What to ask a podiatrist?

I just returned from a meeting with my podiatrist. I hope you'll not misunderstand me when I say I was satisfied that he didn't have much to offer. Why I took that as a positive, from the moment we began talking – and we talked for a good half hour, if not more – my podiatrist made it clear that he'd not say anything that would give me false hopes. In my book, that's a positive. Of course, that also means his confirming that there is no cure.* (*He was being specific to my particular PN: predominantly sensory – with possibly a motor mix – idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.) He told me he has a surprising number of other patients with PN (surprising only to those who don't know how widespread our illness is) and that, for all of us, he informs himself of all (and there's not much; we wish there were more) late-breaking research news. He looked at my orthotics but didn't say I needed a new pair. Also, he thought I'd done well in buying Nunbush shoes. I know we discussed other things, and they'll come back to me as I put together my notes later today. He warned me about not getting suckered into buying one of the PN "devices" I see hawked online with a $$$$$ price. If I see a device – or other unorthodox therapy – something I find interesting, I should call him and we'll go over the pros and cons together.* (*Again, he was talking about my particular form of PN.) I left with his invitation that if I should need to see him, I don't have to wait for an appointment but to call him and he'll make time for me. So, all in all, that's why I was pleased with this morning's get-together. My goal was to inform one of my specialists of my PN, a doctor I've seen for several years, and even if I didn't return home with some miracle "fix" (not that I had expected to), I've met my goal. If anyone has any questions, please ask! Trying to remember the answers will be a big help to me.

Sounds familiar- while the room for toes should no doubt be beneficial for my hammering toes, the body parts on me that did seem to shrink are my ankles and mid-foot. Shoes with wide toe boxes usually come with wide everywhere, and I need support for my upper heel/ankle- I can’t walk if I’m going to twist my ankle because it’s moving around in my shoe. So even if I pad with the thickest sock possible, the padding is on the toes too, so I’ve crammed the toe box again! Vicious cycle isn’t it? For me, I need my shoe with a little cushion and more like it’s a “brace”, not a flip flop. My best trial & error (from recommendations here too) landed me on Skechers. It seems to have the best overall fit with the socks I also need to wear for the ankle support I need. I hope you find the best fit for you!

I just returned from a meeting with my podiatrist. I hope you'll not misunderstand me when I say I was satisfied that he didn't have much to offer. Why I took that as a positive, from the moment we began talking – and we talked for a good half hour, if not more – my podiatrist made it clear that he'd not say anything that would give me false hopes. In my book, that's a positive. Of course, that also means his confirming that there is no cure.* (*He was being specific to my particular PN: predominantly sensory – with possibly a motor mix – idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.) He told me he has a surprising number of other patients with PN (surprising only to those who don't know how widespread our illness is) and that, for all of us, he informs himself of all (and there's not much; we wish there were more) late-breaking research news. He looked at my orthotics but didn't say I needed a new pair. Also, he thought I'd done well in buying Nunbush shoes. I know we discussed other things, and they'll come back to me as I put together my notes later today. He warned me about not getting suckered into buying one of the PN "devices" I see hawked online with a $$$$$ price. If I see a device – or other unorthodox therapy – something I find interesting, I should call him and we'll go over the pros and cons together.* (*Again, he was talking about my particular form of PN.) I left with his invitation that if I should need to see him, I don't have to wait for an appointment but to call him and he'll make time for me. So, all in all, that's why I was pleased with this morning's get-together. My goal was to inform one of my specialists of my PN, a doctor I've seen for several years, and even if I didn't return home with some miracle "fix" (not that I had expected to), I've met my goal. If anyone has any questions, please ask! Trying to remember the answers will be a big help to me.

I just returned from a meeting with my podiatrist. I hope you'll not misunderstand me when I say I was satisfied that he didn't have much to offer. Why I took that as a positive, from the moment we began talking – and we talked for a good half hour, if not more – my podiatrist made it clear that he'd not say anything that would give me false hopes. In my book, that's a positive. Of course, that also means his confirming that there is no cure.* (*He was being specific to my particular PN: predominantly sensory – with possibly a motor mix – idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.) He told me he has a surprising number of other patients with PN (surprising only to those who don't know how widespread our illness is) and that, for all of us, he informs himself of all (and there's not much; we wish there were more) late-breaking research news. He looked at my orthotics but didn't say I needed a new pair. Also, he thought I'd done well in buying Nunbush shoes. I know we discussed other things, and they'll come back to me as I put together my notes later today. He warned me about not getting suckered into buying one of the PN "devices" I see hawked online with a $$$$$ price. If I see a device – or other unorthodox therapy – something I find interesting, I should call him and we'll go over the pros and cons together.* (*Again, he was talking about my particular form of PN.) I left with his invitation that if I should need to see him, I don't have to wait for an appointment but to call him and he'll make time for me. So, all in all, that's why I was pleased with this morning's get-together. My goal was to inform one of my specialists of my PN, a doctor I've seen for several years, and even if I didn't return home with some miracle "fix" (not that I had expected to), I've met my goal. If anyone has any questions, please ask! Trying to remember the answers will be a big help to me.

Ray,
My husband suffers with neuropathy very similar to yours with gait imbalance, funny walk and rubbery legs etc. We follow your posts closely. He does have a few episodes of unbearable pain when walking that come on sporadically and his foot gets swollen but he is usually with out pain unless he is on his feet alot. We have made an appointment with a podiatrist at my urging that isn't until 7/6. I told him he looks like he has a claw foot/feet. He was diagnosed with idiopathic, primary axonal polyneuropathy by a neurologist last year. This is such a hard condition to navigate and the neurologist only seem to want to dole out medication. We appreciate this websight for all the good suggestions and comradery of fellow sufferers! Best- Debbie and Scott