To feel totally ground down by my painful feet!

[Scabbersley]

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!

I had this. Daily agony.

It resolved by losing 4.5 stone. Gone from a 14-16 to an 8-10. Life changing. I can run again.

Couple that with regular stretching (physio exercises), sensible work shoes (supportive) and orthotics and it's fully manageable. Minor twinge after walking round London in daft boots, but I can't complain about that!

I was ready to consider the steroid injection. It's such a small dose of steroid that I wasn't concerned about that. I've heard many people get great relief from that.

I think most of the posters have given you great suggestions. My MIL had the same problem at your age and she went to the doctors to get no help. She was then told by some holistic healer to stop drinking coffee. She switched to tea and in 6 months she was healed. Following that she lost about a stone and feels much better now.

The steroid was amazing. My physio actually recommended that I have it as the inflammation was so bad it made the physical therapy impossible to do. After I had the steroid injections (guided by ultrasound), I had instant relief and could work properly with the physio, which I did, religiously, for 6 months.

I do wish people wouldn't assume that this is something that can be resolved if only the patient put more effort in

I'd kill for pills right now.

I'm sorry. But I don't believe the coffee thing. Glad it worked for your MIL though. I'm about 10lbs heavier than I was five years ago so I doubt it's that, although I have been trying to lose weight anyway so it can't hurt.

I will look into getting a sports massage. I might go back to the podiatrist also.

The thing is, it often gets better over time anyway. We tend to pin the improvement on the last thing we tried, but it could just have been time.

As for people thinking you'd get better if you tried hard enough- I think that's a harsh interpretation. We all tried lots of things before finding something that appeared to work. Sharing all the different successes may land on something you haven't tried yet. I'd never heard of shockwave, night splints or sports massage for tight calves. Lots of people don't realise how important shock absorbing soles are judging by how many shoes are made with ridiculous rigid thin soles.

I have it for a year kept being fobbed off. Until someone took pity on me

You have my sympathy 100% mines left foot? If yours is right maybe we could make a good pair of feet 3 days each and Sunday for rest?

I had steroid injection just before Xmas and it was wonderful except it’s stolled working so now I am having another one tomorrow which I am dreading.

Naproxen is wonderful but it gave me such bad stomach problems and a mouth full of ulcers which added to the misery.

I have no advice other than I bought a funny foot roller thing from tk max for £4.99 it kind of looks like a bobbly dumbbell which you can freeze or heat this provided some relief.

I have various trainers, fitflops, wee willy winky night socks etc. Things only seem to help on a temporary basis I find.

Much love to you, I had a c section and they cut me open with no epidural and I’d rather that all over again than PF, it’s destroys your soul xxx

I also find standing in the step and dropping my heels so I can feel my calves stretch really helps with the tightness

Mine got better after a year....

I've had this for four years now.

Much love to you, I had a c section and they cut me open with no epidural and I’d rather that all over again than PF, it’s destroys your soul xxx

Thanks redhead much appreciated. It bloody does! Especially if you are used to being active and a generally happy positive person

I caused mine by flexing as I have restless legs. Is this possible for you? I found less caffeine stopped me flexing at night and helped it ease

You are absolutely not being unreasonable.

I am also suffering with chronic pain right now, it's not my feet but it's in an area that makes it extremely painful to walk or to sit for any length of time. I am only 30! It really grinds me down and I just want to be able to go about my daily life pain free.

Really feel for you OP, hope you can find some relief.

I've had this for a long time.
My (charming with everyone, not...) GP said:
'oh yes, fat flat and forty, what do you expect?'

I have PF which flares up every now and then, plus for the last year a painful ankle, the gp says its arthritis -" what do you expect, your getting older 59 is NOT old ffs and you are a bit overweight".
Well yes, I seem to have been on a permanent diet for the last 25 years and still am the same size, . I have been doing the stretching exercises but they don't seem to help much.
I walk lots with the dog, lots of gardening grew all our veg last year and have a reasonably active life style and the constant nagging pain really gets me down.
I can't wear heels or any smart shoes, I live in sketchers and walking boots. I now have a limp and my DH says I should use a stick when out.

I've just been experimenting with massaging my own leg (I can't possibly afford a proper sports massage this month or a foam roller) and it did seem to relieve the ache.

See you later, I'm off to make my very own foam roller out of a bottle of Fairy liquid, an empty egg carton and some sticky back plastic!

Naproxen Sodium is available here. It's been a lifesaver for me with my migraines.

I've had PF in the past and really sympathise with you OP. Hope you get your appointment soon.

Naproxen Sodium 220mg(400 Caplet Bottle) – Kirkland

I agree with @ShotsFired you don’t need painkillers you need a cure or something that will give long term relief from the pain which plantar fasciitis gives.
I don’t have the intense pain from mine anymore it does ache from time to time nowadays. I had a biomechanics person manually realignment of the muscle fibres in my feet and legs with just three sessions my feet stayed at 90%angle when lying down and balance was better and I no longer walked pigeon toed. I had several months of treatment it was extremely painful while being done but the pain I was in with Plantar fasciitis had to end. So I just kept telling myself although while the treatment was taking place I wanted to be physically sick it was worth it. I had shockwaves too all in all if you can find someone in your area it’s worth every penny.
I still have to do all the foot excercise but not as religiously. I can wear normal shoes but not flat ballet pumps. I wear Ecco boots with an instep support or hi tops. Summer Birkenstocks or fitflops comfiest things ever to be invented when you have Plantar Fasciitis.
Hopefully you’ll get help soon and no longer hobbling around

I lost a stone and mine just went away op...are you overweight?

I am about 10lbs over my ideal weight, but I have recently lost 12lbs. I am 5' 8" and a size 14. So not skinny but I'd be surprised if weight was an issue. It started four years ago when I was a lot thinner.

I have nice feet, straight legs, good posture (well I did before this happened, now I have to force myself not to limp or crouch forward). I will have a look for a sports massage.

Does that mean I'll have to shave my legs though

OP - any update on this? Has it been sorted?

I've started wearing crocs and they have helped alot. Try them.