Metatarsal pain - does anyone have a cure?

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I have self diagnosed by google - started with a feeling of a stone in my shoe but developed into eye watering pain shooting pain into my ankle. Driving is agony. Had to drive to an appointment on Monday - 1 1/2 hours each way - and was almost crying with pain by the time I got there and spent the evening with my foot on an ice pack
There's no swelling so I presume nothing broken. Is there anything that will help?

Poor you:( Don't let the pain go on for too long without seeing a doctor and if necessary a referral to a podiatrist.

The reason I'm saying this is I started having foot pain last year and wish I'd had it investigated sooner. I was diagnosed with a 'Mortons Neuroma' which is a benign tumour that grows on a nerve in between the metatarsals. You may not have this but your description of a 'feeling of a stone in my shoe' is a classic symptom. I will be having surgery this year to have my neuroma removed but haven't got a date yet. If I wear shoes with thick soles, e.g trainers or Ugg boots, I don't have much pain but I can't wear thin soles atm.

Other short term solutions to reducing pain are anti-inflammatory painkillers and if diagnosed, steroids can also help. Wearing shoes with plenty of toe room helps too.

I would also advise you to see a doctor about this and not ignore it indefinitely. I had a burning pain in the sole of my foot for years which I self diagnosed as being due to hard skin. When I eventually mentioned it to the doctor, I was referred to a podiarist, who initially thought it was a neuroma but a scan didn't confirm this. I am due to have an mri of the foot next week as it appears the problem may be due to arthritis and may require surgery.

I'm a podiatrist, ask your gp to refer you to the NHS podiatrist and then any insoles you need are free.

In the meantime buy some wide trainers with laces or velcro, never slip on's. Try mens trainers rather than womens, they tend to be rounder at the toe and broader, if you can fit into boys trainers even better.

Things dont always swell up that much, patient of mine broke his ankle with no swelling at all, and I have seen broken toes that are only slightly puffy.

BTW Metatarsalgia is a catch all term, it covers everything from a corn to soft tissue damage.

For some reason patients are usually impressed when we have heard of metatarsalgia, I do wonder what they think we do for 3 years at university.

I deal with ankle pain with support and compression, so a tubigrip on my ankle; anti-inflammatories and other painkillers taken regularly so pain can't develop; raising it and resting it; and using heat/cold packs. I see the GP straight away if anything is out of the ordinary (have arthritis) and get referrals appropriately through him.

Also, podiatrists, I don't want to take this thread over, may I message a quick question?

Oh gosh - not really what I was expecting - GP it is then. ..
Thanks all