Why are my feet buzzing? (No, it's not my shoe phone.)

March 30, 2017 5:56 PM

My feet have started vibrating every few seconds. This may drive me insane. Please advise.

Looking this up online I see other people with the same problem, but as far as I know I don't have diabetes, MS, or extreme anxiety, and I already take vitamin D3.

I wear a 1/4" lift in one shoe and hadn't worn it for a while; I got a new one and thought that fixed the problem, but the buzzing is back.

Has anyone else had this problem? What fixed it? Who should I see about it?

posted by The corpse in the library to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

Could be a spinal compression thing; I have a similar sensation if I haven't been watching my posture for a while, maybe think about how you position your lower back when seated? In my case paying attention to my lower back fixes it in a couple of days.
posted by aramaic at 6:16 PM on March 30, 2017

Could it be neuropathy? I once had a reaction to a medication that made my feet feel like they were vibrating, being stuck with a pins as well as hot/cold burning sensations. If you are on any new medication I would start there.
If this has been going on for more than a week, I'd make a doctors appointment so they can figure out what's going on.
posted by Champagne Supernova at 6:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]

I had it during chemo. In my case it was a mild neuropathy caused by the drugs they were infusing. If it's lasted more than a few weeks I'd make a doctor's appointment.
posted by something something at 6:44 PM on March 30, 2017

Thirding neuropathy.
posted by fshgrl at 6:46 PM on March 30, 2017

Something far more benign: I'm prone to muscle twitches and this is what very tiny muscle twitches feel like to me. Could be stress, a nutrient deficiency, muscle fatigue, really all kinds of things that aren't a huge deal.

I'd strongly suggest you refrain from believing the worst here.
posted by Amy93 at 6:46 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]

Clothing check. Do you have a new, tight belt? Are you wearing new socks, that are too tight at the top? Did you change chairs? Are you unintentionally closing a circuit with a control device? Is this related to any physical motion, or putting your hand on an optical mouse, or using a tablet with your computer? Are you on and off grounding something?
posted by Oyéah at 7:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]

My friend recently experienced it and it was caused by bulging discs in her neck.
posted by Sassyfras at 9:04 PM on March 30, 2017

You need to see a doctor - almost certainly a neurologist - as a matter of urgency.

This could be caused by many things, but it's almost certainly neurological. Some of the possible causes are not serious, and have simple solutions.

Some possible causes are serious and need treatment.

Go and ask a doctor. Nerve issues are far too important for random unqualified internet commenters.
posted by Combat Wombat at 10:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]

Of course it's neuropathy, folks. The question is, what's causing it?
posted by SLC Mom at 10:19 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]

If you are eating a diet that is high in either sugar or salt, try eliminating or greatly reducing it and see if that helps with the "buzzing."
posted by Lynsey at 12:15 PM on March 31, 2017

My guess is a silent migraine. I agree with seeing a neurologist.
posted by caoimhe at 12:30 PM on March 31, 2017

Response by poster: Follow up: I'm seeing a physical therapist, and we've figured out that it's mechanical. Something in my spine is a teensy bit twisted, and she's giving me exercises to move it back into place.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:03 AM on October 31, 2017