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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Right foot goes to sleep then feels almost unbearable pain.

by Lauren
(Alabama USA)

I have been having issues with my right foot going to sleep. It goes numb and as feeling comes back it feels like a hundred pins and needles are poking me all over my foot. It's been getting more frequent. I don't remember feeling this much pain when my feet return feeling. Afterward the feeling comes back and pain goes away it becomes cooler than the other foot. Do I need some vitamins or do I need to see a doctor?

RESPONSE

Hi Lauren,

I would recommend you see a doctor as quickly as possible.

My reason for saying this is that one of the possibilities for the source of your symptoms is a possible blood clot in one of the arteries that goes into your foot.

In a worse case scenario you might have a what is known as an arterial embolism which means you have a blood clot, probably further up in the leg where the arteries are larger (then those in the foot).

So periodically, the clot partially blocks the blood flow into your foot and you will get the pins and needle effect along with the coolness in the affected foot. You may also notice a color difference between both feet with the affected foot being more pale in color.

The problem here, if it is a clot, is the concern about the clot

breaking off and traveling down the leg and eventually becoming stuck in an area where the artery has narrowed. If this were to happen, it would completely cut off the circulation to the foot and as you can imagine, that cannot be good. It is then considered a medical emergency.

Now, there are other conditions that will also cause this type of symptom in your right foot. They are usually neurological in origin and are not as potentially dangerous.

The problem for me is that I am sitting on the other side of the internet and cannot examine you, so I feel it is necessary to raise the worst possible scenario with you and strongly suggest you see a doctor who can evaluate your problem and determine if it is serious or not.

If you are a smoker, if you are over-weight, if you are on certain medications, if you suffer from high blood pressure or some other systemic diseases like blood disorders, if you are over 40 years of age, these are all factors that could contribute to an arterial embolism.

Since I know nothing about you or your medical history I feel it is necessary to warn you about the worst possible case scenario and encourage you to seek medical attention to find out the actual cause of your symptoms in your right foot.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Regards,

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Placentia, California

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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New Zealand

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Arizona

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Florida

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Poland

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South Carolina

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location unknown

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location unknown

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Bre

location unknown

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous

Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

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Poland

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Seattle, WA

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location unknown

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New Jersey

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location unknown

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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location unknown

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Jackie

San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY

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Jill S.

location unknown

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Whichita, KS

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Boston, MA

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Colorado

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

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Canada

I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

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location unknown

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Wisconsin

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Julie

location unknown

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Renae

North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown

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Robert

New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown

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Lenoir, NC

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Rustam

Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

Right foot goes to sleep then feels almost unbearable pain.

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