Dear Dr. SerVaas: I have a strange ailment. I had a hip replacement two years ago. Ever since this surgery, I've had numbness in my feet. It was in my legs and ankles--which went away--but the numbness in my feet has continued. It's sometimes awful at nighttime. When I can't sleep, I take aspirin. Have you or any of your readers heard of this? I take vitamins and joint pills.

Charlotte Carr
San Bernardino, California

Dear Reader: We have heard from many readers who experience numbness, tingling, or burning in their legs and feet (see July/ August and Nov./Dec. 2000 "Medical Mailbox"). The problem is sometimes linked to diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, and thyroid problems. In many cases, however, the cause is unknown. Here are more suggestions from Post readers to help cope with the distressing problem:

S.W., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: "A custom-designed shoe insert helps my burning feet. Also, before going to bed I roll a golf ball on the bottoms of my feet and put them in cold water for a few minutes."

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Anna Post, Ellenton, Florida: "It is a real misery when your legs and feet keep you awake at night. Twelve years ago, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and foot neuropathy. Nurses told me of a remedy--vitamin E 500 IU and chromium picolinate 400 mg. It worked, and I've been using them for all these years. Recently my husband complained of restless legs. I gave him some vitamin E and chromium, and he had relief within a few minutes."

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Barbara McAleer, Winchester, Virginia: "I had burning feet years ago. My doctor advised me to take a Benadryl tablet at bedtime. This solved my problem."