For the first two years of EM I couldn’t tolerate more than flipflops or light sandals winter or summer. Since I have been taking aspirin I find myself able to wear shoes in Winter. What I soon realised though was that the tighter the shoe the better, slip-ons or loose fitting shoes bring on a flare in minutes. The same goes for a boot shaped loose fitting pair of lovely comfy slippers which I wore all winter pre EM. They bring on such a flare that I took them with me to a hospital appointment and wore them in the waiting room to be sure of having something to show the consultant.
I know many people will flinch at the idea of wearing shoes but among those that do wear shoes sometimes have any of you had my experience with different kinds of shoes?
I wear little ballet shoes in the winter and sandals in spring, summer and some of autumn. I can't wear anything that touches the tops of my feet because it causes swelling and then they get too tight. I can't wear any footwear that's snug because it causes my feet to go numb.
That’s funny Tizzy. Reminds me of taking the kids to school by car soon after no.3 arrived and getting there only to find I was wearing an ancient, disreputable pair of slippers and no shoes in the car.
I have the same ‘tightness’ find with socks. My feet and legs freeze between flares but putting on a pair of socks will soon bring on a flare whereas I can wear compression socks for an hour or longer before I start to feel the heat. All this post-aspirin, pre-aspirin I nearly threw every shoe I owned in the bin.
Tizzy said:
Shoes are tricky - like you I find a well fitted shoe is ok , no heel and no seams on the top . I am not usually teary but I have almost wept more than once trying to find something to fit. Mephisto makes the most amazing inner sole and comfy boot - couldn't believe how comfortable .Almost couldn't believe the price either ; however as I now have about two pairs of shoes I thought what the heck ! Ecco and the rather well priced German brand Stegman are also good . Generally prefer sandals, but like a complete idiot thought I'd put the air condition on freezing and walk on the treadmill in sandals. Don't try this one at home folks, did I get aflame from the rubbing( huh ,typo will leave).
Like Lauraflora swelling is a problem and I have sometimes had to take a change of sandal with me.
My car is a graveyard of footwear , flung over my shoulder in a fit of temper when nothing is comfortable.
Went to take some paperwork into the city and as I couldn't find the shoes I wanted and assumed they were in the car as usual. Got to city looked in the back and my husband had cleared them all out bar one. Undeterred( that means swearing like a trooper) I found an old football sock in the boot of the car - one shoe on ,one football sock on I limped into the office with a sprained ankle.
I usually do best in flip flops which I have hated for most of my life but even sandals that have a strap over them can rub quite a bit when the swelling begins. I get how a closed toe tight shoe seems to hold the swelling down but the pain a burning are there. As soon as I take off said shoe which I rarely wear it swells up instantly upon removal. I am a shoe lover so if I am not going somewhere long or standing/ walking much I might try one of my favorite shoes but always carry some flip flops in my purse.
Nel, I have found the same thing with shoes. They need to be snug and not allow my feet to move around in them at all, or else the slight moving on the bottom of my feet will trigger a flare. I can't wear any type of sandal either, because of the same slight rubbing on the soles of my feet. I have one very old pair of flip-flops by Nike, which are no longer made. They have smooth, slightly raised bumps on the bottom, and never triggered a flare. But those are the only ones that worked for me. Now they're old and pretty gross, and I wear them only around the house, but simply cannot give them up! I dread the day they break apart!! LOL During the summer I find athletic shoes (i.e. New Balance) that have a cloth section in the overall construction allows heat from my feet to escape (rather than all leather). I lace them pretty snugly, and find that works the best. Boots in the winter need to be snug too. Still, by evening, my feet ache, and it's most comfortable to remove socks and shoes and let my feet 'breathe', especially if I walk on cool flooring.
Thanks for that wearsahat. I always feel so much less of an oddity when someone has the same experience as I do. Going well into warmer weather now in the UK and I had to wear shoes for a hospital appointment yesterday because I am still on crutches following an accident. Came home with cooked feet but I knew they would have freaked out at the combination of crutches and flipflops. Bare feet in the house of course. I do so hate shopping but I need to get some of those athletic shoes.
Nel, oh dear, an accident on top of already coping with EM. I'm sorry to hear that! At least you can wear your flip-flops when you go shopping for other shoes. Actually, if you're comfortable in flip-flops while using crutches, then I'd have worn those to the hospital appointment, and not worried (too much) about what other people thought! You must make YOU your number 1 priority!! :) ~Marie
Nel said:
Thanks for that wearsahat. I always feel so much less of an oddity when someone has the same experience as I do. Going well into warmer weather now in the UK and I had to wear shoes for a hospital appointment yesterday because I am still on crutches following an accident. Came home with cooked feet but I knew they would have freaked out at the combination of crutches and flipflops. Bare feet in the house of course. I do so hate shopping but I need to get some of those athletic shoes.