stepping on nothing

[CtResident]

About 3 times since last Saturday, I feel as if I've stepped on something, look down and nothing is there. It's kind of a comical misstep, can't explain it very well. Like a double step. All of this is with the left foot.

Any ideas....or nothing at all?

Thanks,
Suzanne

[hbananas]

Back to the stepping on nothing thing--for a few years I've often felt as though I had a wrinkle in my sock under one foot or the other when wearing tennies--pull off the shoe to straighten it out, and darned if it isn't completely smooth.  Guess I'll add that to the list.
H

[monotreme]

Hi Suzanne,
   Craig has actually had four normal EMG/ nerve conduction studies in the past year and all were normal.  EMG's are usually abnormal in a peripheral neuropathy.  CNS neuropathies do not show up as abnormal EMG, because the EMG/NCS tests nerve pathways that have left the spinal cord.  (Boy, I really hated neuro rotation in nursing school!!).

   I think the nerve inflammation that is from the brain/spinal cord just shows up as nerve pain, tingling, numbness etc.  Those same feelings are present in a peripheral neuropathy but get abnormal EMG results.  I am not sure how else you can diagnose nerve pain but will think about it.  I think with Craig it is just history and physical exam.

   "Living Well" by Montel just came out in January 2008.  I really did like it.  Also read "climbing higher" which is more about his emotions when diagnosed with MS.



Elaine

[CtResident]

I've taken you up on the idea of more Vitamin C (orange or orange juice each day) and will buy bananas tomorrow. I do need to eat healthier and this certainly is motivational.

I was at a thrift shop tonight and I often gravitate toward the books. Didn't find Montel's book but am going to some other stores on Saturday, will look some more.

About the nerve inflammation: how do you know you have it? As I've grumbled about, my MS-elimination tests didn't seem to flag anything other than sinus issues. I suppose these would be nerve conduction type studies.

You are a good wife to share insights here for us (and me!) while caring for your husband. I thank you for your time. :-)

Suzanne

[monotreme]

thanks for those definitions Suzanne.  Craig has pretty much constant nerve pain now compared to those "stepping on rocks" or "having a wad of tissue in his shoe" that he had  this time last year.  I think the initial problems which you are having now is related to the nerves being inflammed or perhaps damaged.  Unfortunately for Craig, things only got worse.

I have read Montel Williams new book "living Well" and he strongly recommends an organic food diet, and fresh fruit and vegetable juices.  I bought a vita mix this week to make some.   If I could go back in time, I would have taken Craig off of all processed foods last year.  So maybe you could read his book and look into some organic and natural food options.  I would think it would have to help slow down the disease.

Also, an endocrinologist at UCLA  that Craig went to for a second opinion on his Cushings syndrome believes you should keep a serum vitamin D level up to at least 50, where most labs have a max at 39.  He thinks that a high vit D level helps the neurological system among other things.  I do not know if I would go as high as 50, but at least make sure you have an adequate blood level of vitamin D and maybe keep it on the high end of normal.

Just my two cents and "wish I could go back in time" thought for the day.

Elaine



Elaine

[CtResident]

Okay, found these:

"Chronic Pain

Chronic neurogenic pain is the most common, and the most intractable of the pain syndromes in MS. Chronic pain syndromes make up 50 to 80% of all pain experienced in MS. Chronic pain syndromes include paresthesias and dysesthesias .  

Paresthesias include pins and needles, tingling, shivering, burning pains, feeling of pressure, and areas of skin with heightened sensitivity.

Dysesthesias include burning, aching or girdling around the body."

Doesn't seem to apply to stepping on non-tissues, but it does label some of my wacky symptoms.

Suzanne  

[CtResident]

Yes, I feel as if I've stepped on a balled up tissue (not hard, but a soft thing). It wasn't a feeling of being in the shoe though, just stepped on it on the rug. And nothing was there. Happened a few times now, a new symptom?

Last Saturday I was walking across the front of the Church to speak to my husband, and he was speaking to the Deacon. So I did this high-stepping pony business and got very embarrassed. Fortunately I don't think they noticed it. Such a performer huh? It's one thing to happen at home, but out in public is another!

I will look up the two words, thank you!

Suzanne

[monotreme]

Hi Suzanne,
   Do you mean you feel like you have stepped on a rock or stone and then you look and nothing is there??  A year ago, I would routinely find Craig feeling an area of carpeted floor and saying there must be a stone on the floor and there was nothing.  Then other days he would say he felt like there was a wadded up tissue in his shoe under his foot.  Is any of this familiar?????   The symptoms Craig had were from nerves, and I think are called paresthesias or dysesthesias (spelling?) and are nerve irritation.

   Good Luck tomorrow.
   Elaine