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My plantar fasciitis is getting worse

Posted , 69 users are following.

yasmiina
yasmiina

I am a very active and sporty female who has had plantar fasciitis for a month now. It all started with me sitting in a chair and trying to curl my toes upwards when I suddenly felt a stabbing pain in my left heel. At first I thought that it was a cracked heel but was puzzled at how on earth it would have happened with me taking a good care of my feet and doing regular pedicures.

And then I immediately thought about plantar fasciitis because I have two friends who have had it. I was waiting for a week for it to go away, hoping that I was wrong but that didn't happened. Went to my doctor who confirmed what I suspected - plantar fasciitis. I was devastated as I love going for long walks, running and doing boot camp style circuits several times per week as well as regular personal training sessions. I work as a housekeeper in a private home, so most of my day is spent being on my feet. This was the worst possible condition I could get!

I spent 3 weeks feeling utterly miserable and depressed. Lost my appetite, lost 3kg of my weight and had nightmares about dead bodies.

Meanwhile my personal trainer tried to persuade me to see a physiotherapist in a clinic where he used to work. I went there 3 days ago and regained my peace of mind. I am lucky in that respect that I caught it early, I knew what it was right away and stopped running and exercising except for walking. I had a full gait analysis and the results were quite shocking for me. Apparently my lower back muscles are very weak and cannot support my pelvis when I walk or run. Also I have a tight calf muscle (soleus) in my left leg. Both these things combined make me pronate inwards heavily while walking and running. The stress of it was too much for my plantar fascia and it resulted in a mechanical trauma.

The physiotherapist was quite optimistic about my recovery and even advised me to continue exercising including running but avoid jumping. I am not sure about running but I am happy that I can continue my daily walks and not worry about causing any further damage to my foot. I will also have to do exercises to strenghen my lower back muscles and release the tension in my left calf.

I also did a research about dietary requirements with this condition and herbal remedies. I am against synthetic drugs. Haven't taken anything since I was 17! Apparently, we should eat lots of salmon, sardines and pineapples. Luckily I love all these things and am very well stocked up on them now.

From the list of herbal remedies stinging nettles caught my eye. Four years ago I cured my lower back pain by placing nettles straight on my back. So, now I am putting them on my foot inside the sock. I am also drinking bucketloads of nettle tea and even soaking my feet in it. It might be just psychological or a placebo effect but all my pain and discomfort is gone.

I am not saying that everybody should try it but it certainly helps me. I definitely think that it is worthwhile having your gait analysed. As resting and not exercising alone will not cure the root problem.

Unfortunately, this thing is getting worse for me. Been in pain for 4 days, cannot put the heel to the ground, so I am half limping half tiptoeing around at work.

Needless to say it's making me depressed and miserable again. I am ready to try anything if it helps! If there is somebody who jas succesfully got rid of this condition, please, please, let me know how you did it!

Thanks for reading and good luck to you all!

4 likes, 163 replies

163 Replies

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  • osborne
    osborne

    Posted

    airwave, thanku for info very helpful, appears a lot could have been done for me instead of passing me from one dr to another and no actual help given or explanation. Am elderly so perhaps thought I wouldnt understand. Mind you I was diagnosed as sciatica even though it was nothing like it, or still thinking sciatica because first dr said it.
  • allybee
    allybee

    Posted

    I have now had PF in both feet for 15 years. Mine is due to fallen arches and over pronation. I have seen everyone in the medical profession possible and nothing has helped except injections that usually last 6 weeks. I have had arch supports, physio, acupuncture, Shock wave treatment, bone marrow injections and bi-lateral fascia release. Nothing more can be done just have to live with it now. I am open to suggestions, rather feed up with it now.
  • janet33667
    janet33667

    Posted

    Bit of a disagreement between a few on here. I think keep

    an open mind, do your research, speak to professional people

    Don't think all PF is the same therefore what works will

    differ too. Xx

  • osborne
    osborne

    Posted

    hi, after almost a year and several scans but almost no info, gp (not Care UK NHS) slipped it in that I had PF Strange it took so long to tell me as I sussed it out via info here. I said all along it wasnt my back or sciatica. Still unable to get foot flat since fall in hospital, was suggested by Care UK I had always had that tendency. Absolute rubbish,of course I am elderly so suppose I wouldnt have noticed when went to Zumba, rode pushbike and even slight jog for bus. Now have very uneven hobble and use 3 wheel walker. Never had foot problems previously. Unable to see just how feet will be balanced correctly now as no way will foot heel go onto ground. appears to me something to do with achillies also. Very dissapointed after all this time...apparently being sent to another hospital for sorting out somehow. Had to ring Care UK to ask as was left lacking info just said last appointment when asked as usual gp would be told. To get ring tomorrow. Wonder how much longer to get help.
  • theresa09451
    theresa09451

    Edited

    I've had PF for over a 18 months. It started in both feet, had cortisone injections and it cured the right foot straightaway, but the left foot has been getting worse, even after 3 cortisone injections..to the point, where I am considering leaving work ( I work in a kitchen). I've tried everything and anything that has been suggested to me and that I've read about..and there's a lot of info out there, but what there isn't is a cure! The only thing I haven't tried is shock wave therapy, has anyone tried this and has it worked. I'm getting very depressed and it seems to be having an adverse affect on my life, I know this sounds extreme, but if you have or have had PF for any length of time you will know how I feel..
  • Emis_Moderator
    Emis_Moderator

    Posted

    Hi all,

    I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier but I have deleted all of the posts that were turning this into a bunfight. These are open forums where each user is voicing their opinions or experiences. If you disagree with them then that is fine but do not get into personal attacks.

