My Left Foot!

Hi,
I have been struggling with my left foot since August. I am, or was, a very active, fit 70 year old. The initial problem was a very painful tendon inflammation caused by my flat feet. I saw a podiatrist; received multiple shots of cortisone; had an MRI that indicated no surgery was necessary; wore a boot; saw an orthopedist from Hospital of Special Surgery who also said no surgery; wore a bigger boot; went to PT, took anti-inflammatories; and was fitted for orthotics.
I am still struggling with the orthotics.
After reading Dr Sarno's book on Mind Body and several other books I decided this was MBS. I took his advice started to resume my normal activity (still wearing the orthotics). I did pretty well for about 4 days. Unfortunately a new pain and swelling developed in my metatarsal and big toe. It is very painful to walk! I saw a new podiatrist that I really like yesterday. She assured me that the orthotics were a good fit (she did not make them) and that the swelling was from use and I should ice it and not worry about it. She does want me to have a new MRI just as a follow up.

I know Dr. Sarno says you should stop taking anti-inflammatories but I am reluctant to do that, I wonder if he says we should throw away the orthotics too.

I have just finished week 1 of Dr. Schubiner's program and I am a bit discouraged. Have any of you had a similar foot experience and if so what did you or are you doing?
So glad I found you all,
Lynn

 

Hi Lynn, I have had foot problems too. Long story shortened, l broke a bone in my foot. It didn't stop hurting when it was healed though, then it started swelling off and on. After 6 months I learned it was TMS and the pain stopped but while the swelling has tapered to almost never, it still occurs and its been a year. I don't worry about it anymore, I know my brain is like a toddler trying to weedle something out of me! Kindly, but firmly: No way, I'm onto you! I don't ice it or anything, I talk to my brain about puting things back in order, the swelling isn't necessary, the foot is fine.

Hopefully it helps to hear from people here. I would recommend reading AndyB's story and Enrique's too. Search the forum for foot pain etc and get reassurance about all the crazy things your brain can do to feet

 

Here's a good success story for you to read:

http://www.tmswiki.org/forum/thread...n-plantar-fasciitis-wrist-pain-eye-pain.5224/

 

Thank you so much. This thread was very helpful and encouraging. I especially appreciated reading about how MBS can cause inflammation. I am going to look into the writings of Dr. Sopher. Most of the books I have read focus on back issues. It sounds as if Dr. Sopher focuses more on the foot.

 

Thank you for the advice and you can be sure I will follow up with Andy and Enrique.

 

LOL, LynnCarol, I actually sat down to massage my left foot before I go for a walk. It gets very painful and it's hard not to limp. So, I just go slowly and remind myself there is nothing wrong with my foot. It used to be my RIGHT foot that was so problematic and out of the blue, the issues jumped to the left.

Like you, I had custom orthotics and consulted many different specialists. Early on in my TMS journey, I threw out the expensive orthotics and walked PAIN FREE. Since then, it flares off and on. It's just a crazy journey.

Ellen, I'm reading the story on that link. Thanks so much for posting it!

Good luck to you, LynnCarol1 and a hearty welcome to our community!

 

I've also got symptoms in my left foot (ankle really, but they also manifest in the foot) and I've been really liking the reading material in the Structured Educational Program. Even if you don't do the journaling, those are good resources for connecting up how the brain can make pain again and again once it does it the first time, and not as focused on backs as some of Sarno's writing. I actually like Dr. Schubiner's writing the most out of those.