Such a Lovely Weekend!
Our family had SUCH a wonderful time this weekend - we are very grateful to our wonderful friends, M&B, who put up with 2 electronically-engaged kids, 1 aloof poodle, and a couple of adults who limped their way around the lake.
Gerry forgot his major pain meds, his oxy, which we didn't realize until we arrived. Dang. I had brought the hydro (less big-deal pain med) and, although Gerry usually doesn't even use it, I like to take it with us just in case. Good thing I did.
Every 4 hours I dosed him, and he did beautifully. So beautifully, in fact, that upon arriving home he announced he was going to try to STAY off of his oxy. Fine, I though, tomorrow's Monday and we have no plans for a few days, why not...
This morning he was suffering. By lunch he'd decided to return to oxy. I am trying to explain to him that it's not a sign of failure (and he DOES get that) but he developed some high hopes after two days off the oxy.
My personal feeling is that two days probably wasn't enough to get the benefits of the drug entirely out of his system, but I'm speaking from an entirely ignorant position.
PF Not-Quite-Flyers
I was limping because the plantar fasilitis (which I seemed to have developed at TNNA) worsened dramatically this weekend. My doc told me last week that wearing Birkenstocks are supposed to be better for the pain, but - perhaps because I'm just different - wearing the birks makes my pain worse.
The Keens I bought this Spring are working beautifully for me, though, and make the pain almost totally gone. But I left them at home (next to Gerry's pills, evidently) and spent this entire weekend either barefoot or in the only shoes I brought, Birks.
After being home and in my Keens for a few hours, the pain had lessened appreciably. I guess we all have different feet!
I've made an appt to see the doc, though, because she told me to come back if the pain worsened. As much time as I spend on my feet when traveling and teaching, I can't really afford to let this become a chronic condition.
This weekend our host had one of the splints that hold the foot in a flexed position during sleep, which she graciously allowed me to use (and which seemed to help). But wearing those darned birks are the kiss of death for my own, personal plantar problem.
Buffalo Gold
I was given some beautiful Buffalo Gold yarn - I fell in love with it last TNNA - and already it's inspired me to work up a hood/scarf laceweight thing. I don't generally work in laceweight, but it's been a sheer delight. When I acquire a camera, I'll post some photos...
Gerry forgot his major pain meds, his oxy, which we didn't realize until we arrived. Dang. I had brought the hydro (less big-deal pain med) and, although Gerry usually doesn't even use it, I like to take it with us just in case. Good thing I did.
Every 4 hours I dosed him, and he did beautifully. So beautifully, in fact, that upon arriving home he announced he was going to try to STAY off of his oxy. Fine, I though, tomorrow's Monday and we have no plans for a few days, why not...
This morning he was suffering. By lunch he'd decided to return to oxy. I am trying to explain to him that it's not a sign of failure (and he DOES get that) but he developed some high hopes after two days off the oxy.
My personal feeling is that two days probably wasn't enough to get the benefits of the drug entirely out of his system, but I'm speaking from an entirely ignorant position.
PF Not-Quite-Flyers
I was limping because the plantar fasilitis (which I seemed to have developed at TNNA) worsened dramatically this weekend. My doc told me last week that wearing Birkenstocks are supposed to be better for the pain, but - perhaps because I'm just different - wearing the birks makes my pain worse.
The Keens I bought this Spring are working beautifully for me, though, and make the pain almost totally gone. But I left them at home (next to Gerry's pills, evidently) and spent this entire weekend either barefoot or in the only shoes I brought, Birks.
After being home and in my Keens for a few hours, the pain had lessened appreciably. I guess we all have different feet!
I've made an appt to see the doc, though, because she told me to come back if the pain worsened. As much time as I spend on my feet when traveling and teaching, I can't really afford to let this become a chronic condition.
This weekend our host had one of the splints that hold the foot in a flexed position during sleep, which she graciously allowed me to use (and which seemed to help). But wearing those darned birks are the kiss of death for my own, personal plantar problem.
