.

[rmacee]

A friend of mine had problems and it was because he walking around the house .. a lot ..in bare feet. Didnt see the logic but recently I also had this problem but now I always wear flip-flops inside the house pain gone away ..

Edited February 20, 2016 by rmacee

[Balance]

My bottoms of my feet have always been very sensitive. When I came to Thailand I did a lot of barefoot walking around the house and developed bunions across both feet just behind the toes. This began to cause a lot of pain. I found a young Thai orthopedist here in Chiang Mai that was doing podiatry. He told my I had very high arches and that my weight was being moved forward, causing the bunions and also putting pressure on the two large nerves. He made impressions of both feet and then had his guy make orthotics that provided more support. Bunions went away in 2-3 weeks and the pain has subsided.

You might find someone in BKK that can make orthotics mailorder. It is a very common practice in the U.S. now. Even better, go see a podiatrist, even if it means traveling. Do some internet research first then go. Your feet are worth it.

[Jedsada3]

Hello,

Could it be an ingrown nail? I know, it sounds stupid but my GF used to have one and couldn't localize the source of the pain.

Don't forget that a poor dental health can cause rheumatoid arthritis and chronic tendinitis.

Link : http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/plaque-on-teeth

Hope you get well soon,

JJA

[tomwct]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am located in Korat and I am a Lecturer at a university here. The uni gives me health

insurance through civil service program plus I'm covered under the social services program. My doctors are good, but are not

specialists. Mostly Family Physician Types. We have a new medical school in Korat at Surranaree University of Technology (SUT).

They started this program 3 years ago and last year opened SUT University Hospital. I will have my wife go with me next week fora Diabetes Blood Test and then request to see a Neurologist! My blood tests have always been normal and no medical problems

diagnosed. I am a moderate drinker, although I drink more beer than I used to because I am a wine drinker and wine is so

expensive here! Thanks all of you! I will advise my prognosis after my tests and evaluation!

[greenchair]

I had a lot of pain in the soles of my feet. To the point that some days I could not walk. I was eating a lot of potato chips.

After I stopped the pain stopped. I'm guessing it might be the salt. Cooking my own food instead of eating out everyday has made a huge difference to my health in every area.

And no massage full stop.

[Shiver]

I'm no doctor, but diabetes T2 was what instantly came to mind. What DogNo1 said about B12 I would concur with. Pay attention to the amounts though as some of them are like M&M's rather than having useful quantities.

Do you have any other peripheral issue such as hands?

Edited February 20, 2016 by Shiver

[Tinker2]

Some very good advice been given here. Guess it's a process of elimination for you. I would hazard a guess that its a combination of things, the advice from Family Man on wearing flip flops daily, they give no support and cause cramping in toes from the constant gripping. Try and use sneakers.

Good luck and hope your well soon

[realenglish1]

He dud Its called old age That sort of thing happens with age

[Mike45]

My bottoms of my feet have always been very sensitive. When I came to Thailand I did a lot of barefoot walking around the house and developed bunions across both feet just behind the toes. This began to cause a lot of pain. I found a young Thai orthopedist here in Chiang Mai that was doing podiatry. He told my I had very high arches and that my weight was being moved forward, causing the bunions and also putting pressure on the two large nerves. He made impressions of both feet and then had his guy make orthotics that provided more support. Bunions went away in 2-3 weeks and the pain has subsided.

You might find someone in BKK that can make orthotics mailorder. It is a very common practice in the U.S. now. Even better, go see a podiatrist, even if it means traveling. Do some internet research first then go. Your feet are worth it.

I have the same symptoms when I walk barefoot in the Thailand House. I'll go see a foot doctor about orthotic support.

[seancbk]

What sort of pain is it?

If it's worse in the morning when you first get up, it could be Plantar Fasciitis (google it to see if it matches your symptoms).

You can get it If you walk in shoes with poor arch support - i.e. flip flops are linked to it in Oz - although it first happened to me when I did a lot of walking/sightseeing in Hong Kong in regular office shoes.

Being overweight doesn't help.

Only solution I know of is better shoes, and even then it takes a while to go away... - I use it as an excuse to wear trainers to the office personally... (black trainers with no markings so it's not obvious I'm wearing trainers).

Go for a decent make - I go with Asics for trainers, but Reebok/Nike/Adidas/Puma, etc. would almost certainly be OK also. Avoid brands not known for their shoes. I had a pair of Lonsdale trainers that I got in the UK - and I had to throw them out.

I also wondered if it might be Plantar Fasciitis - Here is a wikipedia article about it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_fasciitis

[atyclb]

pressure from shoes can also compress the superficial nerves in feet leading to numbness/tingling. if walking makes it worse suggests claudication as in small blood vessel disease though degenerative joint disease can do it also

it can be many things but you want to exclude the bad ones.

[Suitcase]

What sort of pain is it?

If it's worse in the morning when you first get up, it could be Plantar Fasciitis (google it to see if it matches your symptoms).

You can get it If you walk in shoes with poor arch support - i.e. flip flops are linked to it in Oz - although it first happened to me when I did a lot of walking/sightseeing in Hong Kong in regular office shoes.

Being overweight doesn't help.

Only solution I know of is better shoes, and even then it takes a while to go away... - I use it as an excuse to wear trainers to the office personally... (black trainers with no markings so it's not obvious I'm wearing trainers).

Go for a decent make - I go with Asics for trainers, but Reebok/Nike/Adidas/Puma, etc. would almost certainly be OK also. Avoid brands not known for their shoes. I had a pair of Lonsdale trainers that I got in the UK - and I had to throw them out.

I also wondered if it might be Plantar Fasciitis - Here is a wikipedia article about it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_fasciitis

[Suitcase]

Use to walk around the house barefoot and then had pain in right foot.

Bought some of those plastic shoes with the holes in them.

Two days pain gone never to come back.

[lomm]

Can't realy answer you if the Doctors can't, but it's looks like Gout.

I n Gout the pain come in every 1-3 mounth, continual for a 2-4 days and you

feels it speciality at the joints of yours foots, sometimes your hands.

It's can be shortage Vitamin B12 too.

[emilymat]

I'm not suggesting the OP scrimps on shoe-ware.

However, the old saying that you should buy the best quality shoes you can afford, is very true. Continually walking around in flip flops like many people do, is inviting disaster at a later date.

I wish him luck in his quest for a cure, which of course is probably medical.