For the past several years I have been struggling with health issues. I think I have more than my own share of issues, but one problem has been a thorn in my side. For the past several years I have been having an increased problem walking. To the point that last year I spent a month on the floor (literally) and a couple more on crutches. While I did get better at my video game skills, this was something that was hard for me. I use to be a relatively active person. I played tennis in high school and then tournament paintball for a several more. Lately it seems that there always seems to be something wrong with my feet.
The last couple of years I was told that my problem was that I have gout. Which in itself is not bad, except for the treatment of such. Suffice it to say it is a nasty mix of prescriptions that take care of the problem. You know that it is bad when the prescription tells you to take on pill an hour until “pain subsides or abdominal discomfort”. I have yet to take the meds where the pain went away, and I tried it more than a few times.
That leads me to the Great Jolly Jumper Accident of ‘07 (that is what my wife calls it). Apparently I had a severe sprain after jumping in the Jolly Jump at my daughter’s birthday with ten guys and gals that are at least 25 years old. With that I spent time on crutches, wheelchair, crawling, and even got a handicapped placard. I went to Physical Therapy where they told me I had some pretty bad problems with my feet and ankles that needed to be taken care of.
After a year of searching for an answer, I think that I finally got one. I have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritisin my left foot and toes. It is not repairable and can only be managed. Great you are saying, but I am excited to actually know what is going on with my foot. The coming weeks will see a beginning of cocktails of vitamins and arthritis medication. Next week I am getting fitted with a brace that 80 year olds swear by, at least that what I was told. All in all, I am should be able to manage the pain and get back to a regular life. As for running and competing, that is highly doubtful. I may be able to do some things but we shall see.
The doctor believes that is is related to some trauma on the foot that I had. I was asked to trace it back to the beginning of the recurrances. It arose during my time playing paintball in some rocky and loose soiled fields every weekend. Oh well.
