Another setback 6 weeks before our trip

[Mazzy]

I had a cortisone injection in my big toe last week as a last desparate measure to try and cure the tendinitis/sesamoiditis I've had for the last 13 months.

One week later it doesn't seem to have made much difference plus I have a nice lump on the tendon which is really sore to walk on. I have also been getting pains in the outside and heel of my foot for the past week or so which have gradually been getting worse and have had a 'hot pins and needles' type sensation in my foot too, so thought I'd better go and see my GP this morning.

Well, the good news is that the lump will go down eventually, BUT the pins and needles and pain in the outside and heel of my foot is another bout of tendinitis! I couldn't believe it, and what good timing too - only 6 weeks before out trip to WDW which we cancelled from last Xmas.

I am really feeling so frustrated and upset at the moment, it's like going back to last November when all this started and we were trying to decide whether to go to WDW or not. I am determined that we are still going to go this year, as I couldn't bear to cancel it and let the children down again, but I'm not looking forward to being in pain, particularly on the long flight.

Sorry to ramble on, but I just needed to let off steam as I feel like I'm living an on-going nightmare at the moment. So it's back on the anti-inflammatories, which I don't tolerate very well at all, but it's the only option to try and ease the pain, plus another period of sitting around not doing anything - when will it all end?

They say life begins at 40 - what a joke - I feel about 90 at the moment!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You should consider hiring an ECV for the duration. Or a wheelchair but pushing a wheelchair can get very tiresome, especially ifyou are not used to it. Also it depends on the weight of the passenger and the condition of the pusher(s). Some information for off-site rentals are:

Here are the URLS:

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

I have used Walker a few times. They will ask for a credit card and charge it the day before arrival. They will deliver the ECV to your hotel bell services before your arrival and pick it up there after your departure. Their rates, especially for longer than a week, are much better than Disney's. Also, their scooters are much better. Also, they have different sizes and can handle up to about 400 pounds.

You don't say if you are renting a car or what. If you are using a car for getting around, the ECVs break down into five pieces, the heaviest about 39 pounds. They take about a minute or so to take apart and about two minutes (once you are used to it) to put it together.

One thing I am not sure of would be the acceptance of a UK equivalent to the blue or red disabled hang tags available in the US. If you can get a temporary at home it might be accepted here. You might want to invest in a call to Disney Special Reservations for information about acceptability.

 

[travelitis]

I sympathize with you about the foot pain. I had to have reconstructive surgery on both feet in 1/89. I still have some nerve damage and a tingly/numb feeling in my right foot. I've had to tour WDW in an ECV or wheelchair since then. Save your feet! Go to WDW and rent a mobility device.

I've used Walker, Care, and am trying Randy's this trip.

 

[Mazzy]

Cheshire Figment - Thanks for all the info - sorry I should have mentioned that I have already booked an ECV from Walker as I knew I would need to use one anyway, it's just with this new 'pain' things are getting me down a little.

We aren't renting a car. We are staying on site at the Dolphin and using Tiffany Towncar for our trips to US/IOA/Discovery Cove and Sea World. I'm just hoping that DH can follow the instructions OK and can manage to dismantle the ECV!


Travelitis - sorry to hear that you too have foot problems - it's really frustrating when you know you can walk but can't because of the pain isn't it? Just curious, but what exactly was the reason for your op? You don't have to answer that, I'm just being nosey, so apologies if I'm out of line.

Thanks both of you for your replies.

 

[cupcake]

How frustrating, I hope you will get more comfortable soon!!! I am "lucky" in that if I stay off mine when they act up, it's fine, so the ECV solved my problem and was indeed a big improvement over a wc. I have extra bones in my feet and they are disengaged, which means that they are held in place by some tendons but kinda float around. They can shift to a bad place and then it really rubs on the tendons that run up the back of my legs and whammo, it's really painful and/or the tendon in my foot seizes up which causes its own problems. The chance of scarring if I was to get them removed is too high, it would likely be worse. Not that this helps you, just to say that I'm 36 and they disengaged when I was 27. You are as young as you feel! We don't have to dance the light fantastic to be young. But I know how it can sometimes just really weigh me down. FEEL BETTER!!! You will love the scooter, you'll be tooling around like a pro in no time flat.

