Podiatry visit

[Summerrain14]

I had my appointment with podiatry today. Really lovely lady. Identified the issues very quickly. RA in my toes and fat pad atrophy causing me all this pain. Had moulds taken of my feet for custom made insoles. Footwear advice. Doc Martin boots. Oh yes just the excuse for a bit of retail therapy. Back in seven weeks for next appointment but for the time being will continue waddling like a duck and taking the meds. Now the proud owner of a pair of Doc Martin boots too. 😊

[Lolabridge]

Excellent. Doc Martin boots are so “in” atm, or so my daughter tells me.

[Summerrain14 in reply to Lolabridge]

I used to wear Doc Marten boots for all of my 20’s. I’m 44 now and going to have to learn to style them with my work clothes. More than happy to though if it helps with my walking and pain levels.

[Hidden]

Love docs my friend has a pair with red roses embroidered up the side... always been envious

[Summerrain14 in reply to Hidden]

I have just got the classic black docs tonight so I can wear them at work but will treat myself to some others in the near future either different colour or patten for the weekends. 😊

[helixhelix]

I don’t want to rain on your parade, but Doc Martin’s were hellish for my feet as I discovered that I need a more flexible sole......break them in gently to give your feet time to get used to them and hopefully all will be well.

[Summerrain14 in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks for the tip I really appreciate it. Can I be nosey and ask what boots/shoe works for you? The podiatrist has advised a wide boot for me with a zip or laces for given more room for my toes as toes are no longer straight and making my foot wider too.

[helixhelix in reply to Summerrain14]

I’ve found that Birkenstocks work well for me as a short term shoe (ie not all day) as otherwise I can only wear men’s Merrell trainers with my insoles in them - which not a good look if trying to look at all smart! Men’s shoes tend to be wider in the toes area and I can’t cope with anything that is not boat shaped as my toes also need space.

[Summerrain14 in reply to helixhelix]

I’m currently working full time if possible would need something a little smart footwear wise. I realise though I need to be practical too as really need to reduce the pain in my feet. Space for toes is so necessary isn’t it.

[bpeal1 in reply to Summerrain14]

The best shoes I’ve found for my feet are Brookes Addiction Walkers. I take the insoles which come with them out and put my custom ones in. Because they are all black you can get away with wesring them with trousers. For the summer I can usually get away with Hotter Shake shoes. I’ve had big issues with my feet for over 10 years but still find it frustrating that I always have to plan outfits by starting with what shoes I can wear.

[Summerrain14 in reply to bpeal1]

It is going to be such a learning curve for me I think. 😊

[Pippy25]

Trying to get comfy foot ware is key, my feet keep changing and I found out recently that some toes I broke a few years ago have now got OA in them and boy is it hard to get something comfy to wear. Loving the sound of Doc Martins, hope they help.

[Summerrain14 in reply to Pippy25]

Hi Pippy, thanks so much for replying. I may need to accept that smart footwear for work purposes may be tricky to find. So much to learn and consider isn’t there to make our lives as pain free as possible? I too have broken a few toes around 15 years ago. I have been advised that I have some OA in my feet and knees alongside hyper mobility and now the RA and effects from Lupus and bursitis. I was pleased with how helpful the podiatry was today. I’ve had constant pain in my toes now for around two months so really hoping I can find some further relief. I’m amazed with how many things can happen to our feet. I have a lot of learning to do don’t I? Still trying to get my head around the RA.

[Pippy25]

RD is 'the gift that keeps giving'....only thing is I don't want it's gifts! I too have Lupus as well as RD and OA, but am finding my feet and right knee (alongside a nasty bout of shingles) are giving me problems at the moment and one day a pair of shoes, trainers are ok the next day they are not. It's trial and error and as we spent so much time on our feet it's essential that we get not only good fitting/comfortable ones but ones that will help our conditions.

[Summerrain14 in reply to Pippy25]

Aww so sorry to hear you are having so many problems at the moment. Hope things improve soon for you. Oh yes the gift that keeps giving. It sure is. I’m not keen on the gifts either 😊.

[Lolabridge]

Look for wide shoes made with a German last. These are wider than English/French/Italian lasts. Try Semler - expensive but very wide and comfortable. You may find you don’t even need to go up a half size with them, which is often necessary with other makes. I’ve just bought some Merrell ankle boots which are wide and with removable insoles I can fit my orthotics in them too. I can’t wear heels at all now. ☹️

[Summerrain14 in reply to Lolabridge]

Oh thanks for the advice Lolabridge. It is so helpful hearing about what other people are wearing. So pleased I wrote this post. Everyone has been so helpful and supportive. So nice to be with people that truly understand. 😊

[KittyJ]

I was going to advise waiting until you’ve got your insoles before buying boots but I am too late 😊 I have a difficult time finding boots that are wide enough and deep enough to fit my insoles in. I did buy some wide fit boots but my foot is the only thing that’s wide, the rest of my feet are very thin so they slipped all over the place. My current shoes are kickers boots which I’ve torn the insoles out of to fit my insoles in. I too find Birkenstock’s work for me in the summer but only the soft footbed ones.

