shoes for neuropathy
 

i would like to know, what kind of shoes does one wear with periphral neuropathy. during the cold months i was wearing uggs, they were very comfy, but its getting hot now, can anyone help me?

Welcome to our PN forum.

I think shoes are a very personal thing.

If you use the search function to the top right of the page on the main index page for "shoes"....you will see all sorts of suggestions.

Many wear Crocs in summer. I prefer slide on types myself. Right now I have a pair of memory foam slide ons from Dr. Scholl's last year Men's dept. They are called Breakaway's. But I think they were discontinued. (I bought 2 pair last fall) They are really really nice for me.
Another brand that is easy on the feet is Arcopedicos.

But others have their own discoveries. So please do use the search function.

I could never use UGGS in winter... toooooo Hot!

I am stuck with these really HARD orthotics in motion minimizing running shoes....feels like being stuck in concrete.

I get round home in socks or bare feet. When I go out sandals & socks, which my daughter hates. I wear normal shoes when I have to but not for long.
When I go cycling I have to wear clipon cycle shoes to keep my feet on the pedals.

I need something contoured with a cushion, and like the Merrell Toe Thong and Sliders for around the house. For something a little dressier, either Merrell's Agave or Teva Ventura, that have leather straps.

I can't wear closed toe shoes at all. So even in winter I wear the Agave or Ventura with socks--but not just any sock. They have to be fun. My favorites are from socklady.com. They are heavy knitted socks with semi-matching colors and patterns. Their motto is "life is too short to match socks". I now have a drawer full of fun socks, because when family or friends see something different, they think of me and buy them.

Oh funny! I wear crazy socks too. Airport security gets a kick out of them....when I fly I wear suns, moons, stars, etc. I have all kinds. I like bees, cows, frogs, and of course, my Nordic collection. It is getting warm now tho...and barefoot seems very appealing to me....dirt socks!

I can't wear socks much anymore! sigh.

thanks
 

thanks to all who answered, i find that flat wide shoes work for me, tho i havn't tried many. my feet are so swollen on the bottom, so i don't think anything with cushion will help, i have a pair of crocks but they feel right on the bottom of my feet. i can't even walk right, i wish i could ride a bike:). i'm gonna have to go shoe shopping, tho i can't walk to far or too long. i used to love to shop, now i dread it. i can walk good with those uggs, gotta find something cool, wish me luck guys:)

Me to:(
However I did get custom soles made from a mold in Thailand where I live and wear them in open sandles. The difference is phenomenal! having an arch that fits 100% takes a lot of stress off the feet and nerves. Around $150 custom made

As MrsD said, each of us is different, I have good results with Birkenstocks.

I ordered the footsmart catalog, gives dozens of idea and has foot ware designed specifically for PN. Their prices are high I think, but it gives good ideas. I love my fit flops and sandals for the next several months. For the winter months you'll find my in my black suede top crocs that are slip on or ya can use the back heel strap, they keep my feet dry easy to slip off when the burn comes on. That being said, I have about 500.00 worth of shoes in my closet that I thought would work and they don't, guess I should have a garage sale!

I did the same thing before I finally found shoes that felt right. Even trying shoes on in the store made no difference - you can't wear them around the store for an hour or so. I have some pairs I only wore once - for about 2 hours.

I imagine we're not alone. Maybe we could all get together and open a 'gently worn' shoe shop. :rolleyes:

I second the Birkenstocks, although you have to be careful breaking them in.

Socks,, in the moring if its cold,, its heavy socks, yesterday it was heavy wool socks for a while till it warmed up then I had to go to light socks,, shoes,, I took my sons,, tehre more paddded and again this morning,, heavy wool socks,, then back to light socks,, until I walk across the kitchen floor and there might be a small stone or somthing there,, and it feels like I stepped ona boulder,,

Help with shoe advice
 

I have neuropthy and heel in each foot. Can't were socks. The only shoe i have found is a pair of slip on that is fur lined. I too am looking for something better. Anyone use the z-coil or mbt? Thanks for any reply.

when my feet were painful (now numb - oh so preferable) - I used to always have a spare pair of shoes or sandals or whatever with me. I could never wear anything for long, but provided I kept changing shoes I could at least vaguely tolerate having shoes on my feet.

What I loved best was cold wet shoes - in the winter I could go for walks on the beach because I would imediately go stand in the water, get my runners and socks good and wet, and every time they started to dry out I would go stand in the water again. Man I got some weird looks, but it worked for me.

These days my feet are totally numb so it's now more of a case of keeping a very close eye on my feet as I don't notice cuts and injuries to my feet.

raglet

NB 570 series Velcro Walkers and Dr Scholls Velcro walkers -
both have roomy toes and I use gel insoles (I take the factory ones out)
and foam cushions on top of that.
Very sensitive feet when they're not numb.

