Feet Tendonitis :(

[flyingdumbo127]

Please know, first and foremost, my intent by starting this thread is to share my experience so that God willing it will prevent one of you from ever being in a similar situation with your feet.

I am a devout Christian. Quiet lady who sincerely prays to give thanks to God in all no matter what. I believe for me through Him, there is always hope and joy. Feet wise, blessing to have two feet with 5 toes on each to begin with! Not complaining. I would appreciate any suggestions and always prayers.

Long story shorter is that from April 2020-May 2023 I basically stayed home due to the pandemic. Grace of God, I felt comfortable starting to get out a little a couple early mornings a week or so over the summer. You got it. My feet were not happy about all of a sudden being exercised again.

Dad, we are blessed to be living together right now, and I share a small apartment. Our floors are unforgiving hard laminate that are not completely level throughout. Dad, poor guy, has had feet trouble since these floors were installed almost 10 years ago. I was so blessed to never have had any foot issues at all until this all started going on 2 months ago.

What may have been the final straw and instigated my feet truly hurting, was my walking around the apartment for a week in only socks! Don't ever do that, friends. Those few days truly did a number on my poor feet. They haven't been the same since.

I did see a kind podiatrist a few weeks ago. She did bring me peace of mind by saying that what is going on isn't anything more than inflamed feet due to sudden active use. A tendon in my left foot is especially inflamed, thus the title of this post. I did try Voltaren gel that she recommended. Grateful, of course, this product helps some people. For me, it made things worse.

For the past week again at the podiatrist's recommendation, I have been twice daily taking a very low dose of ibuprofen. I also elevate my feet and have found sometimes a cool towel can help. Mercy of God, to me, my feet are overall better. Definitely not as swollen. They are still painful at times. I do know that because they are feet, this is a slow healing process. As a human, I admit to wishing for a quicker return to feet normal.

I am waiting to hear back from the podiatrist. I did share updates with her. I also let her know where I'm at and asked for any other suggestions she might have.

I would deeply appreciate any suggestions any of you may have along with, of course, prayers. Most of all, please, take care of your own feet!

 

[Dan Murphy]

What a bummer, @flyingdumbo127! Those feet have to adjust to the new activity again, slowly. Keeping you in my prayers. Stay well. And my best for dad also.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thank you dear Dan always!

 

[Genie+]

It can be a bummer. And I agree, bare feet on hard floors can exacerbate the issue.

My feet look like clones of my Mom’s. I inherited her cute feet and the same problems down the line. When she was in her 40s (1990s) starting having issues. Plantar fasciitis and scar tissue growth on the arch tendons making the problem worse. Their advice was something newer for that time. She ended up getting each foot operated separately, they opened each and she had 6 month recovery with each. The first 3 months she was not to use the foot at all. It was a major disruption and came with complications of more scar tissue.

Fast forward a couple decades and it happened to me. I was working alot on my feet, plus swimming and trampolining with the kids. Major heel pain, burning tendons and then lumps started growing on my tendons. This escalated over 12-18 months. I tried a few exercises, creams, arch bands, inserts… but kept getting worse. Got so bad it was affected everything. Miserable

That’s when I came across a forum discussion where this boot was advised:

There was a chain of people following this same advice, many to great results. So I got 2 boots and put them on at night. What I believe it did was allow my tendons to heel in the out-stretched position. Alot of healing happens during sleep. Before the boot I think what was happening was each night I’d heal in the ‘short position’ and every morning put weight on my feet breaking those new bonds. The other very important thing was to always stretch my feet before putting weight on them. So if I was sitting 20 minutes or so, lightly stretch those tendons before getting up.

Major healing happened over the next 4-8 weeks. After the first month I just alternated the boot foot each night to be more comfortable. Stopped the boots after 2 months, just used occasionally after if I felt any little burning return. Kept with the light stretching before putting weight for the next 6 months. The scar tissue lumps actually went away. Today I’m very careful about my barefeet on hard surfaces. We keep this in the shower and the whole family likes it:

My feet are back to normal. Sometimes a little burn will remind me to stretch and make sure to keep those feet protected on hard surfaces.

I hope you find relief soon! Sending love and hugs I offer this experience because it doesn’t seem harmful to try. My poor Mom, I wish we could’ve rolled back the clock and tried this before those operations. Talk to your podiatrist. Ask them if this is something they’d recommend to try. Good luck and sending the best healing vibes I can

 

[flyingdumbo127]

to all and extra to you, Genie+! I am truly so sorry both you and your Mom had foot trouble. I appreciate so much your suggestions and will look into them! I give extra praise to God that your feet are back to normal!

