Ask a Question about Your Condiition

first off please forgive my spelling. ok I have had Plantar Fasciitis for about five months now and is only getting worse. the pain is unbearable and if you have had PF you understand. if you havent you cannot posssably know what the pain is like. the best way I can decribe it is like someone hammers a sixteen penny nail in the heel of your foot and sometimes the pain is on the top of my foot feeling like a icepick stabbing you over and over and over again. I have tried exercise and heel cups and night splint and ice and it is still killing me. I fear for my job as it requires walking around the plant and climbing of ladders and steps climbing on machines etc. I am on FMLA at work but taking a day or two off because of my flare ups really hurts on payday. I am one of those people that loves my job and I am good at it but my PF if is now working its way to my knees hips and back. I feel like I am falling apart I have been a healty strong man and now I am reduced to feeling like a 90yo man. I have to hide my pain when I do go to work, sometimes I have to find a out of the way place alone and breakdown and cry because the pain is too much to bare. I should take a medical leave on disability but I cannot afford the cut in pay, I need to make my house payments,child support,utilities,child care for my son, insurance deductibles need to be made,etc. I cannot afford to take the time off. I dont know what to do.

msummey-

Have you been to a dr. recently? I wold recommend finding a good orthopedic surgeon. Don't let it wait too long, because it will only get worse. I can tell you that sometimes they flare up and then go away for a while. Do not walk around barefoot. Find a good supportive shoe with some cushion. Have you tried the cortisone shots? Some people get relief from them. I also had some relief from an oral steriod packet. Just recently I've been introduced to a frozen water bottle that you roll under the foot and that helps cool and stretch the tendon. I also like to use two ice packs (the squishy blue gel kind). One under each foot while I'm sitting at my desk or on the couch. I hope this helps.

Cheryl

Hi msummey - First of all, believe me, I feel your pain - and feel so badly for you - I don't know if you have read the other posts about pf - I have been corresponding with a wonderful bunch of people - Somehow, just to know that someone else is going through exactly what you are is a little comforting - mentally at least. I cannot even begin to tell you how this has changed my life - I have cried more tears over the pain than I think I have in my entire life - nobody can understand unless you have it! As with you, mine has recently began to affect my knees and hips - I have never had any structural problems before this. My physical therapist told me earier on this year that if pf goes on long enough, it will affect your knees, hips, and back. I have no doubt - you are walking totally different trying to alleviate the pain; therefore, you are changing your whole gait.

I have had this in both feet for a little over a year - I have a bag full of heel cups, orthotics, night splints, ice bags, and every other thing that I could possibly get my hands on for this inhuman pain - I am in well over $2,000 . . .

As Cheryl suggested, I would strongly suggest going to either a podiatrist or an orthopedist - unfortunately, mine is constant and hasn't gone away - My doctor recently prescribed Lidoderm patches which are primarily used for shingles, but also for PF pain - They are truly working for me - But most importantly, please find a good doctor in your area.

Sue

msummey,

I have the same issue, plantars developed in my right heel this summer after I bought 2 pairs
of cheap NB crosstraining shoes for walking and working outside.
I have bought some heel/arch lift supports and they do help a little bit.

It is most painful in the morning when stepping out of bed and it is sometimes embarrasing
going up the stairs on all 4's after I run.
Yes, I still run and it isn't bad when running, but afterwards it is very sensitive where
I will ice it for about an hour. I also try to ice it in the morning too.

You may want to check out the Nationalrunningcenter.com website; they advertise some kind of ice
stick that you freeze and can take to work and it lasts about 10 hours. I am thinking of doing
that during my lunch hour and breaks during the day.

I don't want to give up running, I really don't want to take a break either from it.

I wonder if you went to a specialty running store, if they would look at your gait on a treadmill and might be
able to fit you with a sneaker with good support.

best of luck
Yukojack

Cheryl - Best of Luck at the doctor today, I will be interested to see what he/she says!

Nini - I think you are getting your shot today, hang in there, let me know how it was, I'm thinking of you!

Yukojack,
Believe me, I tried every sports shoe, specialty shop and for me it made no difference, it might for you though, everyone is different. I was an avid walker, when I couldn't do that I tried to do the eleptical, still no luck. The ortho surgeon said to lay off all exercise for at least 3 months. However, even every day walking is not good. I am now in an air cast for another week, (it has been 3 wks already) to see if total rest will help. Surgery is next and last resort. I researched the shock wave therapy, but it doesn't seem to have good results, it cost about $1,000. which insurance does not cover. I'm not trying to be doom and gloom, remember most people recover with no problems and cortizone injections seem to be the cure for most. Good Luck, keep us posted. This is a great place to learn and vent to people who truly "get it".
Lynn

I have been to a Ortho surgen they gave me a diffrent night splint but still doesnt help. they also made molds of my feet for special inserts to be made I havent recived them yet. my flare ups are becoming less frequent. three years ago I had this in my right foot and went to physical theropy and they put these electronic injection patches on my foot and after a few weeks of that it was gone I am trying to get the same treatment for my left foot. I will keep you posted on the results of that. Merry Christmas

Hello I am new to this, but I was looking on the internet for RELIEF. My left foot IS currently KILLING ME. For two years I had this off and on. In Oct work no inserts an bad shoes and now can hardly walk. With Christmas and everything going on I could cry. I have cried. I am currently sitting here w/a little hard ball under the arch and heel of my foot rolling it I read on a website that this can stretch it and give relief. We will see. I just wanted to see if you got a shot in your heel? Did it give you any relief? I had a shot in August of 2008. I limped into the office of my FAMILY doctor and could have actually ran out of the office. The shot was not pleasant but he did it so quick it was over fast. I went to an ortho who preferred motrin 800mg and splint/support and PT. Well the shot was quicker. I made it flare up w/the poor shoes and no support. TOTALLY MY FAULT. But w/two little ones I need to walk. I file in a doctors office so I am on my feet the whole time I am there. I have used different Dr.Scholls NO relief, waste of money. I did seen a doctor preferred insert for $24 a pair might try. Please let me know is you got your shot. Did it work for you. I sure hope so I know how you feel. The other person said like a nail driven into your heel and then we "ALL" walk around on it pushing and pushing in. I also saw a suggestion to put a towel around the bottom of your foot and w/the ends pull up on your foot w/the towel.

mama1128