Foot Fasciitis and Eye Floaters – Ouch and Ugh!

Eye Floaters Drawing

July marks the anniversary of months of physical pain and sickness for me last year.  Many have asked me about it and I have often said I would eventually write about it as a warning for others.  It started with foot pain when working in the garden in June.  I thought I had twisted it as usual and it would get better in a week, so I did nothing.  After a couple of weeks of not getting better, I decided I should call the doctor especially since my other foot was beginning to have the same symptoms.  My family physician suggested I see an orthopedic specialist and set up an appointment for me with one on July 14.

In the meantime, I continued to work in my garden when the foot pain was less intense.  One evening I was out watering and bent over to move the hose.  I felt a pop in my left eye and thought I could see blood.  My husband looked at it and saw nothing.  But my eye still hurt the next day, so again I called my family doctor when his office opened to see if I should come in.  He said it sounded like I should immediately go to see an ophthalmologist and arranged an appointment that afternoon, July 8.  The ophthalmologist said I had a very large virtuous floater (watch video or read text) in my eye and explained it was nothing to worry about at this time, and to come see him every 6 months to watch to see if it grows or impairs my visions.  He said to expect it to move around so that sometimes I could see more clearly and other times it might block a portion of vision.  He did not tell me this eye injury could become the beginning of another problem for me – dizziness starting a few weeks later (come back for future post on that).

Less than a week after the eye thing, I go to my orthopedic appointment, after exam and tests, I find out I have a common foot condition called Plantar Fasciitis in my arches.  I was not happy to find out it is not curable.  Seems like bad news to someone whose business is giving speeches, delivering training, and facilitating meetings.  However, I was relieved to learn it can be managed by doing simple stretches, using proper arch supports in my shoes, and other pain prevention measures. Go to  AAFP for more on symptoms and treatment for this condition.