Hello, I could use some help from fellow moms! I have a 6 year daughter who has been having tingling and numbness in her foot/feet for years. The doctor has never been able to answer my questions and after seeing a cardiologist and a rheumatologist, I stil don't have any. This seems to have started when she was about 1 1/2 yrs old. Mainly it happens at night when she is asleep but there have been a few times when it happens during the day. She will wake up in the middle of the night crying and complaining of pain in her foot, usually it's the left foot. She says it tingles and really hurts. It usually takes about an hour of massaging her foot and some Tylenol for her to relax enough to get back to sleep. When she was younger I always just thought her foot would fall asleep but as it continued I started learning to watch other symptoms. I have noticed that her toes and foot are cold compared to her other foot and her pedal pulse (pulse in her foot) is really thready. This last week, she had an episode and came into our room in extreme pain with it. My massaging was not helping and her dad started massaging harder than I was. This finally helped her and her foot warmed right back up and the pulse was equal to her other foot. She is 6 (7 in August), has allergies, asthma and eczema, is quite small for her age (42", 39lbs). My next step is to get a referral to see a neurologist but I was just wondering if anyone else has ever had these problems or if they have any ideas. She does not seem to have any other symptoms other than her feet so I am at a loss as to what it is. I thought maybe neuropathy but everything I have ever heard with that is a person does not want you to touch the painful area and my daughter is the total opposite. If you don't touch it, she husts more.
Please HELP us!
Thanks,
L. R from Owosso, MI
A second opinion on the cardiology?
Sounds like there could be circulatory issues, and I would want the docs to explain her small size.
Sounds like a blood flow issue to her lower extremities.
Lower Extremity Occlusive Disease usually occurs in older people but it might be worth looking into.
http://www.columbiasurgery.org/vascular/lower_extremity.html
http://terrykingmd.com/lower.html
I'm assuming you've already tried bananas at bedtime? (Potassium)
My son gets severe growing pains, the cramps occasionally bad enough to cut off circulation to various part of his body. Up his potassium, and almost completely nix his growing pains / cramps.
Also assuming your docs have already ruled out anything structural / musculoskeletal, circulatory, etc. so ruling out neurological/nervous/referred seems to be the next indicated thing.
I'm not a health care professional of any type and cannot give medical advice . . . this is just my "mom" opinion.
Have you ever heard of oxalate issues? I like this web site: http://www.lowoxalate.info .
My older constantly struggles with knee pain - has had this as long as I can remember. I stumbled across this oxalate issue by happenstance. When my older son eats lower oxalate he seems to do better.
Mainstream docs mostly look at oxalates in reference to kidney stones, but there is an alternative school of thought that oxalates can cause other issues too.
Just a thought, and it may not have anything to do with your daughter's issue. Good luck.
eta: I think it's good to pursue multiple avenues like you're doing . . . I would just add to that list if it were me, especially if I wasn't getting any answers!
Have they tested her for Raynaud's Phenomena? My sister has it and your daughter's symptoms seem to align with the general symptoms of Raynauds.
I agree wholeheartedly with Grandma T. A chiropractor could be your answer to the problem!
I hope you get to the bottom of it soon. Hugs to you and your daughter!
Try a pediatric chiropractor. Since it happens at night when she lays down, it could very well be spinal pressure, maybe on her sciatic nerve. I know my foot gets numb and tingly when I'm having a bout of sciatica.
I sometimes think doctors have trouble understanding the level of pain a person is experiencing if it's not happening right there in their office. If this is usually happening at night, what if next time it happens you got your daughter on video, and also her dad massaging it in the way that helps? Just an idea.
okay, my sis & I always had to wear socks to bed to prevent leg/foot/toe cramps. Our gma was the same way. As an adult, my sis no longer has problems....but I do & still have to wear socks.
You've mentioned drs...but were they pediatric specialists? Makes a huge difference with kids!
& honestly, your child's size concerns me. I would bet everything all ties together.....
keep plugging away....there's an answer somewhere!
My first thought was to see a pediatric neurologist
2 other thoughts.
1. have you had her thyroid checked? Having cold extremeties can be a sign of a thyroid underfunctioning.
2. Is it possible that she is slightly dehydrated? My hands and feet are ALWAYS cold. My dr. says that I am dehydrated. When that happens the blood vessels constrict and the flow of blood to the extremeties lessens.
L.:
Welcome to mamampedia!!
Sounds like you need a new set of doctors.
A neurologist to check her nervous system out.
A chiropractor - great for aligning the spine!!
Have her checked for restless leg syndrome if it happens when she is sleeping.
Good luck.
I don't know what to tell you, but certainly use the advice of the other moms here and try a chiropractor and get that nuerologist appointment soon! Here in Portland the waiting period is 6-12 months after the referal to get in.
Has anyone done an MRI or CT of her nerves? I know that one thing to help severe cramps is to eat a palm full of salt. I know it sounds gross, and it is to eat, but it really helps. I had cramps in my legs all the time while I was pregnant and it was the only thing that worked. My husband couldn't rub hard enough. My uses it often also. Maybe try that next time she has an episode.
Also, have you thought about taking her to the ER while it is happening so that they can get a first hand look at what is going on? It might be worth it but it might be too much for her because she needs it stopped NOW!
I am so sorry for her and you...good luck! I hope someone will be able to help. And welcome to Mamapedia!
I would try a chiropractor. I go to one when I have tingling in my toes that stems from a nerve in my neck. Also, my sister had some problems with numbness in her hands and feet which ended up being a B12 deficiency.
I hope you find your answers soon.
