Help! Mystery pain & swelling - I'm kinda scared!

[Grog]

These two ladies are very wise, follow their advice! And it really doesn't sound like a clot.....

My sweet-heart, soon-to-be-M.D. but kinesiologist by training, automatically said "plantar fasciitis?" But it's a much better idea to see your doctor! There is lots of hope for you out there.

He's a big time cyclist and gets some of that type of pain sometimes if he's been doing a lot of climbing.

Good luck. *gentle hug*

[Tuckervill]

I said plantar fasciatis, too, because of the pain on waking, then I read the rest. But it could be that your ankle is injured, which is causing you to compensate in your sleep (pointing your toes), which is causing that tendon to get all comfortable like that. Then when you stretch it out in the morning to walk, yowee. It doesn't cause swelling, though. The swelling means go to the doctor.

Hope it's nothing serious.

Karen

[Grog]

I said plantar fasciatis, too, because of the pain on waking, then I read the rest. But it could be that your ankle is injured, which is causing you to compensate in your sleep (pointing your toes), which is causing that tendon to get all comfortable like that. Then when you stretch it out in the morning to walk, yowee. It doesn't cause swelling, though. The swelling means go to the doctor.

Yeah, docs tend to hear/read the beginning of the "problem" and not always go to the end.

When you see the doctor you may want to start your story with the swelling to prevent them to jump on the plantar-fasciatis conclusion too quickly.

[RolliePollie]

Thanks for the excellent advice everyone! The good news is, I just got up (yes, I slept in a little late!) and it's not any worse this morning and the swelling went down quite a bit overnight. But I still couldn't walk on it for about 10 minutes.

I'm very relieved to hear folks say it doesn't sound like a blood clot! I guess I'll take it easy this weekend, take my Motrin, and go to the Dr. on Monday if it's not any better. It just seems so weird to me that I didn't do anything in particular...like twist my ankle...to cause this.

So I guess I shouldn't try to do a long ride this weekend? Just kidding...I think I'm off the bike for a bit. What a bummer. I was trying so hard to get to 3,000 miles before the end of the year.

[KnottedYet]

Plantar faciitis is a symptom of something else goofed up in the ankle/foot. Something is irritating the system. If the doc says "plantar fasciitis" and leaves it at that, ask him what he thinks *caused* the pf. Ask about physical therapy, especially with someone who knows cyclists and feet.

If I'm constantly hitting myself in the head with a hammer, and go to the doc cuz my head is bruising, and he diagnoses me with "a bruise" and gives me an ice bag but doesn't take the damm hammer out of my hand, well.... that's like a doc telling you "plantar fasciitis" and leaving it at that.

Edit: it is extremely common to have this kind of thing happen with no particular event causing it. Often it's an ankle or foot posture issue, added to a footwear issue, added to an activity issue, added to the vagaries of fate, and finally the straw that breaks the camel's back.

[Grog]

Edit: it is extremely common to have this kind of thing happen with no particular event causing it. Often it's an ankle or foot posture issue, added to a footwear issue, added to an activity issue, added to the vagaries of fate, and finally the straw that breaks the camel's back.

These words are very valid for so many situations of life....

[Bklynmom]

My plantar fasciatis symptoms were exactly like what you described -- and were completely cured by custom orthotics (which I wear in the bike shoes) and stretching the calf many time a day.

On the other hand, radiating calf pain can be a symptom of pulmonary embolism - which my sister-in law survived by the skin of her teeth (and a really great EMT and ER) last year. So do be careful please.

I come from a long line of amature physicians, so take this with a grain of salt .

Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Starfish]

Hey Sara, I don't have anything to add to the the actual discussion, but wanted you to know I'm thinking of you!! If you start to feel down about not quite making your 3000 miles, just think of me. I've only got 1000 for 2007!!