Re: I'm having issues wearing shoes!! (PA in my toes)

[Guest guest]

Four things help me:

1) wear comfortable sneakers in transit to and from the office,

wearing the super gentle socks sold at the pharmacy for diabetics

2) switch into the best fitting (possibly orthopoedic) shoe you can

find to wear at work

3) stop wearing nylon stockings and instead, wear softest available

microfiber " trouser socks " and just make sure your hemlines are long

enough to allow that

4) After work, at home for the evening, gently wash feet in warm soapy

water, rinse, dry, then use lots of Miracle of Aloe lotion for feet,

with mint and aloes, and put on a clean pair of the soft, white

diabetic socks. Lotion up again before going to sleep--or, apply any

prescription ointment you may be using, and sleep in socks

[Guest guest]

Hi Mindy,

You are going to have to look for, and find, new shoes (dare I say

the " S-word) - sensible shoes. Shoes are one of the biggest issues

for people with PA and RA. I used to be the kind of guy that could

put just about anything on my feet, but not anymore. I'm the male

version of Immelda Marcos, except I throw my old shoes out - with

frequency. I am now buying two or three pairs of supportive and

comfortable shoes a year - not cheap ones, either. It is an expense I

must bear in order to keep working. For me, the shoes that provide

the support I need must also be flexible enough to provide comfort.

Therefore, they break down more quickly. I have gotten into wearing

lightweight hiking shoes with my jacket and tie (the tie always comes

off) to work. Brent

[Guest guest]

Hi Mindy

I'm having the same problem here in North Ga! I have seen several

nurses wearing " Crocs " and they all talked about comfortable they

were. I bought a pair about 3 mos ago and they are wonderful! They

are the only shoes I can walk in and not hurt! They are ugly

as " homemade sin " but I can walk. They have a " mary jane " style

that I want to check out also. Yes, people look at me funny but so

what! LOL

I have PA in plantar facia & ankle.

good luck

Dotti

>

> What the heck am I supposed to do? I can't wear sandals all

winter.

> And I'm already getting stares from people which I'm sure will

just

> get worse...especially when there's snow on the ground!!

>

> Does anyone else have this problem? And if so, how do you deal

with

> it?

>

> Help!!

> Mindy

>

[Guest guest]

Have you tried going to specialty stores? I went to the New Balance store,

and they recommended styles based on my feet. Even though I look like a

dork, if I am walking a bunch I will wear those. I went to another store to

get Birkenstock sandals, and I have just ordered closed-toe Birkenstocks for

winter online (after trying multiple pairs on in the store- they didn't have

my size in stock, so I ordered from one of those sites that has free

shipping both ways). I was so excited to find a pair of shoes at Rockport

that I can wear to church, or out to eat (wouldn't be able to walk long

distances in them).

It might be worth it to see a podiatrist for one visit- they most likely

will have a listing of all the appropriate stores in your area. It is the

podiatrist who told me I should wear Birkenstocks, even around the house.

You really need a shoe with multiple arch supports inside, especially that

meta-tarsal arch that Birkenstocks (and I'm sure other comfort shoe

companies) have.

[Guest guest]

I wore sandals year round for 2 years. I know what you mean about the

staring. Just wait the remarks can get testy... almost as testy as my feet.

I just got some crocs this weekend. Today was my first day wearing them.

They're great. I could slide my feet in and out of them if they started to get

to warm. They don't look like sandals even though I did get the kind with

holes in them. There were a few remarks about the holes and cold feet but I

just said my feet are always hot.... the vents worked for me.

My feet did not swell. They don't hurt... not even tender.

Well, that's what I did.

Sandy swOhio where it's a bit colder than Tennessee

[Guest guest]

Mindy...I'm originally from Tennessee and I had to learn some " yankee "

tricks about how to dress in cold weather when I moved up here. One of

the best things I discovered was silk sock liners. You can get them at

hunting supply stores or stores that sell Woolrich or Columbia brand

clothing will often carry them. Around here, the major mall stores that

carry them are Dicks and Gander Mountain. Sometimes the local Ace

Hardware stores will carry them too where they have their " outdoor "

clothing. It's nothing more than a thin little sock, made of silk. Wool

itches the living daylights out of me but if I put a silk sock liner

under a wool sock, I'm good. THen you can use big fat clog shoes or a

brand of shoe called Crocs (also sold at Dicks or online). Some of the

folks on here swear by Danskin shoes. They are pricy but we often have

no choice on the matter. With silk sock liners and wool socks over

them, you can wear clogs or Berks and do ok sometimes. Hope this

helps. -Betz

[Guest guest]

Two words, Dansko Shoes.