Cupcake

 

[JudithM]

Mazzy, I hope you begin to feel better soon. I know how frustating it can be. Have you tried any physical therapy for the tendinitis - is it a possibliity? Try to think positively about your upcoming trip. I'm glad to read you are renting an ECV & will have it all the time. Thoughts & pixie dust coming your way!

 

[Mazzy]

Cupcake - I really admire your positive outlook - and I will think of you and realise I'm not the only person with a foot problem, and it's not just old people who get them! I am a bit nervous about using the scooter, especially as I'm partially deaf and won't be able to hear the CM's directions very well, but hopefully the rest of the family will help me out!

Judith - thanks for the pixie dust! I have only had some ultrasound and heat treatment and that was back in the Summer and didn't really make much difference. I have an insert for my shoe to take the pressure off the ball of my foot, and also a 'rocker' on my shoe to take the pressure off my tendon. No other treatment has been offerered, other than the cortisone injection which doesn't seem to had made any difference up to now, though it's difficult to tell as the lump is painful, so once that has gone, I will be able to make a better judgement.

Now I have this new problem on the outside of my foot I really don't know - and I can't believe it's happened so close to our holiday - I was in less pain over the Summer than I am now, so it's laughable really!

Thanks again to everyone for your best wishes and advice, it does help a lot.

 

[Nanajo1]

Pixie Dust coming your way. I'm sorry you are going through this new set back. One time I had a trip planned when I had the start of a major exascerbation of my MS(which I did not recognize.) I could not walk at all. We went anyway and my DH still says it was one of our best trips. I was able with the ECV to get to everything and was able to do many attractions and most importantly enjoy the warmth of the FL sun! So go and enjoy!

 

[dclfun]

Mazzy- While I don't have any "words of wisdom" to add, I just wanted you to know how sorry I am that you've had a setback to deal with. I can relate to things causing worry as to how you're going to manage to have good time, so I'll also send some pixie dust your way for a great trip with your family. ---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

I just wanted to add some pixie dust too (pain relieving pixie dust, extra strength).

 

[travelitis]

Mazzy - My problem was I had no arches. The X-rays showed the bones in my feet were flat to the floor, and the bones in my ankle had collapsed. There's supposed to be a space between some of the ankle bones, but mine had fallen into that gap. What this meant was walking was excruciating. I was on prescription pain killers and getting my feet and ankles wrapped by the podiatrist until I could get off work for the surgery. I'd already been in orthotics for years. I was headed for a wheelchair by my 30th b-day. This procedure is normally done on children 8-10, and the last podiatrist had been practicing 10 yrs. and never seen someone with this surgery. It's rarely done, but after 3 opinions I knew this doctor's approach was the right one. He relocated tendons and ligaments, drilling through bones in my feet. It created arches, and I have the end-of-the-line orthotics that I must wear all the time. The problem was caused by a combination of my tendons and ligaments being too limber and playing sports and then later, working, on hard surfaces. I had both feet done at once and was not allowed to stand at all for 3 mos. I learned how poorly many accessible restrooms are designed.

 

[Mazzy]

Nananjo, Kathy and Sue - thanks for your kind thoughts and pixie dust.

Travelitis - I'm so sorry to hear of all the problems you've had and the pain you must have entailed, and at such a young age too. I'm glad that the op was fairly successful for you and helped your mobility somewhat.

I am actually worried about my 12 year old daugther's feet and am awaiting to see a specialist about them. I noticed when we were on the beach last summer, and she was wearing flip flops that she has no arches at all, it just looks like her feet have collapsed and the kind of stick out a bit where the arches should be. I'm sure that her feet weren't like this before, I would have noticed I'm sure! The first GP I visited just said do some exercises! The next GP I saw I insisted that she arrange a hospital appointment for my daughter, as I really want someone who knows what they are talking about to have a look.

We received a letter last week saying there is a 12 week waiting list for an appointment (this is in the UK and the National Health Service). As we go to WDW in 6 weeks and my daughter is not in any pain, I am not going to do anything before our trip, but on our return I will arrange privately to see someone as I need to know if they are just flat feet or something more sinister.

I never realised there were so many people in the World with foot problems - at least I know I'm not alone!

Thanks again everyone for your good wishes!