For my athletic shoes, I use men's shoes (for the width).
I usually try on many styles, and now I have a New Balance one.

I am experimenting with the new orthotics from Dr. Scholl's, that come with the machine that you stand on which evaluates you in the stores now.

I tested out at #320... and have had them for about 2 weeks or so, and I am breaking them in. At first they affected my legs, but now I don't have that aching anymore. I think they are helping my feet when I do long distance walking (errands).

I only wear them for that.

I wear sport sandals w/velcro!
 

For all but the worst of snows... I've also fussy toes issues and if ANYTHING TOUCHES THE TOES? I get very buggy. I'd found a perfect sandal a few years ago but it's been discontinued. I am now using velcro strips to add to the strap length of the old sandals as I've had some swelling issues. [Can find 'em at Home Depot or Wal-mart if you look on the supports for the shelves? Where they put all the 'weird things'.
I can't wear a scuff as I'm more likely to walk out of it and not notice? Until it's too late.
A friend had given me a present of chenille socks a few years ago and they are perfect! Wish I could find more like them! Non binding, soft, non-irritating and have good toe room so there's no pressure on those 'toes'. Keep the feet warm when they're always cold, and breathe when they're hot.
Does anyone know of a 'custom' sandal maker? That's where I'd go and actually draw my dream footwear!
There is no one perfect shoe for all of us. But I'll bet that IF we all put in our 'requirements'? We could give some manufacturer an opportunity to 'create' our best footwear! Of course, there would have to be 3 different models for both men and women? Slippers, casual and almost socially acceptable. You get my drift.
Good luck in Your GREAT SEARCH! :hug::hug:'s - j

Gee.... -j,
I'm from the '60's :cool: & remember when there were scores of 'em.
Anywhere in the 'Hippy' :rolleyes: section of town!!
Today, the old time fairs, Renaissance fairs, etc.
have custom bootmakers that do custom sandals. :)
Betcha yer local Y.P. or smaller phone book
has a custom bootmaker or two.:winky:
Pricey, but good quality.:(
Also look in the crafts shoppes areas in inner harbors and historric sections of towns/cities, on the East & West coasts.
Dunno about 'Middle America' ? :confused:

A couple of years ago on a trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway, we came across an Alpaca farm, where they sold, among other items, Alpaca socks. Since socks are my thing, I bought several pair. Going out I have fun socks, but these are my around the house socks, and as comfortable as you describe. I just googled, and found several places that sell them over the internet. You might want to give them a try.

There is a poster on RSD who has posted about Bamboo fiber socks... they have problems with "things touching" the skin too.

http://www.bambooclothes.com/clothes/S.html

I've been thinking about these myself. I only wear socks when it is frigid out... and when going out, they have to be very thin fabric. My feet get hot very easily.

My feet don't sweat much anymore...so there is no odor either. I just replace the insoles in my shoes going sockless.

I just posted about the socks on the other thread. I have tried so many and at one time could not wear them at all. For me turning the sock inside out and stretching it helps. I used to wear these medped ones that had a non binding ankle. That helped with the swelling days. As for shoes I need support so wear every min I am up Nike walking shoes. I have not walked without shoes in 3 years otherwise it feels like knives and broken ankle.

I tried to wear a pair of flip flops one day... HA HA HA
 

I tried wearing my daughters flip flops one day, just to run out to the car... what a joke that was! My toes are completely numb now, so I have no feeling of when to "grip" the shoe... :confused: they kept flying off my feet every time I took a step! No more strapless shoes for me :mad:

I hate to wear closed shoes, because like Mrs D, my feet get hot so quickly, but I work and the only place on my feet I have feeling left is on the tops! I don't like to wear shoes that tie, or shoes that cover the tops of my feet. Mostly, I wear Clarks Mules with straps on them. And as soon as I get to my desk, I take off my shoes and put my feet up on my footstool under my desk!

I didn't realize what an important part your TOES played when wearing flip flops! :D:D:D

I have a pair of sandals made by scholl called Orthahell they are very comfy and I always wear them when I go out, when I am at home I prefer to go bare footed, this in summer, but in winter I also like my ugg boots and found that I seem to need to wear two pairs of socks to keep my feet warm. I just brought a pair of shoes to go out in for winter they are alright for one foot but I can not stand them on the other foot. I will try to stretch them but I think I have waited money on them. I have a old pair that I will have wear or maybe I will do what plgerrard does and wear my socks with my sandals, good idea that is.

All the best from down under

Lesley