Buffalo Gold
I was given some beautiful Buffalo Gold yarn - I fell in love with it last TNNA - and already it's inspired me to work up a hood/scarf laceweight thing. I don't generally work in laceweight, but it's been a sheer delight. When I acquire a camera, I'll post some photos...
posted by Annie at
Monday, July 07, 2008
20 Comments:
Don't feel bad I have a small fortune on Birkenstocks and all of the sudden this winter my feet start hurting really bad.
I hope you and Gerry are both feeling better soon.
I've dealt with plantar fascitis and it is not fun, but it does get better. I was told never to go barefoot while I was dealing with this and to do stretches several times each day. One of the most effective things for me was to stand on a step with my heals hanging off. Then you gently drop your heals to stretch everything. After a few days it began to get better. Take care of your feet!
Lucinda
Annie,
Take Lucinda's advice. Worked for me. Still do these exercises occasionaly to keep the feet in shape.
I can wear my birks again ;-)
Genie
I had plantar fasciitis and couldn't really walk for a while (was on crutches for weeks). What saved me was getting custom molded plastic orthotics from my podiatrist. I can't wear shoes without them for more than a few hours without pain (and it's been 5 yrs). The best stretch I found is to hold on to something and go up on my toes and back down again maybe 20 times. Good luck! =)
Been there, done that with the plantae facitis. Actually it's a pretty chronic problem. Like the other commenter said the worst thing is to go barefoot. My birks are great for my feet though but not as good as my running shoes with stability inserts in them. Lord, I hate wearing sneakers all the time like an old lady but, well, maybe that's what I'm turning into. Yikes. definately do stretches. Tell Gary to hang in there - you gotta do, what you gotta do and if the oxy helps, let it help ya. Best wishes.
The thing that helped me most with my plantar fascitis was told me by a friend whose doctor told her. (Apparently my doctor was a complete doofus.) Anyway. Every time you get up, whether from sitting or from bed in the morning, Every. Single. Time., before you actually stand up, flex your foot and knee, then slowly straighten your leg, keeping your foot flexed. This will stretch that muscle? fascia? whatever it is that shrinks slightly when you are not standing, and stretch it in a way that does not re-injure the plantar fascia. Good luck.
I've been wearing Crocs for a couple of years now; previously I had to wear lace-up athletic shoes (old, overweight; me, not the shoes). I have since talked to many health-care professionals who wear them as well, many had/have fachietas (whatever) and report that they cannot work/stand without their Crocs. Worth a try? Good luck.
I read recently that plantar fascitis is aggravated by wearing sling-back or open back shoes which allow the foot to bend anywhere but at the toe end. I, too had been wearing Birkies non-stop and it just seemed to be getting worse and worse. But when I wear closed, lace-up shoes, it's not so bad. So maybe there is something to that.
I am in total agreement about stretching and wearing shoes with support. Another thing that helped me when I had it was to freeze water in a plastic coke bottle (between the 2 liter and smallest one). Then use it to ice my foot. You can roll it under your foot. It really does help.
Debra
I can tell you as a former oxy user that it definitely takes more than a few days to get it out of your system. It took me a month or so to get off of it.
I wish you and Gerry all the luck in the world and I keep you in my prayers.
I'm afraid I can't help Gerry, but I did just see my physical therapist for plantar fascitis. He showed me how to pull curl my foot by pulling my toes with one hand and pushing my heel with the other. He also recommended cupping the foot over a tennis ball when seated. This eases the stress on the tendon for a bit and can provide temporary relief. The other stretches mentioned by other commenters are good, too, and the most important thing seems to be wearing good shoes, especially when on hard surfaces (like convention center floors!).
I feel your pain! I had plantar faciitis with Achilles tendinitis over 20 years ago. Back then my primary doc just said, there's no treatment, it'll just run it's course, try to avoid using your feet (what?!?!? - who can do that?); it'll go away eventually. When I returned several weeks later, still in (even more) pain, he referred me to an orthopod - the wrong person - should have referred me to a physiatrist (MD that specializes in PT - sports medicine). The orthopod injected cortiwone into my heel which hurt like hell & did not help at all. Because mine was caused by RA (which is symmetrical), as soon as one foot started to feel better, the other one started to hurt. Now, I routinely do toe raises with the leg press machine which not only stretches all the right parts but also strengthens the muscles in your feet & lower legs. Birks also seem to make my feet hurt more.
