Foot Problems

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

Not too long now, til that cast finally comes off. I'm sure Chase is very happy about that! I hope his foot is well rested now and that it will have made a positive difference in the level of foot-related pain he's had to deal with. At least, finally, he'll be able to start swimming again. Let Chase know we're happy for him. It sounded like he was very bummed out about the whole idea.

Aloha, Georgina

----- Original Message -----

From: owits@... I took Chase to the podiatrist yesterday with the hopes that he would just suggest some kind of inserts for his shoes. He took xray's of his feet and examined them. Every time he pressed on Chase's right heel, he would wince in pain. He decided that Chase should not run and try to rest that foot and the only way to do that is to put a cast on it. He said he would try it for 3 weeks to see if that would give him some relief, but no more than that because with jra you need to be able to move your joints. Needless to say this kid is horrified. He's really having a hard time with the crutches and even more upset that he can't go to his swim classes. I'm trying to make the best of this situation and trying to see the positive in this. I'm not so sure this was the right decision. He also suggested cortisone injection if this doesn't help.Now I can understand why Josh put off going to the foot dr. Just thought I'd let you know how we made out.Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi Georgina,

Thanks. The cast comes off this Thursday....he's down to counting hours now.

:0) Only this past week he's been wincing in pain that his left heel hurts

just like the right one. I pray they won't take this cast off and replace it

with another for the left foot.

I'm so glad Josh is improving....I was really worried there. He's been doing

so well and I can imagine that was very scary for you. I pray for him and

all these kids everyday. Hope he has a great time on his field trip.

Take care,

Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

So happy to hear that the cast is finally off ! Tell Chase we're celebrating with him : )

Aloha, Georgina

----- Original Message -----

From: owits@... Thanks. The cast comes off this Thursday....he's down to counting hours now. :0) Only this past week he's been wincing in pain that his left heel hurts just like the right one. I pray they won't take this cast off and replace it with another for the left foot. I'm so glad Josh is improving....I was really worried there. He's been doing so well and I can imagine that was very scary for you. I pray for him and all these kids everyday. Hope he has a great time on his field trip. Take care,Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi Georgina,

Thanks, but all is not well since the cast came off. He can't bend his foot

to normal position. It's kind of staying pointed like a ballerina, which is

the way it was casted. We have to go back to the podiatrist tomorrow

(Thursday), and if he still can't walk on it, he wants to put another cast

on...ugh!! I'm thinking that I might have made the wrong decision taking him

there, but I did check with Chase's ped. rheumy and he said to have him

checked. I just feel so bad, because he's in worse shape now than he was

before, at least he was walking. I should have went with the gel inserts

first, like you did with Josh.

Hope all is well with you and your family,

Barb, mom to Chase 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky,

Thank you for your help. When Chase was first diagnosed, I took him for OT

and PT. They checked him out and at the time his jra was being controlled by

prednisone and naproxyn. They said he didn't need therapy and only come back

if he was having problems. We suggested therapy to the podiatrist, but he

said " not yet " . Whatever that meant. I agree with you, I think therapy would

really help right now.

I'm so happy to hear that is down to 8mg pred. and that he's feeling

good. One of my 4 boys was like him....could empty every cabinet in the

kitchen and stack those cans all the way up to the ceiling...before I got out

of bed at 7am.

I love your posts...you go girl!!!

Take care,

Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

I never replied to any of your foot posts because doesnt have foot

pain.While a podiatrist can help with certain things I dont think there

expertise is with arthritis.Dont beat yourself up about it,you were trying to

help your son.We all do things we wish we could change.You probably already see

a PT or OT,but I think that would be your best bet.They know how to properly

manipulate things,and they know how to cast things to slowely get the joint back

how it belongs.Im not saying they can fix the foot pain,but they should be able

to help Chase get his range of motion back.Get his ankle working again,then let

the podiatrist make custom inserts if store bought ones dont help.Hopefully he

just has a major case of stifness and it will work itself out.I hope Chase is up

and walking again real soon.

Becki and 3systemic

owits@... wrote:

> Hi Georgina,

>

> Thanks, but all is not well since the cast came off. He can't bend his foot

> to normal position. It's kind of staying pointed like a ballerina, which is

> the way it was casted. We have to go back to the podiatrist tomorrow

> (Thursday), and if he still can't walk on it, he wants to put another cast

> on...ugh!! I'm thinking that I might have made the wrong decision taking him

> there, but I did check with Chase's ped. rheumy and he said to have him

> checked. I just feel so bad, because he's in worse shape now than he was

> before, at least he was walking. I should have went with the gel inserts

> first, like you did with Josh.

