Heel pain!

[RosieA]

I am relatively newly diagnosed with RA and am on 10mg MTX going to 15mg (injections) next week. After walking or standing for any period of time I get quite a strong uncomfortable throbbing through my heels. I understand that this can be a result of inflammation of the tendons. Should I expect this so soon in my disease. I know that I am still at the disease active stage so will it go once (I live in hope) that the disease is under control or should I seek help from a podiatrist ASAP. Am sure many of you have probably been there and would appreciate hearing from you and your experience. P.S. Do shoes with a small heel help?

[Hidden]

Oh RosieA this was my first symptom. This year from Feb-September my joints,tendons in all my feet , heels and ankles were effected.NOTHING HELPED. I waited over 8 months to see someone about my feet and am still waiting for my orthotics. At the moment my feet are ok but who knows how long it will last. When my heels were bad a slight heel did help give a little relief so did insoles for planter fasciitis . Heat pads and ice packs helped and freeze spray when I was working. I know how you feel 🤞🏻it’s short lived.

[RosieA in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this. I am noticing increasing involvement of tendons, including my right hand middle finger tendon. I have always worn flat shoes but notice I am most comfortable in my wellies which have a small heel. Am currently looking up supportive cushioned slippers as our home is old with uneven stone floors packed on the earth. Lovely, but cold and unforgiving on my feet. Perhaps I should just clean my wellies!

All so depressing. I seem to vascilate between acceptance and tears of frustration and loss for old self. Can't believe I was doing 4 hours of ballet a week only a couple of months ago!!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to RosieA]

Yes I often feel like I’m grieving for the energetic adventurous me. I feel like my future has been taken away . My retirement plans to travel and spend my time with my husband on walking holidays now some days I can’t walk the dog. I live in hope that I find the gold treatment that will work for me.. There are a lot of success stories and I plan on being one 🤞. I hope you are going to be one of these too.

[RosieA in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. You sound just like me. My husband and I also enjoyed walking holidays here and abroad. I have started thinking about inn to inn ones, on bad days I could go with the luggage and hubbie could walk, or cottages here with friends, so I cuddle up with a book and there will be options that don't stop his enjoyment. So tricky as I don't want to take away from him. Bad enough that my future feels so 'compromised'. Like you I hope for a long and healthy remission. Since it is not an 'alcohol' free day. I shall raise a glass to both our 'walking' futures and all that implies. Wishing you all the best.

[Hidden in reply to RosieA]

RosieA many on here were/try to be walkers many a happy holiday clambering around the World and loving it. I too hope once the meds kick in and assist me I can do some of the walks again!

We will ALL say shoes is key and all of us have tried probably EVERYTHING!

[Hidden in reply to RosieA]

Dear RosieA,

You say you were recently diagnosed, so probably the MTX isn't working yet. It can take months. Your feelings of despair are very similar to other people's, but you really can't guess what the future will bring.

I was very similar to you. Last year (2018) my husband and I went on three hiking holidays in a variety of mountainous/ hilly areas, plus some pretty strenuous sightseeing and a choir trip abroad. After that came our son's wedding. A perfect year until - out of the blue - came RA, which forced me to stop all activities (choir, dancing, voluntary teaching, German conversation group) and had me unable to get up from a chair. However, once the treatment (especially steroids at the start) kicked in, I was able to travel by train to France for my niece's wedding and go on to do some walks of 5 or 6 miles in fairly easy terrain. That was only about 6 weeks after I'd been crying on the phone to a hospital answering machine on Easter Monday.

Later in the summer we had a hiking holiday in Germany, not our usual hilly terrain or our usual distances, but almost a week of daily hiking nevertheless. When we got back, I was declared to be "in remission". I've had a little backsliding since then, but am now virtually symptom-free.

We are only too well aware that this happy state may not last, but have decided to act as if it will and have booked a couple of hiking holidays in 2020 in Austria (hills rather than mountains) and the South Tyrol (the real McCoy). Being now in our 70s, we happily go inn to inn and have our luggage transported, having earned our backpacking badges many times over.

It may turn out that I also have to ride with the luggage some of the time. I just know I want to try a proper hiking holiday. We have adjusted to going (a bit) shorter distances than before and have a Plan B to try to avoid everything being ruined by my not being able to cope with the walks. We mainly go with Inn Travel or Eurohike and I can thoroughly recommend them.

I can't predict whether your RA will follow the same course as mine, but I wanted to tell you that it is possible to go from the deepest depths to somewhere near the previous heights and give you some hope.

It might be worth inquiring about a course of steroids to tide you over until the MTX takes effect. Prednisolone got me to France for that wedding.

I wish you well. Hope for the best, but have a plan for the worst.

[RosieA in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your encouraging and sensible comments. Much appreciated. Yes, I am still in the active disease stage and keep trying to remind myself of this, so as you say, who knows. I am told that they hope to gain a remission. I have been on 5 week reducing dose of steroids and then increased dose of MTX, unfortunately, I developed gastritis (the steroids they think) - so MTX stopped and went back to lower dose. Just starting (once more) 15mg (injection) tomorrow and hope this will do the trick. Patience I know is something I need to cultivate. Thank you once again it is so easy to loose sight of the sucesses.

