Foot Numbness?????

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Hi everyone.  I use to post on these boards LONG ago (like 10 years and under a different name!!!)  I pop back in now and again, but mostly when I'm worried because I know you will all understand.  Please help calm my worries!

About a week ago I started to have a numb heel.  Just my heel.  Then on Monday my whole foot started to tingle like it was asleep and then also some up my leg.  I went to urgent care right away.  No sign of anything like a blood clot etc.  They are treating as a foot injury (I had recently starting running a little with my daughter).  My fear, or course, is that it is somehow related to my cancer coming back in some way. My mind keeps going to the spine and wondering if there is something there.  No real back pain or anything - a twinge now and again.

Does anyone have ANY thoughts??? I'm supposed to go back in in two weeks if it's not better.  And I'm treating it during that time (Ibuprofin, ice, off it etc).

Thank you for anything feedback!!

Comments

  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited August 2014

    I hope its nothing, but would encourage you to see your primary doctor. Numbness like that can be caused from spinal issues in the lumbar area not related to cancer. Let us know how you make out.

  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited August 2014

    My first thought is a pinched nerve, but foot numbness and tingling can be neuropathy, which in some instances can be the symptom of a blood sugar problem (diabetic neuropathy).  Checking in with your PCP for some basic blood work sounds like a good idea to me, especially if the numbness doesn't go away on its own.  And waiting three weeks is a good rule of thumb before looking further for the cause of any odd pain or symptom -- just because most things do seem to resolve on their own within that time frame.  I also wouldn't hesitate to call your onc if the problem doesn't resolve and you don't get a reasonable explanation for it.  I've never heard of what you're describing as being connected to a recurrence, but you may want to rule it out at some point so that you can have total peace of mind going forward.   (((Hugs)))  Deanna

  • momsurvivor
    momsurvivor Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2014

    Thanks ladies.  I know it's not neuropothy because I didn't have the chemo that can cause it.  My husband did bring up the diabetic route for it tho.  After two weeks with "treatment" (icing, ibuprofun, rest etc) there really isn't much change, so I will be going into my family dr.  I plan on making sure my whole history with the cancer is clear.  I'd just like an answer.  I'm not in pain or anything.  It's just numb and then I'll feel pins/needs on my foot and leg at times as well.  I'll keep you all posted.  

  • Nettie1964
    Nettie1964 Member Posts: 759
    edited September 2014

    Hoping it's something that can be resolved easily!!  I will be waiting to hear!  Seeing your stats and time line sure gives me a little boost!  However, I just can't seem to get past the back pain!  But for now, it's only hurting with certain movements, a big improvement from weeks ago!!  Did you not have radiation?  And how did you not have taxol??  Your dx is so close to mine and they through the book at me!!

  • momsurvivor
    momsurvivor Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2014

    I did have radiation. but for some reasons it's not in the "stats" .  If I'm thinking correctly I was on the cusp of Taxol being introduced in 2003, so it was not standard or even near that.  There might have been trials going on.  

  • Nettie1964
    Nettie1964 Member Posts: 759
    edited September 2014
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2014

    I won't bore you with the details, ,but I have a lot of lower back problems, one of which is sciatic nerve problems. This nerve comes from one's lumbar area then outward and down the leg all the way to your toes.

    I was walk/jogging a 5K about 5-6 times per week when I decided to try "barefoot" type shoes, then made the mistake of adding "dropped heel" shoes.  I injured my heel such that I could walk only with a bad limp and a lot of pain.  Went to ortho who suspected stress fracture and put me in a boot and I was supposed to walk on crutches. I'm not very good at dealing with things like that because I had a very active life, so every time I started to feel better I took the boot off (you know, about 2 days, geesh).

    Turns out it never heeled over the past 2.5 years.  I now know it wasn't a stress fracture, and doc suspects nerve problem. But I got caught up in some other health issues, the treatment for which superseded the foot, and I have not returned for the nerve block to achieve a final diagnosis. But, because I've had so much other nerve pain, and had a nerve block once for my lumbar area that worked wonders, I am sure that my numb, cold, painful foot symptoms are related to my nerve, even now that I don't have much back pain.  It stinks, but I don't think there is much that can be done about it--and I don't have much insurance or money so I haven't gone back.

    Bottom line--mine is not in any way cancer related--so hopefully yours is not either. So, see your doc, and I wish you the best with your diagnosis, treatment, recovery.

  • momsurvivor
    momsurvivor Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2014

    Went to regular dr today.  He's ordered a lumbar MRI to see if anyhthing is going on in the lower back/spine that might be causing it.  It's scheduled for Thursday late afternoon, so hopefully that will give me some answers.  

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited September 2014

    momsurvivor, if you take any of the AI's (arimidex, aromasin or femara) foot pain and numbness are side effects of these drugs (or even if you used to take them perhaps?) and it has been also known to be a se of tamoxifen for a few people (although not as much) so if you took these drugs, they could possibly be one cause.  I am having this issue with my left heel and foot and I believe it is the Aromasin. Lack of estrogen can hurt your tendons as well as your joints and bones apparently. Who knew? Hope you find out what is going on! Hugs!!  https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/735510?page=2#post_4151144

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