Discussions

i have suffered from shin splints for as long as i can remember. playing high school sports i noticed they got really bad, but just attributed it to the "sport" and not the running aspect.  
 
well, i started running in the spring. the shin splints got so bad that i ended up having to stop. i quit for about 2 months and then decided to ease back into it, and ran once per week for starters. then after a few weeks i bumped it up to twice a week, and then they immediately came back. this wass about a month in, and i wasnt even overexerting myself. i finally went to see my doctor because the pain was so bad. she said to take painkillers and i could see a podiatrist if i wanted. i have health coverage so i decided to go, and spent $506 (minus 70%) on custom orthotics that should have stopped the pain - this was 2 months ago. i have continued running and am preparing for a half marathon but i am finding that the pain is absolutely unbelieveable. the pain starts as soon as my body starts to jog (not there when i walk) and it will go away after 10-15 minutes of steady running. then once i finish and stretch, i can't touch my shins at all from about 2 inches above my ankle to 3-4 inches below my knee. i ice, i take anti-inflammatories, i stretch, i take breaks between runs, but i can NOT get rid of these stupid pains! they are so bad that i am laying in bed with ice packs on my legs after only a 3.5 mile run tonight.  
 
any suggestions? i cannot find ANYTHING on the internet other than the ice/anti-inflammatory/rest remedies but if anybody knows anything else that works for them... i am willing to try. i will try ANYTHING!!!!!!!!