-Marietta

> Does anyone else have this problem? And if so, how do you deal with

> it?

>

> Help!!

> Mindy

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to advice from some folks here, I'm wearing Dansko clogs and

they have made all the difference! I also bought some of their

dressier shoes (with heels!) and they are also fine when you don't

have to stand or walk too much. But the clogs are the best!

best regards,

sherry z

[Guest guest]

Mindy,

What I did for my poor feet when I was still working was go buy me a

pair of shoes that were a bit too wide and just a little long. I worked in

retail and was on my feet for most of 8 hours a day on concrete floors so

I made sure there was room for insoles as well as room for my ankles to

swell and my toes not to be crunched until I got home and could take them

off. I kept slippers in the car to drive home in also.At one time the toes that

were " sausage digits " were so sensitive they could not be touched, I bought

some lambs wool to wrap them in before I put my socks on. Believe me

when I say, there comes a time when you really don't care what it looks

like so long as it works. Good luck

Janet in Ca

[Guest guest]

Hi, Mindy...

I know exactly what you mean...you really can't wear sandals in the winter,

although I did

try to do it with heavy socks. Compromised with Uggs boots. They are lined

with

lambswool and feel heavenly to me. They make my huge feet look even bigger,

but that's

the least of my concerns. Don't know if they'd do as well for you, but they're

worth

investigating.

Lucia

[Guest guest]

Hi Mindy,

If you think Tennessee is cold, avoid Boston!

I have PA in my toes like you, with some severe effects, such as toes on

either foot turning outward. It has made regular shoes (leather, for example)

pretty much a thing of the past.

What I came upon a good four or five years ago were shoes that are very

popular now that are slip-on types, going by various names (such as " mocs " ).

They are soft on the top, yet with very decent support at the soul and heel.

They have enough give to them that they really help those of us with pain and

swelling. They also come in a bit more fortified version, such as for colder

weather. Merrill is one of the big names, though mine all come from Bass Shoes

(a division of Van Huesen Corp.), and they have been a god-send. I once

decribed them to a doctor as wearing medicine. Anything stiff on the top

(leather) is out of the question because of the lack of " give " .

They would hopefully satisfy your feet's need for warmth, and not irritate. I

very highly recommend them.

Other manufacturers would include LL Bean, Lands End, and more. Bass Shoes are

the best, given quality and price combinations. I'm not sure of their women's

collections, but these other vendors certainly sell them as I've seen them on

shelves, catalogues, on-line.

If I can be of any assistance, shout.

Don

[Guest guest]

I looked online and wow, they are expensive... I was shocked. My husband

thinks he can get the materials and take it to a " cobbler " to have them

made.....dunno.... and my insurance will not pay for orthodics.....

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I found out that UGG shoes are great for keeping warm. They have the

sheepskin lining which is great in the winter. Also, alpaca socks are very warm.

For those of you whose upper thighs and knees get cold, the new leg warmers,

over the knee highs and silk underwear is great.

I used to wear Birkenstocks and they are very comfortable EXCEPT for those

that have heel problems such as plantar fasciatis, the BIrkenstock footbed does

not have enough cushion. I am a Physical Therapist who also has P and PA. Also,

please do not wear those thong shoes. Your heels turn inward and supinate which

puts stress on your muscles ligaments and can affect your foot all the way up

to your hip.

Another helpful hint, those in winter climates who like to walk their dogs or

walk in general. A fall can do more damage than you think. Not just broken

bones, but soft tissue damage. There is an item call YAK TRAX which you slip on

the bottom of your shoes and they are like tire chains for your feet. Prevents

slips on ice and when snow is slippery. Also, golf shoes with spikes are good

for snow.

I don't mean to sound like I know it all, but after 30 years of being a

Physical Therapist, all these hints apply not only to those of us with P and PA,

but the general public.

