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Lynn, Thank the stars for medical insurance, my $1200 MRI bill arrived yesterday, and my portion is $10! I've spent more than that on inserts, etc., so it's kinda funny to see the most expensive part of this so far is what was finally covered by insurance!

I liked this doctor. He listened to what I have tried in the past, and didn't suggest anything over again. The tuning fork is like a U on the end of a stick . He'd bang the upper parts against something creating a vibration, and then he'd put the bottom of the stick in places on my foot. My pain has always been on the underside of my heel right in the middle. When he used this tuner thingy on the side of my heel, it sent a jolt of electricity up to my big toe from the back of my heel. He thinks I have PT still, but the pain, stiffness in my ankle and swelling may be more from TTS since it's been months without any relief. He wants me in the lovely boot for now so my heel is protected.It's 33 degrees and rainy here and the forecast isnt for better weather for many months! I've started wearing wool socks on my boot foot so my toes don't freeze! I wish the Lidoderm patches worked for me. Every time I've tried them I feel like I am slipping around and walking on jelly. They were an expensive prescription that provided extra cushioning, but no pain relief. I'm off work on Tuesday, so I think I'll go get a pedicure. Maybe having my heels sanded down will help the Lido patch work! (My feet are not bad, but it's been 2 months since a pedicure)

My podiatrist said that New Balance was the best shoe to go with for now. I just bought a new pair last week for $100, but I am only using the right one because of the boot, so this is an expensive shoe! If I'm in this boot for much longer, I figure that I'll probably need to buy another pair of shoes because the right one will never have been worn! So, I figure I paid $100 for one shoe! Is there anyone out there who wants to buy a left shoe, brand new??? Maybe I'll put it on ebay - - -weirder things have been sold there.

I'm sorry about your knee and hip pain. Are you able to take anything for it? I feel the same fear of wondering if this will eventually land me in a wheelchair. I certainly hope not, but some mornings it's just hard to get out of bed.

Cheryl

Hi Sue,

I stopped wearing the boot last Thursday evening. My knee and hip seem to be calming down somewhat, but maybe I just think that because my foot is hurting more!! No not really, I hate sounding like a pessimist I'm usually much more optimistic, I guess it is just easy to vent to all of you!! I too have spent a fortune on running shoes. I always by new balance, and I always buy running, even though I'm a walker (or used to be). I have found just because they cost more truly does not make them better. I look for a good arch support and make sure they are running. If you have a Kohl's near you, I usually buy them there. I spent a fortune on orthodics in the past, where they make a mold of your foot and yada yada yada, It wasn't any better than one that just slips in your shoe. You MUST however, take the padding that comes in your shoe out, before putting the gel orthodic in. Otherwise your shoe won't fit right. (That is what the podiatrist told me), no great wisdom from me! I am going to ask for the lidoderm patch and give it a try, I have not heard of that one before. I think I'll get another pedicure too, after all I am saving money on buying all the cute boots and shoes right?? See how easy it is to justify what I want??? I hope you do go to an orthopedic specialist it won't hurt getting another opinion in all of this!
Lynn

[b]Hi Cheryl,
What color is that shoe? haha I just got the new balance black i think style 920. for $120.
with my orthodic and having the shot last Wednesday, hope my feet get back to normal...
we will see.
the doctor told me that I won't need another shot at all. (I hope)
So did the zapper work for you?[/b]
Nini

Hi Sue,
just read your post on the other page....I went back to work on Thurs, day after shot. was ok,
I only work 3 days a week, I will let you know how it goes after working 3 days in a row...
Have a good week, talk to you soon
Nini

Nini,
I am sooo happy for you. I hope the shot works forever and you are done with all this pain!!! Please take it easy and don't over do it. Try stretching your feet first thing in the morning before you even get out of bed. I'll keep my fingers crossed, and say a prayer that you are cured!!! Keep us posted on your update!!! Congrats on being so brave getting the shot!
Lynn

Hello all,
Just a note to let you know I saw the orthopedic surgeon again yesterday. He still suggest the shock wave therapy although he admits it only helps about 50% of patients and insurance does not cover the $1,000 fee. I am leaning towards going back to the podiatrist and getting the endoscopic surgery to see if that will help. Both doctors agree I am at the surgery stage. I will keep you posted.
Lynn

