Plantar fasciitis

Have you gone to a foot doctor for it? If it's that bad you might need to get cortisone shots and anti inflammatory. My husband had it very bad and he had to get both of those. Not only that but he was out of commission from running for over a year.

You might want to try the elliptical but it might still irritate the foot. Your best bet is to just rest it and STRETCH it. If you don't do it already start lifting weights.

I have it on both of my feet, it sucks, have gone to the doctor and had the shots although I'm not sure looking back how much I would recommend that, ultimately it depends on the level of pain you are experiencing. As I started out I would do rowing, eliptical, recumbrant bike until your feet feel better. Lastly use the boot at night, try and massage and stretch your calfs (AFTER) you workout. That helps a lot. Good luck and if you have any other questions just let me know.

Teresa

I'm in the same boat - it's so bad that I stagger when I get up to walk - it's embarrassing, and hurts like the devil. For me, the pain reduces after a few minutes walking (I'm guessing - foot has stretched out a bit), but then comes back if I walk much more than a few minutes, and gets worse and worse. I tried really expensive shoes, special orthotic inserts, etc, and believe it or not, what finally worked for me is Crocs. I know, I know, but they don't all look like duck feet now, I found some really cute sandals and even work shoes that make everyone say, "Those aren't Crocs!" I'm still struggling some, but it's better enough that I can walk a few hours before the pain starts getting bad. Just enough for shopping mall trips, walks around the neighborhood, etc.

I had plantar fasciitis for a loong time... the only thing that saved me was the pool - water aerobics and swimming.... Hopefully you are getting some physical therapy - makes all the difference.... The worst feeling in the morning and waking up and walking feeling like you are stepping on broken glass...ugh! It will get better - stretch - stretch - stretch and get some PT

Invest in good shoes! I like my Danskos. I can walk all day in them. Flip flops really irritate my heel spurs . I just try to keep shoes on all the time unless I'm laying down. Another thing I've read about and done with good result is take a tennis ball and just massage the bottom of your foot with it by rolling your foot around and work out the knots. It hurts at first - feels like a really deep bruise- but helps in the end. Don't let it keep you from exercising! There is still LOTS you can do.

Thank you all I have the heel suprs as well and the dr said that I can get the shots but Im not sure if I can stand having shots in my feet. Where would I get one of the night time boots?

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Honestly if the pain is that bad with it you might want to suck it up and get the shots. My husband never complained about them (I think they might have numbed the area but I can't really remember). It's worth it if it gives you comfort. PF is not something to mess around with.

Also you might want to look into orthodics.

ETA: I personally would not go the croc route. I've known too many people who have twisted ankles and got hair line fractures in their ankles wearing those hideous things.

i had PF and heel spurs. when i lost weight, both problems disappeared. get some MBT shoes, they are expensive, but worth EVERY PENNY..wear them all the time, even though you will look and feel ridiculous. also try some braces to wear on your feet while you sleep. those helped ALOT.

So encouraging to hear yours went away. This is a huge reason why I am so motivated to lose weight- I am TIRED of hurting!

I tried the shots, inserts in my shoes and MBT's all a waste. Ended up having the surgery in both feet (not that the same time) it was the best thing I have ever done.

I've had it very very bad as well (with heel spurs) and it completely resolved itself, although when the aching starts again, I now know what to do. Suggestions:
- see a sports-oriented podiatrist. They are much more sympathetic with your desire to keep exercising and can offer suggestions. My doc also taped up my feet -- felt great!
- get shoes/sneakers with very solid support, especially arch support.
- if you can afford or if your insurance pays for orthotics, get them. If not, get arch support inserts at a drugstore or sporting good store.
- wear supportive shoes all the time, even around the house. Barefoot/no support (like flip flops) is the worst. Stinks in the summer. : (
- Keep a belt by your bed. When you wake up in the morning, stretch out your calves by sitting up straight, legs out straight, belt around the top of your foot pulling your foot back toward you.
- Calf stretches on a bottom step. You always want to try and get your heels down and top of foot up.
- Freeze a small water bottle and roll it under your foot (with sock on) for a nice massage. Do this as many times a day as you feel you need to.
- Ibuprofen.
- Homeopathic arnica gel.

Honest to goodness, i was in so much pain I thought I never could walk normally again and was completely freaked out. But I did all of the above religiously and now I'm more active than ever. And walk barefoot a lot, too!

P.S. I never ended up having to have shots or get the night bootie. But it took a bit of work and giving my feet plenty of rest.

i did the dr.s appointemetns, tried different shoes and different shoe inserts, what finally changed my life was walkfit inserts i saw on an informercial. i bought them 5 years ago, never needed replacing, and i just ordered more so i can have them in more than one pair of shoes, they are affordable and were a true miracle for me. honestly changed my life and i dont have to spend a fortune on shoes because they convert all my shoes including my dress shoes

I suffered from this problem for years, one day I went to see my Chiro for back pain and he noticed how I was walking and asked what the problem was, I explained - he proceeded to tell me how he could help. WELL DAMN - no more pain after 2 treatments!

Chiro did two treatments of underwater ultrasound. Best $50 bucks I ever spent.

Seven years and counting for me. I picked up a second hand ultrasound machine from eBay and use that twice a week combined with anti- inflammatories and pain killers. Tried orthotics but found them very difficult to get in with. Tried night splints - no help. Tried cortisone 3 times no long term effect.

Swimming or just walking in the pool is great.

I've recently got to a point where I can walk and I'm slowly building up but it's a long road to recovery. Doc originally said 12-18 months so don't expect it to be over quickly.

Good luck anyone who suffers this has my sympathy. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

You need to see a foot doctor!

I've had it in both feet and it was awful! Here's what worked for me. 1) Heel that Pain shoe inserts (www.heel-that-pain.com). 2) taping, 3) ice massage (freeze a small water bottle and use it to massage the arch of your foot for 10 minutes every 2 hrs), 4) Anti-inflammatory meds (over the counter, advil my drug of choice). You can find taping techniques on the internet. Tape every day you think you're going to be on your feet for any period of time. It helps take the pressure off your Fascia so the irritation doesn't get worse and that gives it an opportunity to heal.

Once you do get it under control look for some foot strengthening exercises to keep it from coming back. I now run in minimal style shoes and barefoot shoes and have no more problems with my feet but its taken years (and patience) to get to this point. Good luck!

ouch I feel your pain or at least I did. Ok so I bought some inserts for my shoes that provided me with more arch support and heal support (even in brand new shoes I needed these). It went away immediately and the cost was $7 roughly at the drug store for some Dr. Scholls gel inserts. Give it a shot. Don't wear flip flops till you feel better. I'm telling you I was back up and at it in days. Good luck.