Strange foot problem

SingleDad · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 3:54 am Post subject: Strange foot problem

I really can't see how this could be linked to my cancer treatment and side effects lingering but thought I'd toss it out.

My middle toes on my left foot - I woke up a few days back with them aching and tender and what felt like a coin sized flat mass - as if I'd stepped on a bit of putty or something just behind them.

I had not hit anything or dropped anything on the foot..just woke up with them stiff and tender 3rd and 4th toes and this "lump" just at the ball of the foot behind them.

Sort of hobbled about and it generally went away during the day and did not interfere too much.

But each morning it is back - almost as if it was bad bruise on the bottom off my foot ..that kind of hurt and tenderness.

I look at the toes, no sign of swelling or redness, tho they are tender, look at the ball of my foot ditto nothing.
Wiggle the toes by hand - a bit tender but they do not look or feel different from my other toes.

Front bottom of the foot just about dead centre - looks normal, I push it - cannot feel any bruise or swelling but it hurts and my body does not like to put pressure on it when I stand so I sort of hobble about tipping my foot on it's outer edge.

Thought it just one of those things but it has not diminished and today is even a bit sore on the top of the foot and more tender on the bottom and sees to migrated a bit more or gotten a bit larger just behind the toes..yet nothing to see.

If I probe right at the base of the middle toe it's sore and pressing down there hurts a bit....toes is a bit tingly.
Trying stand still feels like this bruise or flat muscle knot just behind the toe making it painful to walk. I even considered something like gout but can't see that from my diet tho I'm at the right age.

Now I'm on no meds except an antibiotic for a bladder infection from the radiation and it was there before I started the course and has shown no change taking them so I don't think any infection and I can see anything that would indicate that.
Y'know that I stepped on something and it got a small infection.

I'm really conflicted - going to Africa for a long break and don't want to be hobbling.
Have no idea how to describe to the doc and really not thrilled hanging around a clinic at the top of flu season and H1N1.

Reluctant to go to emerg tho it's close and likely quiet this time of night.

IfI were active in sports or some such I'd say I sprained something in the toes but hey I'm not active at the best of times and can recall nothing that might have bruised the area.

Skin is supple and warm and pink and no swelling is evident but it's tender and does not want to be walked on.

Thought I'd throw it out and get some ideas before I get it looked at.

Is it possible to get maybe a blood clot or some such?
A stress fracture of the toe without knowing it?

Why does it feel like small mass is there behind the toe when I walk ( as if I had a flat piece of carrot or something under the skin just in the area behind the toes.

Ideas??? thanks
_________________
Age 62
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 completed Oct 1.
Cancer free scan Jan 2010 - remission confirmed
In South Africa for three months

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 377 Location: Japan

Hi SingleDad,

Well, I can't say that it's the same for you, but for _my_ foot infection, over the course of two months I had three different oral antibiotics and none of them cured the problem, so I was sure that I did not have an infection. But it turned out that gravity was my biggest enemy...due to all of the swelling, blood just couldn't circulate the meds down there to clear out the infection. So I spent a week in the hospital with an IV antibiotic and my foot elevated above my heart over 99% of the time, and that finally did the trick.

If you can just lay down for a few days with your foot propped up on a pillow, maybe the oral meds will be enough? But regardless, definitely get a doctor's opinion first before attempting to treat this yourself.
_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

SingleDad · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

Yeah going in tomorrow -

I'm taking anti-biotics for a bladder infection but as you say it's a long way.

Feels not so bad now but that's normal......it's as if a muscle knots up while sleeping.
_________________
Age 62
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 completed Oct 1.
Cancer free scan Jan 2010 - remission confirmed
In South Africa for three months

ChemoMan · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:30 am Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

Hi SD

I'm surprised that you are trying to self diagnose and asking diagnostic questions on the forum, you should know better than that. It sounds like it could be a hundred things at least.

if it worries you go and see a doctor especially before you go on that Holiday. I hope its no big deal but do go to the docs.

Cheers
_________________
Age 53
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... NEVER GIVE UP
RULE NUMBER 3..... Don't forget the first 2 rules

SingleDad · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:06 am Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

I am going to the docs - if you note. Docs are not perfect nor do I have confidence that they ALWAYS know and understand more than an informed patient.

