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planters fascitis getting worse

Posted , 8 users are following.

sue3847
sue3847

I have had planters fascitis for 7 months now and been on neproxin which initially helped, along with shoe inserts, icing and every stretch possible, having looked up what was best of course.

Over the past 2 weeks my heal pain has become excruciating whenever I walk anything other than very short distances and have had to go off sick from work ( I only work 4 hours a day but its mostly standing), am having steroid injections on Monday but am not looking forward to them.

How do people cope with working with this condition, I can not afford to give up work and as I also suffer from depression am worried being off work will send my mood low again. How do people cope !!!!

1 like, 19 replies

19 Replies

  • conker
    conker sue3847

    Posted

    It's really hard I struggle and every little thing like going shopping it's a painful task I told my work about it and they have given me a few duties that keep me off my feet a little less however I still do a lot are you having time off after injection 
    • sue3847
      sue3847 conker

      Posted

      I am going to have at least a week off after the injections as they recommend at least 4 days of rest post injections, that's if they work as apparently they don't help with a lot of people, If they don't work I don’t know what I am going to do, am on the waiting list for shock waves but apparently there is quite a long wait in our area 😔 
    • conker
      conker sue3847

      Posted

      I've had 10 sessions of shock wave therapy a complete waste of time it does nothing sue
  • j52763
    j52763 sue3847

    Posted

    Hi Sue. The first thing to know is you are not alone and the community of fellow sufferers are here.  So be brave, depression is a way of our body saying we have coped for too long. It's a long road this plantar problem for a lot of people.  Some like me have it for years, we survive and things could be worse, others have it just a few months, we all cope differently with pain and treatments and how we deal with life.  My advice is try whatever they offer as it just may work for you.  What can you lose?  Don't give up, you can get through this.

     

    • sue3847
      sue3847 j52763

      Posted

      Thank you Julie its nice to have a reply that gives me a bit of hope, I feel I have to try at least, you would never no it may just work for me, thank you
  • AnnB
    AnnB sue3847

    Posted

    Hello Sue

    I've suffered PF a few months more than you and it has got just a tiny bit better.  I refuse to have steriod injections because of the negative remarks I have seen on this forum but funnily enough I was reading in the Sunday Mail today that Botox injections are being considered for PF but it's in its early stages at the moment.  I've also spent a small fortune on inserts, air-heels and shoes but I suppose one has to try these things as everyone is different.  Now, I'm not a doctor but it seems to me that standing for a considerable time could be a major factor in the pain you are getting and perhaps resting for a long period of time might do you a world of good although it wouldn't go down too well with your colleagues at work.  My husband suffered PF because he did a lot of running but once he gave it up and rested as much as possible his PF went and never came back so you might fall into that category.  In that case, you are better off than I am because I do not run or stand for long periods of time. Sorry I haven't a concrete answer for you but I would seriously consider taking a couple months off work and just rest, rest and rest a bit more.  If that doesn't work then you might be able to ask your GP about botox injections.

    Good luck anyway and let us know how you get on.

    • sue3847
      sue3847 AnnB

      Posted

      I must admit the standing kills my feet, that's why when they got to much to bear I had to go off sick from work, have rested them now for 2 weeks and there ok on resting but I cant walk anything but around the house, I didn't want the steroid injections and tried to cope without trying them, but I feel I need to try anything I can now, have been on neproxin since last January, but that no longer has any effect. 
    • AnnB
      AnnB sue3847

      Posted

      I know how you feel Sue. We all have different types of pain with our PF and some people having had it for some years. Some people have burning sensation and others (like me) feel as if there's a pebble imbedded in the heel.  I can well remember being told to walk barefoot as it's good for our feet, a lot of good that did me! Anyway, I've tried most things except the injections but I don't want to go down that route until there is positive reviews, that's why I shall keep my eye open on these botox injections that I read about.  It would be so nice to get out of bed in the mornings without limping about  for the first few minutes so I thank God for my soft slippers. Is your PF in both your feet or one foot?
    • sue3847
      sue3847 AnnB

      Posted

      My PF is in both feet, feels like I have wooden blocks in my heals and then on walking/ standing they feel like they are on fire with red hot pokers going through my heals, will let you know how the injections go, don't expect to feel any results for at least 4-7 days though.
  • moira57684
    moira57684 sue3847

    Posted

    Hi Sue,

    I'm interested to hear about resting your feet. I saw a private Specialist Podiatrist 2 days ago for the first time. Both feet were very tightly strapped with tape, so much so I thought they would explode...they didn't! I keep the tape on for 12 days, then wear FS6 Compression Socks for 24 hours a day. The very next day, I got up and walked with no pain and little stiffness, it was like a miracle! I was advised to walk as little as possible, and not on hard ground. I was also fitted for specially built insoles, which I wear all day in new trainers. I might add, I found the NHS care very shoddy compared to this brillian private specialist. I return to see him in 6 weeks, and may have casts of my feet and custom made arch supports made for me...and all this is only the start of my treatment plan! My left ankle felt like it was broken for a year...but not anymore.

