Sesamoiditis/Sesamoid Fractures

[half_pint]

I have had pain in the ball of my foot for almost a year. I began going to the doctor in October 2008 after quitting my job of 4 years that required me to wear high-heels everyday in July. I thought that only wearing sneakers would alleviate the problem, but it did not. The doctor gave me anti-inflammatory pills and told me to come back in two months if still not better. Well, I went back after two months and saw a different doctor (I have to go through the infirmary at school because I have no insurance, so they get me in where I fit in). He ordered some x-rays, said that I had a fracture of my sesamoid bone, gave me a week's worth of steroids, and sent me on my way. In January 2009 I went back to the first doctor, told him what the other one said, and asked what I should do about the pain that I am still experiencing. His response was that the bone might not be fractured, but I may have two bones in the foot and that I need to go to a specialist (podiatrist) to find out. He gave me more anti-inflammatory pills and the name of someone when I saved up the money to go. I went to the podiatrist gave her the x-ray and told her what was going on. She told me that it did not matter if the bone was fractured or if I had two bones in the foot, that I would be treated for sesamoiditis She gave me a steroid shot in the most tender part of the foot, taped it, and left after answering none of my questions.

Long story short, I have been in pain for almost a year, taking anti-inflammatory pills for 6 months (give or take different doctor's orders), have had a steroid shot, been told it was fractured, that I have two bones, that it didn't matter which was the problem, and I still can't walked normally! I don't have the money to continue going to a specialist that isn't answering any of my questions, and doesn't give me any confidence in the advise given. I am only 28, not that active (no sports), but I do have high arches and wore high-heels for a long time.

If anyone could give me some sort of insight into how much longer I should give it, or anything I can say to my primary doctor or a new podiatrist Anything really would help more than my latest visit to the "specialist".