| Author |
Topic: Morton's Neuroma ARGH! |
ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
 posted Oct-05-2007 05:20 AM
   
My pain on the alcohol shots was tremendous. He would move the needle until he hit the exact spot. On my 6th shot I felt my entire toe go numb. He also had to hold the needle in a bit because of all the scar tissue. It hurts just to think about it.Marcy-Funny on the fact that we post everywhere!! I never thought that the shots were working. I was going to give up and ask for surgery until he xrayed me to find out why I was still in so much pain after 6 shots. I would wait for at least 5 shots before you give up, then ask him to xray to see if it is looking better. BTW, my foot still feels good! I am making myself walk normal. Today is jeans day at work, so I am wearing athletic shoes. I am hoping I can wear them all day without pain. Oh, and just to let you know, up until June of 06, I was running up to 40 miles per week. I had to stop running completely and switch to cycling because of PF. My PF got better, but I developed the neuroma. Needless to say I really want to run again, even if it is just a few miles per week. Would you believe the pod asked me the other day if I had been running to make my joint inflammed? I don't think he believes me that I hadn't.
------------------
My Profile [This message has been edited by ShelleyM (edited Oct-05-2007).]
IP: Logged |
Barbie
Member |
posted Oct-05-2007 02:52 PM
I just walked in the door from my third alcohol injections into both the left and right feet. The shots hurt a bit but it isn't anything that one couldn't stand. There is some numbing after the shots but I haven't had much discomfort at all. I am hoping by the third shots that I will start seeing improvement.
I will keep you posted.
By the way, my podiatrist was telling me that since he uses the alcohol injections so frequently on people, doing neuroma surgeries is few and far between. He truly swears by the shots!!!!
IP: Logged |
chicahuss
Member |
posted Oct-05-2007 11:34 PM
Shelley, It doesn't surprise me that you got your MN from biking. I got mine initially from running, but then switched to biking thinking that would help it. I really think that made it bigger and worse. Once I get this taken care of, I'm going to be very cautious on both the bike and the trails.
Also, I sure hope you are still doing well. Keep us posted.
Question for everyone who has received the shots:
Did you still have the click or pop in your nerve (I think it is called the Mulder's sign) even after you received the alcohol injections and got some relief?
IP: Logged |
foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-06-2007 07:31 AM
I had the alcohol shots in my left foot about 1.5 years ago. The shots definitely helped reduce the amount of clicking I had in my foot but it was not completely eliminated. The neuroma is now smaller but it still acts up in certain footwear and sometimes when running. The clicking is usually worse in softer cushy shoes.------------------
IP: Logged |
Baby Blue
Member |
posted Oct-06-2007 09:45 AM
Sorry that I haven't been here in over a week. Trying hard to get everything done before the surgery, including work and Christmas shopping, etc. hahaChic, I'll make to give you a play-by-play just as soon as I can get to my pc! Oct 23 is the date. Shelly, I'm really happy for you that the nerve is dead. Yoo hoo... hope things keep going in the right direction. As far as someone asking whether or not the shots hurt.... oh yeah....The cortisone shots were the worst. My dr said that there is twice as much liquid (volume) in the cortisone than the alcohol, so he was squeezing twice as much volume into a tiny space, which is why they hurt more and took longer to recover from. The cortisone was awesome, though, cuz I actually had a couple of pain free days in there. The alcohol shots hurt just a little less each time, which he told me was the way it was supposed to be. But the difference just wasn't that much for me, and the nerve only numbed a little (instead of dying). He did tell me that if it didn't hurt, we weren't getting the right spot. For each shot, he'd put the needle in and move it around until he got just the right spot. I had to let him know when the pain shot down to the bottom of my foot. Even with the least painful shots, I still was white-knuckling it and almost fainted a couple of times. And I've been told by several doctors that I have a high threshold of pain! But he also said that my MN's were very advanced before I ever had any symptoms, so that might make a difference. Thanks everyone for the surgery and recovery info. I really appreciate it. And my cast guard for showering came in the mail yesterday. 
