Horrible Pain

[nohorn]

Three-o-clock in the morning, I was awakened by excruiating pain shooting
across my middle toes, left foot. Absolutely no other symptoms, it lasts about 30 seconds., then everything is fine until the next attack. This has been going on all day today, nothing seems to help, ice, heat, I have been taking ibuprophen, doesn't help. What could this be? Should I see a foot doctor, GP the pain seems to be in the bones.

[jno]

might be gout, though that's more usually a steady throbbing. Might be cramp, though that doesn't usually happen in short burst like this either. There are treatments for both. This sounds like one for the doctor, but if he isn't sure (I remember doctors being completely clueless when I had foot pains years ago), ask for a referral to a specialist.

[nohorn]

Thanks Juno, the pain is nearly unbearable. I am only on one medication: synthroid. It is like being hit with 10,0000 electrical volts.

[jno]

there may well be other possible causes I don't know about (I think I've had every foot ailment known to humanity, but none quite like yours). Sqad or someone may be able to advise you better in the morning but this sounds like it needs someone actually looking at your foot.

Good luck! It's no fun.

[Buenchico]

I'd also consider gout as a possibility:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gout/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

However it's very easy to fracture one of the small bones in your foot without immediately realising it. If you can put your finger on the exact spot that the pain is emanating from then it's almost certainly a fracture. If you can't, it probably isn't.

A pinched nerve is also a possibility, as is Morton's neuroma. See here
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/mortonsneuroma/Pages/Symptomspage.aspx
and here
http://foothealth.about.com/od/neuroma/a/Nerve-Problems-That-Cause-Foot-Pain.htm

Then do the only sensible thing and ASK YOUR GP!

[bunkmoreland]

i thought of gout too. General info advises raising your foot during an attack. Contact your gp asap though. All my sympathies

[nohorn]

Thanks everyone , especially that link to Mortons Neuroma, that sounds very much like what it could be.....since I am in USA I can go directly to foot dr. I do have toe 4 & 5 as hammer toes, although I wear very comfortable shoes with plenty of toe room. Also I will see what squad has to see. I do walk a lot.

[Sqad]

I agree with one of Buenchico's many differential diagnosis.....Morton's metatarsalgia....no big deal.....although painful.

Ibuprofen 600mgms twice daily and an ice pack over the foot when the pain comes on.

See you GP, no urgency.

[Sqad]

Ah! just noticed that you are in the USA........a Podiatrist (foot dr.) may be a better first port of call.

[ordbrae]

Seek medical advice. Are you glucose intolerant?

[jno]

sorry, I forgot you were in America so you can go directly to a foot doctor. Good luck.