    We do not allow posting that links to products or selling sites or users trying to push products or remedies on to other users. However, a lot of users are interested in "non conventional" treatments whether they work or not. It is up to users to decide whether to take the advice or ignore it.

    If any user doesn't like the way a disucssion is going please use the "Report" link to let me know and a new discussion can be started at any time or join in the many other ongoing discussions in this topic.

    As per the T&Cs if users start posting offensive or personal posts we will deactivate accounts if necessary.

    Regards,

    Alan

    Emis Moderator

  • janet33667
    janet33667

    Posted

    Shoes with a low heal work better..it feels a bit strange at first but takes the

    Pressure off the heal..not a narrow heal.

  • Gillo
    Gillo

    Posted

    Hi, After suffering with PF for nearly two years on and off, It really is a horrible condition. I was willing to try anything as despite exercises, stretching calfs, resting etc. nothing worked.

    A friend passed on to me the wisdom and beneficial results of taking a small (or larger) amount of Aspalls' ORGANIC cider vinegar every day and that it really helped her Mother with her condition, so I tried it.

    And it works!Vinegar is a liver cleanser and I think this has something to do with it. If only someone had told me sooner, I wouldn't have had to endure the pain that PF can bring.

    I have tested it for myself by taking different amounts (drinking a tablespoon to a 'glug' poured directly from the bottle in not very cold water.)

    I am used to it now but at first it takes a bit of getting used to but by varying the amounts you take you can find what is right for you and like everything don't be silly about the quantities, be sensible , don't overdo it as 'everything in moderation' is the best way.

    I have tried other organic cider vinegars and they don't work for me as well as Aspalls, which is odd and neither does the non-organic stuff work for me either-seriously! It sounds really weird but it's true.

    It sounds like a peculiar miracle cure-I know but try it a few times-it may help you like it has me.

    I do have to keep it 'topped up' every few days but I don't have to have any for several days in between.

    That is why I am passing it on.

  • osborne
    osborne

    Posted

    Due to wearing slippers for few hours have made PF much worse, should have taken more care.
  • marion81631
    marion81631 yasmiina

    Posted

    Had pf now for good few years didnt lnow thats what I had put it down to walking to fast in so much pain and have went thru so many shoes would like to know can I get help with this have told my boss whos tryed to help by getting me stool to rest on but feet so so dore also have acilles tendinitis and fybromyalga so in pain from top to toe dont want to give up work but in pain 24 /7  
  • bob_2020
    bob_2020 yasmiina

    Posted

    hi i am also sufferin from PF had pains in my heals wearing my walking boots over the years but the pains went away now from april this year everything has got worse my feet burn in morning can not walk to bathroom pain is there all day long but not as bad as it is in the morning time..i limp cant stand in a certain place to long the pains are all over my feet and my left foot below toes is swollen reading comments looks like there is no cure for this when its severe in people taking ibrofen i bought skechers shoes to see if they would help they did for a about a few days or so nothing seems to take pain away i am waiting to see my podiatrist and hoefully get insoles made for me to see if that helps willing to try anything ..it gets you down day in day out glad i found this site as its not just myself whos sufferin with this problem also the pain is that bad it feels like my left ankle is broken  i am using the ice and resting but its hard to rest when u have things to do and you have to be on your feet anyhow thanks for reading my comments 
  • wanda_06786
    wanda_06786 yasmiina

    Edited

    I just wanted to say ,I had plantar fasciitis for over a year . I could not bare to stand on my feet and the morning was the most difficult . In Feburary ,I started a job ,dreading every minute ,a requirement of the job was to wear boots. Well within less than a week the pain was gone . I couldn't believe it ! After trying everything from several pairs of shoes ,inserts and foot braces ,that did nothing ,the boots were my pain free answer . I hope this helps anyone suffering from plantar fasciitis ! 
  • yasmiina
    yasmiina

    Edited

    Hello everybody,

    Thought would update you on how I am doing 3 years later. To all of you who are in pain and suffer like I did I can say that there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. I have been completely sympthom free for the past 2 years. No pain at all, I can wear whatever shoes I like, I can go for long walks (sometimes I walk almost 20km per day). I am back to a housekeeping job and spend most of the day on my feet. And I am perfectly fine, thanks God!

    I am thinking about starting running and training again as I have put on 10kg extra weight which I want to get rid of. But I am not too concerned about it as the main thing is that my feet don't hurt and I am fine.

    I wish you all the best and the only advice I can give you - listen to your body and give yourself all the time you need to recover. I didn't do anything else, no medication, no special shoes or insoles, no injections, no shockwave treatment.

    Praying for all of you!

    God bless!

    • juliet86
      juliet86 yasmiina

      Edited

      Hi Yasmiina, I am so happy that you have been able to get rid of this condition. Could you share more information on what you did do apart from rest? Stretching, icing, supplements? 

      Thank you!

  • lesley13232
    lesley13232 yasmiina

    Edited

    Hi Yasmiina, l have PF for over two months. I was told it can last up to nine months. It then disappeared apparently. Not happy that it will last that long. I do walking and stretching exercises but not yet got rid. Don't like taking meds. I wouldn't be surprised to learn mine is back related. Never had it before let alone heard of it. I hope it gones soon...
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