Feet hurt SO much - ideas other than plantar fasciitis?

[YellowStripe]

My feet have been increasingly hurting over the last few months. Agony in the morning, or if I've been sitting, even for short periods, eg. ten minutes at breakfast. The less time I've been sitting down, the quicker my feet lose the stiffness once walking. If I have time to wiggle my feet before getting out of bed it's not as bad, but if not, it's like trying to walk without putting weight on my feet. They ache in bed at night, to the point of stopping me getting to sleep.

I know there is a lot above suggestive of plantar fasciitis - BUT the pain isn't really in my heel - it's forward from there, top and bottom and across both feet. I've exhausted Google. Can anyone make any suggestions as to what it may be?

Maybe circulatory?

It feels more 'mechanical' than that, iyswim?

I've read a suggestion of using something like a Voltarol gel - might give that a try. Or Epsom salts. Or magnesium and calcium supplements.....

The reason I wondered about circulation is that you said movement made it better.

If it is this sort of thing could help,

www.amazon.co.uk/Revitive-91323633-V3-Circulation-Booster/dp/B004TPZEGM

I'd see your GP and get a referral to a podiatrist.

It can be a combination of things (life is never simple )

Circulation- when you rest or sleep , your circulation slows down. When you walk, suddenly your tissues are demanding oxygen.
As are the ligaments and tendons. They are relaxed then your bodyweight goes on your feet, they stretch.
The soles of the feet (especially the very fatty padded areas of the heel) don't have such a good blood supply.

Last year I had a painful heel after coming home from holiday in daffy shoes (flat pumps, fabric) had to run through the airport, miles.
It was about 10-14 days till I could put my heel down, worse in bare feet.

Pain across the midfoot area can be metatarsalgia
Or Mortons Neuroma (thickening of the nerve fibre, worse in shoes)

Make sure if you do get a referral (either NHS or Private) that your GP requests a Biomechanics Assessment. (I don't do Biomech, I'm a diabetes/wound care type)

And have a look for some shoes that will accomodate an insole- training shoes are ideal.

In the meantime, try massage and topical gels (I use Arnica Gel on my DC if they get muscle pain)
Good Luck

It's in both feet so unlikely to be due to trauma.

Rheumatoid arthritis?

Does it get better with anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen?

You need x-ray and ultrasound for proper diagnosis.

Many thanks 70 - I'll source some gel tomorrow. I have new-ish trainers which are quite supportive and have been wearing those when feasible. Flat sandals are a complete no-no

• I must admit to almost looking at Hotter and Shuropedy sandals the other day!

(Hope your 'oscopy went as well as can be expected today!)

Cote - tbh I haven't persevered with ibuprofen over a longer period of time. I shall make an effort to do that!

I don't think you are supposed to take anti-inflammatories over a long period of time.

You really need to see a specialist doctor, have x-ray & ultrasound and get a proper diagnosis. There are drugs these days that really help but you need to know exactly what is wrong.

Yes, I will make a gp appt to get the ball rolling. Even just resting them on the bed is getting uncomfortable

Hotter and Shuropody shoes are great!

Bloody expensive tho..

Gout?

I've had plantar fasciiitis many times and never in my heels.You should go see a GP.

Think PF unlikely if in both feet at same time??

FiveHoursSleep - I wasn't sure about PF as I thought it always presented with heel pain.

Got a pair of Hush Puppies sandals yesterday to replace my flats - and have my eye on a pair of their shoes for winter with a supportive insole.

I'm only 47 - feel like an old crone

Did you call your GP today? Please don't delay getting an appointment.

Yes, appt Tuesday I think they've been better in these hush puppies sandals today too. And I've got a bottle of waster frozen to roll my feet on. I have quite a high arch so will probably need supports in 'sensible shoes'.

It sounds like your arches are struggling. This is easily dealt with by using orthotic insoles. Biomechanics at the Podiatry department will make them for you.

Thanks Hidden - I'll make sure I get the referral.

Try getting a golf ball or a tennis ball, put it on the floor and put your foot on top of it. Very slowly roll your foot up and down on top of it. It might be painful at first, but i've found that it really helps stretch out the ligaments and get rid of any little knots that you might have on the bottom of your foot.

Hi yellowstripe
Hope your appointment goes well tomorrow. I was thinking maybe some type of arthritis? I've got psoriatic arthritis and my problems started as plantar fasciitis then moved to Achilles tendonitis. I've had it in both feet at the same time which wasn't nice but gave me a quirky walk ha!
I think you definitely need referring to a specialist.
Do you have psoriasis by any chance?
Hope you get sorted, I'll check back to see how you've got on.

I have PF in both feet.

While you wait on referrals you might as well do some of the stretchy exercises recommended for PF anyway. I can't see how they'd do any harm.

Hypermobile?

Good luck tomorrow and let us know the diagnosis [curious]

Yes when I had investigations for exactly what you describe it turned out to be hypermobility. You need very supportive shoes. My feet are more painful in the summer because I live in sandals and flip flops.