Anyone have any suggestions? Footwear edition.
 

I am having a problem with footwear- more specifically slippers. I cannot figure out what kind of slippers would be best to buy for my poor sensitive feet. They hate the cold (it increases the peripheral neuropathy and fibro pain) so they need to be covered in the winter so right now I am in socks and flip-flops which works for the fall but now that it is getting really cold it isn't really working anymore.

I want slippers that are really soft but I can't figure out what kind that would be... does anyone have any experience or suggestions? All help is extremely welcome!!

I use felt lined (not fuzzy) moccasins, one size larger than my pre-PN size (and w-i-d-e), & I put in gel or foam insole inserts. I usually trash the inserts that come with them.
Look for a soft, suede type of a good make-not the cheapo ones in the supermarket or drug stores ($25-$30).

I have given up on slippers. Most are too hot for my feet over time.

I am now using a Pilates sock, that breathes, which keeps my feet at a neutral temperature. I am wearing my summer slides with the new sock with good results.

I also find having a small heater on the floor here (this part of the house is not over the basement), cuts the cold really well.

Really cold feet may be a sign of poor circulation, so attacking the problem by improving that may be better than finding the "perfect" slipper. Soaking in epsom salts will open up the blood vessels nicely. L-arginine and L-citrulline will increase nitric oxide in the blood vessels and dilate them so more blood gets to the extremities.

I just mentioned this in another thread. I found some at TSWLTH for ~$6 that fit your description (and my comfort) pretty well. Fleece over foam inside & out. I got them as throw-aways, but they were so comfortable (and warm) I went back and got a few more pairs...

The best thing I've found to do is just cruise all the discount stores and try a bunch on until I find "the ones".

Doc

Sorry. I've spelled it out previously - must have forgotten to this time.
The Store We Love To Hate

I'll not use/refer to it anymore.

aka walmart

'Dearfoams' seem to be kindest on my feet.
I've been getting the same style/type for the last few years, now.
I need a new pair of slippers, mine are worn out, and I got another brand and another style (Slip-in/no backs) as an Xmas gift this year, and tried to wear them for a few hours on Xmas morn. but I almost fell and kept sliding out of them. They won't work for me. I went on-line and found Dearfoams, but they don't make the same style that I was happy wearing for the past few years. They make something that 'looks' similar, but who knows?
Why do companies constantly change items? It seems as soon as I find something that I like and feels good.......its no longer made! Arrgghhh!!! Happens alla time. All different things- shirts, shorts, underwear, jeans, etc. As soon as I find something that works for me, when I go back to get more - Nada, Zip, Zilch- "sorry, Buddy- don't have it anymore!" I'd pay any price just to get 3 more boxers, or 1/2 doz more socks, or 2 more pair of jeans - they were so nice. They 'worked!' "..... (Sigh)... oh well.... !"

OH Bob/Nide! You are soo right.
 

The words: 'New and Improved' have always spelled doom for me and THAT product!
Where would we all be without: Velcro, Zippers, Elastic everywhere we need it! Buttons, hooks and Snaps? Forget it!
Back on topic tho? Macrophile, worse than the GREAT SEARCHES FOR SHOES, SOCKS, Come SLIPPERS! I cannot count the $'s subsequently donated in shoes and slippers that ultimately DO NOT FIT!
The only ones that 'seem' to be the most flexible for me? Also are the most expensive! I am sooo tempted to try and start some 'cottage industry' making slippers for our 'tender toes'[c]!
That, or they discontinue them rite after I've bought something that actually works! It's a racket, designed to MAKE us buy/try more? Why should we who have fussy feet have to pay $100. or more just for basic foot coverings!
These are good slippers tho, have used them for ages...good foot support and comfy. http://www.acorn.com/categories/womens
Even the sheepskins I've washed with something like Dreft laundry detergent or Pepede leather wash- Successfully, but using a shoe stretcher to fit them..
I hope this little bit helps. Maybe we should create a set of 'criteria' that possible slipper and shoe manufacturers could 'adopt' into their 'specialty shoe' designs? I sure don't know WHO they are listening to...obviously NOT US! [Unless we want to pay $100.+ for anything].
Hugs and hope to all! :hug::hug::hug:'s!!!! - j

These same slippers are available again (they only seem to have them this time of year/season) at about the same price, and I've picked up a few more pairs. I found they last about 6 months (for me) with near constant wear - they're about the only thing I wear anymore between PN and edema.

