Does anyone find that a type of shoe helps your foot neuropathy?

This was a therapist in Columbus, Ohio who I was sent to by a doctor who specialized in physical pain. She decided where the pain was coming from. I had stenosis of the spine and the arthritis was not helped by the Meloxicam and the Chiropractor was not able to relieve it either. He was able to identify the source of the pinching, however, and my arthritic knee was causing problems as well. The foot doctor wanted to cut the muscle or whatever it is in the foot.
I said "no" and went the exercise route. The foot pain stopped but the back and knees got worse until I finally had two knee replacements and fusion of five vertebrae with a metal cage to hold it all. It took a couple of years for that pain to subside and I can't walk long distances, but I am better than anyone expected. I can bend over and reach the floor and I can plant in the garden. Now I have some neuropathy in one foot, cold feet, and numbness in my left hand. I haven't been to the doctor because he will give me pills that make me sleepy. I already have enough of them! Two weeks ago I fell and fractured my right shoulder and am living in pain while that heals. I can't dress myself and I need help daily to care for my needs. I used to love the month of June!
Another thing. My family has high arches and difficulty getting shoes that fit so I consider that the source of the feet problems, mostly. You need plenty of room in the big toe area for comfort. SAS shoes has that, as well as wearing sandals with inserts with shape. Spend money on your feet. I also use a German walking stick sometimes which keeps my back straighter than using a cane. I don't wear tennis shoes at all anymore. I like my Finn slip- in shoes.
I have some expensive socks made in England that are shaped for the right and left feet and are marked so you can get them on correctly.. Very nice!
My chiropractor and the foot therapist were both gait specialists and they analyzed my walking gait and gave me instructions. heel, toe, heel, toe, etc.
Dorisena

Hi. I understand your situation. I can’t wear closed toe shoes due to CRPS in my Right big toe in left foot. My closet has several pairs of Birkenstock’s that are the only type of footwear I can tolerate. Nothing else comes close to at least being able to put on footwear and immediately want to take them off because it feels like your foot is going to explode !!!! Good luck. They are never on sale !! And run about $100.00. Well worth it and they last a long time.

Lori,
Thanks for recommending the Spenco shoes and I’ll look up info on PEA.
What foot exercises do you do in particular that helps relieve the foot pain? I can only wear Birks as well and am looking for alternatives as well. I really want to know exercises to help with my foot pain. Thank you
Mitch@2015.

@miross4508 I agree with you about Birkenstocks. I have tried other brands that are supposed to be for diabetic foot pain, but none of them felt right. I have worn Birks for decades and at 75 that's what I'm still wearing---an old Hippie; I guess. But, the Birks have a sole that is hard and that holds my feet in position. I need the stability. I am embarrassed to say how many pairs of Birks I have, but they are the only shoe I can wear. I have a hematoma on my ankle so I cannot wear any shoe that is closed in. My feet hurt all the time and frequently I am in pain when I just walk around the house. But, for now, I'll stay with my Birkenstocks since they help most of the time.
Carol

Thanks for your reply. This forum is helping me realize that I’m not alone. I’ve been too timid, for lack of a better word, to look in forums like these. It’s really beginning to help me as now I have resources that can offer alternatives and options I didn’t know were out there. My feet are in constant pain 24/7, even with my feet up in a recliner. The gab and oxy takes the edge off but I’m always in some amt of pain, anywhere from a 6 to an 8 on the pain scale.
Thanks for everyone’s support as well and thank you Carol.

@mlross4508 You are definitely not alone and don't feel that you can't ask questions and make comments. This site addresses issues on just about everything. I started as a patient and still am. I continue to have issues that I need someone to help me find answers for or read a post from someone who has the same problems. It is very comforting and definitely helps. We may never get the answer, but we all continue to search. Look at the numbers of people who have posted in the Neuropathy Group. There are many people who are dealing with this pain. We are all hoping for answers. So come in and ask, respond, rant and rave; Connect is the place where compassionate people will understand.
Carol

Hi Mitch, A few things to tell you about with this nasty foot neuropathy. This is kind of an update on things I have learned over time. First, I do not think the PEA helps. At least not me. I took it diligently for two months, and the pain really did not get better. As far as foot exercises, I am really not sure if they help or not. Probably not. Perhaps a little. I basically went up on my heels and down again, about fifteen times, three times a day. I also went up on my toes and back to my heels, about ten times, three times a day. The thing that has helped most, and I am currently finishing doing it is Calmare/Scrambler Therapy. I am going to post to everyone about it, because it is the only thing of significance that has helped my pain. Look it up on You tube, and Google it, as there is plenty of info out there about it, and I will be posting on the neuropathy group in the next few days. Also, I have a CBD salve for the feet that I swear by, and CBD drops that are very good. Let me know if you want more info about them. Good luck. I have/had severe neuropathy. Excruciating. Now it is better since the Scrambler therapy. Lori

Thanks for the encouragement and support that I believe will help my body and mind. Also thanks to all as well for the support and suggestions.
Much appreciated.

Thanks for the info and I’ll look up the information regarding the Scrambler therapy.

Hi, @mlross4508 - this Connect thread on scrambler therapy might be of interest to you https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/calmare-scrambler-therapy-anyone.

@lorirenee1 - Looks like you'd previously posted there in that discussion about your interest in trying this treatment. If you get a chance, do post how things have gone on that same thread with your experience with scrambler therapy, as I'm sure others would be interested.