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numbness in big toes

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Unregistered, Aug 3, 2008.

  1. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest


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    I am a 27 year old female who has numbness in both of her big toes for at least six years. The numbness is on the outsides of both my big toes and lately there has been some tingling and I feel it may be getting worse. My past work history included the military which caused a lot of damage to my feet (i.e., fallen arches, tendinitis, heel spurs, stress fractures, frostnip, blisters...). So much damage has been done to my feet that I am no longer able to wear heels without pain. I went to a doctor about the time the numbness started and she sent me to a podiatrist who told me that I had a serious case of ingrown toenails. He cut the left side of my nail on my right big toe and the right side of my nail on my left big toe and told me to take something like vitamin B to keep the nail from growing back and a tylenol codeine 2 for the pain. I ended up having an allergic reaction to the medicine (to this day I have no idea which one did it because I took both medications at the same time like he prescribed) and had to stop taking it. The intensity of the numbness did subsided but came back to full strength 3 years later. I am not a diabetic and besides a few minor aches and pains, I am relatively healthy. I have been hesitant about seeing another podiatrist since he didn't really fix the problem. I have been doing some investigation of my own and could find nothing that can explain why my toes are like this. Can anyone please tell me what might be my problem and if I should return to see a podiatrist?
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2008
  2. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ***********************************************************
    Nothing that you have related about your feet is generally consistent with a cause of numbness. The cause of decreased sensory perception is often a difficult matter to diagnose. Most often, when such sensory deficits are, as you report, bilateral, one must look at either remote nerve pathology which might effect both sides of an extremity or biochemical and/or disease causes. This cannot be done without a direct hands-on physical examination which includes an exhaustive history and often nerve testing. I would recommending starting off with your general physician who could supply you with a general assessment of medical issues which could be connected with numbness, and a neurologist who could evaluate and test the areas of numbness, and perhaps supply you with the answers you desire. Do not have tunnel vision in your history revealations which limits the cause of your present complaint to your past foot experiences and problems.
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2008
  3. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    One additional thought . . You might take a look at your shoes to see if they are perhaps causing impingement of the same nerve on both feet causing a similar sensory deficit in each foot.
     
  4. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Thank you! My only reason for believing that my previous foot injuries caused my numbness was because it appeared around the time of those injuries.
     
  5. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi,
    I googled my problem and you're post came up as it is the same condition as I have. I am the same age as you also. Have you been to your GP? If so what did they say and have you got an answer? I'm getting increasingly worried about this now and want to know what it is. I'm worried that no one will take me seriously!
     
  6. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I've been having numbness on both sides of my big toes. I started noticing this about 6 months ago and it hasn't spread. I have no idea what is wrong! I'm 26, had a baby 15 months ago and passed my gestational diabetes test and had several blood tests throughout my pregnancy that didn't show any sign of diabetes. Every thing I research online always says it might be diabetes. I did throw out my back about 10 months ago, but all is fine now....I've also read that a pinched nerve in the back could cause the numbness.

    Did you ever find out what was wrong with your toes??
     
  7. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I'm 32 and have had the same issue. The numbness is mild but there. I first noticed it after my last pregnancy. Did any of you have pregnancies and have an epidural???? I'm wondering if it may be related to that. No medical reason for my theory...just a guess. Mostly because I have absolutely no other symptoms and am otherwise healthy.
     
  8. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hello,

    I too have this same condition, slight numbness on the outside of both big toes.

    I do not think it has anything to do with your pregnancy, as I am a male. Although there could be many causes as I have generally no idea what it is or causes it.

    Mine started after I had to work a 24 hour shift (standing). I assumed it was just from the boots but now about 4-6 months later the feeling has not returned. I have been keeping off my feet and going shoe-less as much as possible since this started and that has still not fixed it.

    Just curious if any of you have gone to the doctor for this and received a diagnosis? I have no medical insurance so prefer only to go when I must.
     
  9. wildta

    wildta Guest

    I have the same problem. It all started when I wore some new shoes for my wedding and danced all night. My feet hurt that night and still the next day. After one week, my feet feel fine except the outside of both my big toes are numb.

    I hope someone here can explain this and maybe offer some insight of what causes this problem.

