This is how my hands and feet feel today. Almost too much to bear. Definitely too much to mentally push aside.

My hands and feet feet like they were run through that thing the Cake Boss uses to flatten fondant.

Gonna try another dose of Voltaren gel.

Rosie, wonder if the weather is making everyone aching today? I tried Voltaren Gel-I couldn't tell that it did anything at all. I was hoping it would help.

That's what I thought when I woke up Wendy.
I checked the weather and we're clear for like 3 or 4 days ahead!
It even got up to 50 today.

Having total nightmare foot pain today. Just thought I'd add that in. Had to ask my husband to help me hobble to the bathroom. Never do that.

Wendy - I use a boot when my calf muscles tear, which hasn't happened in a while, but is somehow tied into ankle RA affecting achilese tendon and then the calf muscle. Anyway, I find short term use of the boot helps a lot for healing the calf muscle, don't know about other uses.

well, if you see my other post, you'll see I'm considering trying a wheelchair for occasional use 'cause I just can't take the pain anymore when standing (this is also at least 50% due to neuropathy).

Re remembering pills: I have to write down my pred and pain pills, I can't remember 2 minutes later if I took them or not!
: )

Tina, I am so sorry to hear about wheelchair. I understand that this may cause you relief and the rest of not using your feet may be just what you need.

I have been closing my eyes to the increase in my pain and areas of pain with RA. I have on those rosy colored glasses thinking that if I can just find right RA medicine, I will be almost normal again. But at night, when I am so tired, I start to think'What if I can't find that medicine." Having my foot hurt this bad and bearly able to walk on it has given me a reality check. I can deal with pain in neck, shoulders, elbows,knees, hands. But you have to have your feet to walk.

Hi Marty,

I can relate to what you are feeling. I have the same pain but on the bottom of my feet and I agree, it is debilitating. I was told it was neuropathy and put on Lyrica 150 mg a day. I take that along with tramadol and ibuprofen . So far it seems to be working. Would a higher dose of the lyrica be something to consider? I know some people need much higher doses than others. Good luck, I hope you find relief.

Mary,
I had the same problem the joint at the top of the foot ,
bottom of toe, all the joint had to be removed . I did one foot than the other. OH what a relief. From taking steriod the joint were filled with fractures, because they are so small. Good Luck I hope you find something that helps

This discussion is too much of a reality check for me. I am still holding on to the fact that I just walked on my walking trail for too long and too many days close together. Foot feels like bruised on top. Does not hurt when off of it and when taped up or elevated.

However, the increase in prednisone has seemed to help. Also, tape up foot during day and wear good athletic shoes. Trying to elevate it so it can get better.Hopefully, enbrel will kick in and all will be fantastic. I say there is always a plan. I am not going to let RA get the best of me. I know I can't control it; it just feels good saying that.

Hi Mary:

If Orencia is the first of the biologics you've tried then you still have quite a few other choices... Rituxan seems like a bit overkill.

I would try another biologic first like Enbrel, OR Humira OR Remicade, whichever one you have coverage for. Often one biologic will not work but another will... and what works for one RA patient may not work for another.

If you've been on Orencia since last September then you've given it a fair try... time to try another one. I'm on Enbrel now at a 5 day interval (was 7 day) which is working much better for me, my CRP is now down to 3 (low range). I use the regular syringe which I recommend over the injector pen... if you can use your hands well enough.

I still have pain in my feet but its mostly from damage at this point not from active inflamation. Its sounds like you a have a lot of inflamation of the nerves in your feet.

Good pair of shoes with custom orthotics are a must for someone with RA in thier feet (which is most of us). I recommend getting several opinions from several different podiatrists before choosing who will make your orthotics.

You know, as I read your post, I was so caught up in it, I was sitting here saying out loud, "YES ! ME, TOO!!" because that is what I keep trying to explain about it being the top of my foot and though I don't usually have a burning, (sometimes though) it feels like broken bones.
and now, I can't handle the blanket touching it at night ......I have not even read the other responses to your post yet.
I was just so , I don't know, sad to see you have this but not glad but , something to know I am not alone.
Even my rheumie, who shrugged and said "yep, that's because of the RA" just had no other comment or advice.
I walk a lot, for exercise --and am miserable by the limping and pain.
:(

Hi Mary,

Was just thinking of you, and wondered if you got a handle on your foot pain. Have you spoken with your doctor? Have they been able to give you any meds that help? I hope the burning pain has gone, or you've at least been able to get some releif.

