Mama’s Got Bunions

Do you ever feel like you just can’t catch a break? 

Seriously.

That’s my life and chronic pain.

Before babies, I struggled with vulvodynia.

Pregnancy was a joyful 9 months of symphysis pubis dysfunction.

And then I dealt with miserable moods following the birth of both babies.

Just when I feel I got my life together, my feet began to ache and one day the pain was so unbelievable, I decided I needed to go to the doctor.

We all have sore feet at some point in our life, so I wasn’t about to jump to the doctor with the first twitches back in December (8 weeks ago). I just assumed my winter boots sucked and I needed new runners. However, when new runners didn’t fix the problem and my feet began to look angry and inflamed I began to do some complaining and researching until I discovered the reason the top sides of my feet hurt was because of these stupid protrusions in my feet.

Mama’s Got Bunionettes.

I don’t have traditional bunions.

why would it be that simple? 

I actually have bunionettes or tailors bunions.

It’s when the fifth digit has problems and creates that bulge you affectionately know as a bunion. They call it a Tailor’s bunions because apparently tailors used to sit criss cross on the floor for long periods of times and the weight would impact their feet and cause this deformity. It’s also genetic and might be related to poor footwear. 

Bunions are actually fairly common, especially if you are a woman and getting old. Apparently, Tailors Bunions or Bunionettes are less common (4% versus 39%). Which is probably why my google search for bunionettes came up with like nothing. Nobody is talking about this weird protrusion from the fifth metatarsal.

It’s probably genetic.

Bunions seem to be tied to poor footwear choices for women. The act of squeezing our feet into precarious high heels is not going to be good for our feet. As a woman with big feet (I wear a size 13), I have done my fair share of squeezing into shoes, in my lazy days of motherhood, I’ve given up for the comfy cozy runners and flip-flops.

I’m also kinda young for bunions. At only 28, I seem to be the youngest perusing the forums for discussions on the topic. It’s also probably why not many people are talking bunions on Facebook. #wronggeneration.

Who knows at this point.

What’s next?

My bunions came in like a wrecking ball.

Seriously, I didn’t even know they existed last year. Sometime in December, my feet began to hurt. Then in January they really began to hurt. One week I was learning to cross-country skiing and the next week I’m pounding back anti-inflammatories hoping I can walk to the bathroom without crying.

Stupidly, I didn’t book an appointment with my doctor until recently. I didn’t think he could do anything for me, and I ‘d just get into a podiatrist or even a physiotherapist. But there aren’t any feet specialists in Northern BC. The last podiatrist died and the other retired. So, I would have to travel to the Vancouver-area to see a podiatrist. Podiatrists also cost money. They aren’t covered by the measly health care system we have, and any visits and operations would come out of my own pocket.

However, the impression I’ve gathered from others online is the wait to see an ortho surgeon is ridiculous.

I did see a physiotherapist. She basically suggested I see a foot doctor. Gave me a few ideas for strengthening. I also went to the fancy shoe store and bought new shoes. He said I have a weak ankle. 

I can’t feel my feet anymore.

They are constantly cold. Always numb, and very much in pain. I’ve ranked them a 6-7/10 for the past week. Today I went to the walk-in clinic and got some prescription medication (Vivimo) and they feel like a 5/10. Advil barely cut the edge. Tylenol did a better job. But not really.

I might just pay the $10K to get it done privately if there’s no hope for a public surgery in 6 months. I’m hesitant to go private because every podiatrist looks like they are in it for the business. At least in the public system, I have this reassurance they are there for the “right” reason. Also, I can’t imagine having to recover in a city not my own with two young kids?

If my feet don’t smarten up I can’t imagine going on our vacation this year.

Bunion surgery is no small task. My internet research suggests its pretty invasive and intense recovery. I’d be off my feet for a week or two at the very minimum, and it would be several weeks could I drive again, and return to normal function. But, I’m already living a subpar life cancelling the regular outings I do go on. I’m already living in constant pain.

In the meanwhile, give me your best tips for parenting with chronic pain.

How do you do the mom thing when your feet hurt too much to touch the floor? When all you want to do is curl up on the couch and cry? When putting on socks hurts too much? I can’t just take a sick day. Stay at home moms don’t get a medical leave.