You found the right place

Posted by Dayna on 1/28/99
Welcome to the club, you've found a good place for info and support.
I have very flat feet and have to wear my orthotics and shoes 23 1/2 hours a day, only get to go without them in the shower (have other shoes for that and a bench so I don't have to stand). You might not have flat feet and/or have to be so drastic about wearing shoes all the time, but do try not to go barefoot if at all possible. I can go for short periods of time in 'nice feminine' shoes if I won't be standing or walking much, but I pay for it the next few days. Yes, you probably will have to wear 'ugly' shoes for the rest of your life, best to get used to the idea. I'm sorry if that sounds blunt and unfeeling, it isn't. I raged against the dying of my feet, and gave away all my heels, slip-ons, boots and athletic shoes. I did grieve for my past life, how much I took walking for granted until this happened. It didn't get better until I got good custom orthotics, if the Birkenstock inserts don't help you might consider that. Janice here on the board works for a lab that makes them, and she uses them too so you know she knows what she's talking about.

Shots were worthless or very short-lasting for most people on the board who've had them, my one experience was more painful by far than the PF, it took two nurses to hold me down it hurt so badly, you're smart to say no more.

I think I know where you are in your mind, you feel like your life is over, scared, angry, uncertain what the future holds. I've been there. My PF comes and goes, most days I do ok but then it flares up and I'm right back to being a weepy basket case. I found this board to be a good place to whine, cry, rage at the injustice of it all, spill out your frustrations and fears with people who know what you're going through and don't tell you to "get over it", "cheer up", "stop complaining", and the myriad other thoughtless things people say.

Best relief I've found is ice and reasonable use of feet, luckily I have a desk job. Other thing I can recommend, again, don't know if you have flat feet or not, is good shoes that lace all the way up the foot, no slip-ons, if you can't do that use arch support bands. They should be tight but not painfully so, and practice curling your toes under and then extending them, that helps the tendon relax before you stand on it, reduces the chance of tearing, inflammation and pain.
Exercise your feet before you stand up and put your shoes on before you stand up when you get out of bed, then stand up slowly so your tendon stretches rather than tears. Wear arch support bands in the shower.

Other advice is read my post a few messages down about fitting of shoes once you get your orthotics. The right shoe really makes a difference in how the orthotic works for you. Most people can wear athletic shoes, I can't, tried lots of brands and they all hurt, can't advise you there. Come back to the board often, we care.


156.98.15.92 12:30:39



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