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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi all, been reading alll your messages, and wishing everyone pain free days. Ok, well, my feet have been the main pain I get with RA. Despite telling my consultant this, he insists on looking at my hands (do have problems with them but not so bad) he then gets me to lie on the bed and looks at my hips, I know that is important, and I do get pain at top of leg and in my back. He then looks at my feet and says, oh yes, we'll refer you to podiatry. I now have an appt for March, but what I have tried to say, so many times, is that its not only pain under my foot but all over the top, its unbelievablyy painful to walk. I use the buggy as a piece of equipment to keep me going. My ankles and feet swell up terribly after walking. I saw my gp and she decided it was due to my blood pressure meds, and changed them. Obviously, its made no difference, she also insisted on me going to A&E for bloods incase it was a DVT. It was borderline, but I still had to go again the following day for a scan. After resting from last Friday to Monday, it had gone down, but when I telll the gp she will say its the new pills I expect. I know myself that the main problem is my job. As when I dont work I feel much better, but I am stubborn and wont give in to this rotten disease!!!! Basically, is pain all over the top of the foot usual with RA, no one seems to want to actually say yes or no. I will struggle on as long as I can as I love having the little ones, but know eventually I won't be able to manage anymore  BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Barbara I see we're back on my favourite subject "FEET"!!  I hate to say this Barbara, but long term, you really aren't doing yourself any favours. As much as you love your job it really is starting to takes its toll on you. When my kids were little, 3 of them under 16 months, I used to trundle the twins about in the double buggy with Louis hanging on in a sling. The buggy was a tremendous support to me and actually makes you feel quite normal. Unfortunately the children grew up and no longer wanted trundling about and therein lay the problem. Without that much needed support you have to actually rely on your feet. Here's the link to my recently written blog on FEET! The pain on the top of your feet may be caused as a result of incorrect walking posture. We try to put less pressure on the soles of the feet to avoid them hurting but in so doing force pressure elsewhere, knees, hips and back. The walking action then changes and we lose the ability to walk heel first following through with the sole and then the toes. Instead we tend to just plonk down the plates of meat as though trudging through snow. The ligaments and tendons along the top of the foot shorten through lack of use and they in turn become painful. To explain this point try laying on your front in bed. Will your ankles bend sufficiently so that the top side of your feet are flat on the bed? Try laying on your back. Will your feet try to stay at right ankles or can you stretch them so the soles face down towards the bed? Isn't it fun doing practical experiments?!  But really, if this does give you a problem (as it does me!) then fingers crossed for the podiatrist! Take care Barbara, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Barbara, So sorry to hear you are having problems with your feet. I had bother with mine last year on the top of my foot as you said, it was actually affecting my knee to trying to protect it. Then I got a foot massage from my daughter, it was amazing my foot seemed to be full of little knots. Once these were worked out I have had NO more bother with my foot, and within the week my knee adjusted too. Try this Barbara and see if it makes a difference. You never know it may.  Lorna x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Lyn, thank you for the reply. I have just read your blog FEET and found it amazingly informative. I have noticed that on the weekend it is getting more difficult to walk without the support the buggy gives. A couple of times I have used a stick, my husband has 3 so that wasnt a problem. The thing is, people then ask, why are you using the stick? you were ok in the week when I saw you with the kids...... I will look forward to my podiatry appt with renewed pleasure now!!! Lorna, I would love a foot massage, not sure if my two girls would be so accommodating though!!! glad it worked well for you though. I think my feet are beyond that now! Will let you know how it goes x BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Lyn, forgot to say, just on my way to bed, so will try the two experiments!! Let you know how it goes! BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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I have a lot problems with my feet and most the pain is across the top. I also find the pushchair a great help! My son is really beginning to find his feet now and I am dreading the day he no longer wants to go in it. I saw podiatrist about a year a go. They made me some orthotics and they really do help. I have also bought some brooks walking shoes which were recomended by the podiatrist. They are very comfortable. I had to buy them on the Internet as I couldn't find anywhere locally that stocked them.
Good luck with your podiatry visit.
Becky
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Thank you Becky, I will look out for the shoes. Will let you know how the appt goes BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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These are the shoes I bought http://www.sportsshoes.c...ddiction-walking-shoes/
I noticed when I was googling them that Millets have the Velcro version. Let us know how you get on. Becky
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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My foot pain across the top of my foot can be so sharp it males me shout! What I want to know is how do you go about using a walking stick for support? If we go out for a walk I always take a hiking stick and it makes such a difference to my balance, confidence and ability. I know there are days when I would feel much better with one around school for example, as our block is furthest away from the staffroom, carpark, canteen etc. Those of you who have started to use a stick - were you recommended to by Podiatrists etc or did you just realise it would help? Sorry Barbara, didn't mean to take over your thread, I was just totally empathising with you xx Ailsa
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello
Just like Ailsa I to get great shooting pains across the top of my feet, however also under and my ankles
give way. I was fitted with special insoles at the Hospital which do help as they are spongy and the heel
has a double layer.