Hi to all,

I am new on this site. I've been following your posts and want to give some input. I am a former top runner, winner of many races, and a running coach. I have real bad plantar fasciitis, but not for the "usual" reason. I have a rheumatoid type arthritis, which makes my tendons be inflamed. So that's ALL the tendons in my feet and my shins, etc. Some of what you guys are being told by the docs I don't agree with at all. This is generic one-size-fits-all stuff they are spouting. First, running shoes. stay away from heavy shoes. I wear the lightest shoes I can find. I stay away from NB and Saucony.
Find out if you have low, high or medium arches and buy shoes that are made for your arch size. For the most part, I don't find orthotics work. I don't find taping your arches works. Makes my feet way worse. Cortisone shots are temporary at best. Proper warmup is very helpful. Wall stretches are good. Hard surfaces are a killer, so run/walk on grass, dirt. Use ibuprofen. My track kids all learned early to keep bags of frozen peas handy and to ice liberally. I am seeing a physical therapist myself right now, but have absolutely no faith that it will help. Fasciitis is a tough condition to treat, especially if you've had it for awhile. Try to rest, don't stand on hard surfaces, ice, good running shoes, and even better NO shoes. When my feet are at their worst, I walk barefoot on a cool surface. Feels so much better!

Hi Nini - How is your foot doing? Did the shot work? Are you wearing the orthotics with the new sneakers? Is work more bearable?

Hi Lynn and Cheryl - How are you guys doing? Sorry that I haven't written - been down in the dumps this week - Lynn, I have not done a lot of research on the shock wave therapy . . . I do know that I have read that it is far from "a full proof solution", but what exactly does it do? Does it reduce the inflammation? I just don't know what I would do - I certainly don't know if I would want to pay ANOTHER $1,000 out of pocket, but neither do I know if I would want the surgery . . . maybe if the surgery was done more frequently . . . as I have read, we are the 5% that nothing works for . . . not a huge percentage!

Cheryl - Did you go for the nerve testing this week? If you did, what was it like? Painful? Where do they do it? Doctor's office? Hospital? Did you get any results back yet? How are your feet doing in general? Have you had a chance to do any research on the TTS that he thinks that you have in addition to the PF?

I went back to my doctor on Monday - He now thinks that since the Lidoderm pads have given me some relief, that I definately have some nerve involvement . . . Get this, he thinks that I have TTS or "nerve entrapment" - I did a little research on it (not a lot, makes me nauseous) . . . I just don't think that is what I have at all - Cheryl, the symptoms sure do sound like yours though. But my symptoms are just not the same as yours . . . So, he refilled my prescription for the Lidoderm patches, he is "re-doing" my orthotics (which I should have had back this past week), and will see me in 3 weeks - Oh, and he also wants me to walk on the treadmill with my Lidoderm patches on . . . OOOKKKAAAYYY! What for? He also said something about having nerve testing . . . I do think that I have some nerve involvement . . . I think that the PF is so inflammed that it is putting pressure on a nerve somewhere, but who am I?

Please write when you guys get a chance . . . Would LOVE to hear how you guys are doing!

Sue

Hi dsponies - First of all, welcome to the site - We all enjoy talking to new members, getting new prospectives, and fresh ideas! With respect to your PF from rheumatoid arthritis, does it come and go? Have the doctors told you to do the same stuff as the rest of us, conservatively? I am really interested in what shoes you would recommend . . . you said to stay away from heavy shoes - I have purchased 2 pair of NB walking shoes - they are the heaviest, clunkiest sneakers that I have ever worn and truly believe that my knee and hip pain is a direct result of wearing them. What would you recommend for running shoes? Right now, I am looking at the Brooks Ariel (would love input as it would be ANOTHER $130). I, unfortunately, cannot just go and buy any pair of sneakers - I have a VERY WIDE foot! From what I understand, I have almost no arches - not exactly sure when that happened - they have always been fine! I do all that I am supposed to . . . wall stretches constantly, ice constantly, Motrin constantly, rest constantly, etc., etc., etc. What I find most interesting is that my physical therapist, doctor, and from all the research that I have done on this condition, the first and foremost thing that you can do to help yourself is NEVER go barefoot - Totally different from what you say!

If you could get back to me for a suggestion on the sneakers, I would really appreciate it!

Sue

Hello All-

I feel bad for not having "checked in", but it looks like we all had an interesting week that kept us away. I had a day of pampering planned for Tuesday that was shot down by $600 in car repairs. My car was gone for the entire day and I was stuck at home. I almost called a cab to go to get a mani/pedi, but I was too upset about my old car. I swear my car only breaks down before the holidays. It never needs repairs except in November!

Anyway, my knee is starting to hurt from wearing the boot and I am starting to wean myself off of it. My nerve test isn't until late December since the testing doctor comes to my doctor's office to do the tests, only on Mondays. I don't really want to miss more work, so I'm gonna tough it out until then.

