Calling all neuropathy people: Tips on footwear and avoiding falls

@lindavs I have couple of Xero shoes hiking boots (winter and summer types) that I like.
Ridgeway for normal outside activity - https://xeroshoes.com/products/ridgeway-men and Alpine winter boot for the cold times - https://xeroshoes.com/collections/mens-boots. Kind of spendy but not as bad as some.

Great information about the podiatrist that offers pedicures. Can you tell me how you went about finding this person. Did you just google podiatrists in your area? In the past couple of years I have relied on something I found again on Amazon called "Soft Nails" that is a lotion that you smother your toenails with and wear a cotton sock (they suggest overnight but I have found an hour or so works just as well for me) that makes your brittle toe nails easier to cut yourself. I never worried about the cleanliness of the nail salon that I went to as I watched them rip open a sealed bag of tools with each customer. My worry is the height of the chair and getting down after sitting for an hour. Balance is an issue for me with neuropathy. So I haven't been for a pedicure in a couple of years. I miss them but I also want to avoid falls after watching my mother have three different ones breaking a hip, shoulder and I can't remember the third. I do remember being the daughter who looked her in the eyes and said "you can never fall again". If the doorbell rings or the phone rings, do not rush to get to it as you have a machine to leave messages etc. I didn't feel good giving her (a retired R.N.) this warning but I really worried that she would be wheelchair bound. That, of course, is all of our worries I am sure. Getting older is trickier than I expected!!!! So, I think we all have to find solutions that work for us. I, as said, will try my level best to never go barefoot in our yard or around the house. After seeing the infectious doctor yesterday he said he thinks that I never had cellulitis as I had no symptoms and my bloodwork didn't support an infection but it was enough to put the fear in me. Again, I just think that going barefoot in one's yard in the summer is a last holdout to childhood. It feels good and freeing but alas, I guess that I will not be doing that anymore.

scain, I thought the pedi chairs are adjustable in height. If so request it be lowered. The small place my hubby and I go, the chairs are close enough together that he can usually hang on to balance himself when he gets up. Fortunately the women that work there are so sweet and always run to help him. [ I always think , they don't want the liability but most likely not true]. My girlfriend takes her hubby who has Parkinson's and the women go out to help him from the car. It is a small salon with usually 4 workers at a time, 3 massage/pedi chairs and 3 manicure tables.

Insure you have a good podiatrist for treatment.

@celia16

I have used a podiatrist for years to trim my toe nails in a profesional manner not as a pedicure from a nail salon because I cannot do so effectively and safely.

Medicare covers a good portion of the cost.

Ted

@johnbishop
I have found a pair of Oboz (Firebrand II) a low cut hiking shoe with a firm sole. I wear them daily and sometimes even in the house. They are comfortable and provide stability and balance while looking "stylish" .

I have a pair of pool type shoes that are great for the house..good traction and give my feet input and protection. I just discovered NOBULLS shoes. Shoes are such an individiual thing but I like that these shoes have traction but don't catch and can be used for zumba or other type movement classes.

@scain I solved the same problem by wearing 2 pairs of socks at home.

Shoes and sandals make me trip and fall and going completely barefoot poses injury risk. Socks with a grip on the bottom also make me trip.

I buy 2 different kinds of socks on Amazon. I use soft diabetic socks on my skin and soft fuzzy socks for the outer side. Sounds funny I know, but it works perfectly for keeping balance, protection, and keeping my freezing feet warm.

My pain is in the bottom of both feet. Recent chemo has increased the level of pain. Shoes are so important! I use a pair of Skechers and they're pretty good. But I mainly wear Fitville. My shoe size is 14 xxw. That extra extra wide is real hard to find. Quite a few who claim xxw just have a different interpretation. I am always looking for something that will cushion my feet, both inside and outside.

At 81, I, too, love going barefoot but I was blessed with a myriad of foot problems, Neuropathy, bunions, extremely wide feet, high arches & insteps plus degenerative osteoarthritis. So I have terrible time even buying shoes that don't hurt. Thankfully no diabetes. Dr's say no bare feet, but they don't have my feet or know how painful they can be so I keep a pair of outside shoes by the door to slip on when I go outside and go barefoot in the house plus the dr recommended shoes for longer trips.