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Cheryl - How did the appointment go today?

Nini - Did you get the shot? How was it?

Sue

Hi Lynn and Cheryl, and Sue
Well I got to the doctors, and I asked to get the numbing shot first.
He said he doesn't do it that way. That the shot has the numbing and the cortizone mixed.
SO he said to me don't worry, (OF course I was worried) LOL. He's been doing this for years.
He showed me a can of spray and sprayed my other foot to feel the cold, Well that numbs it he says.
And that the needle is what hurts....so I didn't look, and I had the nurse stand next to me while I was holding
her arm LOL...
I didn't watch, and he was spraying the ice spray...Put the needle in, I only felt it a tiny bit...he was putting the needle in the inner side of my heel.....I felt like pressure, 3 times pushing the cortizone in my foot.
The doc was asking questions (about family etc) while he was putting the needle in, and I told him I'm not going to answer instead I was singing and humming , silly me.... Anyway it wasn't so bad ..
I asked how long does it last 6months??? He said no hopefully forever.....It takes away the inflammation....(which causes PF)
Wear the orthodics and it should be good....dont' go bare foot, or wear sandles or flip flops. It will take a month before the cortizone fully works,
And when the numbness wears off I will feel the pain from the needle for a couple of days...

So thanks for all the advice,
Nini

Nini- I'm glad to hear your shot went as well as a shot in the foot could!

Sue- My orthopedic surgeon referred me to a podiatrist and I have an appointment for Friday afternoon. The surgeon wasn't wild about doing surgery when the success rates are so low. So he recommeded me to see someone who does "Ultrasound Surgery", but it sounds an awful lot like the ewst that insurance doesn't cover. So I'm going for a second opinion anyway, and if I can't get any relief or help on Friday, I am going to call to the big teaching hospital in Chicago to see if they have anyone who can help me. I'm not wild about the idea of surgery, but someone, somewhere has got to be able to do something to ease the pain, it's constant now. I'll let you know what I find out.

Cheryl

Nini,
So glad the injection wasn't too bad for you. I hope and pray it works, most people it does!

Cheryl,
I'm sorry your ortho guy wasn't willing to help you with surgery. At least I have a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon willing to help. The trouble is they are offering two different schools of thought with the surgery! The pain is awful. I took my sister shopping yesterday, came home and collapsed on the couch in tears with pain!! The walking cast has helped a little, and I mean very little. I don't know if I am doing more damage or not, but with my knee and hip hurting now, I'm not going to wear it much.....I'll be anxious to hear what your podiatrist tells you on Friday. Chin up! or should I say Foot up!!
Lynn

Hahahah Lynn!!!

I know what you mean, the walking cast has helped with the heel pain, but at the expense of my knee and ankle. Lately my best friend has been a frozen aquafina bottle. I just take turns going from one foot to the other, and most of the time I don't even roll it, but I keep it under the arch of my foot and I press down on it.

I'll let you know what happens tomorrow.

Cheryl

Hi Nini - I am so glad that it's over for you . . . are you taking any time off of work? Please keep in touch and let us all know how you are doing!

Cheryl - I am sorry that you didn't get any farther than that yesterday. You sound really down - I totally understand - But, I would rather have someone tell me that they are uncomfortable doing the surgery instead of just "doing it" to make a dollar. Please let me know what happens with the appointment on Friday - What is the ultrasound surgery? If it's non-evasive, I would think about it . . . but the cost! And, not covered - I can only imagine! Have you researched that surgery at all in the past or is it the first you have heard of it? I know how low the success rates are for pf from researching - that is what scares me sooooo much! Anyway, I am thinking of you and again, please let me know how Friday goes.

