Hi Debra, sorry for the late reply. I developed it 20 years ago through kickboxing. I tryed anti inflammatory back then but gave me strange stomach rumbling I then had pysio and was given heel raises and exercises to do at home but it didn't get better. I used to have the bumps you mentioned but not now. I find walking in flat shoes makes it worse but didn't realise this for years as love my trainers so I wear a small heel as much as possible or heel raises 2cm ones as ones pysio gave me years ago didn't help hense it never got better. Even walking the dog aggravates it and I need to walk off my anxiety as only thing that helps but I always wear a minimum of a 2 inch heel now or my heel raises. According to my doc peri makes it worse. He said gonna try pysio again if anti don't work.
Hi Sarah - Thanks for replying - Boy do I wish my bumps would disappear, I am so limited on the shoes I can wear because of them. Yes, I know about not being able to walk in flat shoes - ouch! I have found that Vionic shoes are the most comfortable for me - you should give them a try -
Omeprazole can be bought over the counter but your gp may prescribe it as a protective measure if you are taking any NSAIDs - it was prescribed for me because I was taking Ibuprofen. Co-codamol is available in any pharmacy but only at the 500/8mg strength (very low) and you can also buy it in Tesco pharmacy, etc. It's available at 500/12.8mg strength as Solpadeine Max at pharmacies, or in combination with Ibuprofen (200/12.8mg I think) in Boots (own brand). I take the 500/30mg strength and take 2 of those, so 60mg of codeine but that is only on prescription. The packs all say 3 days maximum but I was on 8 x 500/30mg tablets a day for several weeks as instructed by my gp. I'm currently taking up to 6 a day and I'm fine so I suppose although there's an addiction risk you just have to be aware. It's a much better painkiller than anything else I've tried and works great for my joint pain, gallstone pain and anything else which crops up.
Just noticed the comments about heel bumps - I have had a real bump on my right heel for years now but it never bothered me until about 6 or 7 years ago when it was really painful. I was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon who said it was a bony overgrowth, likely in response to some kind of injury, and although it could be operated on he would rather I tried physio. I was very sceptical but gave it a try - and it worked really well! I was given exercises, and an intense calf/leg massage was done..painful but very effective in loosening everything. Now, 5 years on, it never bothers me but if I feel any twinge at all I do my exercises and it's fine. I should add that I was also referred to orthotics to have insoles made. They made it massively worse rather than better, so don't assume they will help!
I think in my case it was swelling where the top of the tendon attaches, just touching the area was painful. Now the swollen lumps arnt there anymore but my tendons are still tender and first thing in the morning are very stiff and I walk like a robot untill they've loosened up. I do think peri aggravates existing conditions.