    Btw, I am a 30yr old Male.
     
  10. Tristy

    Tristy Guest

    I am a 20 year old male with numbness in both of my big toes for over a week. I woke up and they were both numb. I haven't worn shoes since (I'm on vacation) and am planning to go to a doctor.

    As for cause, I assumed that it has to do with my shoes, as I haven't bought new ones in many years. The only reason to doubt that is that the numbness occured at the same time in both toes, and neither toe has changed in feeling. I also suffer from lightheadedness, and have a heart defect. (circulation?) As for my feet, I recently walked a long distance and got blisters, and was wearing bandages on my feet, the blisters healed before the numbness. My job (film production) also requires a lot of walking.
     
  11. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I googled and found this thread because I've had numbness on the outsides of both big toes since my pregnancy 7 years ago! I did have an epidural, and I've got no idea what the cause is, but it sort of drives me nuts. It's not like it hurts a lot, it's just weird and frustrating to have no sensation there.

    I asked my GP about it many years ago, and she sort of blew it off like it was no big deal, and I don't think it's anything to worry about (I mean, 7 years and no other health problems - I'm sure it can't be something horrible), but I would still like to know if there is something I can do to fix it.

    I wear pretty comfortable shoes (no heels), and am barefoot the minute I get home from work, so I don't think it's that.

    Just had to post because of the others linking it to pregnancy - maybe something got pinched then, and never went back!
     
  12. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I too have the same problem. My numbness is on my right big toe on the outside. I first noticed it after having my second child in which I had an epidural. I have had 3 children and had only the one epidural with my second. I have no pain, and I have had this for almost 4 years now. I am blaming my situation on the epidural because when it was inserted I felt a buzzing sensation almost like an electrical shock. I wouldn't have another with my 3rd child because I was afraid. Anyways, I am guessing that it's nothing serious because it has been almost 4 years and no other health issues.
     
  13. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Had same problem started left foot,was scared to have it addressed,as diabeatis runs in family found myself pulling off boot a few times a day at work to make sure toe was not loosing color.intime numbness spread and at times was painful,finally went to chiro...he had big plans on how we were gonna treat it,then decided to check GPractioner for Diabeatis test..he said nope we recently did one if you remember,said you have disc damage in lower back..obsured my back never hurt,he ordered MRI then sent me to spinal sugeron whom confirmed through MRI and CT scans that indeed it was disc damage both herditary and age as well as occupation and abuse on body at young age. which caused ruptured disc,excessive calcifaction,as well as nerve damage from being pinched so long....in last 3 months lookig at possible 3rd sugery several spinal injections and reccomendation of spinal fusion...To this day my back does not hurt never has other than incensions for sugeries ,which have since healed and back pain is gone however numbness has now spread to right foot, left foot now is about 30 % numb post operative but now have phantom pain from knee to big toe feels like it is sliced opened with a knife at times just the weight of a blanket is unbearable.he says it sometimes happens when nerve is pinched for long times like 10 -15 yrs..which i was shocked how accrate he was that was about the time my leg pain started he said he could tell especially from first sugery by looking at amount of calcifaction,but i was always able to cure it with ibuprofin and couple days couch potato rest....untill this last episode which did not start with leg pain but big toe numbness which was a new one for me eventually spread to other toes and then top of foot then up left side of left leg over 9 months which finally got me scared to go seek medical attention.Hard to believe as my back never hurt,howeve as dr's say imaging dont lie.......Funny though wife and i laugh as she will massage my foot where numb to try and circulate and ease numbness and massage leg where pain is ...but there is nothing wrong with leg or foot it is all in lower back yet were massaging other areas ,funny when we think about it....in my opinion ask if it is possible that this is back spine related I never in a million yrs thought mine ( back spine )was still not convinced mentally but am convinced from a scientific point of view as we have seen the proof......spent today on xanax awaiting MRI as I hate those damn things feels like your in a casket quoted by my doctor as an example ...thxs Doc.for the words of comfort now i need to be sedated prior to receiving mri's ,cat scans are a piece of cake now you can see out and hang out both ends but that dam MRI is no other way to describe it other than being in a casket weird loud noises and pinging and no control on your part..All this and my damn back feels fine can bend stoop however now limited from lifting for a while due to sugeries.makes no sense ...but it is true..and those steroid pellet injections in spine first one was hell second never felt was amazed when they said were done,never felt a thing till I becam violently ill that evening chills shakes,vomiting ,hot,cold.called ambulance on myslf first time ever...third one I had this week... but due to the fact I was forced to have it dry as in no pain killer due to the fact the last time it was determined it was lidocane which caused my illness...I was forced to have it dry injected in spine with no pain reliever felt like foot was hooked to power line and big toe was gonna explode The tough contractor ,dirtbike rider,father I am I screamed like a woman,im not gonna lie it was hell getting stabbed in the nerve right as it exits the spine just fractions away from spinal cord........Sorry needed to vent..but serously get it checked please ask if that is possible dont let it go as I did the longer a nerve is pinched higher chances it will never be 100%,now mine will never come back 100% and I have to take a seizure med as well to control phantom pain slice in leg,lol which only occured once pressure was released from the nerve.numbness is getting better as phantom pain is increasing.....this al started with numb big toe...so I thought toe is fine like the saying goes (it's all in your head )well in my case it's all in my back
     
