I have been losing muscle strength for years now. I am 70 years old and live alone so I have to manage myself. Over the years I was diagnosed with CRPS but MRI's show I have damaged tendons and muscles in my shoulders and knees when before I was told it was Fibromyalgia. Now my rheumetologist agrees that I have a serious neuropathic condition and has given me prednisone & dicolofenac to take for the pain and weakness. Over the years the only thing that has really seemed to help (and I have had Epidurals, Ketamine and am scheduled for pudendal nerve shots) is constant swimming. I once lost my left leg for 3 months and got it back by constant swimming. But I have to drive to the pool and pay fees and lately it's been harder and harder. The newest scary thing is that my feet and hands have lost their strength and the pain that runs from my feet up my ankles is excruciating. I am afraid to drive as I don't have strength in my foot to hit the brake if I have to stop suddenly. The foot pain is so bad I cannot sleep or even sit comfortably at all. Does anyone out there have advice on how to help the foot pain?
Hi, Maureen, I'm really sorry we missed this post last year. I can see you have been having pain issues for some time. Keep posting, as I think our members will have good advice about things that may help. Even practical issues like getting transportation help can make a difference.
I have Access-A-Ride - it can be up to an hour late and they sometimes leave you behind. I am in so much pain the ride in the vans leaves me in agony for days. Transportation is an issue on Staten Island and when you are living on SSI. Even with Access-a-ride for which I had to fight for months because I had my other knee replaced and they assumed I was cured. The fact that the doctors never diagnosed me with any real reason for my increasing pain made me have to fight for documentation. My pain management doctors, my primary doctor and my rheumetologist signed notes saying because of my increasing "neuropathy" I could not walk safely to travel on regular transit. This was done from their observation of the tremors, pain and numbness in my extremities but now a neuropathist has said I DO NOT HAVE NEUROPATHY. So I'm back to dealing with agonizing pain and increasing weakness and pain in my ankles and feet. My legs are cold to the touch from the ankles to my knees and these days I have resorted to using electric heating pads to stop the horrible burning pain and cramping that comes on days when this gets worse. I have been dismissed as a neurotic and have no answers. The doctor who saw me is well respected (but very young) in a major NYC hospital. I see no answers. I doubt my primary will override a specialist's dictum which means I will not be prescribed anything for pain or cramping that works. It's endless and I see no hope.
Maureen, let me ask the rest of the mods for suggestions, and I'll get back to you.