I have yet to hear anything from Dr. Y, the podiatrist. To be fair, I only saw her once. I am not a regular patient. Dr. Y was recommended to me by a good friend of mine who is a long-time patient of hers. Dr. Y was very kind when I did meet her a few weeks ago. Dad and I do admittedly agree that between then and today she could have communicated with me. M, her receptionist did tell me Dr. Y reads her emails daily. Should I not hear from Dr. Y today, I will call her office tomorrow. At this point, I am not seeing any need to keep my Monday appointment with her. Dad and I are not doctors. It just seems as though there is nothing else Dr. Y can offer me. If so, no need for me to pay (money is very tight for us) to hear that in person.

Continuing prayers so appreciated and of course any suggestions. Dad and I did get one small Cupcake print rug
from Target that we have by our We each also have a very small (think bathroom rug size) rug by our beds. We may get a second of the Target rugs for the back bedroom.

and truly appreciation to each of you! God Bless You!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Podiatrist update: I rescheduled my appointment from this coming Monday to the end of October. I now know the cost of that visit. At least it is less than the first visit--still a lot of money for us. I also found out the reason Dr. Y hasn't replied to my emails is that she never got them. Apparently, the email address on the website is wrong or I misread it. Her kind receptionist M gave me the correct one. M also said she would make sure Dr. Y replies. I did email her back and included some suggestions I have received on here along with a feet update. I will share her reply, of course! Thank you all so much again!

Completely unrelated, if any of you ever come across postcards and would be willing to help me with a special birthday postcard surprise for my dad, please PM me. Thank you!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Any extra suggestions appreciated, prayer, of course, too. Still zip from Dr. Y. Very disappointing. Extra please take care of your feet, friends! Have a good night with sweet dreams, of course, too.

Please do indeed PM me should you be willing to help me with the postcard surprise. Thank you

 

[flyingdumbo127]

This is my last post about Dr. Y. I am officially done with her! Dr. Y did finally reply. No apology, no nothing, no help either I did thank her for replying. I also clearly told her to have M, her receptionist, cancel my October 26th appointment. I will be seeking other treatment! In my Wednesday email to her, I had specifically let her know that right now I need immediate relief. I asked what are any other (non Voltaren/more ibuprofen suggestions). I also shared that a cool towel/ice only aggravates my pain, it does not help at all. I am trying to walk around the apartment a little more. I only wear slippers no shoes--I had attached a picture of my brand-new never worn Skechers as well. I asked her for sock recommendations and also about a bathmat that was recommended to me. That she said looked good and to try. Dad and I will be looking into that and other options over the weekend. Thank you again to Genie+!

What were her recommendations? Exercises, ice, and to buy (spend hundreds of dollars in other words) on expensive mostly online only slippers. Same with sneakers. Zip on my new Skechers or even any insert ideas. Yeah. Very disheartening and disappointing. But we now know! Grateful to have seen her initially. Dad as I told, she did give me the peace of mind that at least according to her, what's going on is simply unhappy feet at being active again and nothing more.

I will be reaching out to a church pastor friend and anyone else I can think of too. Dad's primary as I may have already shared recommended someone who would want a minimum $400 for an initial visit! Not happening! Grateful to have options, of course. As a human, I am disappointed especially to now go into another weekend hurting.
I give extra thanks to know no matter what God has me. He long has my feet covered and all will work out according to His will. What a blessing of Grace!

Blessing also to have been connected by God to all of kind you. Thank you for your extra care, prayer, and support! Sweet dreams, friends. Have a good weekend. Always please take care of your feet!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Grace and Mercy of God I have found relief in warm water with Epsom salt soaks! I did get on Amazon some new Easy Spirit sneakers and am expecting by tonight some Easy Spirit Slippers that I am truly praying make all the difference. Take care of your feet friends. Make sure your feet don't feel hard flooring beneath them! I know that is a huge reason my own poor feet still hurt. The slippers I have now offer no protection. I feel every hard step. Not complaining ever. May this I pray prevent anything similar to happening to any of you!

 

[DL1WDW2]

Do you still recommend that bath mat?

 

[flyingdumbo127]

DL1WDW2, the bathmat we did try from Target didn't work well for us. It wasn't soft enough to make a difference. What has helped alleviate foot pain some (it is only temporary) is Epsom salt warm soaks. I wish my feet could soak all day! I am still looking for a possible Epsom salt gel or cream that perhaps could provide longer relief. Grace of God my feet are step by step moving forward. I pray to only give Him thanks no matter what. I will say especially as a human, having hurting feet is no fun at all day in and out. Of course, I wish they would heal instantly! How blessed I am to believe in His time, I will walk easier again. I did get some New Slippers These do help me walk better and are more padded/supportive than what I had been wearing. I also like the Easy Spirit sneakers I got from Amazon. Grandma years ago used to wear Easy Spirit shoes. These shoes are so much more padded inside and protective than my older Skechers. Dad ordered himself some Easy Spirit sneakers last night. Not able to recommend them yet until he gets them tomorrow.

to all and please do take care of your feet! I would still appreciate some much any suggestions. extra prayers always welcome. Keeping each of you in prayer too. Thank you for your kind friendship.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Still in foot pain here. Worst seems to always be when I have been sleeping and need to get up to use the restroom during the night. Again, take care of your feet, friends! I am still trying to find any non Voltaren cream that might help. All suggestions and always each of you always appreciated. Thanks, and sweet dreams everyone.

