Name : Marlene E. Hunt
E-mail : marlene@alleghenyleague.org
Adult: 59 years old
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, Allegheny County
Area(s) affected: Left Foot 3rd metatarsal bone
Personal History:
It was diagnosed a while back in the 70’s. I dropped a can on my foot, so
I went to a foot specialist and he gave me cortisone shots and boy did that
hurt. I called him and told him the shots made it worse. He took x-rays and
immediately sent me to a surgeon. They sent me to another specialist and
he did a biopsy and told me it was Melorheostosis and the only cure was to
amputate part of my foot or to live with the pain. He told me that some day I
will have to have it done because the pain will be too unbearable and it sure is
now. The bone sticks up pretty far on my foot and the bone feels like it wants
to jump out of my foot. It is very painful. I was never given any medications,
although the doctor said if you want to end it all, just take Tylenol. (That’s
when they had the poison in the Tylenol.) I never went back to that doctor ever
again, I haven’t had it checked out or anything lately. It has gotten worse and
I don’t know who to go to regarding this. I was told that it is like a piece of
chalk and can break at any time.
I worry so much that it can spread but I just take my chances. I am having hip
problems and I worry about it being in my hips, but I just pray that it isn’t.
I don’t feel any lumps on my left hip. This is a horrible disease and I was
told it came from a common cold that settled in my foot.