Discussion: foot

I wonder if that is similar to my ankle/foot problem. I had pain in the outside of the ankle, then top of foot, then inside of ankle and heel. Although I am ok now, the foot still occasionally feels like it gets "stuck" then sort of "pops" when I point my foot/toes out, and then feels much better. I think getting custom orthotics were the key to managing this. Do you have those?

I've never used orthodics and have wanted to stay away from them. Fortunately, the pain I felt hasn't been active with my easy last several days. I run a long race tomorrow so Monday could be telling. Whatever your ankle problem or mine is, it's not fun and I hope it doesn't last.

I really think they do wonders. If you ever want 'em I know a good person in Silver Spring who does a good job.

I've worn orthotics for years and years. I am not sure I could still be running without them (though I don't wear them orienteering).

Yes, it's the not being able to do without them part that worries me. As with most medicines, the orthodic, steroid, pill, or other prescriptions can be very helpful and instrumental in allowing one to get past a problem. For instance, I'm told in my personal experiences with others that Paxel is supposed to help one get into a better state of mind that let's them get a hold of their life and then on their own. I used Glucosomin Condroitin for a couple years for early knee issues, and was able to get off of it. I think getting off of the aid is the tricky part but a worthwhile goal. I just hold out hope for some natural processes to kick-in and I expect them to hurt like I'm told physical therapy does (having had knee surgery which seemed to me to be a last resort for a cartilage tear several years after using Glucosomin Condroitin, I do have some experience in working through the pain). This is not to say that everyone should eventually get off the aids they receive, just that I'm not ready to give-in to the dependence without a fight.

In your opinion, is there a differen e between orthotics and eyeglasses?

I have been more apt to notice my own declining eyesight lately. When Peggy showed me her new new amber-colored bifocal sun/sport glasses, I did a quick check with a handy map that like your house, is now more or less always in reach on our always filled kitchen counter. I must admit having a great temptation to get some for myself then too. They did instantly let me read the map whereas it took me some work to do so otherwise. To get to the point, orthodics and eyglasses are the same type of issue to me. I'll try to struggle longer without them for now. I can point to some control legs where it's been a problem but it hasn't been that long or frequent for me that it's been an issue.

When I was trying on Peggy's glasses, we actually had a conversation about eye exercises that someone had proposed as an alternative to wearing glasses. We'd both heard about them several years ago. Peggy is more diligent about that kind of thing than I am so she had actually researched what the exercises were. She said they basically involve frequently changing one's focus from near to far and back again. I also recall that in doing the exercise, the muscles around the eye are supposed to change shape to the point where they reshapen the eye lens or cornea into focus again. It's an interesting theory since muscle mass declines with age too but who knows what the success rate with that is? It's probably pretty low and like learning to run, it's probably something you have to do frequently enough to get the benefit.

I'm not sure why but at least since intermediate school (7th & 8th grade where I grew up), I've had an aversion to medicines. I mainly use them as a last resort and usually won't bother if the medicine is just going to affect symptoms like most cold remedies. I've been watching my dad's declining health lately and know medicines and other aids can be good/necessary. The medicines probably saved his life more than once. I like to think that my dad's aversion to aids is different from mine. He doesn't want to use a wheel chair or mobility device because he's worried what people will think about him. At work today, I was just at lunch outside where I saw an electric chair/scooter that went by the model name "Pride" and I think those marketers were addressing the same point. What I tell myself is that by working around the aids and problems, I might heal in some way and can fall back on these things when I really need to.

I have noticed lately at lunch when I eat at my desk and read the newspaper, that my eyes adjust to whatever they have available. What I mean is, I usually forget about wearing my reading glasses and start out reading the newspaper without them. I can do it, not a real problem, but it's a bit harder and I've noticed my eyes get blurry after a while (mostly from all the darn computer work, but the reading compounds it). So then I remember & put on my glasses. Instant readability. I've tested it several times, taking off the glasses, and suddenly it's significantly harder to read than it was before I put on the glasses. My brain has adjusted and expects the ease I have with the glasses.
So, to a point, I get what you're saying and I agree with you. But I'm going to stick with my reading glasses in the woods now, as I'm to the point where I really need it if I want to quickly read the map. (Greg Balter tried on my glasses after Saturday's middle, and said, yes, that helps a lot -- but "I'm in denial" about needing them. I totally understand that.)