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Original poster

To feel totally ground down by my painful feet!

98 replies

Scabbersley · 31/01/2018 19:00

I have plantar fasciitis. It's really bad. I've had steroid injections which worked for a year. I've spent almost a grand on physio and insoles. Now the ligaments are tearing everytime I go on tiptoes, eg to reach something high.

The pain is constant. I have really supportive trainers that I wear everywhere and nothing helps.

The constant pain makes me a) so tired b) frown so I look 107 years old c) sometimes tearful.

The only thing that gave me relief was naproxen but the doc today said no and gave me some more fucking useless exercises.

I feel like an old old woman. I'm only 51! It's sapping all the joy out of life and it's not even something that sounds that bad!

OP posts:
Butchmanda · 31/01/2018 20:17

Foot pain is so miserable. I have bunions and mortons neuroma in both feet. Can't afford the recovery time for the surgery. Don't drive so walk everywhere. Have you seen a podiatrist? Can your GP refer you? Or could you stretch to one privately. GPs don't understand feet. I can't speak specifically about PF as its one thing I don't have wrong with my feet but specially made insoles may help. I wear Nike lace up trainers in the house and never slippers or bare foot because my feet need support. But, really, try to see a proper professional. Good luck. Flowers

Butchmanda · 31/01/2018 20:20

Sorry just read again and see that you have insoles. Were they prescribed by a podiatrist? Custom made? Maybe you can get better ones if not?

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 31/01/2018 20:22

My PF was almost certainly linked to tight calf muscles. Plenty of calf stretches helped. As soon as I get a twinge I start them again.

Curious2468 · 31/01/2018 20:25

Massive sympathy! I have this along with a mortons neuroma, bunions and all the toes on one foot point the wrong way (I'm hypermobile eds). I'm only 35 and feel so much older physically! It's so hard when it's your feet as there isn't really a way to avoid using them!

user1471508896 · 31/01/2018 20:27

After 5 years of pain, 3 courses of physio and 6 steroid injections (3 in each foot) I am on the waiting list for Extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

From what I understand it is a newish treatment with good results, 15 month wait for it but £900 per foot privately so I'm saving up.

Iruka · 31/01/2018 20:29

I have had the shockwave therapy and it worked a treat. No pain from pf now

user1486076969 · 31/01/2018 20:33

This is a case of 'do as I say, not as I do'!! As ChazsBA says above, much of it is to do with stretching/strengthening other muscles. Mostly stretching calf muscles and strengthening glute muscles. Any amount of targeting the pain with steroid injections won't sort out the cause.

endofthelinefinally · 31/01/2018 20:35

You can buy the shock wave machine for £30.

SharonMott · 31/01/2018 20:41

Two things turned the corner for me with PF and I had been in agony for 9 months at this point. I smeared Ibulieve Gel on the heel and covered it in a plastic bag and put a sock over that at night. It specifically says not to cover it but I did. I also bought Scholl Orthaheels but built the instep up higher with cutting out foam half moons and sticking them on with sticky backed elastoplast style bandage. The raised instep takes the pressure off the ligament and lets it heal. I think the stretching exercises cause heel spurs to form and you don't want to go there! These two things got mine to start healing. PF is hell.

ShotsFired · 31/01/2018 20:43

@ChazsBrilliantAttitude My PF was almost certainly linked to tight calf muscles

@Scabbersley - Mine IS linked to that, I know exactly how painful it is and I feel for you. I wheel this out every time, but please, PLEASE go and get a proper sports massage on your lower legs (possibly more up the leg/bum too). It should free up the tight muscles and give you a bit of flexibility back.

Even better than that, find someone who does dry needling and get them to look at you too/instead. I went from almost crying hobbles every day to being able to walk.

Meantime, when it's bad now, I use fitflop flip flops as slippers an that helps. Orthotics never helped me a jot and I never wanted to start down the road of injections and daily painkillers. I also get daily footrubs from OH and he can dig in a thumb to JUST the right spot sometimes. Blessed relief.

Swizzlegiggle · 31/01/2018 20:45

Oh I feel your pain OP. I've suffered on and off for about 8 years now.
I pretty much only ever wear sketchers when walking about and low heeled shoes with insoles whilst at work.
You have my sympathy as whenever I have an flare up the pain is awful and I'm hobbling around everywhere clutching onto things for support.
I've worn night splints, had my feet taped, exercises insoles and have done the whole rolling my foot under ice and tennis balls.
I hope you find a resolution to make you feel better.