Lynn - Oh, how I know what you are talking about with shopping! And how I love to shop - My daughter and I used to go to the mall for hours . . . now just a distant memory . . . makes me cry to think about it - She's just 9 and doesn't "get it" - I don't blame her - I am over 40 and don't "get it" myself. Many times I have come home and just thrown my shoes across the room and started sobbing . . . the pain after just an hour is absolutely unbearable! Did you have any pain in your hip and/or knee before wearing the walking cast? My knee on the "worse" foot is just horrible - It just feels like something is burning inside and the hip . . . I never even knew that I had a hip. I don't mean to sound confused, but were you the one whose doctor told you that the hip pain was "referred pain"? Did he also mention how long the "referred" pain would last? I don't know whether I should just "tough it out" or if I should go to an ortho? Thoughts?

Sue

shayes37 wrote:
were you the one whose doctor told you that the hip pain was "referred pain"? Did he also mention how long the "referred" pain would last?

hi sue,

that was me! i posted that my hip pain came on at the same time my feet suddenly became my worst enemies! the physical therapist called it "referred pain" - i don't remember the details, but she did work on my lower back, which also started bothering me then, but much less than the hip pain, which was excrutiating at times. i had weeks of pt, but that only made it somewhat less acute. my back and my feet (and knees) continued to give me constant trouble for several more years, up until my feet were finally fixed.

shayes37 wrote:
My daughter and I used to go to the mall for hours . . . now just a distant memory . . . . . . the pain after just an hour is absolutely unbearable!

you have my complete sympathy, sue. i've never been much for shopping, but i've always loved to walk outdoors: for exercise, to get where i needed to go, to enjoy nature. not being able to do that was horrible! it was a miserable 6+ years for me; i never really did figure out how to cope w/ it. also, as you say, your daughter doesn't understand, and i found that even most adults don't "get it" either, even those close to me. they see you walking, you _look_ fine, so what's the problem???

nothing really helped in all that time, until i got the yogatoes. now my feet feel wonderful, and i walk for hours again. pls, check out my previously-posted links, if you haven't yet.

best, gina

My orthopedic surgeon referred me to a podiatrist and I have an appointment for Friday afternoon.

hi Cheryl,

pls do me (and yourself!) a favor and ask the podiatrist about the yogatoes. i'm sure he'll be skeptical, but ask if he has any objections to them.

I'm not wild about the idea of surgery, but someone, somewhere has got to be able to do something to ease the pain, it's constant now.

i've been where you are; the worst was at night, when the pain kept me awake. pain relief was the first - almost immediate! - result the yogatoes gave me.

with surgery and big $$$ (for travel, for out-of-pocket treatment, etc.) on the horizon, doesn't trying something non-invasive for $50 first make sense?

best, gina

Hi Sue,
Have you tried the cortisone shots yet? I thought I had read previously that you haven't, it might be with a shot (no pun intended) HA! The pain in my knee and hip started with the walking cast. I gave the boot the boot though and quit wearing it! The doctor never told me about referred pain, but I know it exists with pf and other odd things too, like now the referred pain in my hips are: Since pf, every morsel I put in my mouth somehow bypasses my stomach and goes directly to my hips!! That is some referred pain for sure!! Another odd thing since pf is, I don't know how but somehow all my pants in my closet "shrunk" (hmmmmm more referred hip pain)!!! Soooooo not only is pf a pain in your feet, knees, hips and wallet, it is a real pain in the _ _ _!!!! HA! HA!! Have a great day....
Lynn

PS: Please go to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in feet!!

Cheryl,
Good luck at the podiatrist today, please let us know what he tells you!
Lynn

Thanks Lynn, I can't wait. The appointment isn't until this afternoon . . . I'll let you know tonight.

Nini are you sore from your shot? It goes away I promise!

Hi Lynn - No, is haven't had any cortizone shorts - I have never had one specific place on either heel that makes me jump out of my skin - it's the entire heel - so my doctor said that he would have no idea where to inject . . . Great! The only thing that I think I am lucky about is when I get really upset, I just don't eat at all - so I have actually lost some weight with these Godforsaken feet of mine! I think that the knee/hip pain is directly related to the pf - but also, I am really trying to be good about wearing my New Balance sneakers - I honestly think that they are just too clunky and too heavy for me - you know the $100+ ones have the rollbar, extra this, extra that, etc. - I am used to wearing Uggs and Keds - so much more comfortable and so much lighter - but no arch support whatsoever - I just feel like I take one step forward and at least 10 backwards . . .

