Update: Sciatic Nerve Vs Planters Fasciitis

[AVR1962]

Finally got in to see the doc about my foot and he said it was planter's fasciitis. He is going thru my history, said usually this is brought on from a change in weight, exercise routine or shoes but made no connection. So I asked him if it could be connected to celiac, BINGO! Doc told me that there is more awareness being paid to celiac than ever before but still docs look at this as a last resort rather than a first. Mine had gone too long before getting in to see a doc and so the pain went all the way up the back of my leg which had me confused, thinking it might have been the sciatic instead.

Got some fancy socks (boots) to wear to bed and have some "happenin" inserts for my shoes!!

[zimmer]

Finally got in to see the doc about my foot and he said it was planter's fasciitis. He is going thru my history, said usually this is brought on from a change in weight, exercise routine or shoes but made no connection. So I asked him if it could be connected to celiac, BINGO! Doc told me that there is more awareness being paid to celiac than ever before but still docs look at this as a last resort rather than a first. Mine had gone too long before getting in to see a doc and so the pain went all the way up the back of my leg which had me confused, thinking it might have been the sciatic instead.

Got some fancy socks (boots) to wear to bed and have some "happenin" inserts for my shoes!!

This is very interesting. My sister has this, and it's very painful. She got some special foot stuff too and it helps. She doesn't hear me re gluten and will never do anything about it I am certain.(I see gluten issues in all 3 of my siblings.) I have read here and there online that there could be a relationship between celiac and plantar fasciitis. Her foot issues have progressed to the point that when she saw a podiatrist recently and had x-rays, he came bursting into the room to because he wanted to "see who is walking around on these feet." She has hammer-toe, too, and has been told that eventually surgery would be necessary but not a permanent fix. Sooner or later I suppose she will end up not being able to walk.

I hope that your feet troubles improve on the diet! I would love to know if you find out any more on the relationship between the two. And likewise if I find anything I will post.

[pricklypear1971]

Remember those spiky purple things, the ones you step on, that I told you about? They are perfect for plantar fasciitis.

I had it from Hashimotos. Or was that Celiac?

There's a strong relation between thyroid and plantar fasciitis.

Mine was bad. Pain all up my back, left shoulder to my foot.

Don't wear flip-floppy shoes or anything that doesn't attach securely to your foot. And don't go barefoot. And stretch your calves - hang your heels off a ledge 2-3x per day.

Mine went away on thyroid meds. Returned when I started falling apart from Celiac.

[Aly1]

That's very interesting - plantar fasciitis was my first symptom, before everything else went wrong. Not to freak you out but ithe pain (and then nerve) symptoms moved up my legs, into my thighs to my waist and I ultimately ended up in a wheelchair. Have been in one for 6 years now but was just diagnosed with gluten and other problems and my doc is hopeful it will resolve and I will be walking again and some point.

My advise is to stretch lots - PF can be caused by tight calf and Achilles tendon muscles - and don't push past the pain. I got frustrated and decided to ignore it so I could get my housework etc done, and that's what triggered mine to move up into my legs. Good luck, you have my sympathy, foot pain dominated my thoughts for so long so I know exactly what it's like.

[MenHen]

Thanks so much for posting this. I have been battling plantar fasciitis for 2.5 years. Although I have gotten some relief through the shoes, supports, etc, it has not gone away. I was thinking about the relationship when it has recently gotten worse. I have gotten gluten 3 times recently. Hopefully, this will get better as I continue to heal! I was worried I was not going to get any better than I am now, unless I had surgery. Which from what I have read on the results of surgery for PF, I really do not want to go down that road.

[Metoo]

I have had plantar fasciitis. But I was also working out/running alot at the time too.

I did a LOT of tennis ball rolling and I would shove my feet to the end of my bed at night, so my foot was pulled into the 90 degree angle. It took me a few months but I haven't had it back since. (I also haven't been running alot though also, because I wasn't feeling great from gluten, I am hoping to get back to it soon!)

[maximoo]

I have had PF for over 20 yrs--mine I know is due to being overweight. It started when I was a cashier and stood for many hours. It is common for ppl who stand alot to get PF nurses, cashiers, etc In my case it has waxed and waned over time & even transfers to my other foot. lol...I know it really doesn't transfer but lets say each foot get a turn with it. I don't usually have it with both feet @ the same time but many ppl do. When it is bad icing it, taking ibuprofen & stretching it before getting out of bed helps. Sooner or later the pain subsides enough or even goes away. What also helps are proper running sneakers (even if you don't run) Brooks Adrenaline have served me well. Some Adidas are good and some New Balance. Always buy from a store with a good return policy. I often have to really try out sneakers for a week or so b4 I know if they are good for me.

I've tried orthotics & they never really did much. The good running sneakers IMHO is better. When my weight is down It doesn't bother me at all.

As far as a connection to sciatic nerve pain I frankly don't see it. PF is simply the fascia (ligaments) in your feet (arch) becoming inflammed and painful from too much weight or overuse. Sciatic nerve pain is nerve related and is completely different. PF can improve, sciatica can't really be treated. However anything is possible I guess & it may just be a coincidence. I have had PF for over 20 yrs as I said and have never had sciatica (knock on wood)

I don't see the connection to celiac either but I certainly wouldn't rule it out entirely as ya never know.

