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Does anyone find that a type of shoe helps your foot neuropathy?
I am on a constant quest for shoes that don't kill my feet due to the neuropathy. I find that Spencos and Wolky shoes seem the best. Are there any other suggestions? Shoes can be just crippling for me. Horrid.
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@lorirenee1, yes I forgot to answer your question about how the pain began again. I started having a dull pain in big toe and under the ball of big toe. The Podiatrist took an X-ray and thought I had sesamoiditis. They put a large Metatarsal pad in my shoe along with some Superfeet orthotics. That really set everything into a huge raging flare. I could never wear orthotics or most shoes without stirring up pain before any of this happened. The Podiatrist ordered an MRI which said the sesamoid bones were “unremarkable”. The Podiatrist was on the fence concerning a CRPS diagnosis so he sent me to the Pain Specialist and the Pain Specialist is glad I requested from my PCP to get a referral to the neuro. Although the Pain guy doesn’t feel I have CRPS...I feel like I’m reliving the past going around and around again with doctors. They never performed a skin biopsy for sfn so that could be done as well. I had a herniated lumber L-3/4 disk when I was pregnant with my second son. After he was born I had an injection they did back in the 80’s called chymopapin which was derived from a papaya enzyme to shrink it. It is no longer done because in some cases that enzyme not only dissolved the disk but also nerves. Thankfully that did not happen! So, who knows, maybe there is a lumber spine issue. I had an MRI in 2005 of spine which was ok...God, I hope you feel a lot better on the 15th after that epidural!! You would definitely be experiencing tears of relief!!! It makes sense that it may help being that your toes and balls of feet are involved. My entire feet both hurt up to ankles with an added ball of foot and big toe pain. Thanks for listening and all of your sage advice! I appreciate it! -Laura
Please let me know about the CBD salve, my ball of my right foot and toes are always in severe pain along with both of my legs clear up into the thighs. I've had to teach myself to drive and deal with the pain. But I would love to get some kind of relief. Right now I'm on pain meds, lyrica and other meds but still in major pain. Please help me out.
Hi, @nanashelly - I'm sorry to hear that the ball of your right foot and toes are always in severe pain, along with your legs up to the thighs. If you are interested in a more expansive discussion of CBD and neuropathy, you might check out this thread on Mayo Clinic Connect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd-oil-for-neuropathy
Hi Laura, When I read what you just wrote, I really think you should get a brand new MRI of your lumbar spine, and an EMG. The EMG can pick up things about your spine that the MRI cannot pick up. I wonder if MacKenzie lower back exercises might help you, also. They consist of flexion and extension exercises for the lower back. Each of these kinds may feel differently to your feet, or you may feel nothing at your feet at all from doing them. Maybe research MacKenzie lower back exercises on youtube, especially after you get results of a new MRI and EMG, if that is what your neuro doc orders. In theory, MacKenzie exercises are for pain that radiates to legs and feet. You are just like me in not handling shoes at all. I was barefoot all day, till Physical Therapy this afternoon. Shoes can trigger horrific pain. I have to be very careful. Anyway, your appointment is 2 days away. Maybe answers will come. My very best to you. My Physical Therapy felt very good. I have been pain free for a few hours. Only time and prayers will tell....God Bless.....Lori
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1 ReactionNanashelly, I have two CBD products that I think are quite good. One is salve, from a company called anandahemp. They sell only one salve for 25 bucks, and it takes the pain in my feet away, and relaxes my contorted toes. It ships quickly. Go to anandahemp.com The other product is CBD drops you put under your tongue, from a different company. I get them from CBD distillery.com I use two different strengths of drops. The 2500 and the 1000 mg. drops. I get the ones that have a bit of THC in them. (The legal amount of marijuana that can be used in the CBD drops.) I find them very helpful to just relax me and take my brain away from pain. I use both the drops and salve at the same time. They are an incredible relief. My best to you., Very hard to have pain. Lori Renee
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1 Reaction@lorirenee1, Hi LoriRenee, thanks for the suggestion concerning the MacKenzie lower back exercises. I do quite a few of them but I can always add a few more. I always make sure that I stretch every morning and afternoon. I am assuming that the Neuro doc will order a lumbar MRI, if not I will ask. The back stretches really help with the stiffness. I so hope you are doing better now that you are doing the PT and it sounds like you are! I think you mentioned you are on Gabapentin. How much can you handle? I am only on 500 mg. at night but I also take 50 mg. of Amitriptyline. I take everything at night but I’m sure I will have to add some Gabapentin during the day. It really messes with the memory for me. In regards to going barefoot...I haven’t been able to walk barefoot since original injury so long ago. Today the Podiatrist gave me two cortisone injections in my big toe joint. He said it might hurt worse tomorrow and I see the Neurologist in the A.M. As you know it takes so much time to see all of the specialists so I wanted to get it done!
Are you able to wear running athletic shoes and take walks outdoors or on a treadmill without causing additional pain? I know that you are doing PT and am wondering if you are able to do any cardio exercise such as walking, stationary bike, etc. Thanks again for your support! -Laura
Hello all, I actually can’t stand any shoes and yet I cannot go barefoot. I have some Spence flip flops I wear some, but I purchased a pair of Finn sandals because we were taking trip and I was desperate for something I could wear. They cost 255.oo, but was worth every Penney. I could not do this trip without them. When I get back I intend to get some orthotics made
Hi Laura, You already went to the neuro doc as I write this, because it is almost Saturday. I am writing quietly in my den and my husband is sleeping. As far as the gabapentin, I take 1800 mg. every day, split morning, afternoon, and nite. It throws my balance off a bit, but does nothing else that I notice. I also take 60 mg. of Duloxetine. I don't think my doc gives amitriptyline, but I have heard it is good for pain. So far, PT is doing nothing to help. It feels good while I am doing it, but I have only gone twice so far, so I can't expect anything yet. By the way, I can't recommend that fatty acid. I think the biggest difference in my pain levels is shoes. I can't walk too much, and can't keep any one pair of shoes on very long, even if it is sort of comfy. In time, my feet will be throbbing, stabbing, burning...etc., etc. Even the Spencos are not as good as I first thought they were. I am praying that the epidural on the 15th of May helps. It helps some people, not others. I can walk on a treadmill, but limited. At PT, I get cardio sitting on a machine that puts no pressure on the feet to ride. It is fabulous. I used to run on my treadmill all the time before this happened. I loved a good run. Anyway, I have a feeling both of us push ourselves quite a bit, and I wish I could push myself more. But my feet rule. They just can hurt too badly to be much of an athlete!!! You know how that is!!!! But we have to listen to our pain. Maybe one day, we won't have to!!! God willing!! Let me know about your neuro doc appointment! Lori
Shoes are an impossibility with neuropathy. I go barefoot at times, but that does not feel normal, either. But shoes are the worst. Finding the right one is a constant quest, and then when I do, it changes. Let's face it, severe feet are the worst. Lori R.
@lorirenee1, Hi Lori, thanks so much for writing. Yes, the neuro consul...ugh, oh ugh. First off from the rumors I have heard he is supposed to be the best neuro on my health plan. He said he wants to try and figure what is going on with me. I gave him a long chronological narrative of how things started. He was very appreciative for that and also I had the pics of my red and hot feet during one of those flares. He thinks three things are going on. He is going to do the EMG June 12th which I will find out if I have large fiber neuropathy. If that is normal, then at the same day he will do a skin biopsy to test for the small fibers. He also thinks the red, burning flares intermittently are caused by a rare condition called Erythromelalgia. Thankfully I had the pics. He sees it rarely and actually learned about it five years ago from a dermatologist. It’s tricky to diagnose during a consul unless you’re flaring. My feet during consul were very cold, that’s when the pain is the worst. Also, my B6 levels four months ago were five times higher than normal. That’s when the burning began to get intense so I stopped any vitamin supplement although my PCP said he’s never seen B6 toxicity and said the levels were fine...I beg to differ. I also have a good diet, which contain B6 naturally. He very much believes in B6 toxicity and said that it could take one to two years for symptoms to subside unless I have permanent damage. So, it’s really difficult to speculate until I get the tests.
I just feel mad at myself for not being conscientious enough about the B6. The neuro said it’s a big problem now as there are so many supplements and energy drinks that contain toomuch B6. In addition, some people can’t process it properly. I think the meds I take really do a number on my digestion. So I battle with that as well....
You would laugh, my poor cute young rookie Podiatrist is so lost in the dark when he sees me. He did give me the toe injection but all it did was stir up the nerve pain...Ay, yi, yi...but not as bad today...
Lori — I so hope and pray that the epidural will help you...you have been through quite a bit with cancer, pain, and feet issues. I can’t remember why you sought out a different neurologist. Did the first EMG reveal PN? You are so right about both of us pushing ourselves. I went swimming this morning and I just do not want to stop when I am in that water! That’s great about the cardio machine at PT for you...what is it? I think I just wrote you a book!!!! Take good care -Laura