The Dreaded Cortisone Shot

As you probably know I've been trying to avoid getting a cortisone shot in my heel for plantar fasciitis.  Well, today was the day.  I really need to stop looking online about medical stuff since I freak myself out.  I read horror stories about how painful they are and I was dreading going and getting it.

This morning, I was flip flopping from "maybe I should cancel" to "hell with it, let's get this sucker done!".  So when it's finally time for me to go in, and I'm sitting there waiting, I was poking at my foot trying to find the most tender area and nothing- felt pretty good- really weird...it was killing me all am and now nothing.  So, when the dr came in and did the same and nothing, a bit tender but not super ouch.  Finally found my most tender spot, right in the middle, oh joy.  Before we did the shot though, I told him I really didn't want to do it and we talked about my newly found allergy to dexamethasone.  He was a bit concerned about it too.  He gave me some other options, such as a steroid pack that would require me to take a pill for a week then you have to be weaned off of it or NSAIDS-which i've been doing.  The shot would be in the same family as dexamethasone but since I only had a skin rash, the chances of something too serious probably wouldn't happen.  So....what did I chose?

Doesn't look like much, does it?

That's right, I'll already prepared to do it.  I just want to be done with PF so I can get back to running oh, and walking around work w/o pain!    So, he numbed up my foot,  took out the long needle- and the rest is history.  Actually my eyes were closed.  It wasn't as bad as I expected, he went from the bottom instead of from the side which (i read online was how must drs did it).  It was like a normal shot just longer- felt like 2 minutes but it probably was 30 seconds. Another way of explaining it would be like after being outside in the snow and having a pretty cold foot, taking off your shoes and stepping on a hypodermic needle.  Natural childbirth was worse but this wasn't fun either.  The only thing he said was that I'd have some residual pain from the needle for the next few days.  I was free to get back to running when I felt ready.  It's only been a few hours and I feel good.  Time for a run!

Edited:  It's been about 10 hrs now and I'm still feeling pretty good.  I'm kind of nursing it a bit, trying not to walk around too much. Definitely feeling like I have a bruise on the bottom of my foot, but no PF pain.  I was worried that I'd get a cortisone flair but nothing.  Thank goodness!

So today ended up being a good day after all!  

1. PF pain feels better (fingers crossed)

New Mizuno Wave Rider 15 plus Chester

2. I got new running shoes! Love Mizuno Wave Riders- and love the new cranberry color! My little reward for being brave at the dr's office. Plus, I'm so sick of wearing my old ones (didn't help I never liked the pink on the old ones- I know, I shouldn't care- but after wearing them day after day to work- I hate them!) But now, I shouldn't need to wear running shoes 24/7 so red running shoes are ok.

I don't need motivation! Don't worry

3. New Runner's World in the mail!

Well, crap...

For all the trouble (Read about it here) of getting iontophoresis for my plantar fasciitis, I end up with an allergy to the medicine dexomethasone.  Really? Yes, really.  Sometimes you have to wonder if it is fate.  I was not supposed to get iontophoresis for this injury. 

So, I called and made my appointment for my cortisone shot.  Totally dreading the day, but I've survived natural childbirth, so maybe this won't be so bad.  Right?  Just have to wait til Jan. 5th now.  Meanwhile, I've got a new fancy tape job on my foot that my PT is trying.  It took about 20 minutes to do and frankly it feels about the same w/ the tape than without.  It does feel more "supported" though. 

Meanwhile, I ordered torture devices for my heel.  Including a calf stretcher/foot rocker and massage ball which came today in the mail. So, maybe, in addition to all the stuff I'm doing, this will help too.  I'll let you know. 

Iontophoresis- week 2

Best image I've found to describe Iontophoresis

I'm thinking that the cortisone shot is in my near future.  I have now done 6 our of 10 treatments of dexamethasone via iontophoresis and my foot is still the same. 

I tried the "other" way of doing iontophoresis yesterday.  Instead of a patch that I had to wear for 24 hours, I had to have the patches on for 20 mins. and have them attached to a "gizmo"-I'm very tech saavy, can't you tell?    I'm hoping that it works better.  I did feel the current, slightly tingling sensation on the patches so maybe? just maybe the medicine is getting in. 

Short post today, must take advantage of kids and hubby out of the house.  More shopping and present wrapping in my future!  

Here are links to my adventures with Iontophoresis:
Iontophoresis day 1
Iontophoresis week 1

Iontophoresis- week 1

I've been doing these iontophoresis patches now for a week. I'm on patch number 4.  I have to wear them for 24 hrs then off for another 24 before getting another.  I'm not sure if it's really working yet.  I always say that I'm cautiously optimistic.  I tend to have a "good day" then it hurts like hell the next or later in the day.  Saturday was one of those days. 

 I'd gotten my 3rd patch on Friday afternoon and I was feeling good Saturday am.  I'd walked to my spinning class from the car and it felt actually normal- no pain!  Since these classes are so popular you have to get there at least 30 mins before to get a bike, so what do I do until the class?  Usually I go and do my PT stretches and work on my core but since my heel was feeling fine I decided to go on the indoor track.  I am really proud that I didn't run- it was really hard not to "just try it out" but walked instead for about 10 minutes.  It felt great.  Awesome.  Iontophoresis must be working...

...or not.  In the afternoon, Buster and I had gone to do some Christmas shopping for DH and Cub.  I was limping around the entire time.  It was a sharp, stabbing, burning pain.  I came home and cried from pain and frustration.  I've never felt so frustrated.  I like to shop.  And I can't. :-(  I spent the rest of the day "resting" and icing.   

I talked to my PT today about my ankle flexibility and we checked.  I was at 0 degrees with my right and -1 degree on my injured left foot.  Now I'm at 4 degrees on right, 6 on left.  Normal is between 10-20 degrees.  Wow.  Trying to stay positive.  At least I improved! Baby steps. Just another umm 9 weeks to get to 12 degrees? 

As for the iontophoresis, my PT said that it would start feeling better like it did on Saturday am.  I just need to be patient.   Not one of my virtues.