Finally a diagnosis... Hallux Limitus. Time to retire? (Read 3289 times)

 Except for the ability to walk around are Flextastic Toe Relaxers a good way to test out the usefulness of Correct Toes?  $9 vs. $65 is a steep learning curve.

I'll hesitantly say, probably.  I seem to get the most benefit out of prolonged use of my Correct Toes (6+ hour blocks).  That was never feasible with the Flextastic spacers since they are so bulky.  The Flextastic are very difficult to walk in and I don't think I ever tried sleeping in them.  In contrast, I can slip socks and shoes on over the Correct Toes and go about my day or night.

That said, you are right about the steep difference in price.  I can't imagine ever wearing my Flextastic again, but they did at least plant the seed in my head that maybe this line of treatment was worth pursuing for my condition.  You can probably do cheaper than $9 as well.  I seem to remember coupons that took the price closer to $5. 

I'll hesitantly say, probably.  I seem to get the most benefit out of prolonged use of my Correct Toes (6+ hour blocks).  That was never feasible with the Flextastic spacers since they are so bulky.  The Flextastic are very difficult to walk in and I don't think I ever tried sleeping in them.  In contrast, I can slip socks and shoes on over the Correct Toes and go about my day or night.

 

That said, you are right about the steep difference in price.  I can't imagine ever wearing my Flextastic again, but they did at least plant the seed in my head that maybe this line of treatment was worth pursuing for my condition.  You can probably do cheaper than $9 as well.  I seem to remember coupons that took the price closer to $5. 

 Thanks.  I found a set of Flextastic for $6 at an HEB grocery store.  After trying them out, I'm a long way away from 6 hours.

Updating this thread to tell the rest of the story.

Just when I was coming to terms with hallux limitus I started to have joint pain all throughout my body. But it was more than joint pain. The top of my head hurt, it hurt to put a pony tail in my head, and my hands were on fire. I was trying to get to a rheumatologist, hold onto my job, and taking ice baths to go to work. The Rheumatology department in Mayo Clinic in Rochester took six weeks to deny my referral because my blood tests were normal and referred me to Orthopedics, despite having knowledge that the pain was now also in my feet. I was in so much pain and was struggling to get through each day. I simply didn't have the time for large hospital like Mayo that can shuffle you from doctor to doctor.

I felt like I was in hole in the ground and no one was helping. I wished it was cancer. Cancer doctors do stuff. Take my breasts, cut off something, it had to be better than this. With cancer, people bring you food, you have a caring bridge site. I was sick and still had to haul my way through work. I think most people think doctors will help, you won't have to find the answers yourself.

An OD, and also naturopath was recommended. It was a six month wait. His website said he was a runner, so I wrote a letter and begged, "runner to runner please fit me in." He saw me on a Saturday, a day the office is not normally open. He knows his stuff with auto immune diseases.  There are clearly lots of people hurting, not getting help from traditional medical care because he sees patients from 32 states. My family doctor was stumped, but this doc by listening to my entire health history knew right away why I was hurting.

The reason for much of my pain has been low Adrenal Gland hormones, very low cortisol, DHEA, and estrogen. Without these hormones your body does not heal, and your pain tolerance is lowered.

I am likely headed for Addison's Disease, where I will need to take steroids. But this doc does not give out prescriptions lightly. We are still trying to fight the cause. We think my adrenal gland was always on the weak side. But I had gotten sick, and never bounced back. I took antibiotics for a month, and had some improvement. Even got up to run 7 miles once, which I had not done in 10 months. 

Today, off the antibiotics (off the roadback.org) plan I cannot tolerate any exercise. I await blood tests results to hear the doctors next move. 

Running/Triathlons was so social for me. Most friends are too busy training. I struggled just walking the trail the last few days. I am lonely but I'm learning to have more self-efficacy with this illness. I picture where I want to be with my health, and know that the road may be long, but there is a road. I can get there.

I wanted to write this, because runners can have adrenal gland issues. There is such a thing as adrenal fatigue if you push yourself too hard. You should know about this. When I struggled with constant injury this winter I didn't have any idea that a chemical imbalance could cause this.

Runners are always told not to run, that they will destroy their knees. I am so glad I ran when I could. However if you are sick, like I was, rest more, go see the doctor, get antibiotics.