My DS & DS have antibodies for celiac I do not however I could have the genes or be a silent celiac patient.

that's my 2 cents on the subject

[kwylee]

I developed PF not too long before I started with the initial gluten dizziness ten years ago. The foot thing took awhile to go away completely (I was a hard head), and I don't want it back. I never associated PF with gluten until now, but it makes perfect sense, since the foot doctor I went to at the time said it was caused by severe inflammation, and that's exactly what gluten does to your body.

[pricklypear1971]

I think my upper pain (back) was due to how I compensated for the PF.

One foot was much worse than the other. The pain definitely started in the foot/Achilles.

I can't say too many good things about the spiney purple things. I step on those things (the purple boobies, as I call them) and they just press all the right buttons.

I wear these great sandals from easy spirit - super thick soles and stretchy straps. They are my knock around shoes preferred to sneakers.

[AVR1962]

Remember those spiky purple things, the ones you step on, that I told you about? They are perfect for plantar fasciitis.

I had it from Hashimotos. Or was that Celiac?

There's a strong relation between thyroid and plantar fasciitis.

Mine was bad. Pain all up my back, left shoulder to my foot.

Don't wear flip-floppy shoes or anything that doesn't attach securely to your foot. And don't go barefoot. And stretch your calves - hang your heels off a ledge 2-3x per day.

Mine went away on thyroid meds. Returned when I started falling apart from Celiac.

This is where things all messed up for me right now. I was on a thyroid med for over 6 months, a iodized med docs were using to try and shrink a growth on the thyroid despite the fact that my thyroid tests were fine. Meds made me sick going on them and then I adjusted. It was actually in this time that the planter's fasciitis started. I then was taken off the thyroid meds because they did not shrink the growth and my biopsy did not show cancer. Got sick from going off the meds. At this point I have to get my body clean of the meds and they will retest the thyroid 2-3 months after I went off meds. Crazy!

[AVR1962]

I have had PF for over 20 yrs--mine I know is due to being overweight. It started when I was a cashier and stood for many hours. It is common for ppl who stand alot to get PF nurses, cashiers, etc In my case it has waxed and waned over time & even transfers to my other foot. lol...I know it really doesn't transfer but lets say each foot get a turn with it. I don't usually have it with both feet @ the same time but many ppl do. When it is bad icing it, taking ibuprofen & stretching it before getting out of bed helps. Sooner or later the pain subsides enough or even goes away. What also helps are proper running sneakers (even if you don't run) Brooks Adrenaline have served me well. Some Adidas are good and some New Balance. Always buy from a store with a good return policy. I often have to really try out sneakers for a week or so b4 I know if they are good for me.

I've tried orthotics & they never really did much. The good running sneakers IMHO is better. When my weight is down It doesn't bother me at all.

As far as a connection to sciatic nerve pain I frankly don't see it. PF is simply the fascia (ligaments) in your feet (arch) becoming inflammed and painful from too much weight or overuse. Sciatic nerve pain is nerve related and is completely different. PF can improve, sciatica can't really be treated. However anything is possible I guess & it may just be a coincidence. I have had PF for over 20 yrs as I said and have never had sciatica (knock on wood)

I don't see the connection to celiac either but I certainly wouldn't rule it out entirely as ya never know.

My DS & DS have antibodies for celiac I do not however I could have the genes or be a silent celiac patient.

that's my 2 cents on the subject

What the podiatrist told me is that celiac effects everything about your body.....joints, ligaments, everything and that is how he made the connection.

[AVR1962]

That's very interesting - plantar fasciitis was my first symptom, before everything else went wrong. Not to freak you out but ithe pain (and then nerve) symptoms moved up my legs, into my thighs to my waist and I ultimately ended up in a wheelchair. Have been in one for 6 years now but was just diagnosed with gluten and other problems and my doc is hopeful it will resolve and I will be walking again and some point.

My advise is to stretch lots - PF can be caused by tight calf and Achilles tendon muscles - and don't push past the pain. I got frustrated and decided to ignore it so I could get my housework etc done, and that's what triggered mine to move up into my legs. Good luck, you have my sympathy, foot pain dominated my thoughts for so long so I know exactly what it's like.

Goodness, like I have mentioned here before, I saw myself in a wheelchair. I had so many issues buit one by one I have been able to find an answer. I thought this went too long by what the doc said but reading here I see some of you have waited even longer. Aly1, I do hope you get better and I wish for the day you can leave that wheelchair for good. Thank you so much for your reply. Thank goodness for this group!

[YoloGx]

This is where things all messed up for me right now. I was on a thyroid med for over 6 months, a iodized med docs were using to try and shrink a growth on the thyroid despite the fact that my thyroid tests were fine. Meds made me sick going on them and then I adjusted. It was actually in this time that the planter's fasciitis started. I then was taken off the thyroid meds because they did not shrink the growth and my biopsy did not show cancer. Got sick from going off the meds. At this point I have to get my body clean of the meds and they will retest the thyroid 2-3 months after I went off meds. Crazy!

Something you can do for yourself at home would be to investigate acupressure. It might help with the pain if nothing else. It also can help with detoxing, especially at the base between the big toe and the second toe on top of the foot.