Gabapenton/Methadone and drop foot?

[dustyb]

I'm extremely new here, thank you for having me....

I've been trying to kick a oxycodone habit for a while now, doing pretty good, I havnt taken any in a while. What I WAS doing was taking a couple methadone or some neurotin/gabapenton to get through particularly hard days, about 4 days ago I took way too much of both of those and had several blackouts and a severe headache as my reward. I woke up with what is commonly called "drop foot"; parts of my left foot are numb, I cannot lift the front of the foot with my heel on the ground or lift my toes, otherwise my foot works fine. Ive never seen this before and im pretty scared, I hoped it would clear up when I stopped taking them. I threw out both of my stashes of those drugs and have been trying to wait to see if my foot returns to normal on its own with exercise and stuff. It has not. I dont have insurance and I dont have much money or Id be at the doctor's right now.

Please, if anyone knows anything about what I am experiencing I would appreciate some input, I woke up again today with the same symptoms and Im scared. If I have no improvement by Wed, which is about a week, Im going to have to go seek treatment I cannot afford....

 

[effie]

Foot drop is due to compression of one of the nerves as it passes under your knee (actually, it can be due to loads of different things, but that is one of the commonest) - sounds like you compressed it while you were passed out. Usually this is only temporary. I see it has been less than a week - any improvement at all?

There are a lot of other things that can cause foot drop, so I think you are right - if it doesn't improve, although the likliest thing is still a nerve compression palsy (the peroneal nerve, if you are interested) you definitely need to get medical attention. I understand about not being able to afford to, but you don't want to miss something serious..

 

[dustyb]

Yes there has been some improvement I think, I can now feel the bottom of my toes as I could not before, I get a sensation of itching, and the numbness is improving. I just spoke to ask a nurse, and she wants me to go to the ER. I'm torn, I cannot afford to go to the ER at all, but what is that compared to potentially lifelong issues? I'm not sure what I am looking for, I guess I hoped someone would say "Oh, yea, that's not as weird as you think... happened to me and it will get better.." I'm sitting here trying to decide what to do. Odd I think, when everyone tells you to do the smarter, safer thing and still you look for another solution.

 

[effie]

Well, ideally you should definitely go to the ER. It sounds exactly like a compression palsy which should improve over time (unless you have damaged the nerve irrepairably, but it doesn't sound like it) and there won't be much the ER can do to speed that process along..

What would be useful is some physiotherapy and possibly some orthoptic help, specialised shoe or something, but I understand that if you can't afford the ER you won't have access to those things

Basically, if you are worried you are far better having someone medically qualified examine you and check you over. There is an outside chance it is something like compartment syndrome, which would need urgent attention...

 

[dustyb]

Went to the ER, got an exam, no blood work and given a very uncomfortable boot (I have to sleep in it too) and an appt with a ortho doc. Today I have been scaring myself looking for information online. I guess Ill know more after I see the doc this coming Thursday but I'm trying to be positive. On the other hand, It put the fear of god in me. I'm seeking treatment for my depression and opiate addiction and I changed my phone number to eliminate some undesirables. Im still really scared.

 

[effie]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things! You've got help for your foot drop and getting treatment for both your depression and opiate addiction - big congratulations good work on changing your phone number too - practical things like that can really help.

If you need to talk about things then I highly recommend The Dark Side forum, full of caring and supportive individuals. I can understand being scared, but you really are doing all the right things. Sometimes it takes something really bad to act as a wake-up call. Hopefully your foot drop won't be permanent, and if it has caused you to make positive changes in other areas of your life, then it could be seen as a positive thing

Thank you for coming back and letting us know how you got on - I'm going to close this now, as it's not really the sort of thread we have here, but please feel free to come over to our social thread (link in my sig) or The Dark Side if you want a chat. There's lots of information on opiate addiction in other drugs too, and if you have another question you are more than welcome to make a new thread here. Shoot me a pm if you have any queries, and good luck!