I trashed my heal on a three mile hike in my worn out crocs. After hobbling around for 6 months I finally got a cortisone shot in my heal about 4 weeks ago. It hurt like crazy going in but I was pain free in 24 hours. My orthopod suggested 3 minutes of constant stretching immediately upon waking and several times a day and firm orthotics like those made by superfeet (www.superfeet.com) in every pair of shoes. I bought two pairs and switch them out between my shoes. I bought a pair at REI and then a pair from my Kaiser pharmacy. No more flip flops or shoes without a good arch support for me. And I love my Keens too.
I don't have PF, but I do have foot problems related to one broken leg that mended about 1/4" shorter than the other and, on the other side, an ankle that was broken and repaired with pins and a plate. Between the two accidents, I'm left with feet and ankles than can give me lots of grief.
I discovered Z-Coil shoes (http://zcoil.com/) and they're all I wear anymore. They may look funny, but they take the impact off the bottom of my feet and allow me to spend my days without pain. Best of all, the store installed a spacer between the heel and coil of the left shoe to compensate for my short leg, allowing me to ditch the uncomfortable lift I'd been using inside my shoe.
When I spent time in the hospital with my mom, I saw lots of doctors and nurses wearing them. I figure if those folks, who are on their feet for much longer than I am, find them useful, then I'm on the right track. :)
Hope both you and Gerry are feeling more comfortable soon! :)
I have Plantar fasciitis and I certainly can't wear Birkenstocks. Plus, my podiatrist told me I mustn't. I found that orthotics and sensible shoes made the most difference, although since then I've started wearing Crocs and they're good too, so light. The most annoying thing about it is that I can't wear slippers any more, not for even 5 minutes. Drives me nuts.
The night brace can also make a HUGE difference (wore mine for 6mos straight), and as per many of your other comments - birkies have been relegated to short term wearage for me. I literally spent an entire year in New Balance Walkers with inserts. A whole year with no cute shoes (and I was working in clothing retail at the time). I am now just getting back to fun shoes for special events.
Best wishes for both of you :)
Annie, this will be your 18th (at least) piece of advice, and the first 17 have pretty much taken everything I would have said, except for one product recommendation: SpringBoost trainers. They have a negative heel, and most (all?) models come with multiple heel inserts that let you change the negative incline as you get used to them.
They make all sorts of claims about improved performance, but I bought them for comfort and PF relief. O--M--G. They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, and have reduced my morning getting-out-of-bed heel pain to just about zero in only a few weeks. I do NOT wear them every day (they're clunky, not elegant, and it's also very warm here now for wearing athletic socks and lace-shoes), but I do wear them to work out and to run errands. FWIW, I tried MBTs about a year ago and sent them back. The SpringBoosts have different engineering, are a good $100 less than MBTs, and for me, are a miracle. I had to go up one full size from my street shoes, but otherwise, they have been a wonderful find for me. (And I can't wear Keens--they don't work for my feet--so I realize that the SpringBoosts may not work for you.)
I have been dealing with PF off and on for a few years (with the Achilles tendonitis too.) Last flareup was from standing on concretevin icy drizzle helping my daughter load a truck for moving. I. Cannot. Wear. Birks. No barefoot. No Birks. No flat shoes at all and negative engineering is even worse. I wear 1 1/2" wedge Naturalizer clogs or loafers with SOLE brand inserts and as long as I use that specific combo, I can stand without my feet killing me.
Good luck. You've got enough on your plate without having foot problems too!
I'm sorry about your pain, Annie, but on the bright side, at least you're not missing out on being in the Olympics because of it:
http://tinyurl.com/footwoes
I'd never heard of this condition before and then heard about it twice in 24 hours; it seems like a small world.
Hope you and Gerry are feeling better soon.
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