Hi Guys!
Today I want to give a little update on where things are at with my foot injury.
As I mentioned a few days ago, last week I saw the foot doctor after experiencing excruciating ankle paint from inflammation in the tendon, being unable to walk properly for days and crying every single day. The doctor was supposed to give me a steroid injection, but that did not happen which I'm conflicted about. I told him about the mysterious inflammation trapped in my ankle. One week on the inside, next week on the outside and last week in the middle near the top of the foot. He told me that because it was not in one place the injection would not help.
I asked him about doing a CT scan or another MRI. He said it would be a waste of time since I had an MRI in August. I told him this didn't start until mid-October. He insisted that because there wasn't a specific injury it wasn't worth it. He told me it's probably arthritis and you'll need to see a pain management specialist. His words: "I can't help you." That's a good doctor for ya. We're getting a divorce.
I arrived at his office that day crying and left his office crying. Nothing he said was worthwhile. He ordered blood work to check for arthritis, which I had done Monday and he prescribed oral steroids for me to take after the blood work. But before we go on, let's rewind to the beginning. So much has happened these last 11 months with my injury that you may have lost track. I know I sure have.
Here's the recap of my foot injury:
January 2014 - Right heel stress fracture. 5 days after a 1/2 marathon I was on the elliptical at my gym and felt a sharp, intense pain in my heel. I couldn't walk. Went to the emergency room next day then saw orthopedic a few days later for treatment. Wore a boot ~4 months. Was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and tendinitis too. Never had any symptoms pre-injury.
February 2014 - Began physical therapy, learned how to pick up marbles with my toes, roll my foot for plantar fasciitis & strengthen my ankles. Had to take a few weeks off to be with my Mom for her heart surgery. During my injury I maintained my fitness through biking and swimming.
May 2014 - I graduated physical therapy and was feeling great. My foot was weak, but I was recovered & released to begin increasing my workouts. Lifting, walking, elliptical and swimming. I was feeling good until...
July 2014 -My right calf froze. It felt as if the muscle was not getting enough oxygen. I thought it was a calf strain. I had to stop spinning because it hurt my calf too much. I've only been back on the bike once since the summer.
August 2014 - After suffering for weeks, I finally saw my foot doctor who referred me to a specialist for compartment syndrome testing. The specialist ordered a complete MRI of the foot & calf. Nothing was found in the calf, the heel stress fracture was confirmed at that time. I was told stress fractures can show on MRI's up to 2 years.
September 2014 - Saw a holistic doctor after several people recommended it. He adjusted my back and performed acupuncture. Immediately the calf pain went away. He believes the pain was a pinched nerve in my back. Wearing a boot for 4 months shifted my pelvis & threw my spine out of whack. After acupuncture, I felt the best I had all year and began working out on the elliptical, lifting and continued swimming.
October 2014 - Over the course of 4 weeks, I increased my elliptical time from 30-90 minutes and started throwing in 1 long power walk a week. Suddenly tendinitis pain strikes. I noticed it one morning when I woke up and had trouble walking. The first week it was on the inside of the ankle, the next week on the outside ankle bone and the following on the top of the foot where the crease meets the ankle. Also have on and off burning sensation in the arch of the foot. Saw the foot doctor and he told me to see a nerve specialist for an EMG. I can't get an appointment with him until December.
November 2014 - I am the owner of cankles. Inflammation is trapped in the ankle joint, causing inability to walk properly, instability in the ankle and immense pain. Saw the foot doctor again who told me he would not do any more scans. He ordered labs to test for arthritis and putting my on 1 week of steroids. His words -> "I can't do anything more for you." Now I don't have a PhD, but I know this isn't what my ankle should look like. True story -> one of my friends texted me to ask if this was really my ankle on my blog. She didn't believe it was mine.
After I saw the worthless foot doctor (he was a huge jerk), I saw my holistic doctor. I told him what happened and he was shocked an MD said this to me. He gave me a natural anti-inflammatory with turmeric and did cold laser therapy (similar to ultrasound). I immediately had relief and less swelling. He explained that something irritated the tendon which created swelling and now my immune system is over-reacting, attacking itself with inflammation. My body's been under so much stress this year it's on guard, ready to go crazy. He told me I need to move more, but there's a fine line. If I move too much, it creates heat which causing more inflammation in the joint. He said swimming will keep it moving yet protect it from over-heating and creating more inflammation.
