Didn't get the podiatry appointment yet because my insurance requires a referral, which will take a few more days. I've been really careful and most of the time, as long as I wear my sturdy shoes, my foot doesn't hurt too bad. The worst is in the evening and I take my usual ibuprofen, Tylenol pm and apply voltaren gel and the pain settles down for the night.
IDK what I did differently today, but suddenly about an hour ago my left foot started hurting so bad I can't walk on it! My right foot is hurting more than ever, too! I hobbled to my easy chair and that's where I think I'll stay for the night.
Somehow I don't think orthotics will get rid of this pain. I don't think prednisone would help this at all either because the pain is coming from bones rubbing together--not inflammation.
I'm wondering if any of you have had the bones of your mid foot fused. Idk what else would stop the pain, other than never walking again!
Never walk again, I would live to see you try that!! All joking aside that really sucks! I wonder why it would come on so drastically if no infamation. You would also expect there to be some soon after from the irritation of the area. Is it possible the bones are poking or affecting nerves? Sounds like you need that refferal ASAP I would call and exe your situation if this has not subsided yet. How is it today?
Hey, Rachael, yes, it would be depressing to never walk again. Honestly, though, when the pain is that bad I have a really hard time just moving from one room to another in my house. I'm pretty sure the nearly quarter mile walk I did at work yesterday was what caused that pain, even though I was wearing my good shoes at the time.
There is inflammation, which I feel, too, but I don't feel any nerve pain in my feet. Where the cartilage is worn away, it feels like you would imagine the feeling of rubbing two bones together or two sticks to start a fire. It feels very hot and stabbing--that's the only way I can describe it. And, I think this has been coming on for years. Way back a few years ago I had horrible neuropathy in the bottoms of my feet, which was finally cured by taking Nortriptyline. After it was cured, I frequently had soreness in the bones or tendons on the tops of my feet. Many times I described that pain as feeling like the small bones were breaking in my feet. That, along with the PsA swelling and stiffness I had near and around my toes before I started Enbrel, no doubt caused the OA damage I'm now dealing with.
As I mentioned in a different thread a few minutes ago, it wasn't smart for me to hold off treating my PsA for 6 years. If I had followed my rheumy's advice 7 years ago and started a biologic then instead of waiting 6 years--AFRAID of the biologics when I should have been afraid of the disease--my feet probably wouldn't hurt like they do now!
So, my bad feet have been a long time coming. I hope newbies who join take heed. Biologics do seem scary, but the disease untreated, I have learned firsthand, is a lot scarier!
I can’t offer any advice grandma j but I do offer my sympathies - foot pain is horrible! I saw a podiatrist but they couldn’t help at all … Just said need to get inflammation under control
Thanks, Golf nut. That's what I'm afraid of! :-( I've had a lot of pain in my feet at different times, but this is the worst. Luckily, the pain so far is not always to that extreme. But I've been neglecting my housework more and more these days because the less I'm on my feet, the better. My life has changed a lot over the past few months.
Before I started Enbrel I kept saying I felt like I was 90. Now most of me feels more normal--except my feet--they feel 90!
My feet have eased up. So that was 6 weeks of consistent pain on walking and discomfort even when I wasn't. Still some swelling and it's unfortunate that our local town features a lot of cobble stones. But just this week, suddenly, I can manage a brisk pace in the countryside quite happily in my walking boots. So now I'm happier but discombobulated ..... no rhyme or reason as per usual. There is definitely damage in them there feet but there must have been an upsurge in inflammation which has increased pain and now diminished. So I hope your persistent pain will ease up too, that would be ideal!
Hang on, just thinking, doh! ..... I've been on Mtx now for about 7 weeks, in addition to Humira, just 10mg but maybe that's what has helped? Could be something for you to consider Grandma J, though I know you don't fancy Mtx one bit! My past experience of Mtx was that it helped with pain quite considerably but never did anything for swelling. (I know I sound like a dingbat, but I'm back on Mtx for psoriasis and that's what I've focused on, completely forgot it just might help a little in other departments!)
