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

Posted by lorirenee1 @lorirenee1, Mar 25, 2019

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.

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

julbpat | @julbpat | Aug 3, 2023

In reply to @robindancer5678 "Good morning. I can’t comment on the pain, but I want to tell you how helpful..." + (show)

I discovered Dawgs Z sandals when my foot pain started 8 years ago, and I still wear them! Love them. Look on Amazon.

julbpat | @julbpat | Aug 3, 2023

In reply to @julbpat "I discovered Dawgs Z sandals when my foot pain started 8 years ago, and I still..." + (show)

Also, if you want to avoid oral medications, invest in some of the various creams and lotions people have discussed. You can even get a compounded cream prescribed that has Lidocaine, Gabapentin, amitriptyline, etc.

needingrelief | @needingrelief | Aug 3, 2023

In reply to @julbpat "I discovered Dawgs Z sandals when my foot pain started 8 years ago, and I still..." + (show)

Thank you! I will!
Any leads will help. The bottoms of my feet are worst and pressure from standing just compounds that.
SFN now up to just above knees and starting in hands and sometimes arms. 🙄
I will be very relieved to find the best footwear though!

needingrelief | @needingrelief | Aug 3, 2023

In reply to @julbpat "Also, if you want to avoid oral medications, invest in some of the various creams and..." + (show)

🙌🏻

rosy33 | @rosy33 | Aug 4, 2023

In reply to @needingrelief "Thank you! I will! Any leads will help. The bottoms of my feet are worst and..." + (show)

I wear Birkenstock Mayari sandals with the soft footbed. The toe hold helps raise the top of my foot to walk. I also discovered Xero Minamalist shoes that help me to feel the ground when I walk. I got the Mary Jane style because it has velcro on the strap which helps the fit across the top of my foot. I've had idiopathic neuropathy in my feet for 25 years, and it has now progressed to my knees, and sometimes I feel it in my thighs. I walk 20 minutes 3 times a day after each meal, and do a stretch and balance exercise every day online. I don't take any prescribed meds only vitamins and supplements. My doctor gave me a prescription for a compounded lotion which does help with spasms of burning pain. I try very hard to eat healthy and hope at age 85, I can outlive the last stages of this $#^$#$ disease! So far I'm managing pretty good. My balance has improved and so far I only use a cane when walking outdoors. I hope some of this helps...🥰

johnnyguitar | @johnnyguitar | Aug 4, 2023

In reply to @julbpat "Also, if you want to avoid oral medications, invest in some of the various creams and..." + (show)

I know every Body is different but over 10 years with Gabapentin all but ruined my life, it caused extreme fatigue and slept/nap all day long, hardly reduced pain but hardly was better than nothing. Thank God now that I'm hooked up with VA I am using pregablin and chronic fatigue is all but gone no known side effects for me. Thank God. Pain reduced more than it was.

julbpat | @julbpat | Aug 4, 2023

In reply to @johnnyguitar "I know every Body is different but over 10 years with Gabapentin all but ruined my..." + (show)

Yes, these seizure meds can be really nasty! I think they change my personality without my realizing it, while also making me so groggy and dumb feeling. I have done very well with Tegretol, but now it isn't really working anymore for my pain. Time to try something else - again!

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Aug 4, 2023

In reply to @needingrelief "Hi all! I have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy, which was not conclusively proven with a skin..." + (show)

Hello @needingrelief. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Finding the right shoe to minimize your symptoms is a big deal, so you will notice I have moved your post into an existing discussion on this very topic where you can read through many responses from other members that may be helpful to you, as well as to respond to those members who have already shared with you.

You can find your post here:
- Does anyone find that a type of shoe helps your foot neuropathy?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/does-anyone-find-that-a-brand-of-shoes-helps-your-foot-neuropathy/

Have you tried the slip-on Sketcher brand shoes? They are roomy enough to slip on yet provide good walking support.

harley22 | @harley22 | Aug 5, 2023

In reply to @retiredteacher "@lorirenee1 I would love to have the answer for that too. Wonderful question. I have tried..." + (show)

My feet are so numb that I literally can’t feel when I walk, and I’m like a weeble.
I wear New Balance sneakers because I also wear a AFO brace on my right foot, and it has to fit in the sneaker.
At times my feet hurt so badly,that I can’t stand on them at all.
Lately I have been putting Salon Pas pads on them, and they seem to help.
I also take Tramadol for the pain.
Any suggestions for footwear would be appreciated, as I’m running out of ideas.

pamd1959 | @pamd1959 | Aug 5, 2023

Oh, I feel your pain, literally. I came on here to find support for my husband’s metastatic prostate cancer, and saw your question! Today, THIS VERY DAY, was the first day I experienced the level of pain you described.
My question is, how reversible is neuropathy? Or is this a condition that only degenerates over time?
(My right lower leg has been numb from a double laminectomy, L-4- L-5, Toe dropped before surgery & I am left with residual neuropathy pain, and, alternating numbness, tingling and shooting pain. I am thinking, at this point, I may never get back the feeling in the outside of my calf. Just LIVE with it? I am 3 years post op).
Thank you in advance.