I wonder if you could get steroid injections into the worst areas? Like each ankle?
I used to do well with sketchers too but now, the ONLY hope I have is going to be fitted at either Lukes Locker for athletic shoes or podiatrist office.

The only thing that has ever helped my feet is getting the disease under control. Which is almost never!

I was on Simponi last fall, and we went to Mexico. The drug was working like a dream. I walked all over the place - the pyramids at Chichen Itza, Playa del Carmen, the resort.

Simponi started to fail two months later, and I have not gotten control of this disease since.

Special orthotic gel inserts didn't help, pain meds don't help, reconstructive surgery didn't help. Sorry I can't give you any positive advice!

Thanks for all your advice. I talked to physical therapy and they mentioned a brand of tennis shoes but they have laces. My rheumy mentioned about injections but i am so tired of injections that i could puke.
I am thinking of heading to a podiatrist or somewhere for some help because the pain never ends. Thanks RASally i am not sure about my switching jobs. The only other jobs are with insurance companies and i am not a cubicle worker. My problem is where i work in an assisted living my office is far away from the center where the action happens so i do a lot and i mean a lot of walking. Like miles a day and that is killing me. They do have FMLA at work but what would that get me but time off i would go back to the pain when i returned. I do not have the option of not working. I have been a widow for 15 years since i was 39 and i am now 55. So i need to work but some days lately i dont know how i will pull this off till i retire whenever that is. As far as pain meds i really cant take anything that causes sedation i need my wits at work. My rheumy wanted me to work only 6 hours a day for the last two months but that never happened even with a doctor note. I am just feeling beaten down. My rheumy wants me to try Rituxan infusions being orencia and methotrexate isn't working. Thanks all i am just soooooooo frustrated

Thanks bcatz so at the podiatrist will they give u suggestions for shoes?
Thanks Marlene no need to be sorry this disease is so frustrating some days it is hard to find the positive. Thanks

oh crap racerunner I am so sorry.

OK I will go back and think about walking lifting hauling and being on my feet with RA at work. I worked a long spell with it and parts of the job were pretty physical.

I had a physicians assistant at an ortho clinic that specialized in foot and ankle, it was there that I was fitted with shoe inserts and ankle supports.

I also had a podiatrist for the your words so sick of cortisone I am going to puke injections - but that podiatrist also did tape wrapping. after the injections and tape wrapping I felt like I could dance, well for a month or two...

narcotics, I have to agree with you. I had a long commute each way and I am unable to drive or do cognitive functions without impairment on pain meds that are not nsaids. this drove me mad, it would have been easier if I could medicate, in that manner, but I could not.

is your doc a pred writer who will ramp it up for you until you feel the difference or are you scared of that systemically?

I understand being a single parent and being single and option elimination.

here are some ice socks - cold therapy socks - that I have that I find helpful. amazon sells them. when you DO get home you put them on while elevating. I find them useful

http://www.amazon.com/NatraCure-Therapy-Socks-Medium-A705-CAT/dp/B003L4WOKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443269163&sr=8-1&keywords=ice+socks

depot

Many orthotics are not covered by insurance but I found a brand called Aetrex/Lynco Orthotics that are reasonably priced. I have bad feet problems as well (OA, RA, and Plantar Faciitis) and went to a podiatrist. When he saw I was using the Aextrex Orthotics he said they were great but based on my plantar fascittis and the arthritis in my great toe I should be using Aetrex L425 which I bought and they helped even more. I still have lots of trouble on my feet though but it would only be worse without the orthotics. I don''t know how you stay on your feet all day. I always figured nurses would have a tough time with RA!
Here's a link ro the orthotics:
https://www.aetrex.com/lynco-orthotics/

Would it be possible for you to use a smaller scooter for work? I did a search on the internet and found spitfire something - do NOT want to look like I am advertising or recommending anything. I am not! It has a basket for files and such. They use to show one on TV where woman are at the Grand Canyon, do not remember, but the ad did stick in my head. At least it could get you from one end of the facility to the other more easily.

I'm going through
the same thing right now. My right ankle is the worse. I had it a few month ago and went to my Orthopedic who gave me a boot and physical Therapy which didn't help.
The boot helps alot

I also take Aleeve 22 tabs 2x a day

I have to watch the shoes I wear.... but being on your feet as a nurse all day is so challenging for you. It's tough even for those WITHOUT RA. I applaud your service in this difficult field.


I wear reinforced t shoes, sketchers walk fit, and nothing cheap or flat..... but I'm not on my feet ask day. Sounds like you still might need need adjustment.

Hope you get some relief very soon.... soak those tootsies.... and paper them a little!!

Many hugs

I was also wondering about a small scooter. Esp. in long term care, which is set up for wheelchairs and scooters. I was thinking about getting one for doing my chaplain work, but figuring out how to get it there and back kind of stopped me. Not that it isn't possible.

Plus I keep being deluded that I am going to feel better soon, and be able to go back without needing one. Or being so bad, like right now, that a scooter wouldn't help, because everything hurts!

You should ask your employer about that option.

My podiatrist recommended Fit Flops, expensive and stiff as a board. I was actually going to a specialty shoe store tomorrow, if I see anything I'll lets you know. Trish

A big thank you to all of you!!!! It is not always the advice that is given sometimes it is also the many responses that people give that can lift a person's spirits!!!. All of you ROCK!! I am looking at each one of yours advice and will take them to heart. Yes i have thought about a scooter of some sort. I do take motrin and have increased my prednisone and yes it does help the pain but also brings my blood sugar in the 200's and of course there is a pill for that...diabetes!!! Thanks for all your support. I have even thought of changing careers but i have been a nurse for nearly 35 years and its hard to imagine doing anything else. Thanks again. Like i said you all Rock!

Im a teacher, and on my feet all day! I can only wear Dansko shoes. They have come out with some "cuter" options, but these days I don't care, clogs are just fine. In the winter, I have found wearing boots (Clarks) work for me, seem to help. I know as a nurse, you are limited. My brother is a surgeon with bad feet and also swears by Danskos!
Good luck.

Hello iteach. The danskos are they the hard clog type shoes?