Tillie20

[Tillie20]

Hi could someone give me any idea on what are the best shoes to buy when you have ra  I have painful feet + very wide feet I have always had problems with shoes even when I was in my teens but since ra I they are painful everyday 

[Riedenise]

I have sketchers, I wear them most days, so comfortable. There is a code you can use to save you some money on their website SAVE30. I also have a pair of hotter shoes when I need extra support. Hope tho helps. X

[Tillie20 in reply to Riedenise]

Thanks I do have a pair of hotter shoes will try sketchers thanks riedenise X

[Riedenise in reply to Tillie20]

Tillie, sorry just remembered that code is for Brantano . You can get sketchers there. Sorry my fibro fog is working,lol.

[Tillie20 in reply to Riedenise]

That's ok

[caron6056]

Hi, I love fit flop boots for winter, I have to have roomy footwear as my toes are all twisted, and these give good support and look good too. For trainers I have meindl walking shoes, very comfortable with a bit more room than most, hope this helps x

[Tillie20 in reply to caron6056]

Hi Caron thanks for the advise I will have a look online x

[farm123]

I am looking at using a shaped insole - the ones with the arch but not yet researched whether anatomical shaped footbeds are good or not.  I spoke to my RD nurse and she has referred me to physio so will await that outcome.  Farm

[Hidden in reply to farm123]

The Orthotics push your feet in polystyrene to make a mould, then have the insoles made to measure for your feet.  Trouble is they are not made to measure for your existing shoes, and most of my shoes wouldn't take them.  It is a little know, (and much hidden) fact, that if your feet have become deformed from RA the N.H.S. should have you some shoes made, with appropriate insoles, and it is free of charge.  I believe the company they use is called Halo, and you can get a catalogue from them, if you can afford to buy them made to measure yourself.

[Tillie20 in reply to Hidden]

Hi I do not have the problem of deformed feet yet it is just the pain when I walk I am going to buy some Birkenstock today for the summer or for when the weather gets warmer I will stay with trainers until them thanks for the reply x

[Hidden in reply to Tillie20]

Hi, Tillie20, no one mentioned about not wearing any tight shoes or high heels with my rheumatoid arthritis when I was young, (I was 27 when it came on,) and now it is too late and I have the deformities!  I'm always busy and walking about, and the pain in my feet drives me mad more than in my hands or lower back, as your weight goes more directly on your feet than on anything else.  I find the Birkenstocks good, as they don't cramp your toes together.  You could ask your Doctor to prescribe one of the painkilling gels like Voltarol 12hours, (It's expensive if you buy it.)  Both my husband and I have RA and find the gel good on hands and feet. I hope we get some warmer weather soon!  Then we'll all feel better!  Regards,

[Tillie20 in reply to Hidden]

Hi scruffyrabbit I have used voltarol 12hrs but it did not do anything for me when my hands, knees were really bad I used to wrap hot flannels around them which seem to help  a bit since I have been on medication I am only getting twinges in all other areas I had pain but my feet are a another thing let's hope the medication keeps working for as long as possible x

[Hidden in reply to Tillie20]

Hi Tillie20, I wondered what medication you had that has helped so much.  It was 38 years ago when I first got it.  The medication was not so good in those days and I got stomach bleeding on it.  I had young children, so they just put me on really strong painkillers and I have managed, but have not been able to work or travel, as I'd wanted.  My husband has only recently been diagnosed with RA at 68!  He has refused the medication from the Rheumatologist, because he has lung disease and the medication will affect his immune system and he will get more chest infections.  But his hands are virtually useless.  So with two of us with bad hands, we don't get any breakfast until lunch time, when we unstiffen enough to make it!  We don't care because we are older, but I feel sympathy for younger people with RA. I keep reading all the research into causes and new treatments, even though it is too late to help us. Our kids are in their thirties now and have no signs of RA.  I think it has environmental triggers from the research I have done.  Regards,  

[Jeanslmn in reply to Hidden]

I bought a heat pad and gel pad from home bargains in a black zip up bag only about four pounds very useful gel pad I keep it in fridge when I'm in real pain with r a I swell get burning hot patches where pain is I put the cold gel pad on and takes the pain iff for a while I also use the gest pad heat in microwave for 1 min 30 seconds alternatively I also wear schetchers wide fitting trainers with a shock absorber sole as my feet get really painfull and swollen

[Tillie20]

Thanks 

[keeta]

Hi love .I also have sore  feet .buy shoes and never wear them.its awful when you have to concentrate  on your feet all the time trying  not to hobble. Strange  how on re evaluating your ra score my rhuemy doc says this does not include feet.a size bigger boot with a thick insole .heaven.take care love .kathy.x

[Tillie20 in reply to keeta]

Thanks keeta

[helixhelix]

Even tho' the DAS score doesn't include feet your rheumy should still pay attention to them!  

