Friday, April 1, 2011

Self diagnosis by internet

When I woke up on Monday after my race last Sunday, I could barely walk due to the pain in my foot and ankle. I even bailed out of going to work on Monday. For me, that's a big deal.

I tried to make an appointment to see a podiatrist to have him figure out what was going on. Unfortunately, there were no appointments available until today (Friday). So I did what everyone seems to do these days - went online to self diagnose via the Internet. I figured out either I had a stress fracture or posterior tibial tendinitis or with the tibial tendinitis as my favorite guess.

The "Internet" says that casting is a common method to cure this. Sometimes being in a rigid boot for a while is required to get the inflamation down. Orthotics may be necessary for a long term cure. Anti-inflamatories and even a Cortisone shot could be in the arsenal. None of this sounded good.

My pain diminished greatly as the week went on. Experiments swimming and biking didn't hurt it but I was afraid to really push it or to try running. I went to the doctor today and he said I had.......

Posterior tibial tendinitis.

Wile E. Coyote has nothing on me in the supergenius department. A new career was awaiting me as an Internet diagnostician. Don't laugh, I'm sure that some of the new health care programs will make this new type of doctor (where you can only chat, text, or IM but never actually see) more of the norm in the future but that is a rant for another day. I could be a pioneer!

But then he said I also have some Achilles tendinitis. And some Plantar Fasciitis. And heel spurs on both heels. It sucks getting old. He recommended not running for the short term but cycling and swimming should be OK. I need new orthotics but I since I am healing fairly rapidly, I should be OK without anything more drastic. If I hurt, eat some aleve or another NSAID of my choice.

I should be back on track (pun not intented) soon. Of course, I had to ask, "what is soon?" Will I still be able to race StA in a month? In typical doctor fashion he said he couldn't say yes or no yet but it wasn't completely off the table. He said we'll know more in a few weeks. He said since my "A" race (IMFL) is in November, I should still be OK for that if all goes as expected.

Not great news but on the scale of how bad it could be, I'll take it.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

good job on your internet diagnostics!

best wishes getting all the issues resolved.

i agree, getting old sucks.

Michael said...

That stinks. Hope you have a speedy recovery!

Mr26point2 said...

Rockstars can not be held down. Pay attention to not injuring yourself further. I want the aura of a ROCKSTAR as I race with you in St. Pete.

Pahla said...

Yikes. You have my sympathies on the "How soon is soon?" prognosis. My fingers are crossed for a speedy recovery time!

Aka Alice said...

Good work internet doc!

Gotta agree with the "It sucks getting old" analysis.

I love when doctors give you a "it depends" non-answer. At least he didn't say "stop running." That's usually when I go looking for a second opinion.

Hang in there.

Jim ... 50after40 said...

The internet is a blessing and a curse! I've diagnosed myself dozens of times. I think I've got about a 67% accuracy rate! Unfortunately the cure is most often rest, but it helps to get an idea of what's going on!

Heather said...

I always knew you were a genius, well not always but at least since meeting you.

I hope it gets better REAL FAST!

joyRuN said...

I'd take tendinitis over a stress fx anyday.

Nice work, Dr. Rockstar ;p

Kathleen said...

Oh that internet can make you crazy if you let it. Good diagnosis!
So glad it wasn't a fracture.
I hope you heal quickly!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I hope you recover quickly

Thanks to the internet and endurance athletes, that might be the most in tuned people when it comes to their bodies has turn us all into official doctors, also with the help of ER, Greys Antomy, and Scrubs