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What Does Tingling In The Bottom Of Feet Indicate?

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Posted on Fri, 23 Jan 2015
Question: Among other issues after a MVA and a colorectal surgery gone south, I have tingling on the bottom of my feet. I told my Provider who basically said there's nothing that could validate this. He made a hasty decision based on lack of knowledge and I'm not imagining the tingling/needles on bottom of feet. Do you have any suggestions as to what could cause this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Could be peripheral neuropathy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your current symptoms and past medical history.

The symptoms of tingling of feet are suggestive of a condition called as peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves in the skin get affected.

The usual causes include diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, etc.

An evaluation by a neurologist should be followed up with nerve conduction studies to confirm the diagnosis.

Medications such as pregabalin or gabapentin capsules would help relieve your symptoms.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (7 minutes later)
Quick reply. Why would a doctor pretty much say it's an impossibility.
I had EMG test which showed abnormalities in L4, L5, S1 but a surgery gone bad has put focus on my sacrum pain (mesh attached to sacrum - did not have end to end connection of colon; dr cut hole in side of rectum and connected this way; prolapse returned, but, this is not your area.
I'm confused why my Provider made light of the tingling as if it is an impossibility.
Thank you so much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Difficult to understand the doctor's reasoning.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

It is difficult to understand why the doctor took it lightly and did not give importance to your symptoms.

I can understand the discomfort on account of unsuccessful surgeries.

As a doctor, I feel, listening to patients help us in providing answers to their symptoms and help them get better.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (24 minutes later)
You come from a different school of thought; the one I grew up with. Big changes in medical care and, once I was diagnosed with Chronic Pain after MVA, two surgeries with new major issues were treated as such - Chronic Pain - with opiates. Finally, I got smart; had safe withdrawal from them, but pain from the surgeries has me to point of homebound - EMG showed abnormal nerve endings in L4, L5, S1 (prior to surgery) but nobody tried to go beyond that. As I said, the surgery complication became a much bigger issue (for me) but, still, opiates because of Chronic Pain. On a good note, I met a doctor who looked me in the eyes, listened, and ordered a SPECT, which I had last week. I have little doubt what part of the problem is and hopefully this will show in the scan. The fix, however, after being ignored for so long and mesh embedded for two years, is frightening. Indicative of ignoring new symptoms was the doctor who pretty much made a spectacle of me in front of my husband when I told him I have needles/pins/tingling in feet. Abnormal nerve endings - could this be the cause of my feet suddenly having the symptoms?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I agree with you.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

I agree with your thoughts.

Yes, it is the abnormality in the nerves in the feet, which are causing your symptoms.

SPECT would help.

If needed, a nerve conduction studies should be repeated, focusing on the sural, peroneal and tibial nerve conduction studies.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Sudhir Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :1994

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What Does Tingling In The Bottom Of Feet Indicate?

Brief Answer: Could be peripheral neuropathy. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for posting your query. I have noted your current symptoms and past medical history. The symptoms of tingling of feet are suggestive of a condition called as peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves in the skin get affected. The usual causes include diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, etc. An evaluation by a neurologist should be followed up with nerve conduction studies to confirm the diagnosis. Medications such as pregabalin or gabapentin capsules would help relieve your symptoms. I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information. Wishing you good health, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in