Tammy

Hi,
Sounds like plantar fasciitis to me also. I'm suffering from it also on my left heel for almost the last 2 years. Because of it I developed a bone spur. A lot of dancers, athletes, overweight people and people on their feet all day might get it. If it is severe, you do need to see a doctor, they can prescibe strong motrin (to bring down the inflammation) and be off the feet a couple of weeks. Mine was pretty severe (a lot of tearing from my walking).
I'm still not completely recovered, I have my good days and bad days. I might have to get surgery, but I'm giving it more time before it resorts to that. What has helped me the most is: icing my left heel daily for 15 minutes (I do it for 20 minutes), this is really painful at first. Stretching exercises before my feet hit the floor in the morning (this is really important, so you don't keep retearing the fibers in your feet). Search online on plantar fasciitis and you will get great stretching exercises and tips how to deal with this condition. Wearing tennis shoes all the time, if I don't my foot stiffens, I hate that more then the pain, it also cushions your heel. I wear the sneaker New Balance #627, which is recommended by some. No barefeet, except for shower. I'm now starting to dance again and I bought bloch dance sneakers, which really help. I don't have to worry about messing up my foot while dancing by wearing the bloch sneakers, they cushion the heel. I also stretch my feet before going to bed, so my heel doesn't stiffen during the night.
Hopefully you catch your problem in time before it gets as severe as mine is/ was. Take care of the feet and see a foot specialist if you have to. Just don't let the problem go, or it can & will get worse.
Tammy

Tammy

PS:
In the beginning you might want to ice a few times a day or after you dance/ walk or on the feet a while...,. Icing is about the same thing as taking anti-inflammation drug (like strong motrin). It brings down the inflammation, which is important, because only then can the tears can start repairing itself. I'm not a doctor, but you can ask the doctor or search on line about it. The most important thing is to keep the inflammation down. When I ice every day my foot feels almost normal. I might have to get surgery because of the scar tissue and bone spur that was the result of letting the condition goe so long. When I first discovered I had this, it was so bad I couldn't even put my weight on it. I though I had a bone fracture or something, I had no clue what the problem was. If only I could go back in time and prevented this (sigh).

I also bought a recumbent bike (swimming is good also), so I can exercise now, without being on my feet. I'm in the process of losing weight so I can hopefully get better, so I don't have to get surgery.

Aniseteph

Eeek! I escaped quite lightly with my plantar fasciitis. There's a lot of it about, I had no idea. I truly sympathise with anyone who has it. Ouch.

I'm trying to get my knee sorted out now, fed up with dancing and waiting for it to hurt or lock. I think it's a damaged lateral meniscus (isn't internet self-diagnosis fab? ), wonder what the surgeons will think? I'm mentally rehearsing turning into the patient from hell if they stop me dancing on it for any length of time. On the spot baladi improvisation anyone?

KuteNurse

Yup, it is plantar fascitis. I also have it from working on my feet for 8.5+ hour shifts. It is not something fun to live with. Take ibuprofen around the clock. Every 6-8 hours keep dosing yourself on it if it is agreeable with your doctor. I like to soak my feet in a warm bath at night after work. That seems to help it a bit also. What I notice really helps is filling up a water bottle with water and putting it in the freezer. Then when I am at the computer desk, I put a towel between the bottle and my feet and roll the bottom of my feet with the ice. You have to keep plucking away at plantar fascitis for it to get better. Your doc may also suggest braces and such when sleeping. Good luck and I hope you feel better.

Chani

Thank you. Thank you. I'm off to research plantar fasciitis. I knew this forum was the place to ask.

Chani

fadua21

Dear Chani,
I agree with the diagnose: plantar fasciitis. Check this website: Plantar fasciitis: Treatment - MayoClinic.com
I did everything they recommend, but what really helped me a lot is night splints, to the point that I have not had any pain since I started using them, about three months ago. The rest of their suggestions, only helped me temporarily, but with the night splints, I truly felt cured, ah and also some stretching excercises before I go out of bed. I hope you feel better.

Kharmine

I'm suspicious of the med you're on, Chani. I've noticed it's quite common for doctors not to mention the side effects that have been reported with medications -- either 'cause they don't know, or they don't want to plant any suggestions in your mind.

I'd get a druggist to look up that med and see what's been reported about it. Or find a current pharmaceutical manual in your local library or bookstore -- one that lists your drug among the current prescriptions going, and their side effects. Or it could be the result of an interaction between the drug and food.

Always, always tell your doctor when there's anything unusual, particularly if you suspect the med.

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Maria_Aya

I had terrible pains under my feet (dont know how else to discribe it) special after teaching hours, next day i could not work.
I'm doing Reflexology the last 2 months and I feel better than anyother time in my life with my legs.
Also got a base that I stand on everynight for 15 min doing feet exercizes its like reflexology by your self and i'm addicted to it.
Dont know if this helps

Maria Aya

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maariku

Dear Chani,
I don't know anything about plantar fasciitis, but I have developed something similar over the past few months. There are certain points at my heel that hurt and both the area as well as the pain has been increasing over time. My doctor sent me to a dermatologist with that, as she believes it there might be something causing infection in the deeper layer of skin tissue. My appointment is on Thu, so I can give you more details later.

You should definitely get some help with your problem. What I have noticed is that to avoid the pain, I lean unevenly on my foot, and this is already causing pain in my back. Plus, the limping I do in the mornings is not the most graceful

I hope you'll feel better soon!

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Tammy

Hi Fadua21,
I went ahead and finally ordered a night splint after reading your suggestion, hopefully it work for me to. I'm glad to hear it is working for you. Having this is so fustrating
Tammy.