Monday, June 11, 2012

So, I went to the doctor...

...and I have plantar fasciitis in my left foot and tendonitis in my Achilles tendon on my right leg.  This is pretty much exactly what I thought the doctor would say, but it is good to have it officially diagnosed.  Sadly, this confirmation also means I have to face the grim reality that I'm done being a runner for a while.  My doctor told me that I cannot run and that I have to work up to being able to walk 4 miles without pain before I can even think about running.  After walking around a shopping center this weekend and having massive pain afterwards, I am sad to say I'm not even close to being able to walk 4 miles.

I feel like I'm hitting reset.

Even when I can walk 4 miles without pain, the doctor said I can't start running like I'm used to.  I have to run for a couple minutes, stop, walk, then try again a few minutes later.  It's totally disheartening.

However, I want to take this diagnosis seriously and do what I have to do to get better.  If I don't listen and do the things she recommended now, I'll be dealing with this problem for even longer than I already am going to be.  Want to see something a bit depressing?


That's the prognosis for the plantar fasciitis.  The doctor said something pretty similar.  She said my swelling is so bad that I actually have a cyst in my foot.  Lovely.  No wonder it hurts so bad!  My prescription for my anti-inflammatory pills is good for a year.  That's not encouraging!  I definitely don't want to be taking meds a year from now for this same problem.  I'm hoping I can beat the odds and feel better within 4-6 weeks.  Nine months is a long time to wait before I can actually do the things I want to do.  I'm just going to have to learn patience!  :)

So anyway, that's where I'm at.  Looks like I will be doing a lot of weight lifting and walking in my future.  I'm hoping for a speedy recovery.  Wish me luck!


8 comments:

  1. Ugh. Anything that ends with "itis" is no fun. Don't give up, you'll get through it. Try rolling your feet on a golf ball. That helps loosen things up.

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  2. Becky,
    Sorry to hear about your condition. Praying that God gives you extra measures of grace and patience during these next few months.
    Blessings to you,
    Jojo

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  3. I'm so sorry to hear about this! Hopefully you will at least be able to walk around without pain soon!

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  4. oh friend! i cant imagine your frustration but it sounds so much like you have the right outlook for this. in january when my knee was all messed up...i walked and lifted as much as possible and actually feel like i came back stronger because i worked the muscles i never work when im only running! i hope this is true for you too...that you can come back painfree and even stronger in MUCH shorter than 9 months:) thinking of you!!!!

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  5. Sorry to hear about that :(

    Try acupuncture. My husband's grandpa is the most cynical and racist old man out there and he finally tried acupuncture for his chronic back pain and swears it was a miracle treatment. Maybe worth a try?

    Good luck!

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  6. Becky........ I am SO SORRY!!!! Ugh! Just try and come up with a plan of how you can keep moving forward - with food and activity? I 100% support you and can't wait for you to get better quickly!!!

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  7. I am so sorry to hear this Becky but I am so glad you have a solid answer! Now that you know what your dealing with you can make a game plan. I have a friend that has very bad PF and she has been able to bike and swim a lot to stay in shape. Do you think either of those are options? I sure hope you can find some form of cross training to help you through this awful situation. I am definitely thinking of you!

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  8. I'm sorry! I know exactly how you feel. (my tip: see a specialist asap. I was misdiagnosed in the beginning of my injury stuff.)

    I had to take a break from running too and it felt like the end of the world. It turned out to be a good thing. I needed to start weight training. I'm healthier and stronger now as a result.

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