Laura A asks, “Do FM patients get burning feet syndrome?”
Burning or very sore feet is common in FM actually. This may be due to fibropain itself (usually worse in the morning, and improves with activity) or a neurological condition called peripheral neuropathy ( PN ). PN causes a chronic or persistent sensation in a stocking distribution on both feet. PN may be due to FM alone, but it may also be caused by diabetes, lupus, low B12 or folate levels, lues, alcoholism, and other conditions, so it should be evaluated by a physician. PN may improve with high doses of B12 and/or folate. Persons with FM also get transient or intermittent sensations in the hands and feet that may feel like coolness, burning, water dripping, aching, or even shooting pains. The cause of these dysesthesias is unknown, but apparently benign.
i was just diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. ive took b12 injections for years, but i dont know if my folate was checked. i am finally being referring to a rheumatologist. im hoping he will understand this pn. my hands do burn also but my feet especially at night burn almost more than i can bare. at times its hard to breathe. i just tried neurontin and it helped the pain but i got extremly hyper and irratable after the 3rd pill. should i try at maybe 100 mg? he gave 300 but after my cfs 18 years ago ive learned to halve whatever i get new.
Low folate can cause neuropathy as well, so that definitely should be checked. A rheumatologist is not likely to help with PN — you need to see a neurologist and have other causes of PN ruled out, such as diabetes, lupus, lues, alcoholism, metabolic, hereditary, and degenerative disorders. Neurontin is an excellent choice for treatment, but some individuals do have to start at very low doses (say 100mg) and build up slowly. Lyrica is even more potent than Neurontin in my estimation.