IP: Logged |
ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-07-2007 05:57 AM
Baby-I can't wait to hear how your surgery turns out.My swelling has gone down so much that my toe is looking normal. I am afraid this won't last. I haven't biked or done anything, other than go shopping. I did go to look at shoes that I will have to purchase in the future. I have to expect to spend at least $130.00 for each pair of shoes. I'm looking at Helle's. They seem to be dressy looking enough and not as ugly as most of the Mephisto's and other comfort type shoes. I guess I should get rid of all my shoes, so as not to be tempted to wear them. Maybe I'll sell the lot on ebay.
IP: Logged |
GranolaGal
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-07-2007 08:58 PM
I want to share my experience with the alcohol shots for MN. The pod. sprayed something cold on my foot while giving me the shot. I didn't even feel the needle going in, but the liquid going in (I assume liquid going in is what causes it) causes cramps in my toes. The cramps feel like when I'm on my period, but they're in my toes instead of my abdomen. Another analogy (since guys might want to relate but don't have periods) is when I was vaccinated for tetanus last year. The needle going in was just a very minor sting, but when the liquid was being injected into my arm, I felt the same cramps, but in my arm instead of my toes or abdomen. That's what the first two alcohol shots for MN felt like, but the last one I had (third one), I didn't feel the cramps that time, it just felt as though my toes were getting full (like in my stomach when I eat or have gas but faster). Later in the day was when my foot got sore and the third shot was the worst (but not unbearable, just sore), but I'm also favoring the other foot since that foot has a torn tendon, so I think I'm being a little harder on the MN(shot) foot. By the way, when I tell the dr. I can fill it in my toes, he makes the comment that he's hitting the right spot. Put in a nutshell, no the shot doesn't really hurt me, it just cramps/fills up my toes while I'm getting the shot - then, is sore later in day but only that day. After that, it's fine and my MN is definitely getting better now. In case anyone is "listening" out there who hasn't had this done, my pod. told me that my MN WAS going to get worse had I not done something about it. He said that the alternative is surgery. Seeing as how surgery causes scar tissue, I opted to go ahead with shots. However, you should do what gives you peace of mind and hopefully, you'll talk to your pod.
[This message has been edited by GranolaGal (edited Oct-07-2007).]
IP: Logged |
Tenshin360
Member |
posted Oct-08-2007 02:00 PM
Hi all, thanks for everyones helpful advise so far.I am actually recovering after having neuroma surgery on Oct 4th. I knew nothing about neuromas or the various treatment options until after i had the surgery as i thought i was going in for the removal of a ganglion cyst. The MRI report came back calling the mass a cyst and I think the Dr. over looked the possiblity of it being a neuroma as it was between the first and second toes. Pervious to having the surgery I tried anti-inflammatory and a cortisone injection. Both had absolutely no effect on the pain. The original injury that caused the neuroma happened Oct 1st, 2005 and i have suffered with the pain every day since. For those considering the surgical route, i will from time to time post how my personal experience of the recovery process is going. I had a good level of pain the first day after surgery (after the local anesthetic wore off), which surprisingly dropped of significantly by the second day. So much so that i switched to over-the-counter Ibuprofen instead of the Percocet that was prescribed for pain. I have kept it elevated and iced as much as possible which i why i think the swelling is minimal. At the hospital they gave me a "cryocuff" to assist in icing my foot, which i have used and subsequently highly recommend. See attachment below: http://www.buyaircast.com/cryo-cuff-foot.htm Yesterday i have been able to put partial pressure on the foot with the assistance of a cane. I will keep you posted. For anyone who has had surgery: Do you have any advise to help the recovery process along, and is there anything that i can do which would deter a stump neuroma from forming? thanks for your help best Craig
IP: Logged |
GranolaGal
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-09-2007 08:08 PM
I went to pod. today to receive my fourth shot of alcohol. He said that the pop as he calls it is still significant. I told him that the shots seem to have helped a lot but that I can still feel something sometimes. The shot he gave me today hurt worse than the others - I suspect he gave me a higher dosage? I don't know. However, this time afterwards, my toes and bottom part of my foot became numb - like when I get a local anesthetic at the dentist for cavities. When I first put on my shoe after the shot, it felt as though part of my shoe sole was cut out and there was just a big open hole there - odd! So, now I'm wondering if he gave me some sort of anesthetic. He never has before. I'll probably call tomorrow to make sure he gave me the alcohol and not something else in error since, usually it's sore instead of being numb for the rest of the day after the alcohol shot.
