Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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stefania4 09/30/2011

Hi! I'm somewhat diagnosed with RA or lupus and possibly fibromyalgia. This has been going on for about 2 years.

Recently I've developed pain in my knees and the tops of my feet/base of my big toe (not a bunion). Shoes hurt my feet, stairs hurt my knees AND my feet, and I'm so tired of whining I could keep whining.

If anyone has any knee/foot relief tips, I'd love to hear them. Thanks.

deleted_user 09/30/2011

What meds are you on? The only thing that helped my feet was better meds - a biologic. I wore orthopedic shoes with soft gel othotics and it did not help a bit. Feet are really dicey. Mine still hurt, but that is more old damage and the nerve damage from the reconstruction.

My other tip is that I don't walk much, and wear shoes with rigid soles for cycling so no pressure on the toes.

deleted_user 09/30/2011

Massaging with sesame oil (Ayurvedic, improves circulation - also a bit of reflexology!) followed by an epsom salts hot foot bath. Morning and night. It really helps me, I also do whole body.

deleted_user 09/30/2011

Yes, and try to keep off your feet until it moves on.

stefania4 09/30/2011

Thanks, all! I give my feet a good rub with lotion when I wake up and again at night. I work FT so during the day it's not usually possible.

I'm on Plaquenil and Tramadol (Ultram). I was on 5 days of prednisone, which really helped my feet but isn't a great long-term solution at 20 mg/day.

aggie83 09/30/2011

Before I found meds that worked, I would put iced gel packs across the tops of my feet. This would help a lot. Some meds take a while to work so I found that helped

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