pains in feet

[steelmagnolia]

Hi folks!  This is my first time posting here, although I have been reading and getting information for about 9 mos.  I wanted to speak up about the "feet" thing.  I have it too.  It especially began to bother me when I would get up in the morning and try to go more around.  My feet/ankles were so stiff I had to shuffle along like an old woman until they finally loosened up.  I finally went to a podiatrist (foot doc).  He examined and took xrays and told me that I have 2 conditions.......plantar fascitis and also Morton's neuroma.  He said both conditions are common for folks with fibromyalgia and connective tissue disorders, which I have.    The Morton's real sign is the "crunching" feeling of the bones behind the toes and numbness, since it does involve nerves there.  The fascitis can cause the stiffness in the connective tissue in the bottom of feet and heels.  He told me not to walk barefoot anymore.  NO flip flops (as I sit here with a pair on now !!).  The recommend special shoes for these conditions and they are very expensive shoes....although made by companies like Danskin, and a few others that have cute styles.  Must always were at least 1.5 to 2 inch heel.  Need arch support as well and can buy inserts for that.  Should also try to do flexing exercises while feet are up.....pointing toes downward and then pulling them back towards your leg, etc to keep the fascia flexible.  He also recommended taking a plastic bottle of water and freezing it.  Then use it on floor under foot, rolling back and forth from toes to heel.  Says the cold is therapuetic and the actual movement and rolling that bottle under foot helps keep the fascia stretched out.

So many things I want to ask about from you guys...I feel I already know some of you, even though I never spoke up before.  I can see your personalities in your writings and you all are great folks!  You must be, because peeps like us with ALL these symptoms and aches and pains have to have good sense of humor.......or just sit in the corner and cry......or lose temper and yell at a doctor!!! We that sounds good to me.......hehehehe   just kidding.  But I have done it many times under my breath on ride home from appts.

Hope this post helps ya'll!

Lyn

[Linda196]

Hello Lyn, welcome to Sjogren's World.

Your hints about foot pain and managing it are great, my orthotocist told me some of the same things, but in my case, because of the changes in ligaments and the angles at which the bones of my feet and ankles meet, I am to avoid heels over 1 inch, and 3/4 is better for me. That is one of the reasons we always remind people of how individual SjS and it's connected issues are, the same things just don't work for everyone.

I'm glad you've decided to introduce yourself and become a more active part of our community, as you've seen, were a pretty social bunch, and despite the reason for our coming together, we do enjoy the company.

[steelmagnolia]

Hi and thanks for your reply.  OOPSSSS if I went overboard on my comments.  I'm not a doc and I know I should realize that there are so many different causes for all these symptoms/conditions and how frustrating and difficult it can be to find out exactly what it is and how to treat.  sighhhhh

I will be speaking more often and want to get to know you guys.  I have so many questions of my own, especially related to my skin, but I will post that under a new heading.

Thanks, Lyn   

[MusicGuy]

Harrigan,
Your feet/leg matters sound very much like my own.  I wish I could say I knew what was working for it because it appears whenever it wants and varies in intensity of discomfort and pain.  I'm on plaquenil for 8-9 months and ready to say to the rheumy that it's not working.  nor is the vitamin D.  Yesterday was a bad day waking, then standing much of the morning and then again in evening through church.  good luck with your challenges.

Dave