I am generally a positive person, but today it’s all doom and gloom as I’ve spent the last two days in tears. I tumbled down a set of stairs the Sunday before Easter. My left leg went up behind me as I slid down and the spot in front of my ankle had a dull pain and a bruise in the days after. Well, I have been working SO SO hard on my couch to 5k program and didn’t want to give it up. I went running on it twice last week and, while it hurt at the beginning of the run, it was pretty much painless once I got warmed up. On Easter I wore big wedges all day (I almost always wear flats in spite of my height) and then I ran on it again Monday morning. By lunch time I was limping and could barely get around. When Honey got home from work I was in tears – equally from the pain and from the realization that the race I am planning with bestie M would probably not happen in three weeks.
I called the first podiatrist I could find and took his first appointment today. I didn’t get a great feeling from him and he didn’t really listen to my long story. I’m sure he hears sob stories all day, but seriously, he didn’t even pretend to care. He took at x-ray and said it looked fine. I walked out of there with a lovely boot type accessory and no clue as to what is wrong. He said it could be a stress fracture that isn’t showing up yet on the x-ray or tendonitis. He sold me a month’s worth of pain killers (seriously?!? I didn’t get that with childbirth or the extraction of my compacted wisdom teeth.) and told me to stay off of it for two weeks and then come back in.
None of this sits well with me and I had hoped for a few more answers. I have made my follow up appointment with a doctor referred to me by a friend and wish I’d taken the time to go that route the first time. Of course, I have done loads of self diagnosing and I feel like it is peroneal tendonitis. It is mostly found in people with high arches (moi) and often occurs as a side effect of a sprain (makes sense after my fall). I have read many different accounts of this injury that range from doctors advising it is okay to taper the exercise schedule but to keep running through it to doctors saying to stay off of it for six months.
More than anything, I am incredibly disappointed by the likely possibility that I won’t be running with bestie M. I know it’s “just” a 5k and “there will be many more”, but I have worked harder at this than I have at anything since having a healthy, live baby when Whit was born. UGH. Just UGH!
If you need me I’ll be sitting on my sofa. For the foreseeable future… boo hoo hoo hoo
xoxo
I am so sorry! I broke the bone in the top of my foot once, so I know what it's like to be grounded – but it was before children & I definitely wasn't training for a run. ;-) Prayers for a speedy recovery!
So sorry that you have an injury!! As the mom of two active athletes, my best advice to you would be to see an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in sports medicine. I slipped and broke my ankle, had to have surgery to set it, and was back in my cute shoes in 12 weeks, all thanks to a great orthopedic surgeon. Find one in your area( there are some really great one's in ATL) ASAP and you'll be back to training in no time!!
If your second doctor doesn't work out, try Hammesfahr. He's on Johnson Ferry between Lower Roswell and Roswell. He has a serious type personality and I believe he's a runner too. The staff is very nice as well. His partner specializes in injuries above the waist. Good luck. I hope you're able to heal and make the 5k.
What a bummer to hurt your foot, especially when you've been working so hard for a 5K. Hoping you heal quickly! BTW, love the tag on this post.
Bless your heart Amanda. It is hard to be in pain and to miss out on something you had been looking forward to but take care of that ankle….those injuries can bother you the rest of your life if not cared for properly. Spoken by an old nurse…and see your regular physician so he can refer you to an orthopedist if necessary!!
So sorry Amanda! My Katie has been nursing a foot injury, on and off since her senior year of high school (initial injury sustained in volleyball, then running). We have gone round and round trying to figure our what is going on. She is being referred to a foot specialist here, Dr. Beskin, by her Texas orthopaedist who knew her other ortho here. Long story. I will email you more later, as I am running out the door for CBS.
What a bummer! Hope it will heal soon and that you find a doctor that will work for you! That's so frustrating.
Good Morning Amanda!
So sorry for this to happen to you. I had the same thing happen to me a two years ago, coincidentally while I was in the middle of doing couch to 5k. (I never went to a doctor because I am a self diagnoser also!)I would start out running and feel pain, and then once I warmed up the pain would go away~ I ran like that for a few weeks until it got to the point I could barely walk. I was running with a bunch of friends and didn't want to stop training, but alas the injury got the best of me and I had no choice. It got to the point where I pretty much just rested my ankle everyday, either with it propped up or soaking in Epsom salts. That honestly lasted for a month~ I was stubborn and wrapped it and went ahead and ran the 5k we all signed up for and ended up limping for another 2 weeks. Please stay off your ankle, let it rest and heal. I promise you will be able to pick up where you left off in your training program once your healed.
