Shoe Boxes? I know that my own foot size has gone up about at least one full size and the width? Was a ladies C/D to a D/EE. And still not enuf toe room? It does get discouraging. And THEN one has to learn we lose the 'fat' that protects our foot bones+muscle fats, etc due to neuropathies? It is insult to injuries! Plus the 'edema' from either the meds or less activity or whatever else that could be blamed on it all.
I used to have an all leather wardrobe due to hyper-hydrosis, plantar...meaning I had to wear leather because I had super sweaty feet. That all changed dramatically with my PN onset. The opposite problems started to occur - had to treat my feet as if I had diabetes with checking, and heaps of lotions and potions! Now I can only wear washable slippers at home, sandals and crocs...It is a good thing no grand neices/nephews are due for weddings for a LOONG time? Crocs at a wedding? Nope.
Keep those ankles strong? Exercise with either a pair of therabands and balance discs and you WILL get a strengthening workout. Site is:
http://www.fairview.org/healthlibrar.../sma_index.htm
Look under ankle....The discs you have to stand on..probably best to have a door jamb or counter to hold onto at first. The theraband exercises...many you can do sitting down. Hope this helps. - j

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.