IP: Logged |
ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 05:39 AM
Granola-The numbness means it's starting to work! Keep us posted.My foot still feels great! Yesterday I got one small shock of burning pain, but it was just for an instant.
IP: Logged |
foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 07:00 AM
Regarding surgery - I found that rest, icing, and elevation go a long way toward a successful recovery. Don't push yourself too quickly. I had numbness on the bottom of my foot a couple of times after the alcohol shots. It always subsided within 12 hours or so. I didn't have any permanent numbness from the alcohol shots but I have heard it's a possibility. Glad to hear your foot is feeling better Shelley! ------------------
IP: Logged |
GranolaGal
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-10-2007 08:47 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ShelleyM:
Granola-The numbness means it's starting to work! Keep us posted.My foot still feels great! Yesterday I got one small shock of burning pain, but it was just for an instant.
Thanks Shelley! Glad your foot is better too.  I still feel the pop whenever I walk at times, but I haven't felt the pain nearly as much. I hope it continues to improve. This site and all of your posts have really helped me to not feel so alone. Thanks to all! [This message has been edited by GranolaGal (edited Oct-11-2007).]
IP: Logged |
chicahuss
Member |
posted Oct-12-2007 03:47 PM
Hello everyone,I just got my 4th injection yesterday in my right foot. At the same time I got my first cortisone injection in my left foot (My MN there started about 5 weeks ago). So last night my metatarsal area and my 3rd and 4th toe on my right foot were completely numb, which I thought might be a good sign. But then today my right foot hurts more than it ever has. I can barely walk, mostly just hobbling. Have any of you had major increased pain after your alcohol injection? How long did it take to subside? Is all this extra pain a good sign or a bad sign? I'm getting soooo frustrated. One step forward, three steps backward is how it seems to be with these neuromas.
IP: Logged |
bboywannabe
Member |
posted Oct-12-2007 04:18 PM
I remember reading somewhere that pain during alcohol injections is a good thing
IP: Logged |
foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-12-2007 08:29 PM
chicahuss - I think that everyone's experience with the alcohol shots is unique. I had shots in one foot that alleviated the pain almost 100% although the periodic clicking remains. The pain was increasingly relieved with each treatment in that foot. In the other foot, overall, the alcohol shots made the pain worse and I finally ended up having surgery on that foot. I remember that the pain was increased at times during the course of the alcohol shots. After the 7th shot, I had about two weeks with little pain and then the pain resurfaced worse than it had ever been. I dealt with that pain for another 8 or 9 months and then I finally decided it was time for surgery. My doc recommended stopping the shots if there was no relief or signs of relief after the first 3 or 4 shots. I pushed through to 7 shots since I had had such good luck with the shots in my other foot. The alcohol shots are great if they work but can also cause a lot of pain when they don't. Following cortisone and alcohol shots in one foot and surgery, alcohol shots, and cortisone in the other, I no longer have stabbing pain in my foot when I get up in the morning or when I stand up after having been sitting for an hour or two. It's a nice feeling.
------------------
IP: Logged |
Baby Blue
Member |
posted Oct-12-2007 11:08 PM
I had numbness after all shots which lasted for a couple of days to over a week (when I had bad shot reactions). My dr said that it was a reaction to the shot itself, and not anything that was helping or hurting the MN.I was told that I will have significant numbness after the surgery. Foxy, I'm glad to hear that the pain is gone. I'm really looking forward to that day!
IP: Logged |
ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-13-2007 07:21 AM
My foot is still doing great, even after a bike ride the other day. I'm going on a longer one today and am hoping I won't have any pain afterwards. My foot has had worse after the injections, but since he added the cortisone to my joint, there has been complete relief. I am still hoping to get back into running, but I intend to wait at least 3 or 4 months.
IP: Logged |
foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-13-2007 08:56 AM
Baby Blue - Good luck with your surgery! I wouldn't worry too much about the numbness from the neuroma surgery. For me, I noticed the numbness more in the first couple of months post-surgery when my foot still had some swelling present and my toes were fat. Now that the swelling has gone down almost entirely, the numbness is not noticeable unless I really think about it and even then, it's not an issue. In fact, I believe that some of the feeling (not pain, just sensation) that was gone near the incision immediately following the surgery has come back. ------------------
IP: Logged |
katnipct
Member |
posted Oct-15-2007 08:09 PM
I've had 3 alcohol injections so far. My pod also puts on a numbing liquid before the injection. It burns some, but not too bad. Afterwards it feels numb for about 12 hours and will feel sore for nearly a week, kind of like there's a golf ball under my foot. I have been wearing my "crocs" the past few days with no problems. It's the first time I've worn anything but flip flops or sandals since June, so far, so good.... two more injections to go! While my pod says surgery if this doesn't work, I think I would try acupuncture. Anyone have success with it?