He asked me if I ever had this pain before. I told him yes. Two years ago I went to urgent care thinking I broke my ankle. It was just days before I was scheduled to leave for a business trip to Toronto for 3 weeks. It was 2 months before a half marathon I'd been training for too. I don't know how I suddenly remembered all those details. I even dug up this picture I posted on my Facebook page to show him. Note the swelling on the outside of my right ankle. He urged me to think about what triggered the tendon inflammation then and now. My mind immediately went to the elliptical. Back then I was training for a half marathon and cross training a lot on it. I swear the holistic doc helps me more than any other doctor I've see this year. I see him again tomorrow for more cold laser therapy and in case your wondering, I've only been swimming and lifting upper body the last two weeks.
After taking oral steroids since Monday and a WAY TOO MANY pain meds the last 2 days (I feel like a zombie this week), I woke up yesterday feeling better. I contacted my primary podiatrist. He squeezed me in late in the afternoon and was appalled by what the other orthopedic said to me. He said it's a very bad sprain from the elliptical and told me to finish taking the steroids. The inflammation has already reduced in half and by Friday should be nearly cleared up. If things don't improve in two weeks though, he will need to scope my ankle. Crossing my fingers it won't come t that. This is my life. Am I the only person this craziness happens to?
If I learned anything form all this, it's that you have to be your own health advocate. There are good doctors and bad ones. If you don't get the answers you need or don't feel right about the ones you are getting, you have to continue pushing for them and find a doctor who will listen to you. No one else will do it for you. My foot doctor's office called the other day asking for my new insurance to bill me. What I wanna know is how come no one called to ask if I was ok after going and leaving the office in tears? What's wrong with this picture? Have you had a bad doctor experience before? What did you do about it?
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4 years ago I had lapband surgery and was going to Curves. I've always been over weight but very active and carried myself well. I started getting lower back pain and went to physical therapy. It was feeling 90% better until the physical therapist stopped me on my way out and said " hey, hold on, I want to try something, hop here up on this table", so trusting him I did. He asked if I knew that I had one leg longer than the other one. I said no cuz nothing bothered me. So he lifted my leg up, put one hand under my calve and the other just above my knee and pulled stretching my entire leg to the full extent. I walked out of there limping and feeling as if he pulled my hip out of joint. It got worse and had to start using a cane. I went to a orthopedic doctor and was diagnosed with OA (Osteoarthritis) and was sent to a pain Dr. For injections. I stopped going to Curves cuz any weight bearing killed me. I then went to a different orthopedic doctor and was told I have AVN and would have to lose 130lbs before he would do surgery. Needless to say I failed and gained more weight. I now use a walker and a wheel chair mainly cuz of my size and the pain. I feel trapped in my own body. I push myself doing things around the house until im in tears. I'm now in the process of waiting on a pre authorization from medicare to get gastric bypass surgery, seeing a dietitian and a counselor to not only deal with my depression but also with my addiction to food. I've lost my job, my happiness, and on the verge of losing my family. Most of all I lost me. I haven't been able to forgive the therapist who did this to me. I wanted to sue but was told no lawyer would touch my case. Please pray for me and that my pre authorization goes through. I want my life back. I miss myself.
Thank you for listening to me. Your a great inspiration.
Thank you for sharing your story! I think it's great that you can be humble, and open so that others can learn from your experience. I know that I'm strengthened when I read stories like this. I hope everything continues to go well with your foot!
I know the pain of broken ankle. It took me one long month to recover from my broken ankle. Meanwhile I was almost unable to move anywhere. Complete bed rest and it produced some extra fat in my body. 😀
I'm sorry to hear about your ankle! Thankfully mine was a stress fracture, but it was extremely painful. Hopefully you are on the path to recovery now.
Long, frustrating story! I'm glad that by now you are doing better. You certainly do have to be your own health care advocate and not stay with a doctor who has given up on helping you!
Thanks Mary! I'm still living the frustration too. It's disappointing how doctors are these days. The patient is clearly not the priority.
