Can someone talk to me about my tendontitis please

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I'm 32 weeks pregnant, and for the last few months walking has been extremely painful. Even a few steps can reduce me to tears. So much so that I try and avoid it if I can, crawling to the bathroom etc. The odd thing is it doesn't hurt to drive, but I can't go anywhere on my own as I can't walk anywhere.

My Gp has prescribed me Co-Codamol, 30/500 two tablets three times a day, but I've had to reduce that as I kept going giddy. But after nearly two weeks of pills, I don't feel like it's helping now.

If I go back to the GP, then what honestly could he do which hasn't been done already. Google says foot casts to allow the tendons to heal. Is this a possibility?

The pain is just too much now, and losing my independence is starting to affect my mental health.

Have you seen a podiatrist? I had a spell of having very painful feet, GP wasn't much use but podiatrist sorted it withing a few weeks.

Only other thought I have which will not be popular with some is to check out if anything homeopathic might help. DS tore tendons in his ankle and a homeopath friend gave him something, he recovered far faster than expected but I know some people are anti homeopathy.

My midwife told me not to go to a podiatrist, because apparently manipulation of the feet can start labour off. I can't even use my foot spa now

All I want is to be able to walk and enjoy what's left of my pregnancy.

I'm so sorry that no one has been able to help you yet .

Go to a podiatrist ,I'm sure they would be aware of any issues ( if there are any ....how many posts have I read from overdue preganant ladies wanting tips on how to bring on labour ? ) and treat you accordingly .

Go back to GP .

I think I'm going to have to get back to the dr, I'm not sure I can cope with it much longer.

I was hoping for a magic cure

Hi, I have been diagnosed with Achilles tendonitis this week.

Have to use ibuprofen or diclofenac gel to area x3 a day and apply ice packs for 15 mins to reduce inflammation. Am taking regular pain relief and referred to physiotherapy. You can also google exercises for in the interim.

Where is your tendinitis?

I feel your pain...literally

I have tendonitis + frozen shoulder and second advice re iceing ( frozen peas ) and taking pain killers regularly rather than as and when you can't bear it any longer .

I'm using ice packs on it as often as I can, and taking co-codamol 30/500. I can't take anything else though because of my pregnancy.

Someone has said about going to a sports injury clinic and seeing what can be done? What do you guys think?

The tendonitis is in both feet, and reaches from my toes, right around the ankle and beyond. Bearing weight is extremely painful

You really need to get treatment .

Go back to the GP and ask to be referred to someone who specialises in musculoskeletal problems - clinic at hospital or ( apparently where I live ) based at a surgery in the area .

It can be a wait for an appointment and the treatment can take time so you need to be referred sooner not later .

While waiting I think you should see someone privately if you can .

If you can get to London The British School of Oestopathy is well respected and offer treatment at half the price of private practioners ,they have a specialist clinic for pregnant women
www.bso.ac.uk/information-for-patients/specialist-and-community-clinics/#pregnantwomen

( I don't know why I forgot to mention this earlier . )

Failing that is there any way that you can research local private practioners ,whether sports injury ,oestopath at health clinic and get some recommendations ?

Do you have a local internet forum you could ask on ?

Good luck ,but honestly go back to the GP and make a fuss .

Hi apologies for very short reply but I know from exp that pregnancy hormones very powerful on the body - osteopath could offer some relief as could a Rolfing practitioner but you might only be able to manage your symptoms whilst pregnant and not "treat" iyswim. Also, I don't want to be a pain by saying this- you might just have to adapt your lifestyle around this issue for now, and respect your body. I say this as someone who couldn't walk much at all whilst pregnant. If resting up and no weight bearing helps you do some walking (what about crutches) then this might be enough to see you through? Sending love and hugs I know this is a tough one. Good luck x

Thanks for the advice everyone. Well I've truly over done it today. It was my nephews birthday and because I didn't want to be 'the fat girl in the wheelchair' I tried to walk all afternoon. Now I'm in total agony and really bloody cross with myself

I've found the number for our local sports injury clinic, so I'll call in the morning and see what they suggest can help me.

It may not be tendinitis it may well be tendinopathy which is not an inflammation but changes to the structure of the tendon (bitter experience speaking!).

Eccentric exercises mentioned above are the only thing that has any evidence behind it but it isn't a quick fix.

Temporary things which help to releive pain in my case:

Never let your feet get cold (or even cool) sleep with socks on until the weather is HOT.
Warm them up in the morning, walk through the pain for about 5-10 mins otherwise you'll hobble for hours.
Antiinnflamatories are not helpful in this case as they tend to have a dampening effect on laying down new healthy tendon (I'm sure there's a technical word for this) so stick to paracetamol/co-codamol (I don't find they work TBH).

You might find changing shoes helps a lot though it might take a while to find the right pair and a week for it to help relieve the pain - I find proper crocs good and also cushioned low wedge heels.

Resting does help though bizarrely I also find the pain is less when I'm running.

I know its no help but I feel your pain as I have chronic achilles tendinopathy and no-one realises how painful it is.

I've been using ice packs to numb the feet.

Should I not be doing that then

if they work for you then fine - if my sketchy knowledge is right ice packing and heating has a similar affect. Just be careful to wrap ice pack well and don;t leave on too long so as not to end up with burns that needed treating like my physio's previous patient!

I normally wrap it in a towel. I tried using one of those wheat bags, but I found it made it feel more tender after a while.

Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it!

I've got an appointment with a sports injury clinic for Wednesday. Hopefully someone will be able to help me Flipping expensive though, not that I care right now. All I want is to be able to walk!

Good luck - let me know how it goes. I'd welcome any new advice - am on the waiting list for platelet rich plasma injections but not sure I'll get them as I think they are trialing them.