What the GP said...

[vikicats]

Well, having asked for your advice about my ankle I have been to see my GP today. First I rang NHS direct to ask if I should go to GP, walk in centre or A & E. I had an interesting 10 minutes having told the nice man I had a pain in my ankle answering questions such as - Are you bleeding severely? Does your head, back or chest feel hot? etc. I know the poor man was only doing his job and making sure I wasn't in any danger but it was a bit of a palaver. Anyway he suggested the GP so I rang them and imagine my surprise when they said "Oh yes, we have an appointment this afternoon." Rather than the usual "We can see you 2 weeks on Tuesday." Again I understand they are very busy.

So went to see the nice young GP and told him I had started NHS couch to 5K and was on week 5 when I hurt my ankle. "Never heard of it," was his reply! Having prodded my foot a bit he decided that I have damaged the small ligaments at the top of my ankle. Ibuprofen will help with the pain and swelling, I can't take it, so it's the less effective gel for me! As for running, well apparently the pain could last anywhere up to SIX MONTHS!! He said rest for another week or so then start back with gentle run, walk regime to build up. He says that if it still hurts I should just continue as it's unlikely that it will cause any more damage.

Intending on starting back on Saturday if I make sure I rest well for what remains of the week. I will not have run for 3 weeks and so I think I will return to week 3 and see how I get on. Slap on the ibuprofen gel and take 2 paracetamol before I go. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice yesterday.

[parkbirdy Graduate]

Hello - I had something similar earlier this year - sharp pain in the tendon on the outside of my ankle. The only advice I can give is take it easy and be attentive to how it feels. Unlike you I wasn't sensible enough to take a break straight away. I ran on and made it worse, and had to stop for several months. I got some good physio advice - and can strongly recommend looking up calf raises and dips, and glutes exercises to help prevent further injury. I found good exercises in some womens running books/magazines.

But the good news is that I'm now back on track having started again from scratch - and having done week 6 r 3 this morning I'm well past the point where I got injured earlier.

So don't be discouraged if you have to start again. I've repeated some weeks several times because that felt like the rate of progress my legs could take. You will get there and in the grand scheme of things the recovery time you've taken will help that. Best of luck

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Hi vikicats, don't be discouraged if you have to go back a bit. I did too when I broke my wrist (see my blog posts), so I do know how you feel BUT, a) now you need to rest your foot b) listen to your body c) the pavements are not going anywhere! Six months is a bit over the top if you ask me, but if I were you I'd rest for a couple of weeks and then see how it goes. Life is a marathon NOT a race, GOOD LUCK, delia

[AuntieAli Graduate]

vikicats - take it easy! dont go back to it too soon. like Delia says, the pavements will still be there!!

take care

[Meriad]

you can get some very inconspicuous ankle braces from Amazon..they cost very very little, can be worn under socks or on their own and may be far more effective with the pain than that rather useless ibuprofen gel (never does a thing for me). I wear mine when my ankle gets a bit sore...sometimes even in bed.

[vikicats Graduate in reply to Meriad]

Thanks Meriad, have ordered one the other day and it arrived this morning. Going to try it out tomorrow.