Thanks Joe--It's nice someone brought this up. My daughter was teasing me one day about how big my feet are. She hates to go shoe shopping with me, says I am too picky and it takes to long for me to find anything I like. She just doesn't understand how difficult it is to find something that doesn't hurt. To be honest, my feet really aren't that much bigger than they were, it's just I can't stand to have the shoes touch me, anywhere! It's very difficult to find a shoe that doesn't touch you!

So, this summer when she was here, we both found a pair of sneakers. Her's were 8 1/2 and mine were 10W. When we got home, she was teasing me about how big mine were and I said--gemme your shoes. She was still laughing, until I put her shoes on my, what she things are "hugh" feet, and I tied them and stood up and walked in them. Then she asked why I buy such big shoes?

It's hard to find something comfy and when I do, it's hard to keep them on my feet. Finding shoes is a full time job.

Thanks for this thread Joe.

I took a walk around he corner this morning to get Breakfast to bring back to Alan. I had my crocks on. I never really realized HOW BIG these things are. My neighbor upstairs (she's 27), said to me "oh, I'll drive you around the corner to Dunkin". I then said to myself "yesterday, a lady on the bus (in her 40's), got up to give me a seat". And now "my 27 year old neighbor wants to drive me around the corner to Dunkin Donuts"??.

I then looked at her and said 'why would I want to drive when I can walk?" Then I noticed her looking at my feet. THEN, I LOOKED AT MY FEET!!! At these huge black crock things I was wearing. I never really paid attention to how really BIG these things were. My neighbor was wearing these dainty things on her feet.

I looked at her and I said 'Nadine, you're 27, just you wait until somebody wants to drive you around the corner"!! We burst out laughing, I swung my cape over my body and I marched around the corner. The fog outside is so thick, you can't even see anything in the sky. It's going to hit 65 degrees today. But I walked around the corner.

You never drive when you can walk. That's what I tell my arthritis.

lol

Melody

I guess I have been fairly lucky...I've only gone up one size-- from a 9 to a 10.

On the advice from my podiatrist, I buy only wide width now (women's wide is equal to a regular mens).

I only wear my Arcipedicos for dress, athletic for work, errands, and slippers,
sandal types in nice weather.

Sometimes I buy men's athletic shoes in 8 1/2 if I can't find a women's wide. Although Famous Footwear has increased its inventory in women's wide lately.

In my line of work, I stand...in fact have stood for over 40yrs. With my high arch I haven't grown much foot wise. The biggest change was after the birth of my son. I've been pretty stable since then.

I don't give a hoot what people think of my shoes, I am eccentric all the way thru so the feet just fit the rest in style! LOLOLOLOL
Some days I thank the forces that be that invented athletic shoes. I don't know what I'd do with leather ones like I used to wear (loafers and Hush Puppies).

Hi Mrs. D.

I remember Hush Puppies. (from long long ago), They were the most comfortable things ever.

And soon, they are coming out with Fur-lined Crocks.

Oh, the joy, the joy. lol

Melody

I have a black pair I wear on vacation. They are very good for water shoes, protect the feet etc. But I don't like the way they feel on my feet. The toes especially.

I like tie shoes for driving. I don't like mules when driving at all, and I drive alot.

I think shoes are a huge problem, when feet hurt. And everyone is different.
I know alot of people who hate it when shoes are too high or low on the Achille's tendon in the back, for example. My problems are in the ball of the foot.

A few months back I had a professional properly fit me for shoes. I found I was wearing 1 1/2 sizes too small. My toes are numb, I really couldn't tell. Now I wear ugly black leather box toed shoes. But, I don't care what anyone says, because they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever had. I have come to accept that comfort is much more important than looks. But it was really hard to give up all my other shoes. I paid good money for them and they were so cute . I can't wear shoes like crox becasue they don't provide enough support for my feet.

Hi. Oh yeah I was saying this. I hve went up one size in the past 9 months. I really feel I could go up another. I wear walking tennis shoes all the time. I'm not sure though if its the shoes feel tight but its really cause I'm so sensitive not that my foot is really growing that much. I do know sometimes they feel swollen. I hate when I need a new pair. Its easier to buy a car. Nothing feels good and it just aggrevates them. I wouldn't care if I wore a 12 as long as they felt good.

Mel the crocs the furry ones are out,and waiting..If you don't have to order
buy where you can was around,they can be a little ,tighter on foot do to fur.
I have gone to a wedding,2 very she she birthday parties coming up. Dr,
Amy my Daughter-law will be winning a award from UOM Dec. 14th..
I also don't give a darn who looks at my feet..I know I had to wear
Shippers at my son't wedding..300 people lots of pictures,we agreed,no
pictures of feet (my Feet) only one goof ,my love's ones laughted and so did I,

Thanks Joe for answering my question about the feet falling over,wasting
of ankles is painful...This has proballyl been discussed before me..
J once again as always you do your homework,reading the imfomation
helps and the best part the pictures,our brains or at least mine is on
overdose at the monent...Sue

OVERDOSE? Of pain, you mean? Well, until the docs come up with 'standards of/for comparison' we are all outta luck besides being in forced good moods or truly totally grumpy!. But, as Joe is always very good to point out-we make do as best we can.

As for that PT website? I found that in my searches in the last two years [first year: broken foot bone PLUS other ankle severe sprain; second year: Knee fractures in two places {on a knee that'd had surgery 6+ years before -3 years before PN stuffs}] I already KNEW what to do...just needed refresher pictures? Gotta do it SAFE if you are going to do it. Alternatives aren't well, good?

We all have the pain[s], we all articulate it differently. We are suviving tho! More power to us! Less to the docs. - j

PS I have found that the only BEAUTIFUL shoes are those that FIT!