Ankle sprain

Dance Commander

So, I sprained my ankle really bad last monday stepping in a hole in the sidewalk while walking home. I did the RICE (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) thing for Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday, and I was able to walk on it throughout without too much pain. By friday walking didn't hurt at all, although something like sitting cross-legged was still painful.
Anyway, I went to the gym yesterday and just did some spinning for a half-hour. I didn't want to push it by lifting weights or anything, but I'm dismayed to discover this morning that my ankle now appears a little swollen and walking is painful again.
At what point should I consider a visit to a doctor? I've never had a sprain linger this long and I'm kind of starting to freak out.

Qliphoth

Sprains vary pretty widely in severity, I sprained mine so badly that I tore the ligament and was on crutches for a week, couldn't go back to sport for about 6 weeks.

Have you ever strapped your ankle before? Might want to consider doing that for the next couple of weeks if your going to be using it a lot as it is likely to be weakened. If its only a little sore/swollen after a gym workout personally I would just give it another week or so without working it more than light walking. Also if its still swollen keep icing it and keeping it elevated. When the swelling goes down there are some exercises you can also do to strengthen it such standing on one leg (the one thats injured) with your toes on the edge of a step and lifting yourself up and down. My physio got me to do this after I hurt mine 10-20 reps a couple of times a day.

Dance Commander

I strapped it for a few days, then stopped because having a big strap under my heel was causing my knee to hurt.
I'll try the calf raises, though.

Thylacine

I sprained my ankle and it was quite awhile before it was 100%. What did you wrap it with? I wrapped mine with an ace bandage, fit in my shoe nicely and it helped a lot.

If it's not hurting really bad...you probably don't need to go to the doctor, just take it easy.

MrMonroe

Give yourself time. Exercising on an injury is an awful idea. You shouldn't be putting strain on it until half a week or so of normal activity doesn't cause any pain, or it's just going to persist. (or get worse)

If strenuous exercise still causes pain after a week of keeping off it then I would consider seeing a doctor, but not before.