foot pain--some practicial suggestions

[Guest guest]

I had the severe foot pain, which MRI showed to be 4 Morton Neuromas plus

plantar fascitis, which threw dr.s off the track and RA was diagnosed years

later than it should have been. 

 

Here's what helped for me:

 

custom orthotics, in mine a hole is cut out of the bottom of the shoe so no

pressure on the bones that have migrated -- degenerative problems.  Don't go

barefoot,, even if I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night I

put on the orthotics.  mine have built in bumps for the plantar fascitis, extra

cushioning in the insert and on the bottoms, exaggerated rockers, etc.

 

wearing New Balance 926 shoes,

that's all I've worn for 2 years, I have a black and a white pair.  I thank God

every day that I can walk.   These have a wide and deep toe box, built in roll

bar, before getting them I found myself falling to the floor occaisionally due

to walking on the outsides of my feet so much I was no longer conscious of it. 

(falls are a big deal as most of us have osteoporosis due to RA and prednisone)

 

 

swimming (when possible--it's hard to find a pool warm enough, but something

about the motion helps the feet, although it was unpleasant when first starting,

you could use a kick board and the movement helps feet and knees, very achey at

first, you can feel all the movement of the different parts of your foot, but

really pays off in a short while--maybe 2-3 weeks

 

therapeutic massage---I go once a month--save all month for the $75/hour

cost--it is painful at the time but has helped so much in keeping me moving

 

also, I take a boat-load of meds, MTX shots for a year, plaquenil, sulfasalizne

4 daily, etc., etc.  I try to keep the prednisone low, and when necessary up it

a little.  I'm about to try Humira...

 

making sure to protect my feet, for example, just the sheets laying on them used

to hurt terrible, make a little box or something you can put your feet into at

night to keep pressure off them

 

keep your feet warm, I use an acrylic blanket between my sheets, sort of like

the hot dog but, and I'm the hot dog :-) 

 

I hope some of these ideas help--now I can actually do my own grocery shopping,

but there was a day I couldn't make it from the car to the store, let alone

shop.  I just have to pick a day when the fatigue is a little better, but I can

actually walk up and down the aisles now--something I used to take for granted.

 

Good luck,