Rebecca

Mary, I think this is helping my foot. As you recalled, my right foot was killing me on top of foot from base of toes 1,2 and 3 into top of foot into ankle.

Eventhough my rheumy increased my prednisone to 20mg 4 days,then 15mg three days and then down to 10mg to see how things go, I really don't think it's all from RA or I choose not to believe that. I don't really think prednisone is helping it that much. When its RA, the ache seems to go away fast when prednisone is increased this much-this pain is still here, almost feels like bruising.I Think I hurt my foot badly walking for too long for too far too often on this new glorious walking trail at a park nearby in the woods with deer. Right! Awesome.

This seems to be helping. In the morning I wrap it snuggly with a bandage that I wrap around myself (before I said "self-stick " but this did not work.) I start wrap at top of foot near toes and wrap around arch 2-3 times snuggly and then wrap it around my ankle two times. I secure it with masking tape. I then wear very good Nike athletic shoes. I am trying to stay off of it as much as possible.

When I can I elevate my foot, this really seems to help. Elevate about waist high or above. At night I try to ice it (I use frozen lima beans in gallon freezer bag. it's very pliable and I can just toss it in freezer and refreeze.Sometimes I take one motrin (can't take too much) and it seems to help in evening. I also am using my dorsal night splint that I bought off Amazon. Footsmart also carries it. It had helped my arch before and I think it keeps my foot aligned at night.

Hope this helps. I hope with all this special treatment and time my foot will get better. That nature trail is very meditational.

I want to add, and ask too, if anyone can relate to this odd fact of mine.....first, as we all know, standing, walking (just living) hurts the foot........but I swear, for some reason what makes mine hurt more, even, is sitting !
WTH ? Why in the world, does sitting on my rear end , (esp. on the couch) , make the top of my friggin foot and the inner side of that ankle, hurt so bad I want to cry?

I thought it might somehow be my uncomfortable couch but the other day my neighbor had me over for a few hours and when I left her place after sitting in a chair the whole time I was limping badly.

when I prop my bad foot up on something , while sitting, it seems to not hurt AS much. Though, still horrible.

I forget now who said they use the self adhesive tape instead of ACE bandage but I don't understand why you said you can't use it on a certain part of foot? (the ACE bandage)

I know I have tried both of those things and find it gives temporary relief, but yeah , it then can hurt even more after taking it off.
wish someone would tell me what the shoes are. (merrel, and the other brand , mentioned)

p.s. as far as athletic shoes/sneakers go, the ones I have been wearing this past year worked for me better up until I no longer can stand the tongue of the sneaker on the top of my right foot.
having to tie the laces super loose and it still is killing the top of my foot. I even have to stop walking often, and "pull up on" the tongue of that shoe, in a fruitless attempt to make it stop touching/hurting top of foot.
I can't walk at all , in other shoes so far that I own. I just refuse to stop walking. Yet.
grrrr.

This too, the ace bandage seems to cut into my arch and lower toes eventhough it is helping ankle. I tried using the "self-adhesive" bandage but it was not thick enough and would roll under foot. I have found a thicker bandage about 3"wide that I wrap starting at top of foot along toes and around arch about two times and then I come across and wrap ankle about twice.

Elevation seems to really help. RICE (Rest,Ice,Compression,Elevate).

I use a dorsal night splint that I bought on Amazon (also available on FootSmart) to wear at night. I think this really helps foot. Does not hurt as bad in morning. Very comfortable. About $50.

Shoes-Merrell Encore Breeze. Athletic Shoes-Nike Voomero (I buy these on Zappos so I can return wrong size or style).

I tie my athletic shoes because I have a high arch skipping laces in middle (just going up sides). This relieves tight pressure on arch.

Hope this helps.