Recently diagnosed

[Bigleftfoot]

I was diagnosed with lymphodema tarda in my left leg,ankle and foot 5 weeks ago. I'm struggling to find shoes that fit. Can anybody suggest a shoe manufacturer that does a wide fit shoe.

[Lymphie]

Hi, if you are in the UK you're GP may be able to refer you to the Orthotics dept at your local hospital. My local orthotics dept measure my feet and make shoes to fit. Not stylish but comfortable when you're used to wearing crocs/flip flops in all weathers! When my foot wasn't too bad I got some shoes from Hotter shoes who are online and do wider fitting shoes. Also Clarks shoe shops used to provide a service (not sure if they still do but worth a phone call) where by you could buy 2 different sized pairs of shoes but just pay for one pair plus 50%, makes it quite expensive but good if there's a vast difference in foot size.

Good luck

[Bigleftfoot in reply to Lymphie]

Thanks for replying. I'm still waiting to hear from my GP after being diagnosed but I will mention this to him.

[Bigleftfoot]

Thanks for that info. I'll have a look at that website.

[AnneBury]

Hello, Bigleftfoot are you male or female?

[Bigleftfoot in reply to AnneBury]

Male.

[AnneBury in reply to Bigleftfoot]

Thanks. I have lots of personal experience on footwear for me, but not men. However over the years I have got very used to wearing shoes that are a much larger size than I measure. I.e. I measure a size 6 and usually wear size 8. Somehow I don't trip over the extra long bit at my toes. Good sturdy trainers/ treckers in a size 8 with strong laces work well for lots of everyday things.

[sallyhj]

hotter shoes do wde and wider shoes.

[Hidden]

Hi there, I have been using jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/home...., who do a very wide range (pardon the pun!) of wide fitting shoes at a very reasonable price. I also tend to wear an awful lot of Converse type lace up pumps, as the lace ups make them more adaptable to my foot, and also provide some compression too.

Good luck!

[Andy13 in reply to Hidden]

I share Helen's approach, favouring lace-ups. About 3 years ago I started wearing trainers around the house instead of slippers, my feet are now considerably slimmer than they used to be. I had to try on a few pairs before I found some that were tight and comfortable but now have 3 pairs of the same brand / style, one for indoors only, one for outdoor exercise (scruffy) and another for casual outdoor.

[jen50 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Helen

Yes I've found JD Williams are good too. I have a left lower leg bigger than the right and found after years of searching, that their Legroom range of boots is good and fashionable and up to EEEE size. They also have a very good detailed foot and calf measuring guide too.

[Hidden]

BOY ARE BIG WIDE FEET A REAL PROBLEM WITH LYMPHOEDEMA - I WAS ONCE A SIZE 11 [ US ] NOW 16 WITH A 4E WIDTH WITH FLUCTUATIONS DEPENDING ON HOW CROOK I AM .

I SEE A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS THAT I WILL ALSO FOLLOW UP ON , BUT I HAVE GOT BY WELL ON NEW BALANCE SPORTS / WALK / CROSS TRAINERS - THEY ARE SUPER COMFORTABLE , STYLISH IN THE SPORTY SENSE [ THEY MIGHT SEE THIS AND GIVE ME A MEGABUCKS MARKETING JOB ]

NEW BALANCE WEBSITE AND ON AMAZON .ANOTHER IS PROPET [ WEBSITE AND AMAZON ]

I'M IN NEW ZEALAND AND I HAVE TO GET STUFF COURIERED IN FROM THE USA ...EXPENSIVE !!!

HOPE THIS HELPS

[shonaleg]

Evans does wide fit, but I find tu at sainsburys does nice sandals

[scottymeg]

I too have probs with shoes I kept sending for wider and wider they are all in the bottom of my wardrobe. Had about 5 pairs on the floor when Dr visited he referred me to Orthotics. Months for an apt then I went and the shoes did not fit. He said I will send them back he had picked them from a catalogue. I left there with a pair of black Velcro clumpy things that you are given when you have limbs in plaster. Nearly had an accident driving they were covering both the brake and the accelerator. Tripped up trying to walk. Went to GP showed them he laughed. That was all the help I got.Still nothing fits. I have one pair and they are on their last legs, will be disintegrating very soon.

scottymeg

[Mon1caM]

I suggest you look on the Hotter Shoes website - they do good, comfy shoes with wide fittings too.

[Supergrangran]

I live in Glasgow and use Foot Solutions a specialist Orthotic shoe company quite pricey but the shoes dont look like mediacal shoes

[lovesradio]

Both my Dad and mother in law found good choice of wide fit shoes, sandals and slippers from Cosyfeet (UK company, good sale or return system), also they sell velcro attached 'extension' strips for sandals to take account of variations in size due to temperature changes etc. Good luck!

[craftinglady]

I bought a pair of recommend shoes Cosey Foot and they cost £75.oo they are OK but not something i would call stylish.

Mostly i find Sketchers best -I can wear them most of the day . They do lots of styles and good support.

I would add that when you get further into cream-and wraps the swelling will go down and you should be able to find shoes that you don't get on with at the moment.

The shoes are the most expensive thing you will have to finance and you must also need to find strong slippers and this i cant find myself yet.

Sounds as if i know it all but i have had swelling for 25 years and my Doctor was hopeless -I have been attending a Lymphodema clinic since March 15 and this is the only place i have found any help.

[violetsnowdrop]

I am also male and recently ordered 2 more pairs of 8E fit shoes in size 10 online from http:/widerfitshoes.co.uk/ and which were delivered 2 days later, dispatched directly from the factory shop. I have been using their services for the last 4 years. Prior to that I could only wear size 12 Airwalk trainers (available from Sports Direct), which make a more leisurely alternative.

[delmar354 in reply to violetsnowdrop]

I too wear Sports Direct airwalk trainers. I have 3 pair the same in patent black, white and navy blue. I agree that laceups are the best as you can alter the laces according to the swelling. I used to wear size 7 but need 8 1/2 now from Sports Direct. I too have had shoes made from the orthotics dept and am very pleased with them. One pair white trainers and the other in tan newbuck which are very comfortable. I also have a wardrobe full of shoes that I can't wear as they are not deep enough . That is the problem with most shoes if they are wide enough they do not have the depth and that is what manufacturers should address as there are so many of us out there who need this service and feel like freaks when we need shoes for that special occasion. In other words HELP us to have shoes that are dressy but not frumpy. Remember we we are still fashion conscious with Lymphoedema !!!

[Gypsywife]

I use Sandpiper shoes on line...my feet are very swollen, and Sandpiper , low cut Welton are the best for me...they are both wide and deep, and come with separate inner soles...really comfortable.