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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Cause Numbness On Both Feet?

L have some numbness in both feet (a feeling as though I am wearing socks) This is a new phenomenon and. shortness of breath---greater than normal. L look after my husband(with some help)who has alzheimers disease and recently had a particularly stressful /worrying time. When taking a shower recently the water felt like needles on my skin and l thought l might be in for another bout of shingles but it hasn't developed. I am 73 years old,have never smoked and ,have never drunk much alcohol . And eat a balanced diet. . My blood circulation has never been good and l have one badly varicosed leg. I have some heart arrythmia(one of 8people in our family with it) which l have known about for 50years---it doesn't affect me too much. Could you suggest what the breathlessness and feet numbness might be please
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Sat, 14 Jan 2017 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 16 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Hi,

I would explain that your symptoms could be related to different causes:

- the difficulty breathing could be related to pleuritis, pericarditis, heart failure or a lung disorder
- the numbness in the feet could be related to peripheral neuropathy.

For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your doctor for a physical exam and some tests:

- a chest X ray study and respiratory function tests
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests, vitamin B12 plasma levels, HbA1C, fasting glucose)
- a nerve conduction study for neuropathy

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Hope to have been helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards,
Dr. Aida
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What Could Cause Numbness On Both Feet?

Hi, I would explain that your symptoms could be related to different causes: - the difficulty breathing could be related to pleuritis, pericarditis, heart failure or a lung disorder - the numbness in the feet could be related to peripheral neuropathy. For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your doctor for a physical exam and some tests: - a chest X ray study and respiratory function tests - a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests, vitamin B12 plasma levels, HbA1C, fasting glucose) - a nerve conduction study for neuropathy You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues. Hope to have been helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further. Kind regards, Dr. Aida