Pain in my BIG Toe

I dislike going to the doctor's or admitting that my body has anything wrong with it. For years I've been dealing with odd ailments and ran the gamut of testing to determine the cause and was pretty much told it was all in my head. My husband was there when the initial episode happened, so I know it's not mental.

So I am sitting today, when what I'd really like to be doing is running through my house to gather yardsale items. A month ago my big toe hurt. No big deal. This week, it is very painful and I am relegated to flat shoes. This morning I saw my doctor and was told it could either be arthritis or neuroma. If it's neuroma I'm looking at steroid shots.

Now here's something interesting, for a year and a half I've been taking 400mg of magnesium a day. I did research after the initial "in your head" diagnosis and am convinced that all my problems are nerve related in some format. The magnesium is suppose to help with many things, but most importantly it helps your body run correctly. It's like a middle man for all. Since I've been taking it, my tension headaches ceased, cramps became minor aches, pins and needles sensations have dramatically decreased and my hip stopped dislocating or whatever it was doing (the beginning of this whole debacle). I can also confidently say that it is the magnesium because I do not take any other medications, I have not changed my diet or exercise, and nothing else has been adjusted. I simply added the magnesium to my daily routine.

I ran out a month ago and was just too lazy to go get some more because I felt good. It's amazing how quickly you forget what was and how lightning fast it all comes back to you. My headaches are starting to creep back, pins and needles are horrible, this toe thing started and my shoulder blade area is in major pain. Since the sensations run down my left side I am certain again that it is nerve related.

While at the doctor's today, she checks my toe, tells me what she thinks it could be. I mention the magnesium to her and the fact that I had been off for a month and this all began. I'm told that magnesium helps with muscles and cramping but it would not affect the joints and nervous system. So is the magnesium a placebo effect and it is all in my head and I just think the magnesium is working? Is my subconscious that smart?

So long story short, my toe now hurts so bad that I can barely walk on it, I certainly cannot walk barefoot and had to clean my house with shoes on to try and stabilize my toe. Just cleaning the downstairs started it aching so bad that I am now sitting here typing with capzasin gunk on my toe joint, waiting for it to feel better so I can finish my chores for the day.