Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Hello everyone happy Monday I desperately need to get some shoes that will help with my foot pain. Does anybody have any suggestions? I've tried the Sketcher Shape ups and they seemed to work for about 7 months and now are just not working at all. I have also tried New Balance and they seemed to cause more pain than help. Maybe I just didn't find the right pair. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Post edited by: Deirdre, at: 08/23/2010 08:33 AM

I have tried many kinds of shoes and have yet to find "the" pair. I talked to my rheumy, recently, and he advised me to buy Dr. Schols(?).

I was shocked. These shoes can be found at WalMart and are very inexpensive. When I say shocked, I mean in a good sense. To think I may be able to have "the" shoe(s) that are stylish and inexpensive is wonderful. Well, more stylish than orthopedics.

I have worn them before and rememeber they were very comfortable, so I am planning on picking up a pair or two.

The other docs I have talked with about shoes was always buy the expensive ones. I did and most have been a let down. Now, I shall try Dr Schols and see if they really work.

Mostly, what I wear is too big house slippers. When I go out I wear slip-on sandals (not a good idea) or New Balance tennis shoes which do well while I have them on but my feet kill me once I take them off.

Good luck. I will let all know how the Dr. Schols work.

I am a podiatrist by trade, so I am pretty familiar with shoegear. I will agree that many "good" shoes can break the budget. But there are some that are not expensive that also fit the bill. Dr. Scholls are pretty good. So are Cobbie Cuddler (found at K mart for about $35). Sometime though an off the rack shoe will not work for us. When there are deformities in the toes, severe bunions or large nodules, the best thing is a custom molded shoe. Admittedly, these are expensive and ugly, but a shoe that fits is worth the expense. Also, many times a persistant physician can get insurance to pay for them by stating that they will eliminate further problems such as ulcerations.

Thank you for that excellent advice. We appreciate you taking the time to give us input from a physician's perspective. It's hard to know what to do to alleviate pain, so any assistance is appreciated.

Thanks so much for all the advice I will definitely try these. I am just desperate for some pain releif.

Our locally owned pharmacy as an entire shoe department for fantastic people like us with not so fantastic feet! They even have a special salesperson. Maybe you could find a pharmacy near you that does the same? I wish you luck. I personally love Saucony tennis shoes, but I don't work so I never wear them for long periods of time. Do you work at a desk? Can you slip into crocs while you are at your desk? PLease let us know if the Dr. Scholls work out, I'd really like to know for myself. Good luck-

Andrea

I'm not sure about my local pharmacies I'll have to check. I did find a pair of Nike's that acutally work pretty well for me so far. I do sit at a computer and work (thank God if I were still on the floor working it would be 10 times worse)but I do get up and move around often. I will definitely try the Dr.Scholls as well. Most days I have to walk on the backs or sides of my feet just to move around and a couple days last week my feet hurt so bad I didn't know how I was going to make it through the day. Still not sure how I did it to be honest. I really appreciate all the advice. Hope everybody has a great Wednesday

I have horrible feet and haven't found a pair of shoes I can last in in 2 years. I miss buying all the cute sandals and shoes I used to and still can spend an hour just shoe browsing and trying on what i know I can't wear anymore just to see what they look like on. Sighhhhhhhh.........

I'm with Bits...alot of slippers and slip ons. Nothing that covers the front of the foot and toes. I use oversized soft leather KEDS with added inserts when I need to but many of my excursions are cut short cuz I have so many days I can't last more then 10 to 20 minutes in those either. I dread the cold weather and having to lose the sandals.

Deirdre, BTW.... "Sketchers"...I love their sandals. So many cute ones. Have alot of them and they are always what I look for first in the stores.

Post edited by: gettingoldsucks, at: 08/25/2010 05:36 AM

I know what you mean! I loved wearing flip flops and cute sandals. I was so flip flop crazy I would wear them even in the winter. But now my feet just hurt to bad to walk any amount of time in them. Sometimes I torture myself and wear some anyway. Unfortunately my boss won't let me wear open toed shoes that would be much more comfortable on my feet. Luckily my tennis shoes have enough toe room and don't push down on the tops of my feet.

Oh shoes are such a big issue-

I have those black and white adidas sandals with the stripes. I love those because they don't go inbetween my toes and hurt. Sometimes when I go into town I'll be "dressed up" and I forget to change out of them! (They have paint, they're cracked, yellowed):> Oh well, I've done worse.

I get my cute shoe fix at church, it's just an hour and I'm mostly sitting so I wear cute sandals (still flat for sure) then.