I love my NB running shoes. They are so light weight and comfy. They have netting on the tops and sides and my toes can really move and feel good in them. I can't go barefoot. If I go barefoot I will have to crawl in the morning. I think that if cortisone doesn't work after the first shot, don't bother with a repeat. I had a doctor tell me he would try it up to 3 times on each foot. He gave me one in my left heel that did nothing for the pain and made me feel sick all day after it.

I love my frozen ice bottle. I'm rolling with it right now. Thanks to this board for that tip! (I think it was Sue, but I don't want to read the posts that far back to be sure!!)

I read something that said that PF is caused by too much weight on the balls of your feet and the result is heel pain which makes you stand on the front of your feet even more!

I think the people here are the 5% who don't immediately get relief, but I also think that there is no one right way to help each person. All of our bodies are different and respond to pain and treatment differently and it's just a matter of finding what's right for you. When you've been trying everything without success, you become willing to try anything within reason that someone suggests just in the hopes that it may work. If it's worked for someone else, it may or may not work for me.

For now, it's ice, boot, exercise and motrin for me!

I believe that I may have Plantar Fascitis. I have severe pain in both my heels to the point of crying when it gets to its worst. Recently my toes began turning the same red that my heels are and hurting bad. I now have tingling in my toes as well. Sometimes it takes me 3 or 4 times trying to get out of bed in the morning. I have tried Dr. Scholes shoes and it has made my feet worse. What really makes it worse is I am on my feet 8 hrs a day at Walmart where i work. I have an appointment with a orthopedic on December 1st. Does this sound like Plantar Fascitis to any of you who have it and what do you suggest to treat it?

Welcome Jess

I'm glad to hear that you are going to a dr soon. You do have some symptoms of PF, but I can't diagnose that. I have also learned that PF can be a little different for everyone. You could have more than one issue going on. The Dr should be able to help you there. Have you tried ice and motrin? They won't make it go away, but they can help. My favorite thing is a frozen water bottle rolled under the arch and heel of my foot. I have also dunked my foot in a bucket of ice water. It's not for the faint-hearted, but it feels good to cool it down. Try putting a belt or a towel next to your bed and after you wake up and before you get out of bed try some stretching. Put the belt around your foot through the arch and pull back slightly and do this a few times on each side. A dr. recommended this to me and it helps to stretch before walking. Let us know what your doctor says.

Cheryl

Hello to all!!!
Just an update. I went back to the podiatrist last week. Decided to give up on the orthopedic surgeon. After wearing the boot for a month, the only thing it did was to hurt my hip and flare up my other foot! OK!! What to do from here....Hmmmm.... After stopping exercise completely, my feet are tolerable pain, (getting into my jeans however has caused more pain)!!!! This is what I have decided.....After the first of the year, (I'm just too busy now, like the rest of you I am sure), I have decided to have the endoscopic surgery on my left foot. I feel I need to do something, by waiting I will in short time develop TTS or achilles tendon problems, I question some of that already. My doctor feels and I concur, this is the best option for me. It is the least invasive and the outcome is about the same as open release surgery. He feels within 10 weeks after the surgery I should be very much improved. Well, there you have it!!!
For all of you new to this site, please be proactive!!! If orthodics, stretches, and ice doesn't do it, don't wait!! See a doctor. If you are not happy with one, try another. I have been to three of them!! Please be an advocate for yourself and don't wait! Every professional I have seen has said PF is hard to treat with great success in some cases. Take myself and many of you as examples.
I hope all of you are doing well, If I don't get a chance to get back to you, have a happy thanksgiving!!!!
Lynn

Hi, all. I just want to share some thoughts here that may even sound crazy to some of you. But I am one of those ultra-sensitive gals which is a good and a bad thing. I have discovered that caffeine in any form makes all my muscles get very tight - especially my legs. Within the last year it has started to affect the arch in my left foot as well. It is really hard to stay away from all caffeine since it is in so many things. Even decaf coffee is too much. I want to pass this along in case some of you may also be causing your muscles to stay tight by what you are ingesting. I also swell in the ankles if I give in and have a cup of decaf. If I have one two days in a row, the swelling continues to get worse. SO I have to stay away from chocolate, tea, coffee, any energy bars containing chocolate, etc., or be willing to pay the price, which includes pain in the left arch. That leg also swells much more than the right. Maybe some of the young people experiencing these problems are also prone to drinking energy drinks, which are really loaded with caffeine. I know this is true for me, but do not know how many people out there also have to watch caffeine ingestion. Has anyone found there to be a link between what they ingest and how much pain they are suffering?