Fallen out with my feet.

[emandedmum]

Ok, so just when I thought things were settling down I've gone and developed extremely sore feet.

It's nothing really new except that now I'm often in agony and can't bear to put weight on them by the end of the day. I'm wearing my specially made insoles, in my super duper trainers and still my feet are so sore, especially my heels which feel like I'm walking on my bone!

I can't walk around bare foot, I've always got either my slippers or sandals on in the house. My partner says my slippers are like my comfort blanket as they follow me everywhere!

Is it the RA causing the pain? Can anyone suggest what might help?

Thank you xx

[Mel_]

Morning. Sorry but it's far too similar for it not to be RA. My hubby always says he knows when my RA is bad without being told as I revert to my 'slops' my slippers and jogging trousers! I've not found anything that helps other than rest (easier sai than done with children) and The Body Shops peppermint foot spray, It's great as it takes away the heat from the joints. Consultant has previously suggested having a bath or a foot rub (there speaks someone without RA) as 1) can't get in an out of the bath & 2) I'd swing for anyone that trys to touch my feet when they are bad. Sorry not very medical and not much help, but thinking of you.

Mel x

[emandedmum in reply to Mel_]

Ha, I know, the closest I come to a bath is sitting on the loo seat and dunking my feet in when the kids are having one! I have avoided walking to school this morning so hopefully I'll manage a bit better this afternoon...as long as it doesn't rain! How are you doing these days, any better? Jo xx

[Mel_ in reply to emandedmum]

...well either the Kenalog or the MTX is kicking in as I've had a week of not feeling too bad at all, which is great. I've even managed a walk around the woods during the school holiday and have been managing to drag myself up onto my sons mid sleeper bed so I can read him a bed time story; which has been lovely for both of us. Just tired out but I can live with that! I've come to an arrangement with one of the mums where we take it in turns to do the school run, so some mornings I get a bit of a lazy morning. Is this something you could arrange while you feeling rotten? Have a good day. Mel x

[emandedmum in reply to Mel_]

That's good to hear, kenalog is fab stuff! It's nice being able to do some of the Mummy things again, my fav time of day is snuggling in bed reading stories I'm in the process of sorting out something for Sept with regard to mornings and getting bot kids to school but in the mean time my lovely neighbour takes my daughter for me at very, very short notice (thank goodness)! Shattered here too, my consultant always asks if if from the RA, the drugs or being a Mum and I don't honestly know...probably a mixture of them all?! xx

[LavendarLady]

Hi there, it sounds to me as if you have plantar fasciitis which is what i suffer from and which was the first marker for RA 3 1/2 years ago. I found the Chiropractor very helpful with ultra sound and massage - in fact he was the one who alerted my GP to the need for a blood test as he suspected RA very early on. A good pair of comfortable loafers, leave heels for special occasions, feet up as much as possible (not easy I know). I also see the chiropodist every 6 weeks as well which keeps my feet comfortable although I do have difficulty in walking and sometimes it is agony to put my feet on the ground. what the hell, we are women, we cope! Like you I cannot get into the bath much less out of it, although I do shower and use the bidet (there's posh) to wash my feet in, sitting on my special loo surround (I can't use an ordinary loo either as can't get down or up again - very embarrassing. A word of warning the loos in the USA are made for very small people and impossible to use if you have problems with mobility!) I also find sticking my feet in cold water helps or use an ice pack. I bought the circulation booster (you don't pay VAT if you have RA) and find that helps with the swelling I was getting. Best Wishes. LavendarLady

[emandedmum in reply to LavendarLady]

Thank you, I'll Google the above and find out a bit more about it. I've never seen a Chiropodist so that might be worth asking about at my next app...my list of questions is growing daily! x

[emandedmum in reply to emandedmum]

Just looked it up and realised this is what my 8yo daughter is suffering from at the moment, hers is down to sudden foot growth apparently which has left the tendons over-stretched! Poor kid, hope she doesn't go on to develop RA! My Physio did suggest heel inserts which I'll ask for next time I see her, they're ridiculously expensive to buy so will wait for some free ones! x

[Hidden in reply to emandedmum]

Crikey, after reading this, also looking it up I realise my 11 year old son may have this also, gosh this is so helpful, thanks lavederlady & Jo!

[emandedmum in reply to Hidden]

Get him to the GP to confirm, it was only when I looked it up that I realised it was the same as my daughter's diagnosis last week! If it doesn't improve for her in a couple of weeks we're to go back to be referred to podiatrist for some insoles. I might ask to be referred myself and we hobble in together xx

[Hidden]

Hi Jo, the main thing you need is an appointment with a podiatrist ask your consultant for a referral. (sorry if this is repeated advise) My feet have always been the worst affected so I know where your coming from on this one, and I certainly sympathize. Could also me a problem with you arches which is very popular in RA. If you can get an appointment with a specialist RA podiatrist they can do a special pressure test on your feet which is basically walking on a mat which measures where the pressure is put on your feet helping to indicate the problem.

Good luck

Mandy xx

[emandedmum in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Mand, might try ringing my RA nurse and see if I can get to see someone, they really are being a bit of a nuisance now! x

[Hidden]

ooh yes advice as above!! wish some of the bleeps at work would realsie thats why I would like to sit on the chair purchased for me!! x

[emandedmum in reply to Hidden]

Summer, you do seem to be having a tough time of it at work...hope you managed to sit down in YOUR chair today! xx

[cherry2]

Hi, the only thing I find I can wear that helps with pain are fitflops, they really seem to give support in the right places. I have the fitflop, clogs, trainers, sandles and even their slippers, quite expensive but worth it and wear well, you can get them on line or places like sole traders.

I take my hat of to all of you with young children. I was diagnosed a year ago when 50 and have said so many times thank goodness it didnt stike 10 years ago when my 3 were younger! Well done Supermums, x

[emandedmum in reply to cherry2]

Thanks Cherry, will look into the fitflops. The most frustrating thing is I've just bought some really comfy trainers and then I get sore feet! Am on the right path to getting sorted now so hopefully will only be hobbling for a short while longer...then I can resume my supermum role

[AMDP in reply to cherry2]

I agree Cherry, Fitflops are wonderful. It broke my heart to give away all my lovely shoes- I was a bit of a shoe girl before RA. I figuring that your feet never change so it was worth investing in really nice shoes. hey ho.

Love the idea of Pepermint foot spray too.

I too take my hat off to you ladies with small children. My 3 and 4 year old granddaughts are coming to stay next week and while I can't wait to see them I am dreading the exhaustion. Ax

[Hidden]

Hi Jo - it's me - I always manage to miss postings, I have been a bit out of it since yesterday lunchtime. Any ways sounds like Plantar faciitis to me too. Ultra sound was good for me, but I also in had injection in the heels (absolutely bloody painful) make it worse for a couple of days but then so much better. Get to see someone, Podiatrist will be the best person.

take care me duck Love Julie xxx

[emandedmum in reply to Hidden]

I have seen my RA nurse AND Consultant today who confirmed plantar fasciitis and has given me heel cushions, exercises and threatened an injection but did say to try these others things first as it would be very painful. Have been referred to a podiatrist and am waiting now for an appointment. Impossible to rest feet with two humbugs about but hey ho, it's better knowing what it is. It is the same thing as my Emily so no wonder she was moaning so much about her foot bless her! xx

[sassy01]

Hi I have psoriatic arthritis, and I can't bare to walk on my feet, on meds now, has improved, but feet and toes really swollen. If yourfeet are swollen you should get checked out x