Mine referred me to a podiatrist, who made proper insoles for me (by making a cast of my feet first, not just off the shelf ones) that can go in any shoes/boots/slippers that are wide enough for my feet.   Personally the sketchers/hotters/fit flops brands don't suit me so having the insoles is brilliant.  Apart from when I use the insoles, the only shoes I can wear for more than two minutes are Birkenstocks as the shaped insole gives me enough support.  

[Tillie20 in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks I have,been referred to a podiatrist just waiting for appointment to come through I have looked at a lot of shoes but I don't want old fashioned ones I know I am getting on a bit but I do like a bit of fashion cx

[keeta in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks I. Ll ask bout that .x

[bassiefromholland]

I allways buy Ecco. For me the most comfortable shoes

[Tillie20 in reply to bassiefromholland]

Hi I am going out today to have a look at all shoes I have been advised about must find 1 pair already have hotter shoes and flip lop so wish me luck cx

[bassiefromholland in reply to Tillie20]

Go for it Tilli!

Xx

[Jeanslmn in reply to Tillie20]

I find the high st stores don't stock wide fit like EEE size so I buy mine from mail order catalogues also means I don't need to use my bank card on web I get a statement to take into bank and pay it J D Williams /very / mirriosta / etc have them

[nomoreheels]

It really depends on how much support over comfort you need. Obviously you need comfort, but, if you've specific problems some footwear may not be suitable. What I mean is before investing have a word with your Rheumy, hopefully he or she will examine them & advise or refer you to Podietry if unable to recommend what you should be looking for. I have troublesome feet & 2 years of disease activity has wreaked havoc because my Rheumy wouldn't examine them (not included in DAS 28) even though I said I didn't expect them to be included in my score. I'd nothing to report at one appointment so tried asking again & she examined them. I now see a Podietrist regularly for various things but one thing I was told not to do was wear flats or heels (as if!), what she meant was I needed support underneath my arch as both had virtually collapsed. What she does want me in is wedges, that's made me a happy bunny, if I have to have rubbish feet at least I can wear nicer shoes (as long as they're lace ups or at a pinch Velcro fastening). I've also recently started wearing my custom made orthotics full time, it's taken 6 months to get to a point where I could have them done but that's made a difference too.

Have a look to the right of this page, you'll see "Related Posts", these are other posts asking about shoes, it's a popular subject! Or enter "shoes" in the search box top right again, select NRAS from the list on the left of the page & that will bring up another list all about shoes.

I hope you find something comfy. Some are quite expensive but what I've done before now is try on in a shop & then when I get home I look online to see if anyone else has the same ones on offer, it's worked every time & I've saved quite a bit. I've also had to go up a size which has meant buying more, shame!

[keeta in reply to nomoreheels]

Love wedges so that's good x

[nomoreheels in reply to keeta]

It's certainly opened up the options Kathy, lots more choice. Still need to find some summer shoes which will house my orthotics but it's shoe shopping so yay! x

[keeta in reply to nomoreheels]

Sounds good to me .Any excuse to shop .awfull when ya have to think bout ya feet first tho .I tell my other half b4 we go out to hang on to me when my feet get tired and sore . especially  with new shoes  .love and careful  steps to you all x

[Ali_H]

I have a pair of specially made insoles with dips for my big toe joints to sit in and it takes the weight off these two joints... NHS podiatrist referred me to orthotics and they made them up for me... They are the best thing since sliced bread (I have had to send them back a couple of times to be replied as the 'spongy' layers were coming unstuck). They sit very nicely inside my walking shoes which I wear every where as they are sturdy brown leather (black is also an option!). They are made by grisport -SpoTex Exmoor (I think!) and I buy from a small shop in Wales by ringing them up and ordering a new pair.. I fail to recall their name at present!