>

> Hope all is well with you and your family,

> Barb, mom to Chase 9 w/systemic

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Barb. I agree with Becki on the PT. If you are not already doing this,

try it. Like I said before immobilizing an arthritic joint can sometimes

cause more trouble. Don't beat yourself up over this. Try something

different perhaps. It is so hard to know the right thing to do sometimes,

and you can only rely on the drs. Good luck to Chase and you. I only know

this because of what went through with all the braces the orthopeadist

drs put him in and they simply stiffened his ankle joint. The PT helped once

we stopped all that. Just a thoguht, Michele

Re: Foot problems

Hi Barb,

I never replied to any of your foot posts because doesnt have foot

pain.While a podiatrist can help with certain things I dont think there

expertise is with arthritis.Dont beat yourself up about it,you were trying

to help your son.We all do things we wish we could change.You probably

already see a PT or OT,but I think that would be your best bet.They know how

to properly manipulate things,and they know how to cast things to slowely

get the joint back how it belongs.Im not saying they can fix the foot

pain,but they should be able to help Chase get his range of motion back.Get

his ankle working again,then let the podiatrist make custom inserts if store

bought ones dont help.Hopefully he just has a major case of stifness and it

will work itself out.I hope Chase is up and walking again real soon. Becki

and 3systemic

owits@... wrote:

> Hi Georgina,

>

> Thanks, but all is not well since the cast came off. He can't bend his

> foot to normal position. It's kind of staying pointed like a

> ballerina, which is the way it was casted. We have to go back to the

> podiatrist tomorrow (Thursday), and if he still can't walk on it, he

> wants to put another cast on...ugh!! I'm thinking that I might have

> made the wrong decision taking him there, but I did check with Chase's

> ped. rheumy and he said to have him checked. I just feel so bad,

> because he's in worse shape now than he was before, at least he was

> walking. I should have went with the gel inserts first, like you did

> with Josh.

>

> Hope all is well with you and your family,

> Barb, mom to Chase 9 w/systemic

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

I had the same problem going through the school. was evaluated by PT and

OT.At the time he was doing very good,due to 15mg pred.When we had his IEP

meeting the OT did not recommend it,but the PT used to work for the Arthritis

clinic in Memphis,and boy was she fired up.She looked these 9 people in the

face,and told them you dont see him in the morning and you dont see him at

night,he may be fine now but tomorrow he may be unable to walk.She told them

therapy was critical with JRA,it may be simple range of motion exercises to keep

the joints flexable,or it could be more intence trying to correct a contracted

joint.She opened there eyes big time and started pre-school the next

day.Our IEP was to get results to place him this fall.Sorry to be so long winded

,what I am trying to say is you may have to hunt down therapists that have alot

of experiance with arthritis.There is a big differance between someone injuring

themselves and someone that has a disease like arthritis.The experiance can make

a world of differance.Go with your gut instinct and see the therapist,if chase

develops bunions or hammer toes or his feet start to look funny like toes are

growing the wrong way take him to the podiatrist.An orthopedist is probably a

good choice for finding out about the foot pain.Boy,when they say JRA is a team

approach they wernt kidding.So many differant specialists.

Becki and 3systemic

owits@... wrote:

> Hi Becky,

>

> Thank you for your help. When Chase was first diagnosed, I took him for OT

> and PT. They checked him out and at the time his jra was being controlled by

> prednisone and naproxyn. They said he didn't need therapy and only come back

> if he was having problems. We suggested therapy to the podiatrist, but he

> said " not yet " . Whatever that meant. I agree with you, I think therapy would

> really help right now.

>

> I'm so happy to hear that is down to 8mg pred. and that he's feeling

> good. One of my 4 boys was like him....could empty every cabinet in the

> kitchen and stack those cans all the way up to the ceiling...before I got out

> of bed at 7am.

>

> I love your posts...you go girl!!!

> Take care,

> Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Barb..don't blame yourself..all we can do is hope we make the right choice! May I ask if the podiatrist was from Hershey? Maybe doing some bending would help..hey what about soaking it in warm water in a bucket and getting him to try to flex it some..never know...well I wish yall luck and hope all goes well..take care

karen(tab17..poly)

From: owits@... Reply- Subject: Re: Foot problems Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 15:15:36 EDT

Hi Georgina,

Thanks, but all is not well since the cast came off. He can't bend his foot to normal position. It's kind of staying pointed like a ballerina, which is the way it was casted. We have to go back to the podiatrist tomorrow (Thursday), and if he still can't walk on it, he wants to put another cast on...ugh!! I'm thinking that I might have made the wrong decision taking him there, but I did check with Chase's ped. rheumy and he said to have him checked. I just feel so bad, because he's in worse shape now than he was before, at least he was walking. I should have went with the gel inserts first, like you did with Josh.