I hope your DM’s work our for you, let us know how you get on. Always interested to hear of footwear that works with insoles 😊

[wishbone in reply to KittyJ]

Ah, Kickers!...what colour are they? I used to have a blue pair, well I am a bloke, back in the 70's. I wear Skecher boots now. They have soft leather uppers and memory foam insoles and are really comfy. However my podiatrist doesn't think they offer proper support so is having orthotic insoles made for me. Hope I don't need to rip the insoles out like you had to with your Kickers.

[KittyJ in reply to wishbone]

They’re black ones wishbone, my old insoles fitted in them but the new ones didn’t so that’s why the insoles were removed. I find them very supportive. I bought some Skechers trainers but I think my feet have shrunk as they feel too big. A new Skechers shop has just opened here so I might go try out some boots instead.

[wishbone in reply to KittyJ]

Nice! I don't think they did black in the 70's or I would have had a pair. Along with blue you could get red and maybe green in the type I had, but can't recall any other colours available. At least not where I bought them, which I'm pretty sure was by mail order from the "Sounds" music magazine. Ah, those were the days!............

[KittyJ in reply to wishbone]

You can still get blue, I think they do red and brown in men’s too. I buy the men’s ones as they are wider across the toes and because I’m a macho type of gal. I have one really wide foot 😬 buying shoes is a nightmare so I stick with what I know works. I always wanted Kickers when I was younger so I’m living the dream on that front 😂

[wishbone in reply to KittyJ]

Kickers were pretty new on the scene when I bought my first pair. The shops in my area never stocked them hence I had to send away for a pair. I believe they cost me £30, which was a fair wack of money for a pair of boots back then! I see they are around double that now, which is pretty reasonable considering. I think they look good if not better on females than males so kick on Kitty!

[KittyJ in reply to wishbone]

🥾 😁

[Summerrain14 in reply to KittyJ]

I was asked to get the boots before my insoles are fitted. Going to be March before they get fitted. The podiatrist seems confident they will fit nicely into my DM’s. I’ll be sure to let you know how I get on though. 😊

[KittyJ in reply to Summerrain14]

I’m sure she’s right, it was the best thing I ever did going to podiatry, it’s made such a difference to the pain in my feet.

[SwimmerBTC]

I've recently discovered Widerfit shoes, recommended by my podiatrist: widerfitshoes.couk

If anyone is interested I have a code that can be used for 10% off, valid until 31.03.20 - let me know and I'll pm it across. They do a super service, very quick and with excellent returns so you can try many shoes at home until you find the ones that suit you. I've treated myself to a sensible black pair but also a lovely red pair - both so comfortable and I think they are quite stylish too.

[Summerrain14 in reply to SwimmerBTC]

Ooh thanks so much for the link. I will take a peek over the weekend. If you could send me the 10% code over that would be great but if someone else wants it too that’s no problem.

[SwimmerBTC in reply to Summerrain14]

Just sent pm, let me know that you’ve received it. Thanks

[Karen12 in reply to Summerrain14]

I too use wider fit shoes and use orthotics. They are fab come in lots of different colours and styles and are very smart for work. You can also get certain ones VAT free when you have RA or another issue that is classed as a disability.

[Silverpixie]

My feet aren't too bad most of the time but ra has left me with bunions and I need more room in the toe box as I have some separation between the other toes. I find that wider shoes are wide all over and don't fit properly round the heel. I find some of the styles so old fashioned. I have bought a couple of pairs from calla shoes. May be worth a look online. They won't be suitable if your feet are very bad though

[KittyJ in reply to Silverpixie]

I have the same problem. Lovely space for the toes but the rest flaps about and slips off.

[medway-lady in reply to Silverpixie]

My foot was operated on toes straightened, bony overgrowths removed and normal foot. Well worth getting down.

[medway-lady]

I like Dr Martins but a steroid jab can help too. "Party Feet" !

[Hidden]

Did you get the silver or electric purple doc Martin Boots ?

[Agoodlife]

I vary. Have a lot of different shoes also walking barefoot often. Works so far for me.🙂

[Summerrain14]

Thanks so much for everyone’s reply. Just ordered a pair of boots for work from wide shoes website. Fingers crossed they fit well and my insoles fit nicely in them when they arrive. No more shoe buying for me for a while. Spent a fortune but hopefully it will all be worth it. 😊. Gail x