Heel pain keeping me awake at night- any solutions please!!!

dibdab
dibdab Member Posts: 1,498
edited 8. Mar 2013, 01:48 in Living with Arthritis archive
Any tips for dealing with heel pain please? I have RA and for several nights now have had pain underneath my heels and in my ankle joints- I can cope with it in the daytime, but am reaching the end of my tether at night. Last night I was still awake at 3am because of the pain, I just can't find a comfortable place to put my feet in bed-I've tried rubbing in diclofenac gel, taking ibuprofen and cocodamols, I've even bought an expensive memory foam mattress topper in the hope of getting some relief.
The constant pain and lack of sleep is really getting me down now, and I'm back to school this week-the prospect of 30 lively 5 year olds when I feel so miserable is beyond thinking about. :cry:
If any of you lovely folks have experienced something similar and found a way of dealing with it I'd appreciate some of your wisdom please-I really am getting beyond the smile and carry on stage now!
Thanks for listening.

Deb x

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I empathise, my left heel is misbehaving thanks to Achilles tendonitis. I too do the V*ltar*l stuff but I wear doubled tubi-grip which I find helps to support my heel. I also sleep with a pillow between my legs (I'm a side sleeper) and the pillow goes from ankle to - :oops: - groin - but it helps to ease the weight on my sore joints. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I was told that rolling a cold bottle of water under heels would help dissolve the inflammation, thus alleviating the pain. It did help somewhat, maybe worth a go.
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    i to go for something cold when all else has not worked hope you sleep tonight val
    val
  • dibdab
    dibdab Member Posts: 1,498
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Thanks for kind thoughts and ideas- use a pillow to support the knees and ankles too. Spent to day at Woburn Safari Park with our daughter who's a keeper there- we had a wonderful day but I'm paying for it now- feet more painful than ever and sitting with icepacks on both ankles- life seems to be a constant trade off between living fully and suffering for it, or living a life so restircted that it's tedious.

    Hope you all have a decent night.

    Deb x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Living fully can be done if one is sensible in doing it and I reckon that means adjusting one's behaviour and actions. I was resistant to getting my rollator but now I would not be without it as I can last out and about for so much longer. It's broadened my narrowing horizons - I can queue again! :lol: The main thing is that you had a lovely day and have good memories, so keep up with the dullers and ice, I am sure things will ease soon. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Numptydumpty
    Numptydumpty Member Posts: 6,417
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    If your pain is caused by plantar fasciitis, gel insoles for your shoes may help. I have this condition and it comes and goes, it is very painful, but I do find the insoles help.
    Numpty
  • dibdab
    dibdab Member Posts: 1,498
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    DD- your positive life view is inspiring-thankyou! Glad the rollator widens horizons, maybe one day I'll need one too- plan to live life to the full for as long as I can-it's precious and the little things like time spent with special people make it more manageable.
    Numpty- thanks for the insight- I'll investigate the gel insoles when I get to the shops on Saturday. Back into the classroom today- deep joy! tomorrow will meet the 30 5 and 6 year olds that are mine to cherish this year- should be interesting/challenging- and probably will be nursing sore hands by the end of the day.

    Hope you both get a good nights sleep tonight. Deb x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Strewth. :oops: Thank you for your very kind words, dibdab, they are hardly merited but are much appreciated. Good luck tomorrow with the little nuclear germ factories - sorry, little darlings: I hope this will be the start of an enjoyable academic year. I've nearly sorted out mine, I'm just waiting to hear from one client about what they wish to do this term then I'm sorted. I swing into what I laughingly call 'action' next week, after a rather lack-lustre summer. Roll on (or in) some income! :) Sleep well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • trepolpen
    trepolpen Member Posts: 504
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    hi dibdab

    dont know how long you had this , would try pillow undder your feet + you can get something that takes the weight of your sheets/duvet like they do in hospitals

    one thing I would suggested to you ast to ask for steriod injection into those heel joints , they can do it under xray , wish I had known that before & they would have saved myself from having both heels fused ,

    hope you feel better soon

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