[Hidden in reply to RosieA]

Hello again, RosieA.

Don't blame yourself for being impatient. Who wouldn't be? We don't have to be saints. That said, it's hard when something doesn't work or you have to come off a drug that may well be working.

I asked to come off both hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine as I got tinnitus and suspected one or both. Fortunately, I've done well on just MTX plus steroids. Even so, I've had to miss a bit of MTX, one week for the flu jab and two for a chest infection that needed antibiotics. That led to a flare, but it was mild compared with what I had earlier in the year and it's over now.

Please have confidence that there is something that will work for you. Let us know how you get on.

[medway-lady]

Look up heel pain on NHS as many causes some of which can be easily treated. It might not be RA related at all. But if it is then ask about a podiatrist consultation. I find that a small heel helps my feet anyway and I love wellies. Shame can't wear my stable boots around local shopping centre but they are very muddy so probably Sainsbury's would probably notice where I've been. lol x

[RosieA in reply to medway-lady]

Perhaps we should set a new trend. Will ask about a referral next time I chat to specialist nurse - I seem to have a hot line at the moment. Since starting steriods and MTX have suffered gastritis, what looks like a dental cyst (awaiting urgent referral to hospital) and increased tendon involvement. Deep joy. I think a small heel is becomming a must - at least it's something I can do in the meantime. I have looked at NHS website and it all coincides with RA diagnosis. Many thanks for your response.

[Littlemunch in reply to RosieA]

I suffer with feet tendonitis too and podiatry told me not to wear flats and made me some insoles which were amazing. Differently worth the referal.

[Floralqueens]

Hi. I too suffered as you are at the moment, arch supports used all the time have cleared me of any pain. Perseverance is the answer and you will begin to feel less pain. Hope this helps!!! Xxxx

[RosieA]

Thank you. Am trying to find some suitable slippers. Those with most supportive soles appear to be wider fitting. Will persevere.

[Hidden in reply to RosieA]

It really is trial and error. I’m using Fiflop slippers at the moment they work for me. They have a sale on at the moment and free and easy returns. I find a size smaller than there shoes work better with slippers

[RosieA in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, have looked at both Vionics and Fitflops. The former is mainly for wide feet but lovely footwear. Have ordered some slippers and a pair of boots from Fitflops, so here goes. Here's to happy feet. Thank you and MissMInto once again for your support.

[RosieA in reply to Hidden]

Just thought I'd let you know that my Fiflop slippers arrived this morning. They are a source of wonder and joy so far. Feel I'm walking on springs rather than bone. So thank you so much for directing me. Perhaps there is some milage in having a little area of this forum for such recommendations. Have still put out a call to my specialist nurse for a referral but in the meantime- here's to some happier feet. Many thanks.

[Hidden in reply to RosieA]

Delighted for you... so pleased I could help

[nomoreheels in reply to RosieA]

I treated myself to some Fitflop slippers before Christmas. They're actually more like clogs, suede, really supportive & comfy. Plus they were bargain, £16 brand new, couldn't resist... happy feet happy me! Hope yours are super comfy too.

[MissMinto in reply to RosieA]

Try Vionics slippers - expensive, but really well structured with supportive footbed etc. Their shoes and boots are good too for the same reason, I wait for when they have a sale on.

[Kariss]

Hi RosieA,

So sorry to hear you have had to join us here on the NRAS website but you will find plenty of good advice from like suffering friends so you’ve come to the right place!

My RA started in my feet just like yours many years ago now, and I was very active then. I spent a fortune on various shoes (nothing helped!) and also had custom made shoes from the podiatrist, but still couldn’t walk without pain. Then a friend who spent her work life on her feet on the shop floor suggested Skechers and I’ve never looked back! They are very soft but also supportive and move with you as you walk. I like the Go Walk variety best for everyday comfort and now have virtually nothing else in my cupboard! I even wear a pair as slippers around the house. I can honestly say they have changed my life. I do still have to limit my walking as my toes will blister otherwise because synovitis is always present there, (I’ve sadly never gone into remission), but can now go round the shops or for a country stroll, mow the lawn, go up and down stairs etc without too much discomfort. I even managed to dance (thought I’d forgotten how!) at my sons’s wedding this year! I sensibly took a prettier pair of Skechers to change into for after the photos, having worn ordinary shoes for the ceremony and barely been able to stand up!)

Sketchers do little furry boots too which are great for this time of year. No, I don’t work for them, I just think they are a life saver for foot problems. Not cheap but I search the internet and buy mine when on sale and get a bargain. Give them a go - you may be converted like me!

I also used to love my wellies when I was active and had to give them up too, but recently found a pair from Seasalt (in the sale) which are actually quite comfortable and a great colour, so they have joined my collection. Everyone needs something waterproof at this time of year! Good luck, hope your meds start working soon and you get some relief - you are on the same as me!

Kariss

[Mmrr]

Welcome to the forum.

I too have heel and foot problems, it's the usual, when the disease is controlled all is better, when not so well controlled all is worse.

I find crocs to be good for in the house and around the garden, the brand ones are best, the cheaper imitations tend to be hard on the feet.

As for outside well, I have tried many brands but find Clark's trigenic good and walking shoes/boots. As others have said it is trial and error until you find something that suits you. Good luck.