My family &most friends know that I have PsA or for those that don’t know that I sometimes walk with a funny limp… But more often than not now my feet are in constant flare ups I can’t remember the last time they didn’t hurt or weren’t swollen… I’ve recently started sulfasalazine I’m currently on week 4…so my fingers are ALL crossed that this is my supposed miracle about to happen.!! I’ve had injections in the past but they didn’t seem to have any effect &inbetween my last rheumatology appointment I was regularly taking naproxen (which I think had some effect half the time…) currently my feet have been in flare constant for a couple of years…sometimes it’s worse than others days but again they’ve never been in ‘downtime’ during this past couple years…! I work on the wards in my local hospital so long hours on my feet…quite exhausting… I’ve tried different footwear, insoles etc anything that I think might help I’ve gave it a go so far. Majority of days lately though seem to be nothing but gritting my teeth &wishing I can get home to sit down &take pressure off my feet… Anyone have tips or ideas I can go with to help make a day run smoother?
Feet. I’m so sorry – when your feet hurt everything hurts! Which joints of your feet are most affected? The epicenter of my disease is my feet as well, although not the usual joints (in the toes) but in the mid-foot joints. Very painful.
The story of my feet is here:
http://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/profiles/blogs/listen-u…
Be very good to those feet of yours! Do not minimize the discomfort in them: your aim is to get this disease under control asap, to minimize the chance of damage. Because damaged feet are very hard to cope with. Had you considered going to a podiatrist (chiropodist) for treatment support? Over the last couple of years, my chiropodist has made a huge difference to my comfort and mobility.
Take very good care!
Hi Newbie UK! Seenie hit the nail on the head--when your feet hurt, everything hurts is so right.
I had the pain in the mid-foot joints also. Plus, at the same time, neuropathy in my feet. It felt like I was walking on a bed of burning coals with spikes coming out of them! It brought me to tears a few times.
For the neuropathy, ice packs helped. I would apply them for about 10 minutes at the end of each day so I could fall asleep. That didn't help the sore joints though, and everyday the neuropathy would be back. Finally, Dr put me on Nortriptyline 10 h 20 mg a day. the neuropathy went away after awhile.
Sybil is right--a biologic may be the answer for you. A lot of us got really good results from one--I take Enbrel and those sore joints in my feet and hands feel so much better! Just wanted you to know there's hope!
Hi Newbie,
I have Plantar fasciitis as part of this diseases array of delights. I started Humira back in March, which had lessened but not eradicated the pain in my right foot. About 6 weeks ago I threw SSZ back into the mix and increased my meloxicam to 15mg. I have just realised after reading your post that my foot pain has been much reduced lately. When it was at its worse, my physio showed me a useful little trick with a golf ball (preferably one that had been in the freezer). You just sit and roll it around under the foot arch and it helps to stretch out the tendon. I have also spent the summer living in a pair of sketcher's walk 2 shoes kindly recommended by Louise Hoy. I have just invested in a winter version with memory foam; they are so light and comfortable.
Thanks for all for lovely comments! But yes when my feet hurt boy do they hurt! I’m currently halfway through a 13hr shift…so far feet are holding up ok. Sore but coping. I might well look up my local podiatrists &see how I get on 
cause I’d try everything &anything if it’s helps!! I’m hoping that sulfasalazine does help &i don’t have to keep hopping to umpteen different tablets to find something that works… Me trying to think when I actually was diagnosed I’m 26 now &it was between the age 20-22 when problems started /got diagnosis… As at the start I was palmed off from one person to the next! At start it was just an odd joint between feet and/ or hands… From then it’s just ‘boomed’ my hands aren’t really the problem…at minute I’ve one finger/ knuckle that’s in abit of a meltdown for the past 4-5months having been swollen to rough twice size to poor were I can’t close my fist anymore at minute anyway. My feet from start was sporadically between toe joint(s) middle of foot &from round Christmas '13 my right ankle is included now also! Soo currently it’s left foot 2-3 toes &mid foot on/off &my ankle which isn’t severe. Right foot 4-5 toes, side &mid foot &ankle which swells like I don’t know what! Then the random finger /knuckle… But yes my body just seems to ache all over! I’ll give the ice packs a go too &see how that goes oh yeah…I was told about that maybe year or so ago… Planter fasciitis…it sprung up in my right foot…&thank goodness it has settled down! Oh I’m definitely going to look up them shoes need some more comfy shoes!!
Ice is basically the only thing that calms my feet down, and I hate doing it. I put one big ice pack under my feet and one on top (with a layer of thin fabric in between), so everything's covered, because I have a lot of joints in my feet involved as well.
The best thing I've done, other than ice when they're swollen, is buy practical shoes. There have been some great threads on here about shoe brands that are practical for arthritic feet.