Hope all is well with you and your family, Barb, mom to Chase 9 w/systemic Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: Click Here

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks. I really can't believe how messed up his foot is. Last night we tried

some things to work his foot and he couldn't do any of them. He said

everything hurt too much. I can't wait for his appt. today to see what's

next. If he says cast it again, I'm really gonna push for PT or at least

something removable. This dr. is very reputable in our area and I'm hoping he

knows what he's doing.

Thanks for the positive input about Chris' ankle.

Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi Becki,

You are so lucky to have all the right people around you to help . Some

days I feel like I live on a deserted island and when I talk about jra,

there's nobody there to listen. People in my area look at me like, what? he

has what? oh, ok......it's so frustrating! I had to take Chase to 4 or 5

different places for therapy when we were first looking just to find a place

that did PT and OT and then I was told he didn't need it. The one person that

has been so helpful is his swim instructor. He has a kid before Chase with

muscular dystrophy and he really works with these kids. Swimming is the one

thing Chase loves and can't wait to get back in the water.

And thanks, I kept asking myself if I should have tried an ortho guy first.

I'll just see how today's appt. goes.

You guys have a great day,

Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Barb, not only would I push for PT I would demand it. Everytime my foot comes

out of a cast it is stiff and very sore. Ask about giving advil or

tylenol before PT to help with the pain. Then either whirlpool or PT will

help. All of those little tendons are screaming to be moved. In a whirlpool

he can move it more freely. Also ask the Podiatrist if he is familar with

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). It is a painful condition that demands

movement and therapy. It also can occur with casting. I know this because it

happened to me after a ankle fusion with prolonged casting. Use you mom

instincts, insist, ask, whatever it takes.Good luck! Carolyn

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

No unfortunately, the podiatrist is local. I was hoping Dr. Groh could

recommend someone, but he didn't. He did check with a ped. ortho dr. there

and he said that a cast was consistant with what he would do. We tried the

warm water soaks, but still didn't help him move his foot any better.

Thanks , and hope Tabitha's doing well. I'm so sorry for the loss of

your aunt.

Take care,

Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi, Barb. I hope Chase does better soon. too, went to the " best foot

and ankle dr in our area " according to the orthopeadist who sent us there.

He is a dr at Northwestern University hospital in downtown Chicago. I'm sure

he does know his stuff, but they too can be wrong. For three months Chris

was in the brace he gave him (after two months in a different one from the

other dr) and when it was removed the first time, I said, " What do we do

when the pain returns? " He said that then we would consider arthritis but he

said the pain won't come back. Needless to say within two weeks, was

limping and unable to walk again. When I called it was put the brace back on

and bring him in again. It would have taken weeks to see this guy, so I

called my ped and got the number of the rhuemy. She immediately diagnosed

jra just by his symptoms,even before the blood work confirmed it. So, I

guess what I'm saying is that drs can also be wrong. It seems to me that

they don't want to diagnose something major in a child. When we went back to

the original orthopaedist (the rhuemy said to follow up) he was very

saddened to hear that was diagnosed. He felt bad that he had not sent

us in that direction from the start, but there was really no way he could

have known. He was focusing on what his specialty is. We thought this whole

thing was just another sports related injury. Hopefully, your son will be

releived of his pain soon. Believe me, I know what you're going through with

all this. Luckily, with the right combo of meds, Chris' pain is well

controlled. Michele

Re: Foot problems

Hi ,

Thanks. I really can't believe how messed up his foot is. Last night we

tried

some things to work his foot and he couldn't do any of them. He said

everything hurt too much. I can't wait for his appt. today to see what's

next. If he says cast it again, I'm really gonna push for PT or at least

something removable. This dr. is very reputable in our area and I'm hoping

he

knows what he's doing.

Thanks for the positive input about Chris' ankle.

Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Dear Barb, I know exactly how Chase feels, water is a kind of freedom that he can't experience anywhere else. I hope and pray that today's appointment goes well for you both. Let us know what happens :):)Tree:):)( Wishing for gills ) :):) Re: Foot problems Hi Becki,You are so lucky to have all the right people around you to help . Somedays I feel like I live on a deserted island and when I talk about jra,there's nobody there to listen. People in my area look at me like, what? hehas what? oh, ok......it's so frustrating! I had to take Chase to 4 or 5different places for therapy when we were first looking just to find a placethat did PT and OT and then I was told he didn't need it. The one person thathas been so helpful is his swim instructor. He has a kid before Chase withmuscular dystrophy and he really works with these kids. Swimming is the onething Chase loves and can't wait to get back in the water.And thanks, I kept asking myself if I should have tried an ortho guy first.I'll just see how today's appt. goes.You guys have a great day,Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Barb,

Dont' blame yourself. You are doing the best you can. Tasie has foot problems too, her feet turn in and she trips over herself along with half the time can't or won't walk. I tried the inserts first. didn't work, now I am going through heck because we waited so long trying the inserts that she is to old for the rest of the stuff. They say it won't work as well. I say it's worth a try.