Funny thing is, while the black ones (like I got previously) are still the same price, they now have them in GRAY too - at twice the price! :Hum:

Found some "PN-friendly" boots as well, with a velcro strap instead of buckles or laces - fit my deep instep too. These will be a lifesaver when the snow fl... make that accumulates - it's already flown a couple of times!

Doc

I have just been diagnosed. In the past 3 months I have bought more pairs of shoes than I can count. NOTHING feels good.

Can someone suggest some good sandals? Is it possible to wear sandals ever again? I live in Florida and I really can't stand wearing sneakers. Plus, although the sneakers feel better for the soles of my feet, they squeeze the tops of my feet and make them burn more. I feel best walking barefoot. But it gets cold here too, and I have Raynaud's (including with everything else I have) and now this, so I keep going from cold to hot, then back to cold.

The problem I'm having with sandals is ALL of them hurt the bottom of my feet, and all the thong sandals I have put pressure on my second toes, which turns them red and has made the podiatrist trim them back multiple times, saying they are ingrown -which was my original diagnosis. I buy pretty good sandals, but now they are just not good enough.

I have slide slippers and these also bother my second toes. Actually, my feet won't hurt as much - I'll put on the slippers - and IMMEDIATELY my second toes hurt. Help! :confused:

I'm in Florida too, I wear my Birkenstock sandals year round, except for Jan when it's cold. And even then, I'll put socks on and keep going. I can't stand closed shoes.

Back when I was going to pain management, I went through a course of biofeedback. It didn't work for my pain, but the doctor who taught me claimed to have many Raynaud's patients for whom it worked very well.

Doc

Hmmm... I'll have to read up on this. Thank you.
I am not quite sure that Raynaud's is actually going on. My toes used to turn white. But now they only get red - and only around the nails. The 2nd toes have more pain and pressure causes them to look ingrown. I have also had pain and what looks like a sore is starting at the corners of some of my toes. It is really weird. I can't help but think this is more than neuropathy. Or is this normal with neuropathy? It took quite a few visits to podiatrist and rheum to get a dx, and that was after dx of ingrown, then morton's neuroma (got injections), then raynaud's, AND chilblains (got norvasc), and now neuropathy. I also get numbness up outside of feet, burning on soles, burning on tops of feet, burning on face, shoulders, arms.

Am I breaking the forum rules? I probably shouldn't ask all this in the footwear thread. :)

It couldn't hurt to ask again in a different/new thread, for folks who've skipped this one.

Some of those symptoms sound consistent with PN, but some sound comorbid as well. The numbness/tingling/burning is typical of PN, but some of the other stuff on your toes sounds like it could be some kind of deficiency maybe even fungal, but the podiatrist should have recognized or eliminated those right off.

Has anyone tested you for diabetes (glucose tolerance)?

Doc

I have been tested by urine twice and I've gone in and done the glucose tolerance juice/blood draw test. My blood glucose always comes up right in the middle of the range. However, I have trouble with female yeast problems and this is why I've been tested. I have wondered about sugar intolerances for quite some time.

I just looked up the word comorbid, since I have not ever heard that word before. Thanks, I learned something! :) I'm interested in what you said about deficiency or fungal - because the first thing I asked the podiatrist was why have my toenails changed? I do have a fungus toe on each foot, the pinkie toes. But recently I noticed my SECOND and THIRD toenails had changed and become incurvated. I asked multiple times, and every time the doctor completely ignored my specific questions. Could some of this be fungal? My third toenails were slightly cloudy at the time, not thick or peeling, but not normal. And my second toenails got ingrown and one has a vertical line down middle. I can't seem to get a podiatrist to say anything. I've been to two, one multiple times. I will say it again. I have no faith in doctors. Hmmmm...
One more thing, I was on diflucan when all this started, and I was soaking in epsom salts and tea tree. One of my pinkie toenails actually started changing and looking more normal! I have wondered if the diflucan set this off - started killing fungus and I was having dieoff. But I have stopped the med, stopped soaking, and it has not gotten better.

