Suggest treatment for burning pain in the feet

Posted on Tue, 29 Aug 2017

Question: I am 67, female, diabetic for around 13 years, and lately if a do a lot of walking the bottoms of my feet start to burn and sting. I wear good quality shoes. What causes the burning and how do I stop it??

Plus I have a red rash like area showing up on both of my knees over the past year. It almost looks like broken blood vessels-- no pain or itch- I take Invokana, Metformin, Victoza, and Levimir

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nerve pain

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.

The burning pain in feet could be due to neuropathy. It is a complication of diabetes but you will need a thorough evaluation in order to diagnose it accurately.

The rash seems unusual. Consult a dermatologist.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid) 12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
Urine albumin to Creatinine Ratio (early sign of diabetes affecting the kidney)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)

Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar