1. < Neuropathy
Mentor

If the shoe fits...right?

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Oct 21, 2017

If you have neuropathy it can be a struggle finding shoes that "feel" good on your feet or at least do not make them feel worse. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy in both feet but I only have numbness so pain has never been a problem for me like it is for so many other members with PN. I'm hoping other members in the Neuropathy group can offer up some suggestions for shoes to wear (or avoid!).

I have pretty much given up on lace-up and go with slip-on shoes mainly I'm an old guy and they are easier for me. Besides that my wife hates lacing up my shoes! ♀ ☺ I have found that the relaxed fit Skechers with leather uppers not canvas work well for me. The canvas ones do not give me side support and doesn't help with my occasional stumbling or tripping and trying to regain my balance. So what works for you??

John

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Lisa | @techi | Oct 24, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

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Chris the ones with the slip on and zipper did you find them at the new balance store? They sound nice. I wish they had some dress shoes. I like to water dress shoe for church and special occasions. Thank you Chris

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Lisa | @techi | Oct 24, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

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Your so right John we have to be thankful for the good days as well as the bad days. And this morning l turned on the tv and Joel Osteen was talking about.in the dark places. He said we always like the good things that happen in our lives but we all have to go through the dark places but don't get discouraged or complain. We have to go through the dark places to get all God has for us and he always there with us while we go through it. And when we go through we get more then when we started. That's the word l needed to hear today because l never knew why l always like to read Job when l first got saved but all he went through he came out with double from where he started. So l am just like you even when things don't go like l want l should always be thankful because l already got the victory. You are truly a blessing and encouraged. Hope you have a wonderful day today and our weather is also in the 50' too. So l have to get my coat on to walk the dog.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Oct 24, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

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Just a note to pass on if you wish. All athletic shoes have a life span, after which the materials tend to deteriorate and the support/comfort is not as great. The advice I was given is 1000 miles on walking shoes, 3 years on casual shoes. Even if you leave them in the closet....they will still begin to flatten and become less supportive as air and contaminants in the air break down fibers. So for those who have had the same pair for 5 or 6 years and begin to notice that they are no longer creating "happy feet", it is time to upgrade.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Oct 24, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

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Yes, I found them at the New Balance store on El Paseo in Palm Desert,MN. Once I knew about them, I then found I could order them in the Endurance store in St Cloud, MN.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 24, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

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Amen to that Chris...the Skechers I have been buying only last about 4 months max and then they seem to lose the cushion and support. I'm going to look at a pair of the New Balance slip ons before winter sets in.

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 25, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

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@techi - I'm learning that there are many other people like us. I never thought I'd do it, but I now buy shoes at thrift stores. I'm picky about the brand and fit. I'm amazed at how many shoes that are brand new, or have no evidence of wear, show up in the thrift stores. I also buy shoes that are large enough to accommodate cushioning insoles. I'm getting rid of any shoes that don't feel good anymore. I have a lot of shoes that pre-date my neuropathy, and I don't want to be in pain just because I like the shoes.

Compression socks sound painful. I haven't tried them because my feet hurt more if my socks are snug. Finding ones that are big enough to begin with, and still are after washing, is an ongoing search. I have burning, sharp pain in the balls of my feet and toes. Do you think it would be worth trying compression socks? The fit above my heels doesn't matter.

Jim

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 25, 2017
In reply to @johnbishop "Did you ever have one of those days?? I had one yesterday when I thought I..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Did you ever have one of those days?? I had one yesterday when I thought I was posting here. So here is the post...

Hi Jim (@jimhd) – I bought a bunch of low ankle type socks that are as large as I could find and I wear them when I go to bed. My feet always seem to be cold. I sometimes use magnesium lotion on the feet just as a moisturizer. I probably should do it on a regular basis because it helps to keep the skin hydrated and a lot of those little tiny nerves/sensors are directly under the skin ☺ Mostly I wear the socks to prevent accidentally wounding myself with my toenails when I haven’t trimmed them for awhile. I have a habit of rubbing my feet together at night without even knowing that I do it. I hate tight fitting socks. In the winter time if it’s really cold I would double up on socks – short pair topped with a calf high loose fitting sock.

John

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Thanks for writing, John @johnbishop - we do whatever we need to do, or use whatever works, to find relief.

Jim

REPLY
cbrackle | @cbrackle | Oct 30, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

Jump to this post

Jim (@jimhd) – I Already wear compression hose all day every day due to a previous DVT (blood clot). If I don’t my calves and feet swell up and that can cause more PN pain for me.

I always take them off at night and elevate my legs to reduce the swelling. Then I do as John mentions below, I buy “lotion sox” (I think I got them in the foot care area in Walmart) and put on lotion and the sox overnight.

Maybe it is because I wear them all day, but the pressure from the support hose can cause me increased pain at night if I leave them on. And since I cannot sleep w the pressure of sheets or blankets on my toes, I find the sox help keep my feet warm.

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 30, 2017
In reply to @techi "John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot...." + (show)
@techi

John l also have neuropathy in my left foot after my foot surgery for drop foot. I also was looking for support shoes. I use to love Waring my sandals for summer and heels for church. So now l am always wearing sneakers. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon that new balance were the best. So l go to the new balance store and l tell them l have flat feet and about the support l need so l also won't trip and fall. So they tell me which shoes that they suggest and it's been working. Now they are expensive so l only get one pay a year. I have spent up to 130.00 for a pair of sneakers and l was only use to paying the most 50.00 so that's a big difference but you must go to the store not order online. And l also have to get a size bigger. I still have pain and numbness at night so l have to put on my support socks so l hope this helped. You are such an inspiration to me. I hope you have a great day

Jump to this post

@cbrackle - I guess I'll get a pair of compression socks and give them a try. My feet really hurt when I wear socks that are too tight, so I've been reluctant to try them. I don't do the same thing at night. I have a blanket lifter, and a pillow under my feet. Some nights, I sleep barefoot, and may or may not put Lidocaine cream on them. Other nights, I wear socks with or without Lidocaine cream. I don't use the cream if my feet don't hurt as badly as usual, because it's expensive. But it does numb the pain long enough to get to sleep, and occasionally, I put more on during the night if pain wakes me up.

My feet often feel cold, and I have the blanket lifter well covered to keep out any draft. I bought a bunch of diabetic socks that were XL, but they all shrank down to the 10-13 size every store sells. So, I'm looking around on ebay for super size.

I don't really understand why socks feel good one night, but the next night I have to take them off. I'm so looking forward to getting to Heaven and be done with all of the pain and frustration.

Jim

REPLY
Catcando | @catharbert | Sep 18, 2020
In reply to @artscaping "Yes, I found them at the New Balance store on El Paseo in Palm Desert,MN. Once..." + (show)
@artscaping

Yes, I found them at the New Balance store on El Paseo in Palm Desert,MN. Once I knew about them, I then found I could order them in the Endurance store in St Cloud, MN.

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Chris, I can't find where your posts mention the specific shoes you are buying from the New Balance store. Are they Sketchers? I avoid wearing shoes as much as possible - only when I have to go outside or use my treadmill. Even shoes that are snug cause the pain and burning so I walk around in my house with those socks they give you at the hospital or barefooted. Thanks for all you do. Even if there is no cure for neuropathy being able to learn from this group how people are coping with this disease is comforting and helpful. Cathy

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