As a way of reducing my anxiety and relaxing, I’ve taken up walking and running for at least 2 hours a day. I started this about 2 days ago and since last night I’m having terrible foot and ankle pain! To the point where it is so hard to sleep because it hurts so bad.
I’m wondering if this is because I’ve spent the two weeks beforehand just lying in bed all day with no exercise or movement as my anxiety levels were quite high and I didn’t want to move. So now all of a sudden I’ve gone from no exercise to nearly walking/running 2 hours a day.
Because i suffer from health anxiety I’m starting to think this could be something more serious and I could have like bone cancer or something! I’m really scared but at the same time trying to convince myself it’s because of the sudden exercise I’ve started doing.
Has anyone else experienced ankle/foot pain from walking/running? Please let me know so I can reassure myself a bit more. Thank you
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Sugarplum1811
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I feel more reassured about my pain. I went on another hike and even climbed a massive hill! I wore more light/comfortable and more breathable shoes and I feel much better although I’m still experiencing some pain again!
Omg we are two peas in a pod!!!!! I was bed ridden with anxiety for at least a week and a half. When I did yoga, my entire body was in pain. Anxiety can cause pain, too! It’s hard to say what it is that’s the exact cause but it isn’t cancer.
I have really flat feet so sometimes my knees hurt. Girl, I even saw an OB-GYN today cuz I was scared my knee pain was cervical cancer! So I totally understand haha! I wish I had your motivation! I’m so nervous of if something will happen to me when I’m alone that I’ve lost so much of my independence. I’m getting there but it’ll take time ❤️
Hey!! Yes we seem to be in such similar situations! I hope you are feeling better and my pain seemed to go away a few more days of walking/running so I think it was just the first days where I wasn’t used to it. I hate how I just seem to overthink and become irrational with my thoughts. I hope you are feeling better xx
I totally feel you! I’m glad that your foot is doing better I hate how real the anxiety makes everything feel! I totally understand! Today is definitely better for me. I’m weaning off Zoloft and it’s making me feel a bit weird, but I’m staying positive ❤️
It definitely helped suppress the panic but I hate how everything else feels. I kinda disassociate more, and I can like tell I’m taking something. It’s weird! Some people have no side effects but I’m not a fan so I’m getting off. Slowly. ❤️
Definitely I’ll have been on it one month in total once I’m off, and there were benefits! I’m just so self conscious of how I feel. I didn’t like the side effects it had one me for that reason. Everyone is different. Has anyone in your fam taken SSRIs? My sisters did and felt worse on them; I think it may be a genetic thing.
Hello simrran18, I agree the pain in your feet is from you starting to exercise, which is normal. If you continue to walk and run your muscle pain goes away. Any kind of Exercise is great for anxiety and depression. I can relate with you about health anxiety. What ever physical symptoms we are feeling we link it to some kind of disease, cancer or a serious illness. Because we are feeling something real. Its a classic anxiety behavior or reaction. It's false FEAR. False Evidence Appearing Real. Our subconscious mind is doing this to our body instantly. Compassionate self talk works for me. I hope this helps. 😀
May I ask how old are you? I use to be a runner, sounds like too much it's rough on the joints. Swimming is the best thing when you're trying to get your cardio or get a hobby?
Hi there, I’m only 19 and yes I do enjoy swimming a lot and I do have a gym membership which includes swimming pool but I go on the walks and runs with my mum (she’s 40) and i just enjoy it so much more as I love spending time with my mum
I experience right foot pain on occasions from over exertion. My pain occurs in the outer toes/ball of foot. I went to a good podiatrist type shoe store & was advised to wear shoe soles that do not bend (have no give) in that area. They also had a assortment of various padded/molded shoe inserts to try out in your shoes in their store. I purchased comfortable inserts & mild support type socks I’ll wear as needed on bad days. These measures have greatly helped me.
Do you have lower back problems by any chance as I do? In California one can self refer oneself to a Physical Therapist for ten or so visits (according to my independent P.T. office). After that you need a doctor’s order to continue. If your pain persists a knowledgeable P.T. can be of further help. Or of course the Alexander Technique which I have always been a big fan of. It can help you get in good alignment if you can afford it, insurance does not cover it here.
Hi, thank you so much for your response and yes I get outer foot pain as well as the heel area as well and I’ve bought some insoles which help quite a lot and have started wearing more light trainers so I feel very light on my feet! I will be seeing a physio soon as I get quite annoying pain around my shoulder/neck due to the horrible anxiety. Thank you again for your reply and I hope you are well xx
I have memory foam shoes for that exact same reason. Cloud foam adidas running shoes ( I forgot the actual name ) but , yeah i can relate. I’ll be a lazy cat at my desk ( I work as a receptionist) or I’ll be at my house on my days off , curled up because something made me anxious. I occasionally walk here and there . But, vigorous exercise like you did, I have to plan that lol, and when I do , go and exercise..I get so SORE, my bf constantly has to massage me but I still get tense after , panicking over something.
You are FINE , love . Don’t worry. Oh, and get some shoes with like memory foam insoles, Sketchers sells em, and also the Adidas shoes I mentioned. I now wear it to work . I work in a Dr’s office ( she’s a holistic doctor , pretty chill , so she doesn’t mind the sneakers ) and since I’m sometimes on my feet a lot, feeling that memory foam on my feet comforts me , emotionally and is soft on my feet.
I’d say massages help, maybe whenever you want a pedicure, emphasize the want for extra attention in the massage because you get sore when you workout.
I’ve also rubbed a tiny bit of tiger balm on sore areas before , it’s strong due to the Camphor oil and menthol I believe so don’t have to use too much to get the job done . Also I rub mango butter on my sore muscles , put on relaxing music too, so it saves me money from the expensive spa packages.
Well, those are things that help get my muscles relaxed, maybe these could help you. Still looking for more methods but , so far, those things do work lol. Hope your ankles and feet feel better 💚😊
Well done you for getting up and doing it. I haven’t managed to get myself to do it yet I’m too scared I’ll give myself a heart attack. Wish I was as brave as you, but yeah. Going from nothing to two hours a day your bones have just gone “what the hell js this we were relaxing” remember when you used to be at school and when you come back from the school holidays you couldn’t write properly? Well I couldn’t anyway! That’s what this situation reminds me of.
I just read this now and thought I wrote this lol.
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I hate how real the anxiety makes everything feel! I totally understand! Today is definitely better for me. I’m weaning off Zoloft and it’s making me feel a bit weird, but I’m staying positive ❤️
It helped me so much 
So much stress and anxiety
meditation has helped so much with anxiety
So scared pain in temple
