My feet hurt too much to walk

[spaghettttiiii]

I know this sounds ridiculous and I would hate to go to the GP sounding pathetic but my feet hurt.

They keep me awake at night with pain and throbbing. When I stand, I have to limp halfway across the room before I can bear to put any weight on them. They painfully ache all of the time.

I have a job where I am on my feet for most of the day but it has only recently been like this.

Is it just old age, do I need to get used to it, or is there something I need to get myself to the GP for?

Doctors love fobbing people off. If you get fobbed off just try different GPs/podiatrist etc until you find one who isn't a nob. The purpose of these people is to provide you with a consultation. If you aren't happy with the quality of the service go elsewhere. They are not gods and there is no need for you to feel bad if they fob you off. That is there lack of skills not anything to with you. IT IS NOT NORMAL TO BE IN TOO MUCH PAIN TO WALK. Sorry for the shouting but you need to have that in the forefront of your mind when you go to your GP.

In my area you can self refer to podiatry services. See if that applies in your area. If so there is a bit of awaiting list but they were lovely and helpful when I saw them.

It does sound like PF. Don't bother with a doctor. Go to a podiatrist. I now have special insoles and stretches to do every day. It won't be perfect but the improvement is immediate.

@Wolfiefan yeah sure, it's a driug called Humira

Interesting loz. I’m on several medications but not that.

In my cause it's used for Crohn's but side effects cause joint problems especially in my feet. Funny how medications can effect things like that. I would have a check of the side effects of your drugs @Wolfiefan

I would blame the methotrexate but pain started before that.

In first instance would get googling PF.

If it is PF there are lots of good threads on MN, footwear will be v important given your job.

You say it throbs all night, not sure if that’s a common symptom of PF.

I’ve been similar since June. Saw osteopath for a few months after trying all the GP advice, but I still have pain now. It’s gradually getting better. For me it’s like plantar fasciitis but just in the inner heel (whole foot upon getting up but that eases quickly). Hoka trainers and Oofos flip flops for around the house. Don’t know what I’m going to do now we’re getting into dress weather!
Foam rolling my calves REALLY helps, definitely get a foam roller if you don’t have one!!!! I do have a hypermobile sacroiliac joint and very short hamstrings so I have a variety of things feeding into the foot thing. Agony though!!! Interesting to read about b12.
I am on my feet all day too.

Vionic are a good brand of shoes that help PF. I also find Fitflops good. I can wear Birkenstock’s as well.

Try stretching your calves before you get out of bed. I also use to sit at the side of the bed and rotate my ankles one way and then the other.

A good tip I got from the podiatrist was to sit and put one foot up on the opposite knee with the sole of the foot pointed sideways. Pull back the big toe of the raised foot and run your fingers along the instep of your foot. You will feel a tight tendon. Massage that out regularly. Both feet. You can do it as often as yo like. Really made a difference for me.

Rolling a tennis ball under the feet helps too.

I got inserts from the podiatrist which she made herself there and then and then I also got fitted for some custom made ones which were really expensive but I don’t think they are necessary really for everyone.

I’m really careful now about what shoes I wear. My slippers are from Fitflops as are the flip flops I wear on holiday. They have good sales.

I have these flip flops from Fitflops which look very similar to Haivanas to my eyes. They have 25% of some stuff at the moment.

They do some nice sandals and casual shoes too.

Our GP is useless. I'd go straight for a podiatrist if possible.

"I have arthritis in my feet plus swollen ankles. Last time I went to Dr and said I can’t walk he didn’t even look at my feet and said it was gravity!"
What a prick!

I had foot problems including plantar fasciitis. I went straight to a podiatrist, didn’t bother with the GP. I had custom orthotics made, and my feet are fine now as long as I take some precautions, particularly with the type of shoes I wear.

These will change your life:

www.amazon.co.uk/PRO-11-WELLBEING-Metatarsal-Fasciitis/dp/B00Z099HQO?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Put them in every pair of shoes. I had plantar facscitis for 18 months and only these made a difference. It has gone completely now and I can wear shoes without them, all day and not get any pain.

Got some insoles. Two days in and my life has changed already!! Thanks mumsnetters!

Brilliant! (Cheeky request alert. Which ones???)

You need to have a good think about your footwear too. I find my feet are much better if I vary the shoes I wear. If you are on your feet all day I'd say you need at least three pairs by different makers, lace up, low (not no) heel and as supportive as you can get (because over pronation is a characteristic trigger for PF). Trainers are good as long as they are supportive, failing that a brogue style. Make sure they are roomy enough to take a supportive insole.

My PF comes and goes and I have become expert at managing it. Stretching exercises do really help. Outside work I wear Birkenstocks for 9 months of the year because the shaped sole relieves the PF massively.

@Wolfiefan just some soft gel type ones from
Amazon :)

Thanks. Tonight I am mostly trying not to cry. My feet hurt!!