I have used a stick of my own back for over a year now as I was falling down because of feet and ankles and it left me
feeling very nervous. Don't go far without it now - just around the house really.
I do understand and feel for you all , and me. . ..
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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Sorry you are a fellow sufferer too Rose but you did give me a smile when I read "I have used a stick on my own back for over a year now"! (Hope you don't mind me smiling ) Actually I made my podiatrist smile tonight. He asked me how the supports are thet he made for me at Christmas. I said they are amazing, have made such a difference and I can wear the shoes I like now. He looked down at my shoes and burst out laughing! He said that most women's idea of favourite shoes are a bit more exotic than blus Ugg boots! I never wore heels when I could, so don't really miss them now I can't. Glad I made him smile at the end of a day of dealing with feet though! xx Ailsa
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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blue Uggs, sorry! My fingers can't spell properly any more
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Becky, thanks for the link, just need to decide which to go for. At the moment I am wearing boots, Uggs, also some black suede ones, which stretch a bit, so are comfy. Lyn, tried your experiment with feet in bed!! No I can't do the movements you suggested so not such good news there then! Ailsa, you are very welcome to take over the thread!! I get the bad pains across foot too, and it really does make you shout out!! Glad your inserts are working so well Re walking stick, that's quite interesting, would physios recomment using one??? I still have my crutches from before Christmas, and am holding onto them for the moment, as walking around without the buggy for support is becoming quite hard, also my balance isnt so good now. Is there some info on this anywhere??  BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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Hi Barbie, sorry to hear you are still suffering. I think Lyn has an excellent point though. I also have the pain in my tendons, rather than the joints. We must not be walking properly. Hope you get some benefit from the podiatrist.
Julie xxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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I also have a lot of pain in my achillies tendon and it is often swollen. I asked my consultant about it and she said it is quite common for tendons to be affected by RA because they are so closely linked to joints (ie they are joined to the bones very close to the joints).
Becky
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/27/2010 Posts: 136 Location: Stockton on Tees, Cleveland
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Hi
How right you are about consultants not listening to the patient. I suffer terribly with my feet, I have been off work for 4 months and am starting a phased return to work on 15 March following a steroid infusion. I saw my consultant two weeks ago. When I went in he immediatly asked how my knees were and spent a while studying my knee xrays. This was really bizarre because I have an orthopedic consultant who looks after my knees!! I told him about my feet problems and he checked my hands and said he would refer me to a hand specialist!! Perhaps he ignored my feet problems because there is so little he can do apart from increasing my amitryptiline from 40 to 75.
Oh well, perhaps I will have to learn to walk on my hands!!
Louise
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi Louise, that's just the same as my consultant!!! I wonder if it's as Lyn says, they don't count feet in DAS. Apparently feet dont count as very important (!!??) odd, seeing as we couldn't do without them really, most of us would prefer to walk I think!! Mine just says he wants tlo do a hand scan, and check my hips. Oh, well, it must be a countrywide thing then BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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In that case I count myself as very lucky. I have had x-rays, ultra-sound and steroid injections in my ankle joints twice and steroid injections (during the ultrasound on the joints below the ankles). I have also been referred to a podiatrist and had orthotics made. My feet are still not brilliant but at least my consultant is trying. She always examines my feet when I see her.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 346
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Hi Barbara i found the podiatrist really helpful, and the insoles that i have had. I have had several pairs over the last five years or so, each pair seem to be higher and thicker than the last, each time they need adjusting. The only thing then is finding shoes to suit the insoles, i find hotter or widerfit shoes the best and trainer type shoes for everyday as they are the most supportive around the ankles, although not very glamorous. I spend my life in trousers mostly, as i dress to suit my shoes, instead of the other way round. Very soon after wearing the insoles the pain in my feet eased, it still comes back if i wear ordinary slippers indoors for any length of time. The podiatrist recommended house shoes so i could wear my insoles with them and they are alot more supportive even though grannyish. The consultant says that apart from my big toes i don't have ra in my feet, according to x rays, but the podiatrist thinks the problems with my feet are caused by ra in the tendons and ligaments. About walking sticks i started to use one after a bad fall when my foot went over. It was my sister who suggested it she said at least it will stop you trying to rush when you can't! I felt quite self conscious at first, and for a while it was that b***** stick to my family every time it fell over or got in the way but we are all used to it now. Hope this is helpful. Bevxx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi all! I know somewhere I have posted an item on DAS28 and feet. I will ferret it out and re-post. It made interesting reading! I got a stick last summer when I went on holiday, a fold up one that I can shove easily in a bag! It has to have been the best £4.99 I have ever spent I only use it occasionally but I know it's there if needed and that in itself is a comfort. I have never been advised to get one but it is so useful to have and I would recommend to anyone with foot/knee walking difficulties. Joints, tendons and ligaments work together. RA in the joint affects flexibility in the tendons and ligaments. It can be corrected with exercise help from a physio but the RA needs to be controlled first. Lyn x Barbara, make sure you make some notes when you go to the podiatrist!
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