Doris

---------------------------------

Everyone is raving about the all-new beta.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy Lucia mentioned Ugg boots how about the shoes they are not as

ugly or as big looking as the boots I don't think I could wear the

boots with a straight face hahah my daughter has them and I looking

into getting myself a pair they are really comfortable and warm like

walking around in your favorite slippers. I now after a summer of

sandles the idea of shoes is hard to handle I broke my toe two months

age and because of prednisone it has not healed so I can't wear

anything that puts any pressure on my foot so I am on the hunt for

shoes as well. Good luck and take care. LINDA

[Guest guest]

I looked at them, but the holes and the ones that are solid with a sling

back have me concerned a bit... snow and rain etc. if my feet get wet I'm

just done so I'm scared to try them in that aspect. They look sooo comfy!!

[Guest guest]

Yep - the sticker shock is a killer! The good news (bad news?) is that

instead of having dozens of pairs of shoes that don't cost so much,

I'll only have about 3 pairs that cost a lot. I figure I can now

afford a couple of pairs of good ones, since I won't be buying multiple

pairs of more affordable shoes since I won't be able to wear them! I'm

sending all my " old " shoes to Goodwill next week. (Sniff)

sherry z

>

> I looked online and wow, they are expensive... I was shocked. My

husband

> thinks he can get the materials and take it to a " cobbler " to have

them

> made.....dunno.... and my insurance will not pay for orthodics.....

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ha! said:

" Hi, Sandy Luciamentioned Ugg boots how about the shoes they are not as ugly

or as big looking as the boots I don't think I could wear the boots with a

straight fact hehah... "

I did find a pair of Ugg sandals on eBay, suede with lambskin on the upper

side but not the soles. It might not be a bad idea to look at other Ugg

styles!

Some people say Uggs don't have enough arch support for them. I order

replacement sheepskin liners and they seem to have slightly more arch than

the original boot had.

Aren't I lucky to teach elementary students? They say things like " Mrs.

Hicks, your boots are WAY cool! " My husband has a slight shoe fetish, hates

the boots, and would love to see me in stilletos, but I've failed him in

this, as there is NO way.

Lucia

[Guest guest]

" ive heard of knees and hips and back but what about toes? can the

joints be fixed? and if they can, is the procedure worth it? "

My rheumatologist referred me to a podiatrist because my big toes

are also destroyed by the PA; I can't bend my toes at all either.

The podiatrist said that I had a choice of three options:

1) joint fusion. This would (supposedly) get rid of the pain, but

they would still be rigid, which would, I assume, affect your

walking and wearing shoes just as much as pain would.

2) they could sort of " file " back the bones so they wouldn't be

rubbing against each other and " stuck " together any more. This would

be OK, but the joint is already totally destroyed, so there would be

a sort of floppy area in between the bones. It sounded like

eventually, the bones would go back to rubbing against each other at

some point and I'd end up having to repeat the whole procedure all

over. Besides, I think you NEED your big toes for balance, and if

they're all floppy, I'd think that (again) would hinder your walking

and wearing shoes just as much as pain would.

3) they DO perform toe joint replacements, but according to the

podiatrist, they're still in the semi-experimental stage and they

haven't worked all the kinks out of the procedure, so there's lots

of complications such as infection, prosthetic failure, etc.

None of the three options appealed to me, so I've decided to just

tough it out for awhile.

[Guest guest]

>

> It's just now starting to get cold here in Tennessee, so I put

away my

> sandals and pulled out my winter shoes. I wear them to work, and

by

> the time I get home I cannot even walk. My toes swell up and hurt

so

> bad that I can barely walk. After 3 days of this, I went back to

> sandals (in 40 degree weather)...and when I wear sandals, my feet

are

> completely fine.

>

> What the heck am I supposed to do? I can't wear sandals all

winter.

> And I'm already getting stares from people which I'm sure will

just

> get worse...especially when there's snow on the ground!!

>

> Does anyone else have this problem? And if so, how do you deal

with

> it?

>

> Help!!

> Mindy

Mindy...

I can relate! My joints of my big toes are fused (the md thought

that they were bunions at first...haha) Anyway...Dansko, by far the

best and roomy, next Birkenstocks (I live in the Foothills of NC so

I no what you mean about the weather) I love my Birk bloed toe

winter clogs, worth every sent! Merels are great as well as

Crocks...best of luck! OH and I love my UGH boots!