Neuropathy, redness and swelling

[LTSurviver]

Does anyone with neuropathy ever have their feet become red, slightly swollen and hot to the touch?  I have always had ice cube feet and hands.  But since starting Truvada/Viramune my feet have become progrsssively painfull, alternating between numbness (especially on top of the feet) and tingles and now they get very red and hot to the touch.  They are worse if I wear shoes and walk around.

[LTSurviver]

Anyone?

[LTSurviver]

Some input about neuropathy experiences would be really helpful.

Also, my shins have become a little numb.  Noy completely, but just noticable.

[aztecan]

Hey LTS,

What you are describing are classic symptoms of neuropathy, which I am sure you had already guessed.

The meds could be the cause of this, but it could be other problems as well.

Probably the best thing to do is talk to your doc about this. There are just too many variables.

But, my neuropathy also is worse when my feet are hot or if I am wearing tight shoes.

HUGS,

Mark

[LTSurviver]

Hey Mark,

Thanks for the reply.  I was beginning to wonder if I was persona non grata here.

Okay, so it isn't necessarily early signs of Charcot's foot, but regular neuropathy?  Good, the redness and slight swelling scared me because when I added that to the symptoms, Charcot's foot came up.  (An extreme form of neuropathy).

It has to be the meds, this all started within a month of starting meds for the first time.

I'll talk to my doctor about it.  Which meds are more, or less likely to cause neuropathy? I take Viramune and Truvada.  I think one of the meds in the Truvada I'm taking has the highest possibility of being the culprit, right?

[aztecan]

I had to go back and look because I've never taken any of the meds you are taking.

None of them mention neuropathy as a side effect, per se. Since Truvada is a combo of two nukes, I suppose it could be the culprit.

The fact it came on so fast is troubling to me. It took some time, years in fact, for me to develop neuropahy. While I have heard others say theirs came on more quickly, I haven't seen it very often.

Anyway, everyone is different, so I have learned to never say never.

The redness is different, too. It could be neuropathy related, or something else. The last time I had redness or anything like that it was athlete's foot. It sounds like nothing, but it was hard as the devil for me to get rid of.

Like I said, this is definitely something to talk to your doctor about.

In the meantime, try wearing more comfortable shoes or using those gel inserts. They seem to help in some cases. Oh, and try to keep your feet as cool as possible. That always helped me.

HUGS,

Mark

[AndyArrow]

Hi LTS,

I've never had the hotness ... I'm Mr Ice Cold Feet myself. 

Since, you've been infected for a long time the neuropathy could also be related to just the disease itself.  It's not always the hiv meds.   

Sounds like it's definitely time to check with your doc.

Good luck,
AA

[J.R.E.]

Does anyone with neuropathy ever have their feet become red, slightly swollen and hot to the touch? 

Hi


Like Andy, I've never experienced any swelling, redness, or hot to the touch, when it came to the PN. My feet always looked normal, even when the neuropathy was at it's worse. I have the frost bite sensation in my feet, although they feel the normal temp.  That frostbite sensation never went away. The feet are still numb, and tingling ( like their asleep),  but not painful as it was back in 2004. In 2004, it felt as though I was soaking my feet in Ice water. And it was painful. Even taking a shower was painful, when the water would hit the feet.


The first indication to me that something wasn't right, was when I started stumbling, when I was walking. My feet were just not hitting the ground right. Then one night as I was watching TV, it felt as though my feet went asleep. ( like when you cross your legs).  This all started after medication was started. I also had a very low t-cell count back then.


And it has been like that ever since.  I think I mentioned this before, there are some days, when it can be a little more painful. Most days are relatively OK though. Even wearing socks, felt as though I had Thick rubber bands wrapped around my ankles.

 The same numbness/tingling that was in my feet , was also on my arms, mostly between the wrist and the elbows of both arms. But it could also extend to the finger tips. This has pretty much gone away, but is still there ever so slightly.

Ask your pharmacist about products containing Capsaicin. It can be purchased over the counter without prescription. I know Walgreen's has it.  It may give you some relief. Ask your doctor about it also. I still think you need to bring this issue up with your doctor for some more answers.

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/capsaicin_cream.htm


Take care----Ray

[LTSurviver]

I think you guys are right.  Now it is happening to only one foot, and the redness, warmth and puffiness just don't fit with PN.

Might be mild bouts of gout or something like it.

I will press the doctor tomorrow.  This could mean my kidneys are having trouble with the meds or something else.  The warmth, puffiness and redness means something is damaging the tissues.  If it's uric acid crystals, it's gout.  The funny thing is, it can come and go in a day or two, and has happened to both feet at the same time AND to each foot independently too over the last couple months.

Kidney failure would really suck.  I won't be sleeping well tonight.

[aztecan]

Please keep us posted on what the doc says.

I hope it is nothing serious.

HUGS,

Mark

[LTSurviver]

Well, now my doc wants to send me to a Rheumatologist.

So is my newly restored immune system attacking my body???

[J.R.E.]

Hello,


Did you have a discussion with your doctor on "Immune Reconstitution Syndrome?" Just curious..



http://aids.about.com/od/otherconditions/a/immunerecon.htm


Hang in there---Ray

[LTSurviver]

Hi Ray,

I did, and I think that's why he's sending me there.

But he also noted that my cd4 count never dropped below 125 and for years was 160-180.  I was able to have a reasonable immune response to infections and injuries.

Hopefully this isn't some kind of autoimmune thing or a reaction to the drugs.  Whatever it is, it's new and started just weeks after starting the drugs.

A bad thing is, I see the doc in the morning and this flares up the worst in the afternoon and evening.  I think he thinks I'm crazy.

[aztecan]

A bad thing is, I see the doc in the morning and this flares up the worst in the afternoon and evening.  I think he thinks I'm crazy.

Why is it that things always go wrong when you can't see the doctor, then seem to clear up by the time you can get in to see him?

That happens to me a lot.

I hope its not an autoimmune response either, but am glad your doctor took you seriously and is sending you to a specialist to find out.

HUGS,

Mark

[LTSurviver]

LOL!!!  It was the same with my car.  Occasionally it would have a rough idle and the check engine light would come on.  The mechanic was never able to replicate it and the chip never recorded an error code.

Ahhh life...