IP: Logged |
foxyw
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-16-2007 11:57 AM
I know someone who had good luck with accupuncture. I do believe that she caught the problem early on and had accupuncture before any other treatments. I had physical therapy on one of my feet following the cortisone shots and prior to the alcohol shots. The physical therapy didn't really help.------------------
IP: Logged |
Barbie
Member |
posted Oct-16-2007 04:03 PM
Acupuncture didn't work at all for me.
Got my 4th set of alcohol shots today. Hope to see some improvement.
IP: Logged |
RudeRod
Member |
posted Oct-17-2007 03:14 PM
Just finished reading the entire string on neuromas. I found the information extremely useful. I was diagnosed with a neuroma in my left foot second innerspace in July after suffering the burning pain since a long Rim to Rim to Rim hike in the Grand Canyon in May. There was only moderate discomfort while running, usually only after runs longer than 10 miles. I also cycle and the pain would be very uncomfortable after 50 miles. In early July, the popping sensation started and the pain became unbearable while running any distance and I haven't ran since. Cycling still is quite painful at times, but is tolerable.My Pod administered three cortisone shots a week apart, and I found no releif. I've since been through 8 weekly alcohol injections with absolutely no change in the level of pain. I have now agreed to try the surgery as he insisted all of his surgerys to date have been successful. I am doing a cycling century this weekend and will go in for surgery next week. He says I should be walking in a few days and back to running in 3 to 4 weeks. ------------------
IP: Logged |
GranolaGal
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-17-2007 06:49 PM
I went to the pod. today for my fifth injection. He said he can still feel the characteristic MN pop when he squeezes. He had heard that I called about my foot feeling numb after the last injection - he said that's a good sign and lets him know that he's getting the right spot and it's working. This time, like before, I still felt the cramping and filling up sensation in my toes during the injection. My foot didn't go numb this time afterwards like it did the last time, however. So, I don't know if it should have gone numb this time or not. I might call and ask. I'm probably starting to sound like the princess and the pea to the pod. (no pun intended). On a different note, I was finally given the go-ahead to remove my boot from my right foot for the torn arch tendon.Off of the Morton's Neuroma subject for a second:
Hi RudeRod and Shelley. Is there a forum for cycling on the internet where you can direct me? -just a thought at this point, but I'm thinking of getting involved in mountain biking. -any thoughts? Thanks. [This message has been edited by GranolaGal (edited Oct-17-2007).] [This message has been edited by GranolaGal (edited Oct-17-2007).]
IP: Logged |
ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-18-2007 05:11 AM
Granola-Try www.bikejournal.com. Lots of cyclers over there.Rudered-Let us know how the surgery goes. I can't imagine being able to walk within 1 week.
[This message has been edited by ShelleyM (edited Oct-18-2007).]
IP: Logged |
RudeRod
Member |
posted Oct-18-2007 07:21 AM
Hello GranolaGal and Shelly,Yes, I recommend www.bicycling.com for info and forums on cycling. I ride both road and mountain bikes. Road bikes year round and mountain bikes all year except summer as where I live it gets up in the 120's duing the day and only cools down to the mid 90's at night during portions of the summer. I road cycle and run at 3am during the summer. I enjoy both forms of cycling for different reasons, I ride with groups on both bikes, I love the technical difficulty of mountain biking being an ex-offroad motorcycle racer, and love the strategy of fast group (race type) cycling on the road bikes. I always run alone as no one else I know runs and if they do, they don't run nearly as far or as fast as I do, so I find the group cycling is very fun, and I can imagine running with a partner(s) would be similar. If you have good mountain biking trails in your area, I'd recommend that to get started. Mountain bikes are far more comfortable than road bikes for beginners, and can also be ridden on and offroad whereas, road bikes are road specific. And I'll let everyone know how my surgery goes next week. [This message has been edited by RudeRod (edited Oct-18-2007).]
IP: Logged |
