May 26, 2012
Topics A-Z Pain Extreme burning of the Feet
Extreme burning of the Feet |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: My husband has been experiencing extreme burning of the feet for the past six weeks. It comes and goes and the severity differs. At times, his hands will burn and sometimes he'll get flashes of burning up his legs, arms, face, and neck. MRI of brain was negative. Xray of spine was negative. Blood work shows originally wnl except platelets and monocytes low, 2 wks later cbc showed low platelets, low monocytes, low neutrifils, elevated lymphocytes, 1 wk later cbc low platelets, low monocytes, low neutrifils, normal lymphocytes, 1 wk later platelets lower, monocytes lower, nuetrifils low end of normal. ANA negative, antibody tests negative. Along with this, he is experiencing flu-like symptoms, aches and pains, every bone and muscle hurts, dizzy, extremely tired. The burning of the feet is like someone is squeezing them and it hurts to bear weight. Doctors seem to be baffled. They say they think it is a virus. But nothing is being done. Have you ever heard of anything like this? He was on Lisinopril for about 3 years and has stopped taking it about 3 weeks ago. Could these symptoms be from that? If so, are they permanent? Over this past weekend he thought he was getting better, burning wasn't as bad, flu symptoms weren't as bad but yesterday it all came back full force. Dear Joe: It is very difficult for me to explain the symptoms that your husband is going through. You have mentioned that your husband was on Lisinopril (ACE Inhibitor). One of the rare side effects of the drug is bone marrow suppression and neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. This may explain the low platelet, monocyte and neutrophils levels. It is most probably that this decreased immunity would have led to a viral infection causing the peripheral neuropathy. However you husband's doctor may also investigate for other causes of peripheral neuropathy like chronic kidney disease, low vitamin B12 levels and hypothyroidism. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 06 December 2011 ) |
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