PA & footwear: Morning all. Was just... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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PA & footwear

Ritchie1268 profile image
36 Replies

Morning all.

Was just wondering if anyone here knows of any miracle insoles for helping with painful feet.

I know I've said before the burning & tingling in my feet is a minor problem that remains since regularly SI B12, as most days it is, as most other bigger problems I had are now kept at bay. But, after walking so far, it's now becoming painful, almost as if I'm walking on hot coals spiked with stones & glass in my shoes. It only goes away when I stop & take my boots, shoes or trainers off, then just the tingling remains after a while.

Is there anything out there that really does actually help?

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Ritchie1268
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36 Replies
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

What you are describing does sound very much as if it is aggravation of nerves in your feet. I don't think there is a simple answer as what will work for you depends on exactly which nerves are being affected in an area that is a mass of soft tissue etc. I find that arch supports work for me. My father found that metatarsal supports work for you.

I did have a referral from GP to a podiatrist when things were very bad for me but have to admit that the podiatrist wasn't able to help and the solution actually aggravated some back issues (though this was at a time when I wasn't getting B12 with the frequency that I needed. More B12 helped considerably. I do occasionally have problems and find that arch supports now do the job.

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to Gambit62

Thank you Gambit62

fbirder profile image
fbirder

I know just what you mean, except mine doesn't go away when I take my shoes off.

My neurologist recommended memory foam insoles. Unfortunately for me, it's not easy to find them in size 15, extra wide.

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to fbirder

I can see why you'd struggle to find them fbirder.

I wonder if you could get some made as I seem to remember there is a company that make shoes for people in certain sizes.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply to Ritchie1268

Yes. Very, very expensive though.

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to fbirder

Isn't that always the case sadly!

Martin_12 profile image
Martin_12

I found that woollen socks aggravated my neuropathy a lot, but cotton socks recommended for diabetics were much better. They are called "all day" socks. The seams are not raised but flush with the rest of the sock. I still can't wear woollen socks.

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to Martin_12

I always wear cotton socks. Struggle to find 100% cotton at times though

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

I used to work in a shoe shop. The gel insoles ate good. You need a sole that is flexible and light and 'spongy' or leather padded insoles. Plenty of room for your toes. A lace up is best to hold your foot back in place. The sport socks or walking socks give an extra layer underneath your foot and heel. Infact a lightweight walking boot with plenty of eyelets with flex are very good. I have some with 2 insoles and thick socks (skinny feet) when I was able to do a decent walk. Often people wear shoes far too close fitting and don't alternate their footwear. Go barefoot indoors or wear something supportive. All worth a try

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to Nackapan

Thanks Nackapan 👍

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

Always have a small heel 1/2" to support your back. Too flate no good for you as in leather flip flops

littlemo76 profile image
littlemo76

Its a common symptom with Hypothyroidism. I suffered years n tried everything, mattresses shoes insoles physio. I could hardly get down stairs in morning. Walked liked an old woman. Its awful. What relieved almost instantly was T3. Not that that helps you but perhaps worth checking thyroid levels inc t3? Uat and PA often run together.

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to littlemo76

Thank you

Lamornalee profile image
Lamornalee

I have also found great relief in wearing gel innersoles and molded soled shoes (such as Birkenstock). I guess it's a trial and error thing but I couldn't stand wearing the same shoe for more than half a day. Good luck with your quest!

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to Lamornalee

Thank you

helvella profile image
helvella

My foot issues are not B12-related and not neuropathy. I have found decent quality "diabetic" insoles very helpful. Very soft and gentle.

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to helvella

Thank you

Have a look at Fit Flops - their soles are so comfortable and they do trainers too. I have RA and PA so have problems with my feet - just had my second foot operation. I couldn’t manage without them. They are so light and the sole is spongy and moulds around your foot. Have a look 👍

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268

I'll check them out thank you

palometa1 profile image
palometa1

Hi There, I also wear fit flops and they help me with my feet, they can be expensive so purchase when on sale, re internet. I even have the slippers.I also wear vionics and these help as well.

SoMuchBetter profile image
SoMuchBetter in reply to palometa1

The fit flop trainers sound like a good option for cold weather. I recently bought a pair of Archies from my local physiotherapist and they're great! They're fantastic for relieving pain when I could hardly weight bear on my left foot. I also find an old pair of crocs more comfortable than shoes because of the soft foamy rubber that is the sole. But it's getting colder now so I will look out for the fit flop trainers.

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to SoMuchBetter

Thank you. I actually opted for some Skechers which are way better than what I was wearing. I have an appointment with an optometrist in July so will hopefully get sorted then??

SoMuchBetter profile image
SoMuchBetter in reply to Ritchie1268

Well, actually it was the sketchers I was wearing when I had the pain. They were better than plain leather shoes, but I got the most relief with the crocs and the archies which have an arch support. Wishing you “happy feet” soon!

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to SoMuchBetter

Just shows how we're all different. Thank you, me too 👍

Sympathy Ritchie. I actually find the opposite, without shoes or slippers my feet feel as if I am walking on a pebble beach in bare feet. I have found that Hotter slippers, which are just like very comfortable shoes, are excellent and for walking or rather, serous ambling, I have a pair of Nike running shoes I got in a sale for just £25 at a Nike Outlet shop nearby, a year ago and they have taken me all over the place ever since.