Wow! That doctor sounds like he is a real prick. I found your blog in August and have been an avid reader since then. I still hope to read one day that you are injury free. I admire you for being your own health advocate. I work in healthcare and I can honestly tell you that there will be many doctors just like that but continue fighting for proper treatment.
Good to know it isn't just me who thinks that and THANK YOU for being a loyal reader. It means the world to me! I only hope no one gives up on me.
Ugh, that's terrible of that doctor.
I've been lucky, my mom's a nurse, and so we tended to know the other health care professionals in the area. And even if we didn't, she'd always tag along. You have to stay on your game more when someone else is evaluating you.
I'm glad you didn't stop with the bad doctor. I think second opinions, and finding people who actually want to treat you is so important.
I have a friend who's a doctor and always asking her my questions. I feel bad but when you know someone in the medical field & need help it's impossible not to ask especially when you feel horrible.
It really is a shame how horrible doctors can be. I'm just glad you finally got an answer & now can take the right steps in recovering. Bless your heart. What an unpleasant experience to go through. As always, keeping you in my prayers & thoughts.
Thanks Jessie, I need the prayers right now.
OMG! Megan I am so sorry sweet girl!!! I feel your pain! That doctor sounds like a complete and utter asshole! I literally cringed when I read what he said to you! What a jerk! First I want to send you healing vibes. I feel your pain so accurately. I'm also experiencing ankle and heel pain these last few weeks and I'm terrified it's a stress fracture. It's so scary because I've had an actual stress fracture in my right ankle and I"m alway terrified that I've reinjured myself. I've also been using the elliptical and I crank up the resistance pretty high--so I'm getting kind of scared that it's a stress fracture because my heel/inner-ankle has been in a lot of pain this week. Swimming makes it feel better--I did a bit of swimming this week but need to keep at it--because it's so good for you! I hope you figure out this injury finally for good! It sounds like it's caused you a significant amount of pain and grief. Let's keep each other updated. I'm always here if you want to talk.
Sending you healing vibes and energy.
Yaara
Thanks Yaara and sending them right back at you! I sometimes have pains that I refer to as growing pains. A lot of people have phantom pains coming back from an injury, breaking up scar tissue and the body re-learning to move again. But you're right it can mess with you mentally. Be sure to have it checked by the doctor. You want to get it treated right away if it is re-stressed. I've read that people with foot & ankle stress fractures are 60% or greater chance of reoccurrence. Scary, right? Keep swimming. It so good for you! Crossing my fingers for you that the pains are normal.
I have my fair share of horror stories with doctors as well... which is why I don't usually bother going unless it's just for a general checkup/bloodwork. With any of the more complicated things, I feel like most doctors just don't care and want to pass you over as quickly as possible. That or send you home with a nice cocktail of pills to treat the symptoms without ever getting to the root of the problem. This is why I love holistic medicine. Sure there are some wacky practitioners out there, but finding a good one is a real blessing.
I'm really lucky I found a good holistic doctor. Sitting in his office as I type this!
OMG!! I am totally with you on holistic docs. The regular docs are great for breaks and things like that but their knowledge is limited to that kinda thing. The natural docs know how the body works when it has problems and there are no broken bones. Sometimes people look at me weird when I say some of the treatments I have been using but it has proven to be more beneficial than any other traditional option I have tried.
Funny you say that! My orthopedic told me that the other day, he doesn't get it but said if it's working for me to keep at it.
It can be so hard to find a doctor that you connect with. I have been so frustrated in the past because I have spent hours waiting for doctors and they can be SO dismissive.
Drives me crazy when I wait forever for a doctor.
This is so sad but so true! I have had many doctors contradict themselves or become stubborn about a situation. I know they want to help but sometimes I feel they don't really get me. Over the years I have learned that a doctor's opinion is important but it is not imperative. No one knows you better than yourself and ultimately you have the last call!
Who would have known that it was the elliptical!?? At least you know now! Crossing my fingers with you! 🙂
Looking back, I'm glad I had two foot doctors after all this happened.
Doctor said elliptical was good for taking weight off for the stress fracture but can cause tendon problems in some people. Just my luck!
What! I can't believe that doctor. What a horrible experience, I'm sorry you had to go through that! I've had an experience like that but I would have complained to someone. "I can't help you" should never be their response!
I wonder who you complain to for doctors? There has to be a medical board.