 

[Christine]

Still in foot pain here. Worst seems to always be when I have been sleeping and need to get up to use the restroom during the night. Again, take care of your feet, friends! I am still trying to find any non Voltaren cream that might help. All suggestions and always each of you always appreciated. Thanks, and sweet dreams everyone.

I'm just now seeing this thread. What tendon is the problem? Is it the inner tendon that runs inside the ankle? I hope not. I had that. Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction. Anyone can get it but it's a major problem if you have somewhat flat feet. This problem is NO JOKE. I tried everything and I ended up having to have surgery to repair it. I can probably give you more info if it seems to be the same problem.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Christine for reaching out. I am so very sorry you have been through so much yourself!
I don't know which tendon just that it's in my left foot. No, flat feet just long and narrow. This again all started with my legs and feet 2 months ago. Until then I had zero issues with either. I am just desperately trying to find some longer lasting relief. Epsom salt warm soak really helps it's just very temporary. Walking around my small apartment is not easy even. PM me if you would and perhaps we can chat more privately. I would absolutely appreciate any suggestions and of course care, too! Thank you for your trust in sharing. God Bless You.

 

[Scootin'By]

I am no doctor, just a sympathizer (and fellow lover of God and Christ). You've tried most of the things I would suggest, besides icy/hot or a hot compress. I also remember seeing one time a pair of heated socks. If heat helps, you might try that.

Do you have a comfort mat or anti-fatigue mat for places that you stand often? Something like this can be wonderful for by the kitchen sink when doing dishes or in the bathroom for brushing teeth.



Also, $400 for a doctor's consultation is way too much. I am so disappointed in the cost of medical care right now. Have you tried just your local clinic? Sometimes they have specialists that come around? There are also groups like this one that offer free services - https://www.ramusa.org/pop-up-clinics/. You could check to see if there was one in your area.

Good luck. God bless. I'll be praying for you.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hue thank you dear Scootin'By! I appreciate you always my friend . Thank you of course for sharing our faith. You know I feel the same way you do. Medical costs are through the roof indeed. For me, the other aspect, is even if I did have an appointment, the issue is how am I going to get do it? By that I mean my apartment building has stairs going down to either the garage or front of the building/street. Walking around the apartment right now is not easy for me/painful. I don't see how I can go down the stairs. God willing on Monday I will call the doctor's office and tell them all this. Perhaps they can offer me some relief suggestions. Go from there.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Update of sorts is the positive is from when I did see the podiatrist 2 months ago, my feet look a ton more normal. They are no longer super swollen or red/angry looking. At that time, I was mobile and easily able to get around. Today I have difficulty walking around my small apartment due to pain. I wish anyone dealing with ongoing pain extra care, grace, and love. Please also know I understand firsthand that each of our situations are different. There is no one solution for all. Peace and care to all!

 

[jo-jo]

When you walk, do you feel like something is stuck on the ball of your foot? Years ago I felt like I had something on my foot ,like under the middle toe. It turned out to be Morton’s neuroma. The salt soak did help. Also using a gel pad on the foot, spreads out the pressure.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hug Jo Jo and thanks for the reply, no I don't. I just feel overall pain The tops of my feet especially just hurt. Pain like now just courses throughout at times. The one podiatrist I saw said tendonitis which makes sense and I do think is going on. The Epsom salt still helps a little just nothing like it once did. Very temporary. I've tried a few creams, none of which have helped. One made things worse. I do have a doctor consult on Monday that God willing will be helpful. For me the biggest challenge other than the pain itself is general walking around especially getting up at night for the bathroom. I did just have a long conversation with a doctor who is a family. Without seeing me, of course, she can't be certain. She did say based on her own experiences and also her sister is a podiatrist, what the podiatrist told me especially given how this all started for me makes sense. Perhaps my feet right now are hurting more as they heal. I can sure pray anyway! I would not wish this on anyone that is for sure! Extra hug to all.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Stopping back here for an hello. Hope the new doctor comes up with some ideas for your relief. So long to be dealing with your foot pain. Blessings for you, @flyingdumbo127.