Update on my itchy foot

After being blown off by my “put lotion on it” GP, I went to a podiatrist.

The podiatrist narrowed it down to something bothering my plantar nerve and took x-rays in case it’s a back nerve issue (apparently back problems cause foot nerve problems?).  He prescribed some shoe inserts.  He was really nice and explained all the things it could be and said I definitely wasn’t crazy and lots of times people are afraid of seeming crazy so they put off nerve problems until they’re really far gone.  He didn’t think it was likely that a lipoma was pressing against a nerve, but did think it sounded like I might have a back problem since the foot itching happens when my knee is bent, so had me get x-rays.

The x-rays came back with a “back nerve issue”– no details in the email, just that I’m going to need an MRI.  I’ve been referred for that and to a “pain specialist” though do I have pain?  Does my back always hurt and I’m just used to it?  Is itching pain?

Based on the email (the MRI/pain management), DH thinks it’s a disc problem.  I assume one of these days the actual information will get uploaded to the test results section of my online portal.

Update:  The radiology xray report got uploaded.
Minimal lumbar spondylosis with no acute osseous abnormality identified.
FINDINGS: 5 lumbar type vertebra are present. No evidence of fracture or acute subluxation is identified. Minimal degenerative disc disease and facet joint osteoarthritis. Vertebral body heights and spinal alignment maintained.

MRI is scheduled for Saturday.

#middleage

Middle-aged health problems open thread!

About a month ago I promised an open thread for (non-life-threatening) health problems!  Here it is.  Middle-aged folk, gather round and complain and share and provide obnoxious unsolicited suggestions for others!  Tell us about how your friend of a friend had something similar and what they did!  (Note, you do not have to be middle-aged to participate.  This is just something some of us do instead of talking about the weather for small talk once we get to a certain age.)

Here’s mine:

My right FOOT.  OMG.  So, about 3 months ago, I started waking up around 5:38 every morning with the bottom of my right foot itching like crazy.  It wouldn’t stop until I walked around or just got up.  Scratching didn’t help much but squishing it around did.  I tried two different athletes foot cremes but neither did anything.  When I went in for my well-woman visit, my gyn suggested it was a nerve issue and to see a podiatrist, but I don’t want to go in again with the students in town and new covid strains spreading etc.  I thought maybe because I’m walking around barefoot so much on our hard floors since that’s the easiest form of exercise.  Then about a month ago, I decided to try walking with my slippers that have arch support and oh boy that was such a bad idea. It felt like plantar fasciitis again but owie.  Again, only my right foot.  But… the 5:38am itching stopped.  So, there’s something wrong with my right leg and foot.

I also had a lot of sitting problems– a blocked gland (hot baths worked) and hemorrhoids and … a pimple (!) on my gluteal area.  For those I bought a purple pillow.  Which kept slipping off the aeron chair until DH found his velcro strap stash and now I have it velcroed in.  It helps somewhat, but I should probably be using the standing desk except, my right foot, you know?

So… mostly the foot thing.  I hate it because it’s so hard to exercise when you’re afraid of hurting your foot!  I dream about swimming sometime but the pool isn’t even open even if I weren’t worried about the trump supporting covid deniers in the neighborhood.

Share your health problems!