It's okay, Sybil. I really don't think I'd do well on mtx. My liver is really touchy. I couldn't tolerate a statin for my high cholesterol, and NSAIDs chew up my stomach. Plus, remember my white blood cells are low? I'm sure they'd be more of a problem if I added mtx.
I'm hopeful today about my feet because the pain let up considerably yesterday and they haven't been so bad now for a day and a half! I just need to pamper them!
You are right--no rhyme or reason about our disease and the pain. Just when I think I can't take it anymore, it surprises me and nearly vanishes. I'm not gonna complain about that! Of course, I always walk flat-footed not bending my feet anymore, but if that's the solution, I'll get used to it! :-)
I also wanted to mention my husband and I joined a gym--Snap Fitness. We discussed purchasing a treadmill or elliptical, but Dave didn't want anything to do with an elliptical and I can't use a treadmill with my bad feet. I'm so excited about this--I love the elipticals--there's no impact to the feet or knees, and it's a real workout! We got familiarized with the equipment yesterday and I spent 12 minutes on the elliptical! Wow! So, today we went there and I intended to do 13 minutes on it. Omg, I was exhausted after 1 minute!!!! I felt like passing out I was so tired, but there were a couple other women already on a treadmill and elliptical and going strong. I couldn't quit and look like a wimp! So I pushed myself and managed 5 minutes. Then I did the various strengthening machines. After it was over, I felt like a wet noodle and my legs weren't sure if they wanted to take me to our car! But, it was worth it and I actually think I'm starting to feel stronger already!
Good on you Grandma J. Over the last 5 months I haven't done much except walking but before that I loved the elliptical trainer and weights, strengthening equipment. Hopefully I will get back to it soon. My mantra was 'just do 3 minutes no mater how gentle...and then decide if you want to do more'. Sometimes it was hard going and sometimes, like now, I have had to stop. But once I start again I am always glad. Hope you find it helpful. I am a big fan of listening to audio books while on the trainer..great way to replace the lost book time because of fatigue....
Grandma J said:
I also wanted to mention my husband and I joined a gym--Snap Fitness. We discussed purchasing a treadmill or elliptical, but Dave didn't want anything to do with an elliptical and I can't use a treadmill with my bad feet. I'm so excited about this--I love the elipticals--there's no impact to the feet or knees, and it's a real workout! We got familiarized with the equipment yesterday and I spent 12 minutes on the elliptical! Wow! So, today we went there and I intended to do 13 minutes on it. Omg, I was exhausted after 1 minute!!!! I felt like passing out I was so tired, but there were a couple other women already on a treadmill and elliptical and going strong. I couldn't quit and look like a wimp! So I pushed myself and managed 5 minutes. Then I did the various strengthening machines. After it was over, I felt like a wet noodle and my legs weren't sure if they wanted to take me to our car! But, it was worth it and I actually think I'm starting to feel stronger already!
MacMac, I hope you can get back to the weight training and elliptical asap! We know it's good for us. It just takes so much enthusiasm--which is sometimes hard for me to muster up! I had a better workout tonight. I finally learned how to set the elliptical to a comfortable level for me.
I also had my appointment with the orthopedic doctor today, which I was dreading and nearly cancelled. Because, when I went to him a few months ago he seemed unconcerned and aloof. He's a really young and handsome doctor, so I got the impression he was high on himself. Well, today's appointment was totally opposite! He put my MRI DVD on and went over all the details of my arthritis damage. He explained all of it as well as any doctor could to make sense to their patient. He pointed out all of the inflammation and where the cartilage is damaged and the cysts in/on the ends of the bones. He manipulated my foot, asking where it hurt. I had a couple of psoriasis spots on the bottom of my leg, which I called attention to because I was embarrassed, and he said he has psoriasis, too--but not PsA! I told him I hope he never gets PsA!
He offered me steroid shots, but I said I'd get them if the pain became constant. He talked about surgery to fuse the bones--and suggested that could be a possibility down the road if the pain became unbearable. I told him my 90 year old mom has better feet than me, and that I don't do anything anymore that involves a lot of walking. He was so thoughtful and said a person my age should have a lot of miles left on their feet and he could understand my disappointment.
