LLMD says this is not uncommon with lyme. The podiatrist gave me some foot exercises and advised me to buy over the counter orthotics before trying the expensive custom made ones. I went to EMS and got "Super Feet", usually worn in hiking boots.

Podiatrist said before getting out of bed in the morning, take a long towel, place the middle of it over the ball of the foot and hold both ends, pull back to flex ball of foot back toward you. Do this several times.

Upon getting out of bed, immediately put your feet into some kind of shoe with the Super Feet in them. Also, on long car trips, I first stand on running board of truck on the balls of my feet and bounce my heels down.
The problem is now about 80% better. When it does flare up, it's usually along w/ a lyme flare up.

Hope this helps, of cours, it could be anything-- bopne spur, etc.

Cindy

While Lyme etc. can cause all kinds of weird aches in the foot, an adept Podiatrist should be able to diagnose PF. As you probably know, Orthopods generally operate for a living and/or give oral cortisone and/or injections. A physiatrist is also a possibility. If I recall, a spur would show up on an xray.

You could also ask the PT about using ultrasound on your food to see if it helps.

I have found that deep massages help tremendously. They make me feel lousy right after, but within 24 hours, I feel great relief and the pain is but a shadow of itself. Drink plenty of water.

Have tried many products, but the most effective has been the DEEP KNEAD FOOT MASSAGER found at Brookstone. Mind you, it costs $200 there and you can pick up one on Ebay for around $60.

There is a more expensive and slightly different version, Shiatsu Foot Massager, same distributor and retails for $250, Ebay approx. $100.

When you use the massager the first few times, it will hurt so bad tears will flow, but you will forget that ever happened when you wake up the next day without pain.

This is only based on personal experience and I cannot guarantee it will be the same for everyone, but consider the cost of going to the Podi twice vs a few years of free professional foot massages. DON'T GET THE CHEAP KIND. THEY ARE JUST DUDS. Go for one of the above. Worth every cent!

found this in an article, "When to Suspect
Lyme"--

Lyme patients very often complain of heel pain. This may be due to an underlying plantar fasciitis, with or without a heel spur, or periostitis of the heel. Epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is another complication. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also develop in untreated LD.

--Annie

OK...back to the feet.....I would think that xrays would be a good thing to rule out a spur, but I agree that going to an ortho might be counterproductive.

They like surgery and cortisone, as someone mentioned.

Orthotics are the way to go, if you don't have a spur. You can usually get orthotics at a chiropractor's office also. Call and ask. They will be designed for your feet and will be MUCH cheaper than a podiatrist.

I've worn orthotics for 25 yrs....of course, I've had Lyme for longer than that, so foot pain has a definite connection to Lyme in my book.

Now for the interesting part. I originall did 5 weeks of ceftriaxone IV followed by 4 months of flagyl+ceftin, followed by 4 months ceftin+roxythromicin.
The ankle pain and the foot pain slowly returned along with worsening neuro symptoms with this drug protocol.

Now that I have been back on IV + zithromax + flagyl + mepron both problems have subsided but do return periodically for a short time every four weeks. Their duration becomes less each cycle.

It could be sub-group.Just not sure yet..

Most fmers, big complaint, say can hardly walk on feet in am. Was told if it was bad in am & stayed, but lessened some after day went on. It prob. is due to Trigger Point.

Mine was like that at one time. Did have specialist check it out. Doc. found 4 TP`s on Each foot, bottom.

I had reflexology done & massage seemed to help.