Feet and hands have always been my worst problem. Still are! I am under control everywhere except those two areas. I hope you can get on some better meds and solve this problem. I have very bad feet deformities, and had my foot reconstructed, which only made matters worse. The best way to deal with foot pain is to get the disease under control. And orthotecs never helped in the slightest.

Think most of us get foot problems. Some days I find walking quite sore - especially in the winter and get pains in other parts of body. Here in NZ one of ways of diagnosing is to take xray of feet as damage shows early there. Very sympathetic. Saw the "four screws in neck" from your outline and wondered how that could be. Seems like you have had many issues and notice you on migraine site too.
I am wondering if you could try different drugs? Is your rheumy sympathetic and more important the issue of insurance etc. The colder weather wont be helping. You have had this disease a long time and know that it does vary in intensity but it seems like you might need to break the cycle just dont know best advice. Have you tried diet changes? Foods affect my RA experience bu this isnt the case for everyone of course.

My feet are the absolute worse, When your feet hurt you are miserable all over....Can't find a pair of shoes too feel good on me...I have spent so much money on shoes looking for relief!!

My hands are the worst, my feet used to be too. The feet are better now, but I still can't stand very long. My hands are still awful. Two things that helped me with my feet. If you have to go down steps, go down backward, don't ask me why but this helps. 2 Crocs, were the only "shoes" I could get my foot into because you just slide them in, I didn't think they would be comfortable and give me enough support. To look at them they look awful and you'd think provide no support but I found they were very supportive for my bad arches and comfy for my aching feet.

My hubby got me a pair of "bearpaws" for Christmas. The natural wool lining really feels good, there isn't a lot of support, but the constant warmth really helps me. My feet still hurt when I walk, but they don't seem to ache as much. God Bless.

My feet are and always have been the worst. I had other issue with my feet before the RA. I'm not sure if that is why it is so bad in them or not. It can be very frustrating. Not to mention it will stop you fast from doing things. My heart goes out to you. I always try to remind my self it could be worse (just like you). I wish you the best of luck. And remember you are not alone.

I went to get me some wider shoes. I have went from a size 11aa to 11b & now 11doubleE for the wideness. The swelling in my feet still stop me from wearing the shoes. I went seen my primary dr thursday and she told me about propping my feet up to get rid of the swelling and when that is gone, to get a pair of compression socks from a medical supply store(with a prescription that she gave me). She told me about not sitting too long ....that is what causing the swelling. I have had 4 or even more orthotics & they dont seem to do 4 my feet. The podiatrist that I went to sent me somewhere to get some custom made ones....Im going to see how those work! I am so glad that I have heard from each of you ! You have let me know that I am not alone. Thank You very much! God Bless all of you & Happy New Years.

Just to encourage you, I was a 5 E width before my reconstruction surgery. I had to have hand made orthopedic shoes to fit the deformities. They were ugly and not good in winter.Mostly I wear Birkenstock sandals, which have some support, but I can make the straps different lengths. I can also wear UGGs boots, men's size.

I was hoping to wear off the shelf shoes after my surgery, but my unfixed foot is a mess, and very differently shaped than the reconstructed one. So I can't find a pair of shoes that works for both feet.

So please get a med check. If your feet have spread that much, the disease is not under control. Well, it will continue even if it is under control, but at a much slower rate.

Don't feel alone with the feet. The feet were my down fall. I have had problems for years. Wore a walking boot for 6 months before I was DX. I have been up and down for a long time. Right now I am doing fairly well on the Remicade. I think the new job is keeping me from worrying about it and helping me to just get on with it. Hope you get to feeling better. Happy New Year, Hugs, Charlie

thanks to RA, I had to have foot surgery on my left foot - now, I can walk on it again but the right one is starting to have issues. I have another appointment with my foot doctor to set.

What I'm trying to say is that the feet are a common area of attack, both with osteo and RA.

Lynne

Yep. Even when things are under control, my right foot has always been a problem for me. I know that Pain ....... Sometimes the left will flare up, but not like the right one. Gotta stay off it when that happens. Sux too because I LOVED hiking ......
anyway, I feel ya

Today, I have finally wore the shoe for my right foot. I had got the swelling down. My next move is to get those compression socks.....to keep the swelling down. It really felt strange, but good. I was wearing a boot, but my primy dr. told me that was making it worse(messing up my balance). Having someone to discuss this with did wonders for me. I just have to learn to not sit too long or stand too long. LOL

Glad to hear you are feeling better. My foot is killing me, and I cannot even walk. That is the reconstructed one. I am really tired of this disease.

Yes ma'am. Had BAD RA in the feet for a few years. I'm in bilateral special braces for the rest of my life. I get to take them off at bedtime and shower and that's it. I'm 34 and my foot dr just shakes his head at the severity of the damage and how quick it continues to get worse. His whole office knows me so well that when I call, they get me in within minutes. Chances are I've been walking on a broken foot for weeks. I've broken my left foot due to osteoporosis and bones shifting from RA, then my rt foot, then my left foot again all within 6 months. Then I cracked a bone in my rt foot about 6 months ago and then did it again in 2 spots a few months ago. But, what do ya do? :-) I have to use the scooter at Walmart now but I'm getting pretty good at it! lol