Here a little update regarding my foot situation.
So I eventually ended up in Holland, at a specialised orthotherapeutic centre where they did many scans and fitted me with insoles. The therapist had never seen osteoarthritis in that particular spot on the foot in her entire 30 year career, and advised me to go to a specialised center (also in Holland) with the insoles to buy specific shoes. So, I booked another trip to and fro, and this week I went over to buy
those shoes. This center also did a video gait analysis, and the report concluded that my gait was more or less fine, and pointed to a specific shoe with a sturdy fore shoe, pointing a little bit up. They went out of their way to get me the shoes that are really right for me, and I walked out with two pairs of shoes. Now, it’s going slowly, listening to the body, and I started yesterday with a 25 minute walk. It’s still sensitive when walking but no pain-pain, and I’m more confident now with these insoles and shoes, aware of each step I take that I walk straight and distribute my weight evenly and such. These shoes really fit like a glove, and no pain in the night or today, so today I went for a 30 minute walk, same sensitivity, so I feel that is the limit for now.
From May onwards, I’ve been swimming for exercise, but developed a so called ’golf elbow’ (how ironic) early on. It’s mostly leg work with a noodle I do in the pool now. The water temp has gone down to around 15 C, and it feels really good to be in there for up to 20 minutes every day!
Also, because the swimming was not really a sufficient outlet for my energy, I bought a so called
Air Bike, which on top of the foot pedals, has these paddles for the arms as well. Initially I thought of an elliptical, but when I tried it out in the local gym, I still had to do a walking movement with my forefoot, so no go. I understand this Air Bike machine comes from the cross fit world, and really, it’s a tough work out for 20 minutes daily! After that I go into the full spectrum infra red sauna 3 times a week.
In October
@Alana advised me to get this
special tissue and bone lotion from Dr Christopher, which is a synergistic combination of 12 whole food herbs. Alana said that rubbing it in on the spot will take the extra calcium in the bone and transport it where it is needed. It has been used to treat broken bones, sprained ankles, torn ligaments, scrapes, cuts and wounds, varicose veins, curvature of the spine, skin eruptions, pulled muscles, blood clots, and calcium spurs (which is what I have). I ordered it from iHerb and have used it ever since, also on my elbow. It's very soothing and i hope it helps over time (been using it for 1.5 months now). The bone in my foot has grown during the past months though, but that can be due to me having walked around the house in unfit shoes for 7 months.
Also,
@Chu advised me to have my Vitamin D levels tested, as a low level can contribute to making things worse. I had it tested and came in at 60.90 ng/ml. I think that’s okay? I have been supplementing each evening with 5000 iu for about 3 months (with a krill oil capsule). I also put a teaspoon of curcumin in my dinner every night, and take borax orally as described in the
Sott article: 1 teaspoon dissolved in 1 liter water, and of that stash I take 1 teaspoon twice a day with meals, I aim to go up to 3 times a day . And after my bike work out, sauna and shower, I put DMSO on the spot (70/30). A Midwestern Doctor has done extensive research on DMSO, I read some of the
relevant articles, but have yet to print them out and delve into them properly.
On the mental/emotional/spiritual side, I have made an effort to be aware of musty’s and should’s in my thoughts and to be more out of my head and in the present instead, be more flexible and more going with the flow. The book
A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy, which we are presently reading in the reading workshop, is helping me with that, and to find joy in all the things I can do.
I do feel I’ve covered a lot of angles, I feel strong and healthy, but there’s always more one can do, so I keep researching and testing things out on myself. No doubt I'll have to live with the sensitivity and probably some pain at times in my foot, but can. I am already grateful for the walks I can do at present, but will be super grateful if I can get back to a daily 1 hour walk in my beautiful surroundings here, I sure missed that! Thanks for reading.