  14. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Im a 21 yr old male and just got numbness in both my big toes a week ago when i woke up. i also have lightheadedness and they thought i may have had a heart defect but came back negative. any medical reason for the lightheadedness? jw
     
  15. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I am a 60 Year old male with similar problem for last 5 years. I went to podiatrist & he said it was nerve damage due to fact the main nerve ran on the outside of my toe rather than the normal place it should run. I wear thick socks & thick soft insole & this helps. It appears I will just have to deal with this as I get older. I also rub St. Johns Wort oil on my big toe at night. This also helps alot.
     
  16. Hilaru\y

    Hilaru\y Guest

    Hi. i am 18 and have some of the same symptoms. the right side of my right leg big toe has been numbing up the past 2-3 weeks. it tingles at times too. also the calf on the same leg has been cramping, swelling, tensing up over the past year. i also read about you asking a lady if she gets tunnel vision. i get migraines and have extremely bad tunnel vision. i only get the migraines once every 2 months it seems like, but i wasn't sure if it was related.
     
  17. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I am 48 years old and first experienced numbness on the outer parts of my big toes after having my second child at the age of 33 without an epidural. I had my back massaged and the numbness went away. There is now a recurrence of the numbness almost 3 years ago and have had a couple of back massages but there has been no change. Now the middle of the outer side of my right foot is going numb in one spot. I've seen my GP and he suggests that I see a neurologist.
     
  18. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hello Everyone,
    I'm a 35 yrs female. Two child, two epidurals. Six months post second baby I developed numbeness to right medial great toe localized to the distal portion (inside side of big toe at the end of the toe). Initially like the above reader I thought it was an ingrown toenail. I myself attempted to remove part of the nail, with no improvment in numbness. Numbness seemed to worsen or extend proximal/up towards the foot after vigorous physical activity. Occassional, I will have pain that I would describe and diabetic neuropathy, that always results is permanent worsening of the numbness in the big toe. I went to an Ortho. specialist that did calf MRI and nerve conductions studies, both negative. I have no history of back pain or diabetes. Massage does not affect symptoms. Any thoughts?
     
  19. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I am similar to all of you. I am a 28 year old female. two children. I had to get a spinal with an emergency c-section with my first and noticed the numbness on the outside of both big toes some months after. It's been about 5 years now. It isn't bothersome but I would like to know why. I asked my chiropractor about it a couple years ago and he wasn't concerned but also had no explanation.
     
  20. barbro

    barbro Guest

    Same symptoms, for as long as I can remember. I am 49 now, 2 kids, no epidurals. My 19-year old daughter just developed the same numbness...she just started working in a restaurant where she is on her feet 8-10 hours a day. Her feet were sore and tired, so we bought new shoes...I'm convinced it's from them. As for myself, I always thought it was from frostbites as a child playing outside until my feet got numb...never bothered to even look it up or question it since it didn't hurt. But now with my daughter, I looked it up and am finding so many people with the same problem...astonishing!
     
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