All the best

Ali

[medway-lady]

Hotter do good shoes fashionable and not sort of elderly ones. As do Josef Steibel and Pipeline's. I don't like Sketchers at all and also have big and wide feet but like nice shoes.

[Pinkbungelowgirl]

Hi, I have noticed that "Damart" offer a choice of shoes in E and EEE width fittings and they are reasonably priced especially if you want to just wear them for just one season and update your look next summer. Look at their website, hope you see some you like. Good luck with your search. Let us all know what you found that worked for you. Regards, Pink.

[Tillie20]

Thanks pink x

[smithfield]

I have really wide feet and the RA has attacked most of my toes so they curl over .Plus my ankles swell ( a lot).

I use JD Williams ( you can find them on line).Pavers just do not have them wide enough. Williams do a lot of styles in EEE FITTING. While they charge for postage but not returns. 

They also have a good selection in wide fittings.

Good  Luck.

[Tillie20 in reply to smithfield]

Thanks I will check online x

[cavlady]

Hi I too have wide feet as a carer I am on my feet a lot ha sketchers are great for me so many colours and bonus can be washed a little expensive but worth it.

[LesBev]

H, my feet are the worst affected area and my podiatrist recommended Croc's. They have been a lifesaver and have enabled me to walk better than I have in years. Good luck, feet are a terrible place to suffer pain as it stops you doing so much. Warmest wishes, Lesley 

[Tillie20 in reply to LesBev]

Thanks lesley

[Cagsie]

I like Hotters but they are making less and less of the very wide fitting shoes in the new designs. I haven't tried Skechers for a long while as the last ones I had were too narrow. Good luck

[Tillie20 in reply to Cagsie]

Thanks x

[Jacey15]

I wear fitflops for as long as possible in the year - usually from March til October. They have shock absorbant soles and as they are not closed in are great for wide feet. It was a bit nippy when I went to work in them last week and it was -2°C!

[Tillie20]

Hi jacey

I have a pair of fiflops which I will try when weather gets warmer I am in hotter shoes or trainers at the moment but thanks for letting me know will let you know how I get on x

[flow4]

I have painful, arthritic, wide feet too, with dropped arches, deformed toes and bunions, and inflammation in my heels and ankles as well as across my mid-foot. I can't walk barefoot but I really struggle with any footwear. I have specially made, moulded orthotics from the podiatrist, but find that shoes bought on the high street - including hotter, sketchers, ecco, etc. - are just not wide or supportive enough, even with these in them. I buy online from a company advertised at the podiatrists - it's called Easy B. Their catalogue and website have a template for you to draw round and measure the length and width of your foot accurately, so you can choose sizes and styles. Some shoes are deeper for orthotics, some have extra room for swelling. Wider shoes are VAT free. The styles are a bit middle-aged and middle-of-the-road, but better than I expected. In winter, I wear their boots. In summer, I wear specialist walking sandals, sometimes with extra arch support and sometimes metatarsal support bandages too. The specialist shoes are expensive, but I guess I'd sooner have only a couple of pairs of shoes I can wear without pain, than dozens of pairs I can't wear at all, which is what used to happen!

[Tillie20]

Thanks flow4 i will have a look online x

[Jackie1947]

Hi. I buy Hotter shoes. Different widths and good comfortable inner soles. I had some made from the hospital but they were gross and I couldn't walk in them. Waste of NHS funds. 

[Tillie20 in reply to Jackie1947]

Thanks 

[healthygenes]

I also wear JD williams shoes I think they are called Taylor, soft leather and lots of withe's,echo and hotter shoes are good, I don't think the leather is quite as soft, also when I had my inner soles made at the hospita I had to buy my shoes a full size bigger, but sometimes you have to anyway when you can't get them wide enough,I have also bought my inner soles from Liddel, they are very good.

[Tillie20 in reply to healthygenes]

Thank you I got,some Birkenstock today I think they are ugly but needs must if they are comfortable I will have to wait until I wear them outside when the weather gets better x

[healthygenes]

Till, have you looked on ebay, they do some great end of lines, clarks, hotter etc, a lot of them half price,all new, some really nice moccasin types, loveley colour's,might be worth a look.

[Tillie20 in reply to healthygenes]

Thanks I will have a look now x