South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Possible treatments to ward off pain from plantar fasciitis
Q: I got back into a walking routine recently, but I did too much, too fast. As a result, I developed plantar fasciitis in my right heel. I’ve always been a fast walker and could go for miles with no problems if I wanted. That’s why I figured that starting back up would be a good thing. I’ve found no suggestions for curing plantar fasciitis, other than “stay off your feet.” That’s impossible, even though I have, of course, stopped the long walks. I thought that using an elliptical instead would keep pressure off my heel, but it didn’t help. Neither did extra heel pads in my shoes. Do you have any suggestions?
A: Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of a band of tissue on the sole connecting the heel bone to bones near the ball of the foot. We asked podiatrist Dr. Jane Andersen about this common condition. One of the most important steps is to wear supportive footgear such as OOFOS or Vionic sandals, even in the house. No walking barefoot!
Andersen recommends gentle stretching before getting out of bed. When the heel is painful, icing or massaging may help. Overthe-counter or customized orthotic inserts may also be beneficial. Some people take an anti-inflammatory supplement such as turmeric or curcumin, and that may sometimes ease the pain.
Q: I had thyroid surgery to remove a goiter in 2005. Then I spent the next 10 years in hell on levothyroxine only. I was on a thyroid roller coaster. When my
thyroid levels were high, my symptoms included high blood pressure, anxiety, panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. If the level dropped too low, I had no energy, rapid weight gain, low body temperature, high cholesterol, heavy periods and terrible muscle cramps. The doctor said none of those symptoms had anything to do with my thyroid. Bull! My body was out of balance from being on T4 only. Why would endocrinologists think we need only one thyroid hormone when our bodies make two? I started taking natural desiccated thyroid gland, and I am finally getting my life back. A:
Most doctors learned in medical school that the body converts levothyroxine (T4) to the active hormone triiodothyronine (T3). However, in the past several years, scientists have discovered that some people do this less efficiently than others.
Increasingly, leaders in the field recommend individualized treatment including T3 for people who don’t respond well to
levothyroxine alone (Frontiers in Endocrinology, July 9, 2019). Desiccated thyroid extract from pigs contains both hormones, although not in exactly the same proportions that healthy human thyroid glands produce.
Q: The antihistamine diphenhydramine aggravates my restless legs syndrome. I have learned to avoid it and “PM” pain relievers that include it. Don’t assume your physician knows this. Several doctors I spoke with knew nothing about it. As far as I’m concerned, I’m allergic to these drugs, and that is what I tell the nurses when they ask. A:
There is little research about this link. Nevertheless, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke advises that diphenhydramine could make RLS worse (www. ninds.nih.gov/restlesslegs-syndrome-fact-sheet).