Again, I make this plan to eat right, and exercise, and what happens? Something gets in the way. I've been eating right, (today I went off track) but I haven't been able to exercise, other than the first two times I used my treadmill. Something has to be wrong. I have this horrible pain that runs through my lower back, down my butt, and through my leg. I've been experiencing this for a while on my right side, recently it's been getting worse as the days go on, and every once in a while it occurs on my left side. On top of this, something is seriously wrong with my ankle. The past two nights I've gotten off of work (I work in a clothing store, so I'm constantly on my feet.) crying, because I'm in so much pain. I feel as though the ankle pain is related to the feet and leg pain. By the time I get home, I can't do anything more than sit down, or lie in bed. Before work, I can't do anything either, because if I do, I'll be in too much pain to be able to get through my shift. I can't make it through 2 hours of a shift without being in a lot of pain.

I went to see my gyno yesterday, and though she can't do anything for it, she said she thinks it could be sciatica (sp?) My parents agree with that, and so does my friend/manager Kim. Kim went to jokingly massage my shoulders at work, and said I'm the tightest person she has ever felt; her just pushing a finger against my back (and she didn't do it that hard) hurt badly. She wants me to go to a chiropractor. I'll have to look into it, but I can't deal with the pain anymore. It's ridiculous. I can't do anything, except go to work, and that's getting to feel impossible. I'm looking to get a job where I'm not on my feet as much, at least until I can figure all of this out. I know it's partially because I can't find any shoes that fit, that have support. (I need a 12 wide in women sizes. It's such a pain) I'm going to order pure black shape-ups. They're the best shoes I've tried on so far as far as comfort, I'm hoping they'll help. And I know it's also partially because of my weight. I'm frustrated because I don't know how I'm supposed to be losing when all I can handle is a few hours of work, and then the rest of the time I need to be off of my feet. I know I can still eat right, but you need exercise too. I should've been at the doctor a long time ago, but, it sucks not having insurance. I don't know what I'm going to do.

I'm not really thinking logically about it at the moment. I know something has to be done. I really just needed to vent. My boyfriend bought me some Excedrin: Back and Body to try today when I went to work. I won't be taking that again. A.) It didn't really help. and B.)Not so lovely side effects.

Blah.

Oh hon, I know how you feel. I used to work at Burger King and I was sometimes on my feet for 10 hrs a day. When I got home I was in so much pain I would moan because it hurt so bad. The only thing I can advise to is to get some good shoes, some dr. scholls pads, and take some ibprofen before and after you go to bed.

hi,
This does sound like sciatica. It is **** on earth, believe me I've had for over 20 years, on and off. You need to get to a good chiroprctor or a doctor that specialises in back problems (I know there is a word for that but it is lost on me at the moment). I found that over the counter pain killer never really helped and the side effects were awful.
Please get help soon as this won't go by itself.
Take care
Jackie

Hiya, Im totally new to the site. I saw the title of your post, and had a bad day myself. Sometimes seeing someones elses struggles make yours pale by comparison. Imagine my suprise when I read about the issues you are having, and they weremine too!
I began waking up in the morning with weird heel pain. It felt crippling for about 2 minutes as I walked around and then went away. This went on for about 3 months because I am totally lame and I like to ostrich stuff away, and blame it on the chub. (Everything will go away if I lose some weight). But one day I woke up with heel pain that didnt go away right away and the same symptoms you have. It probably is what youre family says. But alot of times its not a back issue, its a foot issue. I dont have great insurance, but I managed to see a podiatrist 2 months ago, and he told me that many ailments that heavy people have are because of the way their ankle, ball of foot, and heel are shifting to accomodate weight. And also nearly 100% of overweight people have really tight calf strings because of the unatural way they walk. (I'm 50 lbs. overweight) To make it simple and not go all doctor on you, he told me to buy shoe inserts from the pharmacy. They are green inserts called Superfeet. They have this deep heel cup, and high arch. The arch is really stiff. These were only like 35 bucks. I also saw them at my local sporting goods store for the same price. Totally cheap right? And also do calf stretches 3 times a day. (Sooo easy). Just stand a foot away from a wall, toe on the wall and heel on the ground. Put your hands flat on the wall and lean forward till your calf hurts. If youre chubby, trust me, it hurts. I also work in retail and am on my feet for 95% of the time. It really is worth a try because I am now almost (1st minute walking in the morning) pain free. Just dont do what I did initially and spend a crapload of money on the junk inserts at grocery stores. They ALL suck, I've done the legwork. Totally lengthy response, sorry, but 35 bucks is so cheap and you could feel soooo much better! Good Luck!

I'll third or 4th the sciatica verdict. I've never found an insert or showe that really helps. Standing with one fott propped up (like Capt. Morgan) helps make it go away in the moment but of course it always comes back. Losing weight has also helped but it still happens sometimes.

For right now concentrate on eating. I started about where you are now and really didn't exercise much - a few walks with the dogs a week and some Wii time is about it - and I still lost really well. Now I've joined a gym so I can swim but even then I'm lucky if I can manage more than 20 minutes a daytwo or three times a week. I envy folks who can devote more time to getting good exercise in but even without it you can still lose. Honestly, your work is more exercise than many people get in a day.

Thank you for your input ladies, I really appreciate it.

serenityh- i tell you, i've been looking forever for shoes that are both supportive, good for my feet/back, and moreso that are appropriate for my job. they're extremely picky when it comes to footwear. i've been at my job for 3 years, and haven't been able to find the right shoes. i did talk to my manager though, and she told me that shapeups would be ok, with long pants and as long as they're pure black. they're pricey, so i'm just waiting a bit to save the money. thanks for your advice!

Jackie- i'm sorry to hear that you've been suffering from this for so long. i've been dealing with it for roughly a little over a year. it was mild back then, but awful right now. i can't imagine going through that for 20 years. i hope you've found something to alleviate the pain.

goheidigo- i'm also sorry to hear about your painful experience. it's tough. thank you so much for your support though. i found out about a chiropractor that should be affordable, so i'm going to go talk to them sometime this week. i'll see if it's my back, because that's where the pain started before it got to my leg and foot. i will however try the calf exercise that you told me about. even if it's not just strictly a foot issue, it'd be good to loosen up my calves a bit. i'm happy that the inserts that your doctor told you about worked for you. congrats! i'll definitely have to look into those.

Vladadog- you're absolutely right. i stand at work with my one foot propped up, at least when i'm ringing people out. other than that, i'm walking around, or setting up displays. it's rough. congratulations on making your way to the gym. that's wonderful! thank you!


thanks a lot, girls. i know that i really need to get this taken care of. i was just in a mood. plus i'm major pmsing, and upset, because of a few things. it's like everything was just bothering me at once. i needed to vent. my plan was to exercise, and eat right... i wanted to be in a size 18 dress by october 30th. my boyfriend wants to take me out to dinner for my birthday, and i wanted to wear this size 18 dress that i have. i'm currently in a 22 or 24. i don't see it happening simply by eating right. i just feel discouraged. obviously i'm doing this ultimately for my health. i was just hoping to be in that dress by then. *sigh*

Concur about sciatica. I had a similar problem when I was on my feet all day in retail. Oddly I don't have the problem anymore even though I am on my feet all day in the hospital. I attribute this to a really kickass pair of shoes I got from a podiatrist-recommended specialty shoe store. They aren't cute at all but they are completely comfortable and, like I said, on my feet all day with no issues. I go home and my feet aren't even sore or tired.

Probably the weight loss helps as well, I'm down about 30 lbs since working in retail. But I'm sure it's 80% the improvement in my shoe choice.