I can't discuss the situation intelligently without garnering some knowledge - what harm in asking??..

It woke me up just now - hurts quite a bit - after 3 hours prone.
I'm not shy of going to the docs nor am I overawed by them.

They have a job to do and some are brilliant , most are competent and a few downright dangerous.
_________________
Age 62
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 completed Oct 1.
Cancer free scan Jan 2010 - remission confirmed
In South Africa for three months

ChemoMan · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:55 am Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

Hi SD

That's the problem with internet posting....you don't get the nuances that you get with face to face communications.....MY BAD I shoulda put some smileys in.... Embarassed

Gentle ribbing mate that's all it was no harm meant Laughing

_________________
Age 53
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... NEVER GIVE UP
RULE NUMBER 3..... Don't forget the first 2 rules

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 377 Location: Japan

Seems like you have the opposite of what I had. Mine situation was best in the morning, when I had been off my feet for several hours, and got worse about an hour so after becoming upright.

It's possible to get a hairline fracture that you don't realize until days after it happens. It could be a lot of things. I think ChemoMan's heart was in the right place with his message...best to try not to worry about it, and describe the situation as well as you can to the doctor. If you have a digital camera you can use to show what your situation is like at the worst times, that may help with the diagnosis as well.
_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

SingleDad · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

You nailed the problem Joe.

Internal foot infection -finally showed up with some swelling and redness and I hobbled into emergency at 4 am - the foot woke me up.

What I suspect was the antibiotics I was taking ( not the correct ones for a foot infection ) were sort containing the infection - then I had a long stressful busy day and my immune system was weakened and the infection busted out a bit - I could feel it moving up the foot a bit and I could barely get my foot in the boot and it hurt.

Hobbled into emerg - they blasted it with an IV antibio of the correct type and he gave me an oral of the correct type and said stay off it for a day or so and keep an eye on it.

He did not seem concerned....said "caught it early" so we'll keep fingers and toes crossed he is correct.

As usual it was a fight to find a vein but second time was the charm.

Could not wait to get out of there tho....too many sickies once daylight came. I think one trio had yellow fever and they were herded away to a separate area. Shocked

Staff were good tho - felt sorry for one young teen that came in- she was really in agony....doubled up on the floor was the only position she could tolerate. Doc thought a kidney stone.....they were pouring the morphine in wide open when I left.
Poor kid....

What puzzled me was there was no obvious skin break for an infection to enter but then there were two possibilities that might have done it.

My tub mat wasn't draining properly and I remember it was slippery when I took a shower - clearly some bacteria build up - and doc said I had some cracked skin near the toes affected. Handy man came and fixed the drain and put those no slip adhesive strips on the tub - so no more yucky mats.

The other I stepped on a tiny sliver of shirmp shell a couple weeks ago that went in in just the right angle to draw blood - it healed up but might have had some bacteria on it. I was surprised it penetrated as it was so tiny. Damn stuff is sharp.

I usually run around barefoot all day so sometimes feet get beat up but there was nothing visible.

Even the doc was scratching his head a bit about it but he treated it aggressively - I want it good and gone before I travel to Africa in January.

•••

CM no offence taken - Joe's post and a ramp up in symptoms kicked me over into going to emerg
_________________
Age 62
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 completed Oct 1.
Cancer free scan Jan 2010 - remission confirmed
In South Africa for three months

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 377 Location: Japan

Alright! Glad you have a diagnosis now...I'll be even more glad if you end up avoiding the chills and fevers phase that I had to go through.

Now, I will speak from a position of authority.

Take this more seriously than your ER doc does. You are only a few months removed from chemotherapy and, more recently, radiation treatment, things that have made your body less adept at fighting infection than the average person. If you do not completely wipe this infection out, you will eventually move on to debilitating fevers, and you risk progressing to an infection of the bone, which will become tremendously difficult to heal.