HeebieJeebies456 · 31/01/2018 20:46

Fellow suffer too. I share your pain and frustration.

I have a high arch so can't wear completely flat shoes.
My shoes need to have a heel and i've found the short, block heels much more comfortable than wedges.
I've always had a heavy tread as well, wearing down the heel on new shoes pretty quick.
I take 2 paracetamol (for the pain) and 2 ibuprofen (to relax the muscles) morning and evening to manage the daily pain and discomfort.
I changed my insole support as well from the memory foam stuff to the one with inbuilt plastic balls of support for my arch arch and heel.
I've tried to attach the link but they're not advertised on Deichmann's online shop for some strange reason so you might want to pop in store to try them.

Eolian · 31/01/2018 20:53

I have had PF in one foot for about 18 months. It forced me to give up running Sad. It varies in severity but yours sounds much worse.

I read that some of the exercises doctors recommend can actually make PF worse because at the same time as you are stretching your achilles, calf muscles and hamstrings, you are also flexing your foot and pulling the plantar fascia even tighter. So it suggested trying to do the exercises with your toes pointed/curled down to relax your PF. Pilates is supposed to be good for it too. I wear crocs or fitflops around the house, which seem to help.

Original poster
Scabbersley · 31/01/2018 20:54

Thank you all so so much. I'm sorry lots of you have gone through this. I'm at the point where I'm almost willing the fascia to tear completely! I take nurofen four times a day and it helps a bit after a couple of days, but I hate taking it. I think I'm going to go back and ask for the naproxen again. It didn't get rid of it, but it did relieve the pain enough for me to be able to get up from the sofa without sobbing under my breath.

Going to read thoroughly tomorrow and look for tips and advice that I haven't already done. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Scabbersley · 31/01/2018 20:55

When I sit down on the sofa at night and try to relax my feet, they cramp terribly. Then I get restless legs and feet Hmm

OP posts:
user1486076969 · 31/01/2018 20:57

endofthelinefinally - do you have a link?

Rewn7 · 31/01/2018 20:59

@Scabbersley

Extra corporeal shockwave therapy cured mine. It was private through bupa but did work. I can still get the odd twinge but sensible footwear keeps it at bay now.

Ask about being referred for it if you can.

chocolatedonut · 31/01/2018 21:32

You can buy naproxen in America (it was on the shelf in Walmart) if you know anyone who's going? (Not very helpful sorry!)

IMightMentionGriddlebone · 31/01/2018 21:34

Scabberley, that's bad. Really bad. You need to see the GP again, I think.

In the meantime, this is what I've done for mine: ice, ice, ice and ice whenever I had the opportunity at home; squishy soled slippers; compression socks; all the obvious exercises you'll have been given, like writing the alphabet twice over with my feet in bed before I touch my feet to the ground, and ice.

SummerSazz · 31/01/2018 21:35

I'm having shockwave therapy starting next week. I've had PF for 5 years and I'm naffed off with it.
I've got insoles in most shoes and wear fit flops for support.

rememberthetime · 31/01/2018 21:37

I got this when I started a new job in retail. I was standing all day every day for hours on end. Then one day I went to get out of bed and the pain through my heel was incredible.

I lasted 8 weeks in that job and my feet still haven't recovered. I have started wearing heeled shoes as they are more comfortable.

I think that employers need to have an awareness of the damage that can be done by standing all day. I feel like I was damaged by the job permanently and for £7.50 an hour...

CoffeebyIV · 31/01/2018 21:37

What else where did you mean to go with others thanannoyed

martellandginger · 31/01/2018 21:37

I had it a few years back. NHS dr said if it didn’t go away then he would refer me for acupuncture! Didn’t come to that as I lost a few pounds in weight and instantly started to feel better. I also tried to have 2 straight days a week resting.

Skechers trainers were good but nowadays padded trainers in a wide fitting will help. Exercise before you get out of bed. Make sure when ur asleep that you haven’t got heavy duvets or blankets on your feet.

I feel for you it’s bloody horrible.

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