My daughter makes sure I get a daily stroll and a grandson is only just back on his feet after 10 weeks recovery from a very bad ankle break and surgery to correct, so I am out everyday, like it or not. I find a couple of codeine at about 7 or 8 will hold off the itching, twitching and burning then a further injection every few days when it starts to become too troublesome sorts it out again. The quack has ignored the peripheral neuropathy, despite constant reminders, until my blood sugar went up to 5.5 things per something and now I get the tender ministrations of the podiatrist but all that does is to get me a 3 monthly pedicure, and my blood sugar was down to 4.3 things per widget so maybe I am not diabetic at the moment, Easter Eggs will probably alter that though, and that raspberry jam I made last week. (I think the surgery must get a bounty for every Type 2 Diabetic on their list as they really pull all the stops out when it is diagnosed. Such a pity B12 deficiency isn't fashionable at the moment.)

I forget to mention the evening tot of Scotch. Not sure if it does anything for the troublesome nerves but I don't notice it so much. Single Malt works well, single cask even better.

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to

Hi kcbrecks, hope you're keeping well & your grandson is recovering well.

I'm fine when I'm just pottering about apart from the constant burning & tingling which I just deal with.

It really hit me over this weekend as we took my partner's daughter back to Devon ready for university. Did so much hobbling about after loads of walking as I didn't want to spoil it for everyone.

Apart from my back being agony, then this, I really do feel like I'm falling to bits 🙄

I refuse to take any pain relief now after what I went through a few years ago but, I really agree with your other idea. I'm partial to bourbon & tend to find that when I'm really struggling, even though the pain is still there, I don't tend to care as much 😁👍

in reply to Ritchie1268

When I was working in France near Paris the hotelier where I lodged the work team used to use Champagne as a remedy for most things, except for a cold when it was a glass of cognac with a dish of sugar cubes, you had to dip the sugar lumps in the brandy and suck it out. It did absolutely nothing for the cold but you felt so much better as the treatment went on. (Thanks and blessing due to Henrietta Conne)

mountainice profile image
mountainice

I get a feeling - not all the time - like walking on pebbles, but for some years now I have had full-length orthotics made by our local podiatrist as I also have dropped metatarsal arches and the orthotics help with that.

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to mountainice

Thank you.

I'm due to see a neurologist next week. Maybe getting my hopes up here but I'm hoping for a resolution. 🤔

Hanneke12 profile image
Hanneke12

Hi Ritchie1268 , I have the same thing, it hurts and I blister really fast (and big, like under the total callus of my heels). I use cotton socks and inlay soles for diabetics. They really help (and I take a spare pair of socks with me for longer walks, because damp socks make things worse, too!). I've been meaning to get those silver/cotton socks for diabetics, you could give those a try, too. Hope you find something that makes it manageable!!

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to Hanneke12

Thank you.

I will look into those.

I definitely don't want to go through that again.

I sat with my feet in the sea for some relief as I thought the salt water may help. It did do till I put my shoes on & starting walking again. Then when we got back, I took my socks off & realised the tops off my feet were really sunburnt. I'm a total nightmare 😁

Hanneke12 profile image
Hanneke12 in reply to Ritchie1268

:-)

Stephanie6637 profile image
Stephanie6637

I find Skechers trainers/shoes really good. They have memory foam insoles and are very comfortable. QVC usually have some on offer on easy pay

Mercifully profile image
Mercifully

My heart goes out to all those with peripheral neuropathy. Over the past 3 years, my feet got worse and worse. I was a heartbeat away from a wheelchair when I realized that it was because of the B12 deficiency. I am also low in Vit D and folate. I would have (and did) spend a fortune for a shoe that would give relief to my swollen ankle, sweaty feet issues and over the top pain/cramp/numb feet. Things that have brought relief: socks that are non binding, Keen river shoes, Alegria shoes, Vionic house shoes. Soft and foamy do not work for me. In fact, it inflames the nerves. Soaking my feet every night in epsom salt over the past 2 weeks seems to have reduced swelling, and calmed down the nerve pain. And some days are worse than others, but I have many more better days now. I hope you find a solution. Don't give up!

Ritchie1268 profile image
Ritchie1268 in reply to Mercifully

Thank you & I'm pleased it's easing for you.

SoMuchBetter profile image
SoMuchBetter

I have just had six hydroxocobalamin "loading dose" injections Twice a week and found a big reduction in footpain while wearing shoes. But something else just came to light this week by accident...

I put my mums slippers through the washing machine and they feel apart. (sorry mum!) but what I found was that the heel was covered by the usual innersole and under that there was a thin layer of cardboard covering the heel and that the heel was not solid but had a square cell like structure that was meant to save on plastic (I think). But what it meant was that the sharp cell dividers would press into the heel and could be contributing to her idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.

Then I looked at my slippers and found the same construction. I couldn't understand why my feet would get more painful in the evenings when I put the slippers on. I had tingling and pins and needles long before I got the slippers, but the pain intensified with wearing these badly constructed slippers (even though they look comfy on the outside)

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