Go directly to bed! Do not pass Go, Do not collect $200. Take your antibiotics religiously, and take all of them regardless of how you feel. Cancel all of your non-medical appointments for the next week, except those that can come visit you in your bed. Find a nice long pillow, blankets or other things that you can use to create an incline to elevate your infected foot above your heart. Stay well hydrated. Do not under any circumstances be up and about for any longer than 10 minutes at a time, just enough time for trips to the bathroom and an occasional quick shower. But do try and occasionally get your heart rate up a bit by doing some leg lifts or any other exercises that you can do lying down. And do all of this until two days after your symptoms have disappeared.

You may think that this is overkill. It is not. I had to learn that the hard way after months of trying to resolve my issue while going on with my regularly scheduled life, as I documented here:

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=11396&start=105

Get this licked now, then have a great time in Africa! Smile

_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

SingleDad · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

Well I won't be able to quite hit that level but I do take it seriously - it is reducing a bit already and I'm taking it very easy this weekend and I'm good with meds.

But thanks for stiffening my resolve.

••

BTW has anyone experienced a change in their tear composition??

Went in for eye exam as my eyes were tired ( partly from not enough sleep ) and had not been in a while.
Turned out one eye had shifted but the other not... Rolling Eyes

So new lenses but I mentioned to the doc I had a lot of sleep all the time on my eyelashes and edges of my eyes and they were blurry even during the day - like when you first get up.

He thought my tear composition was changed by the chemo and maybe is getting back to normal.

Gave me some drops which help.....kind of weird.

anyone else???
_________________
Age 62
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 completed Oct 1.
Cancer free scan Jan 2010 - remission confirmed
In South Africa for three months

SingleDad · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

mmm got 5 solid hours and swelling is down....foot still sore but clearly progress being made.

Tea and toast and back to bed to veg

Got the computer set up so I can elevate the leg and still work.
_________________
Age 62
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 completed Oct 1.
Cancer free scan Jan 2010 - remission confirmed
In South Africa for three months

SingleDad · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:15 am Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

Much reduced infection - can actually move all foot parts easily - still tender and a ways to go so another day taking it easy.
Just up for midnight meds and a cuppa ....

Good snooze - wonder why it gets worse at night...maybe because I sleep on that side Question

Foot looks totally normal and much easier to get around.
_________________
Age 62
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 completed Oct 1.
Cancer free scan Jan 2010 - remission confirmed
In South Africa for three months

SingleDad · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

ah foot is much improved again tho it still seems to get worse at night.

Spent the morning fully elevated - snoozing and reading - when I went down for lunch it was pretty much walkable - first time in a few days I did not have to use the side of my foot.

I'll play up the disabled boss tho for the next few days for staff benefit Twisted Evil

_________________
Age 62
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 completed Oct 1.
Cancer free scan Jan 2010 - remission confirmed
In South Africa for three months

Vincera · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

[quote="SingleDad"]I am going to the docs - if you note. Docs are not perfect nor do I have confidence that they ALWAYS know and understand more than an informed patient.[/quote]

I agree 100%. My onc, which is considered a top pro in his field couldn't help me with two "sidies".
I solved one of them (terrible persistent itching) with another doc. For the other (painful mouth sores) I used the Net.

The more we ask and search the better off we are. I assume this is one of the purposes of these forums. I'm sure ChemoMan wanted to give a "balanced" outlook of getting medical attention and being well informed.
_________________
61 y.o M, Diffuse large B cell NHL, stage 3. Lower back. Diagnosed Mid May 09. Completed 6 R-CHOP treatments on 9/8/09. In Remission: 10/19/09

SingleDad · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:57 pm Post subject: Re: Strange foot problem

Yes - what harm - a few electrons across the planet.

Still fighting the damn thing - thought i had it beat. Crying or Very sad

Renewed the anti-bio and hammered it with one double....

Kept my foot up all evening - I think the middle toe is the infection source to I scrubbed up and slathered PolySporin on it
gonna nurse it all night if I have to

don't understand why it gets worse at night...

Does anyone know about fungal???

Is there a possibility it's fungal??

Getting too close to Africa to have this hanging around
_________________
Age 62
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 completed Oct 1.
Cancer free scan Jan 2010 - remission confirmed
In South Africa for three months

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Lymphoma - Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others