     

    • sue3847
      sue3847 moira57684

      Posted

      My GP said to rest them and although when I was at work I only worked for 4 hours a day then went home and rested them they still were very painful. I have been off sick for the past 2 weeks and have spent the days sitting with my feet up and icing them, when I am resting them they aren't to bad but as soon as I walk on them they are painful again, Icing really helps in the short term, just cant walk on them. Even at there best they still feel like they have wooden blocks in my heals  and when I walk my heals feel like there on fire with red hot pokers through them. If I could afford to go private I would as GP's only offer limited help.
  • moira57684
    moira57684 sue3847

    Posted

    Thank you for your kind reply. I agree entirely about private care, who can afford it? I paid £116 with visa card, and that also included my next appointment and the FS6 compression socks at around £30 a pair! I had previously seen an NHS Podiatrist, who just gave me bog standard arch supports which were actually the wrong height! I wonder if your GP would refer you to an NHS Podiatrist, and you may have better luck than I did. I really feel for those who have to work, I'm a retired nurse, and I guess that's what did all the damage. There are good arch supports on Amazon at £5-6 a pair, but maybe you have tried all that. I think we just have to keep trying every option that is out there and sharing all our successes and failures.
  • ray62350
    ray62350 sue3847

    Posted

    Coping............

    Solve one problem at a time.

    Work, I guess is the most important problem to solve.

    Find a way to work without standing or walking.

    After that, solve the little problems one at a time.

    I have used crutches for the last 5 years since the operation that makd things worse. My recent orthopaedic specialist wants me to lose them but he has no idea what its like - the pain.

    I say get yourself some crutches and use them to take short slow steps.

    For one thing it allows me to function in public without having to walk at the normal pace.

    Coping is a matter of short steps physically and mentally.

    You can do anything - just take short steps.

    I used to play professional rugby (17years ago) in the front row - where life was tough! I learned to never give up - thats a difficult lesson to learn and I know what depression does to people - I had a girlfriend end her life due to issues outside my knowledge - so I understand.

    I say tomorrow will always be better and if its not, then you have the next day to solve the problem. NEVER give up - have pride in yourself - NEVER be beaten - its a personal battle - NEVER stop trying.

    I am a teacher - new classes last week - I have a 15 year old who has muscular dystrophy - I am lucky!

  • ladyjack51
    ladyjack51 sue3847

    Posted

    HEY SUE3847,

    Sounds like you have a severe case like me. Sometimes I am bedridden. I don't have answers for you except I totally know what you are going thru.  I am blessed bc i have a man that has a good job so he takes care of me while I'm going thru this...and when I'm not. But I often think about what is a person to do that is the sole breadwinner? There is no way you can work. I have filed for disability but it's taking a long time since I have had to appeal it. Still...I have worked all my life and to suddenly be benched is devestating. I also have circulation issues so I filed before I got PF but I would be screwed if I was just waiting for that. I don't know what works and no one really has a sure fire cure. I put my faith in God bc He is the only one who can heal you. You are in my prayers my friend.

  • Flowerlady
    Flowerlady sue3847

    Posted

    Hi Sue. Sorry to hear you are suffering from Plantars, I know its very painful. I have had it and were told by an elderly lady to rub my heel with Vic! and then keep your foot elevated till it goes in . Did mine early eve before watching tv.Yes I know this sounds barmy but, hey it worked for me...I have occasional pain now not a patch on what it used to be...give it a try what do you have to lose.

    Good luck with your injections. Regards Anne....

    • ladyjack51
      ladyjack51 Flowerlady

      Posted

      Are you talking about Vicks vapor rub? If so, it's the menthol in it that very temporarily might relieve some pain while you have it up. I get the same affect from a spray called Stop Pain and you don't have to get it on your hands. Just spray and it gives a freezing feeling..just like Icy Hot or stuff like that. Overall, for me, it doesn't even touch the pain when standing. Anyway....I'm assuming you are talking about Vicks.   Am I wrong?
    • ladyjack51
      ladyjack51 Flowerlady

      Posted

      Lol...well, it can be a good thing bc if you massage it in paying attention to pressure points, it's actually good for PF so thanks for bringing that up. I had forgot about it! 
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