A neat thing about running is you become very self aware. You notice every little thing that just doesn't feel right~ listen to your body! Good luck with your training. I never thought I could do anything more than speed walk until I tried couch to 5k. Running is an addicting sport, especially since the running community is so positive and encouraging!
I've been there myself, and know just how you feel! Mine was a femoral stress fracture while I was training for the Chicago Marathon (to run with my husband and my best friend too!). I had made it halfway through training when my injury was diagnosed, and it was such a bummer to be sidelined. Suffice to say, I was pretty bitter about it for awhile! Hang in there!
I hope you feel better! If you are in pain, two Aleve might help. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and was a former runner. When my RA flared up, Aleve was a Godsend for the pain. Just don't take it on an empty stomach.
Bless your heart…or ankle rather! We have to think of the positives now….more time to look at all those fabulous blogs out there and make a list of new things to blog about!
Feel better!
Oh I am so sorry, this sounds like it is so painful. I truly understand your frustration since I broke my foot right before Christmas. These things are such a nuisance and yes they do hurt tons. Hope it is nothing serious.
May you heal up….truly you had better take it easy and pamper this one. There will be possible surgeries in the future if you mess up and exercise/run too soon. As bad as you want to run…..you may cause additional injury. Sorry you fell, but sweetie, you are worth taking care of this injury. My cousin was an idiot after each time she injured herself which led to surgeries. Surgeries. Not one…many. She wouldn't allow time to heal and then wondered why she had to have another surgery. Blessings to you,
d
So sorry to hear about your mishap! I have done a similar thing TWICE, and know it can be terribly painful–not to mention frustrating. Hope your visit with the next doctor yeilds better results. Feel better soon!
Julia from SC
Oh dear, you poor thing. I took a stair tumble many years ago and tore the ligaments around my ankle. It took a long time to heal, swelling up whenever I tried to run on it before it was completely healed. Fair warning, Amanda, please let it heal.
I am SO sorry this happened to you and hope you find a Dr. that will listen and tell you just what is wrong! Hoping you heal quickly too.
I agree with Amy Duff! Coming from a girl with two broken feet 10 years apart…go see a foot ortho doc ASAP!!!
Ouch! Didn't Sister hurt her foot a couple of Easters ago? Has anyone checked the Bunnytini inventory?!
Seriously, feel better soon…we are all too anxious to see your new office! :)
Jane, SD
As someone who has broken both ankles (once at 8 months pregnant), be sure to stay off it until you see a doctor you trust. Ankle injuries can be so hard to figure out and so painful.
Amanda,
I am so sad to hear about your ankle! Here's a knock knock joke to make you feel better.
Knock, knock!
Who's there?
Ida.
Ida who?
Ida bet you're up and running again in no time!!
~Kandace
So sorry for your injury Amanda. I am also in the orthopedic surgeon camp. Don't take chances. The sooner you get a real diagnosis, the sooner you can move on. I'm sure you have some great ones in the Atlanta area.
So sorry to hear that you hurt. There is nothing worse than training for a race and not getting to run due to an injury. Prayers for a speed recovery!!!
ugh ugh ugh!!! long long long story short because i went through a very very similar situation my ankle is screwed up to this day.
get a second opinion, i wish i had done so. find an orthopedic dr who specializes in ankles. TRUST ME!! in 07 i saw dr richardson, known throughout the south for his work in ankle ortho work and he advised i have the brostrom ankle reconstruction surgery. now, after several years, lots of rehab its better, i can run again. i will be happy to answer any questions you may have, i have 2 sets of crutches, 4 boots, an air cast, two loose ankle corsets and a hard corset with side reinforcement. we will not be hurting that ankle again!!
Oh no!! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!
Go to an orthopedic doctor, NOW! If it didn't hurt before the tumble it is hurt because of the tumble and is not tendentious or anything to do with your training, it is due to the fall.