Has anyone suffered from this condition, after breast cancer treatment?
Sharon x
I have had it Sharon, but I think the problems may have started just before the breast cancer did. Hard to remember now cos it was quite a few years ago. It just got worse and worse for me and was agony getting out of bed in the morning, or after I had sat for a while. I saw an orthopedic consultant about it and he agreed that it was the problem and made me some orthotics by making a plaster mold of my feet first. He warned me it would take as long to go as it had in coming and he was so right. About 3 years!!! But once it had got better I left of wearing the orthotics and it has never bothered me since.
Dawn
xx
Hi Sharon, yes I have, some of us spoke about it here, you might find it useful…x
breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/tamoxifen-heel-pain-link–t26507.html
Thank you so much for putting in this link Belinda.
Sharon - yes! I’ve got problems with my achilles and pain that radiates under my heel. I’ve never had any problem like this before. I started tamoxifen back in November. I started yoga classes and then after the second session it started. It was a beginners’ class so we didn’t do anything major and nothing that under normal circumstances would have triggered it so I was thinking it must be related either to the chemo, tamoxifen or muscle wasting.
The only thing I noticed in the months preceding the problem was my knee joint cracking (which it never did before) and terrible muscle cramps in that calf.
It’s all a bit depressing really but I think I’m going to try buying some of the shoes recommended by the other women.
take care, Elinda
Hi Elinda
I get PF on and off, and have recently bought FitFlop trainers, and they are the most comfortable shoe I’ve found. The heal is really soft and squishy - and they look quite cool too.
finty x
Hi Sharon
I have it, but had it before bc. I have a support insole in my shoe but they’re expensive (around £20 I think), if it’s bc related maybe your onc could prescribe one, not sure though it’s worth asking!
Not sure if this helps.
Denise x
Hi Sharon
I’ve had PF since about 3 years ago, well before BC. It’s more to do with poor posture, in particular pronation, i.e. feet rolling inwards due to weak muscles/ligaments/tendons supporting your arches. In my case it was made worse by standing for long periods on hard floors, wearing slippers which didn’t provide enough support. It takes a while to fix, a combination of exercise, osteopathic treatment, and wearing FitFlops (I’ve ended up buying 3 pairs they’re so comfy).
Good luck with it, it’s very painful, particularly first thing in the morning.
Sarah x
Just had a look at the Fitflop website and might go for a pair of clogs. I can’t bear anything rubbing on the achilles so these could be great. Thanks for that.
Hi elinda45
You shouldn’t have mentioned the FitFlop website - I had to have another look to see what the latest ones are and I’m very tempted by the red patent leather ones. My OH reckons you will owe him the cost of yet another pair!
Sarah x
Oops - Sarah apologies to your OH. Mind you, my OH is probably cursing this site as I’ve just ordered my clogs!
I loved the red ones too, but seems everyone agrees as they’re completely sold out on every website in my size - but I’m very pleased with the silver ones I got instead. The trouble when you find something so deliciously comfortable is ever wearing normal shoes again. x
I went to physio today, she said i have a severe case of plantar faciitis, i had acupuncture to see if that can helpmwith the pain.
The physio lady said that i cant have the usual treatment, because its radio, and ultra sonic rays or something, and it can cause cells to multiply, and its not safe for people that have had cancer.
I am having 2 more sessions of accupucture, it will of worked by 3, if its going to work.
After my treatment today, my feet felt as good as new, but as the nights gone on they are hurting again.
Its getting me down, because thers no way of not using my feet.
Sharon
I do feel for you - it can be so painful. Have you tried the stretches? They worked for me, together with a change of footwear.
finty x
I was dignosed on monday it started around my 4th session of chemo kept mentioning it everytime i went they told me taxatere affects joints and muscles and it wud probley go when chemo finished well guess what it never finished chemo in august abbsolutly battered with pain went docs on monday he said ive got plantar facilitus (policemans heel)they say he told me to take antiflamitory in the day and gave me tabs to take at nite to relax the muscles hope it works tired of shuffling my feet looking forward to a nice spring in my step.lol
My Fitflop clogs arrived today and as soon as I put them on I could tell they were going to be great. I’m not saying they alleviate all the pain but at least it’s not like walking onto a knife with each step.
I can’t take anti inflammatories because of my acid reflux problem but have been advised to put a bag of frozen peas under my foot for about 15 minutes in the evening. I put my foot up on the sofa and do it that way. It does provide some relief.
Another tip is to stretch your Achilles tendons, which lessens the tightness in the heel. Hands on wall in front of you, at shoulder height, heel out behind you, then lean into the wall, and you should feel the stretching effect on the tendon up the back of your heel and into your calf. Hold for a few secs. Do a few times each side.
Sarah x
P.S. Jealous of Elinda’s new FitFlop clogs! Must find an excuse to buy the red ones!
Hi fellow foot sufferers,
I have it too and have been seeing a podiatrist for some time. He mostly just holds my foot and says I am complicated. However, after mentioning plantar fasciitis to him he gave me exercises to do a while ago and it has gone much of the time. Sadly it returns if I forget to do them for a while but much more manageable. It was 10 months on the sofa and the way you point your toes when in bed or laying I think. I just have to keep pulling my toes up as hard as i can and holding, then repeat 5 - 10 times about 3 times a day. keep going mine just suddenyl became much better. The burn in the heel is so horrible. Good luck
Lily
Hi all
Me to has suffered! I did have it before (4 - 5 years ago), but nothing like the pain I’ve had recently. I do a lot of walking and go to the gym so it was becoming unbearable - went to docs - got the exercises. Helped a little, did the cold and hot therapy - 10mins on bag of frozen peas, 5 mins hot water bottle - helped a little more. Then after trying sports shoe gel inserts etc I discovered Schol ortho heel inserts £18 approx.Got mine from Boots Brilliant solved problem I just change them to whatever shoes I want to wear - did long walk (8miles) on Sat. No longer waking with painful feet and when I get up from chairs etc. I don’t have to shuffle!!! The inserts list benefits for plantar facilitis. I suffered more from this in the summer which was 12months from finishing chemo!
Will be investigating fitflop clogs! Love my fitflops and been looking for a winter replacement!
fudge - try the FitFlop trainers, they are so comfortable.
I can’t believe the difference the Fitflops seem to have made in a day. Yesterday I didn’t spend the evening trying the ease the pain with a bag of frozen peas and I’ve woken up with very little pain this morning. I’m going for a walk today in them so I’ll see how it goes.
I’m desperate to resolve this as I’m putting weight on fast without the exercise even though I’ve tried to cut back on food. Yikes!