Cheryl - I can't wait to hear what happens with you today - I felt so bad for you on Wednesday after your post - I know how much you were looking for answers . . . Please write and let us know what happens w/new doctor!

Sue

Hi All - -

I went to the Podiatrist today, and explaied to him that I have literally tried it all, -- I won't bore you with the list-- and he did some manual tests on me with a tuning fork. He thinks I have a pinched nerve in my heel and he is scheduling me for a nerve test next week. He thinks I have Tarsal Tunnel syndrome in my left foot. It's carpal tunnel syndrome for the ankle. I do have plantar fasciitis, in both feet, but the tarsal tunnel syndrome is making things worse. He recommends the boot for another week until the test results are back. If it is TT Syndrome, he said he has different therapy, a different brace, and some different strategies to fix that. I left feeling hopeful, and a new opinion is encouraging at this point.

Cheryl

Cheryl,
Sounds like you found a good doctor. Maybe this will be the start for finally getting over this darn thing! The nerve test, is it an emg? If that is it, it is done with needles, but not too invasive, it takes maybe a half hour or so. I have had it done before, but not for my foot problem. My left foot felt better with the boot, but considering it made my right foot worse and hurt my knee and hip I gave up on it. Of course my left foot immediately got worse again. I have tried to be more diligent in trying to do the exercises before I even get out of bed and even resorted back to my night splint, but to no avail! I was wondering if I should ask the ortho surg. about an mri. Don't know if it will show anything but I'm thinking before I go "under the knife" it might be wise to know if there is anything else going on. I guess I'm thinking of this since your latest findings! I think I'll ask on Wed. when I go again. I cancelled the podiatrist that I had scheduled last Friday until I talk to this guy again. I guess we are all looking for something to make us to be able to function without pain again. I miss my walks and playing with kids. Oh well, such is life. I'm grateful for what I do have. Take care.....Lynn

Hi Cheryl - I tried writing 2X yesterday, but for whatever reason, I got an error and couldn't send! Anyway, did you like the new doctor? Sympathetic? Compassionate? I hope so! I just have to ask . . . what is a tuning fork? I am almost afraid to ask! Now this, TTS thing - is this "new" condition from the PF - just another added extra to it? What did the doctor say about the original PF problem - or with the new diagnosis of TTS, did the PF go by the wayside? You sure sound better than you did after your last visit at the ortho! I go back to my doctor tomorrow - am gonna tell him that the Lidoderm pads did, in fact, help and now what? Also gonna tell him that my knee and hip are absolutely killing me and what can he do! On Friday, I went back to my local shoe store to talk to them again - I told them the incredible pain that I was in with my hip and knee - they suggested that instead of "walking" shoes (which, remember, I bought 2 pairs of about $200 worth) that I purchase "running" shoes - they are lighter and have more bendability - Of course, the pair that they suggested is ONLY $130 - PERFECT! I will go right away and pick another leaf off the tree!

Hi Lynn - How long ago did you stop wearing the boot? Did your knee and hip pain go away after you stopped wearing it? Since I have faithfully been wearing these NB sneakers for the past 2 1/2 weeks, I am telling you, they are making my hip and knee so much worse! As I just told Cheryl, I am going back to podiatrist tomorrow and will ask him - I already know that he is gonna say to see an ortho and then the ortho is gonna say to get orthotics and I have already been down that road! I know that orthotics are supposed to "even you out" for lack of a better word, but when I got the custom made ones, they hurt parts of my foot that I didn't even know I had! I so miss walking and doing stuff w/my daughter also! I am just really scared that this is gonna progress to the point, between the feet, knees, and hip, that I will be wheelchair bound!

Sue