Would like to ask those of you suffering from Plantar Facitis.....how old are you and are you male or female.

I was wondering about the relationship between Plantar Facitis and perimenopause or menopause. In my family, three of us sisters have come down with this in the perimenopause years. I also have several friends that have also been affected in their 40's.

I was just wondering since things start to "dry up" during these years.....is this band under the heel also drying up as well due to hormonal changes?

I am on hormones and I still have the problem.....but then the hormone replacement therapy that one is given is really only a fraction of what the body once produced.

Janetto

I wouldn't think it would be menopause related, but you never know. I was diagnosed at 52 yrs old and I am female. I'm not on any HRT.

Interesting thought as my foot pain began about three or four years ago when I was 43. Not menopausal yet, but I'd gladly welcome it! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif I laid my pain to the effect of having to lose a bit of weight and pounding around on a ceramic kitchen floor all day in my socks. I have orthotics, helps some; but my real relief came when I bought a pair of clogs that have a raised heel. I wear those most of the day in the house and my feet feel better than they have in years. Getting the pressure off my heel with just a bit of a wedge has done wonders for me. I literally remember crying some nights because my feet hurt so. Now I'm at least enjoying life more and have become much more active because I feel so much better. I even run through parking lots now, (with my boots because there is so much snow) when I couldn't even walk fast before. I know your pain, it's a real bummer, isn't it?

On the flip side, my brother-in-law who is about 50, has the same pain. He's on his feet most of the day with his job, but he definitely is not overweight. I showed him the stretching exercises I did for awhile, (not sure if it really helped but I was willing to try anything).

[This message has been edited by Dianek (edited 02-24-2003).]

I started getting funny pains when I turned 50...just in one foot...by 53 it was diagnosed as planter faciitis....now at 54 its in both feet..extremely painful and I just can't believe I have this condition. I am healthy and very active...however as you mentioned I did go through menopause...wow you might have found some kind of connection....then again it just might be old age... !!! Whatever the cause it really can wear on you and make it hard to keep smiling....

My PF started about 5 years ago, when I was 31. Mine is not hormone related at all. I believe I was on my two feet way too long for several years because of my job ( I am an engineer who had done lots of assembling/disassembling of machine parts in a pilot plant). My new job doesnot involve lots of standing, mostly computer work and I experience a lot less foot pain.

Piper

Hello!

In answer to your query about a possible relationship to PF and menopause...here's my status.
I just was diagnosed with Plantar facitis. I am 53 and post menopausal. I did take ERT on and off for a few years but I do not take it now.

In my thirties I was a trainer in the computer industry and traveled around the country and wore heels all the time at work. Other than that I have always sat at a computer. I always was bare foot around the house in the warm weather.

I did take jazz and tap classes extensively in my late twenties and early thirties but that is the only thing I can think of that could have affected my feet.

I am puzzled about how I may have gotten this condition.

It is interesting to hear about others with this condition and how you are treating it.

I am stretching and then rollling a golf ball under my arches for 1 minute each side. I do this twice a day and at night I add ice at the end of the exercises.

In PT, they heat my feet, then use an ultra sound, then hand massage the lump...and ow...it hurts! Then they have me stretch by standing on a board that is slanted.

Question: When I first came to this board via google search, I saw "Lupus" in the link string at the top of the page. Then I had to go off and register and did not get back to it yet. Does Lupus and PF have a relationship?

Thanks and I am happy to have found you!

I don't believe PF is menopause related. Men & women, young & old get it. I was diagnosed on 9/11 the day of the attack, and I was early 50's, female, not on HRT. Some people back then were thinking it was because of 9/11. Mine has gotten much better but its still there. Its just something else we have to live with.

i got it when i was 38 suffered for 21/2 yrs then i heard about endoscopic plantar fasciotomy, had it done may 30th, now i'm back walking 2 miles a day pain free