Good luck

Love to all,

Casaria and Tasie

[Guest guest]

Hi Michele,

Thanks for sharing your experience with Chris. It's comforting that all of

you are here with such great support. What you described that went thru

is so similiar only before Chase was first diagnosed his pain moved. He

limped for about 4 weeks, then it moved to his arm or shoulder for about 2

weeks, then his neck and back and so on, so they couldn't splint

anything....until now. His foot is not in any pain, except if he tries to

stand on it. Hopefully the PT will help as much as it did your son.

Take care,

Barb, mom to Chase, 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi Tree,

Thanks for the kind thoughts. Seems now we're off to PT to see if we can get

him walking on 2 feet again. You know now that I think about it, Chase would

grow gills too if he could. I'm afraid I'll have to drag him out of the pool

screaming on Monday when he gets back to swim class.

Take care,

Barb, mom to Chase 9/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi Casaria,

Thank you, hopefully things will start turning around once he starts PT. I

pray that things start turning around for Tasie as well.

Many hugs to you guys,

Barb, mom to Chase 9 w/systemic

[Guest guest]

Hi Liz, I have had the same type of toe and foot pain, hands on

and off, pain everywhere else. I take Sulfasalizine, Celebrex, but

with the Celebrex I take Citalopram, and a bunch of other stuff for

Reiter's and some other problems. But what really helps is the

Celebrex with the Citalopram. If I don't take both I go on a crying

jag. And I have gone off of the Sulfasalizine after taking it for

years, and within a month the pain is so bad I have got to go back on

it. But sometimes I get suicidal without taking the Celebrex and

Citalopram, because when the pain gets so bad I cry it is time to do

something either way to make it better.But my toes have been so

painful and num at the same time, they feel like nails are stabbing

thru them. It has been so long, that I kind of ignore it, until they

get stepped on or bumped. Most of this stuff I try to control with my

mind, because I have one kidney removed and the other going bad, so I

try to keep the cemicals low. I think I am going out with the kidney

before too much longer if I don't get dialysis. I see my nephrologest

on Monday.Maybe that will help with pain. I do have the problems

Reiter's has with the bladder and vaginal areas. Got to go to another

dr for that problem. All I know, is over the years this stuff has

really torn me up. I think I am getting the Ankylosing Spondilitis

too. My son, brother, and two girl cousins have it. Now my son 24,

has found out he also has Ulcerative Colitis. I started it at 19. He

has a lot of pain with his feet too, and hips.That's the AS. He

started it at about 15. All I pray for is that he doesn't have to go

thru what I have over the past 40 years. But with your feet, try

some hot epsom salts soak on them. It has helped with mine. Good

luck,and keep me posted. in Oregon

>

>

>

> Liz Kilpatrick

> On the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River, Davenport,IA/Quad

cities

> ~~~~~~

> " Giving of ourselves is the way we change the world at the end of

our

> fingertips. " --Author Unknown

>

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~

> EMAIL: juliette@...

> PERSONAL HOMEPAGE PAGE http://members.tripod.com/~LizK

>

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~

>

[Guest guest]

Hi!

It's been awhile since I've posted, as I've been " lurking " for awhile - too busy

to respond to all posts - yet saying silent prayers for healing, both physically

and emotionally, to all my RA/Fibro virtual friends!

My question is has anyone any advise/suggestions for me now that my feet have

progressed to the point where my toe bones have eroded to the point where

they've doubled up on top of one another creating balance and mobility issues

due to the fact that I wasn't taking my prescribed medicines and resting when I

should have. I put my kids needs above my own, and now I'm paying the ultimate

price for this! I've sat both kids (now almost 20 and 18) down and told them

that I must put my own health needs above ALL else from now on in! They both

understand. My main question is anyone have any insight as to whether or not I

can reverse this foot " deformity'?

Thanks for your advise/suggestions. I return to my foot doc tomorrow and the

Rheumy next week. My foot doc (who I saw for the first time 2 weeks ago) put me

on 2 weeks on restriction of no more than 30 min/day of being on my feet and

extra deep shoes which are great! I'm now wearing Aravon shoes, made by New

Balance and I have a pair of PW Minor shoes on order.

I hope and pray for as pain free days for all of you as possible and for you and

your families/friends to be able to support you with your RA/Fibro issues!

Elly in WA State