Anyway, he did have some good orthotics his nurse fitted into my shoes, and I'm going to go back and get some for my other shoes. They felt weird at first, but it didn't take long to get used to them.
I'm so glad I kept the appointment today! And glad I gave him a second chance--sometimes first impressions aren't all they're cracked up to be! :-)
Wow, Grandma J, I think your orthopedic doc is a keeper! Sorry about the damage, though ... I know how it feels. Really. Good orthotics and shoes can go a long way towards making feet feel better. This summer I found an amazing sale on amazon for rockerbottoms that are SO helpful. I wear them all day, and my orthotics fit into them perfectly. Note the regular price!
The shoes are very stiff, which is one of the criticisms, but that is exactly the "casting" that my feet need. The less movement, the better. So the shoes hold my feet stiff, and the rockers take walking action. I really do love them. Bought six pairs this summer! Three I am keeping in the box. DH suggested that I should take them out of the box to save space, but I told him that if I should pop my clogs, he will get more from them on eBay if they are in the box. LOL
Last week I discussed a change of anti-depressant with the NP at my doc's practice. She suggested switching from paxil to cymbalta, because one of the things that cymbalta can help with is osteoarthritis and neuropathic pain. It's still early days, but I think my feet may be feeling better. Not pain-free, but less painful. It is early days, but so far so good. It's either working, or I'm getting a heck of a good placebo effect.Whatever!
Thanks, Seenie! I looked at them and I like them....I've had rocker bottoms in the past. I wear a women's 9.5 wide. The sizes are unisex so 9.5 B women's = 8.5 D men's. I'm not sure if I can trust that size will fit me, though. If the women's actually are wider width shoes, they'll be comfortable for me, but B width is too narrow.
My feet need the stiff shoe, too. I don't bend my feet much--it causes too much pain. So, I don't criticize the stiffness of the shoe! :-) Orthopedist said the shoes need to be stiff. I paid $158.00 for my New Balance 847v2 shoes, and they're worth every penny. They're stiff, but soft inside-the tongue is sooooooo soft--I love them. They're not what you'd call fashionable, but you wouldn't see me on the runway with or without them--I'm definitely not a fashionista!!!
I take a 10 wide in women’s, so I ordered the unisex size 9. Best fitting shoe I’ve had for a long time. But how I long to have a pair of fashionable pumps or loafers … I used to love shoes.
Just a quick update on feet! It’s now been around 5 weeks since I had the steroid injections in my feet and am happy to report they are still about 80% better than they were before the jabs. I’ve gone from being virtually unable to walk without excrutiating pain to feeling almost normal. It still hurts if I try to walk barefoot or if I overdo it (like running on a treadmill for 20 mins) but the feet recover quickly and the crying out with pain feeling has gone … Worth considering grandma j
Wow, what great news! Did you go on your golfing holiday?
Golfnut said:
Just a quick update on feet! It’s now been around 5 weeks since I had the steroid injections in my feet and am happy to report they are still about 80% better than they were before the jabs. I’ve gone from being virtually unable to walk without excrutiating pain to feeling almost normal. It still hurts if I try to walk barefoot or if I overdo it (like running on a treadmill for 20 mins) but the feet recover quickly and the crying out with pain feeling has gone … Worth considering grandma j
Yup went on golfing holiday - was great but was laid up for a few days when I got back. Am just at Psa clinic waiting for X-rays! Thankyou seenie for encouraging me to come! Saw dr Chandran who was great. Finally I am going to be put on e
Golfnut, hopefully you'll like Enbrel as much as I do. But, the steroid injections-- IDK if they'd help me much. I feel like there's no way they'll fix the bone on bone pain. The orthopedic doc said the bones could be fused together, which would eliminate the pain from them rubbing, but then I'd be walking without bending my feet. Which is basically what I'm doing already.
I'm a wimp about steroid injections-could have had them when my back was out, too, but declined. I have a distaste for temporary fixes, I guess. Glad you're doing well! Can't wait to hear about your Enbrel experience!