Foot pain.

[IdasMum]

PMRpro in an answer in another thread you said,

"I had quite severe foot pain with PMR, it felt like I was walking on sharp pebbles mixed with broken glass! It started when I stood up and then eased slightly after a few minutes walking. It took a few months to disappear after starting pred"

This was my experience last year, especially when walking on uneven ground. Exactly how I would describe it and I had to gird my loins in order to walk. It made me think that every bone, ligament and tendon were breaking in my feet (and ankles at times).

Foot pain had been around for me before and I'd been prescribed orthopaedic shoe inserts a year before so I have not connected it with potential PMR. This time last year we were on holiday with friends (one a retired GP) and she quietly suggested I should be moving....my OH and I started walking more from then on....it got easier and then it was time to move from sandals (trekking style sandals so comfortable foot bed) to something more suitable for winter. I was dreading wearing proper, enclosed footwear but found some comfortable soft walking boots in the UK. Amazingly my feet worked well in these and I had a good experience walking through the winter.

This summer has been difficult for various reasons, including the onset of the ?PMR pains and fatigue so I have walked less and less. My feet have continued to work well though, back in the sandals for summer and it's only kin the last few days I have felt the beginnings of the old foot pain.

Dropped 3mgs today (to 9), all good so far, but waiting for my body to realise it's not had all if it's fix....

[Judigardener]

Have you been checked for Morton's Neuromas?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had tried all sorts of things - even been referred to the orthotics department and they gave me soft shoe linings that were useless and didn't fit in any pair of shoes except trainers. A podiatrist in Durham provided carbon fibre inserts which were better but overall the only shoes I could walk in even reasonably comfortably were Meindl hiking shoes. Other than that - heavy-duty Birkenstocks and thick socks! Any other sandal was simply not supportive enough. And yes - uneven ground was hell on earth!

Quite a few people have said much the same.

Judi - no, Morton's neuroma is on the ball of the foot and my pain was around the arch and heel as well as the ball. It was "a small stone stuck under the foot" as the NHS describes it - it was the entire foot.

[Ellie135]

I had similar pain in my heels primarily and the GP diagnosed Plantar fasciitis, which I'm told usually lasts around 9-12 months. I have had success with orthopaedic insoles that support the arch of the foot. Hope you find some relief. XXXXX

[IdasMum]

I don't fit the symptoms for Morton's. Never numbness and it is in both feet and not limited to one or 2 toes. Most pain in arch and from memory (pred has suppressed for now) I would sometimes find the pain of the boot or shoe suddenly to much over the top of the arch and have to remove the shoe quickly.

[Lyn_seaside]

I have Plantar Fascitiis (have had it before and recognise it immediately). My GP thinks it may well be part of the final throes of PMR (I[m now off Pred). I've found the gel inserts made by Scholl to go in high heels absolutely fantastic. They cover the whole sole, have arch supports, are made of clear plastic so don't show in sandals and can be moved from shoe to shoe. For £10 from Boots you might find them worth a go.

[Sallyaches]

I had the same pain accompanied by redness at the side of my foot. Walking on glass sums it up well.

My rheumatologist was worried it was either a stress fracture or infection. I had an MRI scan which just showed extensive inflammation. So suddenly the advice was to rest with my foot elevated. A year on it is significantly better but still plays up if I walk or stand a lot.

Finding shoes that don't aggregate it is very difficult.

Good luck in your search for winter shoes.