Thank you, I will post a new thread.

for Geraldine
 

Geraldine, I wear Birkinstocks and their cuter sister brand called Betula all of the time, they are my favorite summer shoes and the only shoe that I wear as a "house shoe" or slipper at all. It the winter I just add a soft all cotton Gold Toe sock underneath to keep my feet warm. When I was working, RN. I would wear their line of professional clogs, these you could wear with jeans or long pants, and are comfortable enough for a PN'er.

hope this helps!

I haven't read the entire thread so if this has already been mentioned, then disregard. I purchased a pair of Haflinger clogs http://www.footsmart.com/P-Haflinger...ogs-71590.aspx I use these both inside and out and wear them as slippers. I can't walk without support and these offer that and they breath so my feet don't sweat if the temperature warms up. They have some that are labled as slippers too. Here is a link to their page on Footsmart http://www.footsmart.com/haflinger-s...term=haflinger They are pricey, but they are really great on my feet and work well inside and out.

Thanks abunnybabe,
I looked up Betula and there are some pretty cute ones! Gives me some hope that I just haven't found the right brand yet.

My toes are slightly better but I haven't worn anything but my sneakers and orthotics. I just got my custom orthotics this past week, hopefully they will help!

The whole shoe thing drives me crazy, and I have no idea what to do about it.
So far everyone has mentioned having sensitive feet. I have completely insensitive feet and ankles, meaning that I cannot feel whether a shoe fits well or is three sizes too tight, or rubs my ankles, or anything. I have severe pain in my legs and feet, they often feel like they are slowly being fed through a washer mangle, but it is only obliquely related to my footwear if at all. I have to decide whether a shoe fits by whether it leaves red marks or blisters on my foot when I take it off.
I also cannot keep clogs or most sandals on my feet because of the lack of sensation, and inability to move my toes. Fisherman sandals with lots of straps are okay.
Does anyone else have this problem? You could drive a two inch nail into my foot and I wouldn't notice if I wasn't looking.

I can identify with some of your problems. I get blisters all the time and I don't feel them. I discover them when I look at my feet and toes. I have a lot of ankle problems because i don't feel what my feet are doing and I wind up hurting my ankles. I have braces that I use on and off because of this. I broke a toe and didn't feel it...I only discovered it when it turned colors and it hurt when I tried to pivot on my foot. Yet, if I pick up a small rock in my sandals while walking, I still feel it. Its crazy and it really plays with my mind at times.

You can find sandals that will accomodate orthotics at the link in my previous emails. They are a little pricey, but worth it in that you can wear them with orthotics.

Happy feet
 

Hi there, anyone heard of fly flots? Got my first pair of clogs a few days ago, not the prettiest of shoes but so far amazingly comfortable, they are anatomical, anti fungal and most important anti shock which is great for me as my heels and ankles get quite painful. Bought through a UK company called Pavers, they have a web site and I think they ship worldwide, well worth a try. They have a range of fly flot slippers too.

I have been using fly flot slippers for years, they have a great range of sandals for the summer also. I also bought a pair of Fit Flops and they are nice to wear in the winter ( not the most beautiful clog either), I can't wear in the summer though as they are warm and make my feet burn even more.

New slipper socks I found!
 

If anyone has access to a Claire's - in most malls I think - they have a slipper sock that I have fallen in love with. All the normal slipper socks are just those soft slippers, possible "infused" with a lotion or something, but these are 2-3 times softer, they are lined with some sort of fat cottony substance. They are so soft, and since the shape or soles have been bothering me in almost everything, and barefoot is good EXCEPT my feet get too cold, these have been working. Really good on cold tile floors. Warm, fuzzy and barefoot-like. The regular slipper socks I have to wear a second pair of socks under. And slippers with any type of shape/sole have not been working.

They were recently on sale from $18 to $5... So I bought a few. They are holiday colors, bright pink. :)

Neos Overshoes
 

I found on this forum a link for Neos Overshoes. I found a couple of them locally and one was like a light coat that fit nicely over my crocs. They could be used over your flip flops I'm sure for house use. I plan to buy mine on line and get the insulated ones that have cleats for ice.

Hi Macophile
 

I don't like cold feet eithor. Google "Foot Smart" they have a great catalog with lots of good choices, and they cater to sensitive feet. good luck. ginnie

Crocs with fleece lining or UGG boots are good. Buy them online - copies are OK too.