Foot Comfort Tip
 

I know there's been a few threads out there about recommended shoes and socks for people with sensitive feet - but thought I would throw a quick tip out there that I recently discovered (who knows, maybe I'm the only one that didn't already known this).

When I'm not at work, I usually wear the basic white athletic socks. They generally have a pretty smooth outer surface, but many brands are kind of "coarse" on the inside. (Something that no one would notice unless you have PN in your feet.) On bad days, it kind of feels like walking with coarse sand in your shoes.

So, one day I decided to wear them inside out (smooth side in) - and it made a major difference in comfort. Now, I pretty much wear them this way all the time. Doesn't look as good, and they might wear out faster - but in my world that's a good trade off for increased comfort.

I'm trying this tomorrow. I'll bring an extra pair in case it fails for me.

This is the only thing I have found that is comfortable. Now I'm searching for a way to warm my feet. Soaking makes them feel worse. Tried a heating pad and not sure if I like that either.

I can't wear any socks at all. the only thing I can tolerate on my feet are summer tramping sandals, that's hiking sandals for Americans. Are other people in this situation and if so have they found any solutions? For me to stand in almost any kind of socks feels like standing on jagged pieces of broken glass. It's okay in the warmer months but not very practical for winter. Glad you've found something that helps.

Good luck - hope it helps. Not a miracle cure for me, but probably reduces the pain by about 30% or so.

I just wear two pairs of socks. Seems to help.

Do you have to buy a shoe size up then? I may try that too!

I discovered Cabin Socks (the Cozy yaks tracks) from Dicks sporting goods last year and I invested in 4 pairs.

They happen to be buy one get one free right now.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/fa...oryId=24528416

I wear them inside oversized slippers and they give enough cushion to help with the foot pain when walking on the hardwood floors.

It can be dicey. But you need a looser shoe. i usually readjust the laces to widen the shoe.

Also something that is really good, especially for walking around a non work environment are the fleece lined Crocs. And in the cold weather now these are awesome. i know crocs are out of style already but for our purposes they really help. Very cushy and you can throw the fleece lining in the wash to bring the fluffiness back after it starts to flatten out.

http://www.crocs.com/p/crocs-blitzen...id=23G#start=4

Compression Hose
 

At the urging of my Podiatrist and critical care nurse wife, I've been wearing Compression Hose which are quite expensive ($65 - $70 a pair) but well worth it. Available in full sock or open toe, covering all the way up the calf, you hand wash them with plain old Ivory soap and lay out flat to dry. They are sold OTC but getting a prescription from your Dr. WITH any and all Diagnostic Codes pertinent to your condition, copies of that as well as receipts may be accepted by your insurance co. for at least partial reimbursement. We are trying our luck with that approach at this writing, and if successful will post.

An unfortunate vulnerability of these is, like nylon stockings they are somewhat easily susceptible to snags -- or "runs." For their protection I also wear white cotton socks but kick myself for not thinking of the simple obvious benefit of turning them inside-out for additional comfort. Thanks much for that.

As I also favor open hiking sandals maybe it was some innate vanity in not craving a stranger tapping me on the shoulder with: "Hey man, you know your socks are inside out?"

The same prescription/receipt insurance attempt might be tried for adjustable-size orthopedic comfort footware which also can prove quite pricey.

Above all, I strongly recommend the compression socks.

Fleece Lined Crocs
 

Amen to that, and they are much handier go get on and off than lace-ups. They're not out-of-style.......they're Retro.

I was on a 15 minute wake up cucle the night before, so the sock experment results are probably not accurate. I was up again a lot last night, so.

Wait, that is most nights, hah.

Kidding aside, I noticed it "felt" nice going on.

I will ask about compression stockings, I don't care about style, at all, so I may buy some crocs.

The size up on shoes takes me to 14, 14 1/12. While it is not as problematic of a size as it was in the 80s, it is still the kind of size you ask them what they have in stock in it, not peruse for choices you may like.

My feet and hands are always cold. My doctor said it's due to iron deficiency, but can it also be related to my neuropathy? I have idiopathic Small fiber neuropathy. Thank you!

Neuropathy can cause temperature problems. My feet are cold unless I wear shoes and then they are burning hot.

Did you have a blood test to see if you were deficient in iron? If so are you supplementing iron? Cold hands and feet can be a symptom of Iron deficiency.

Autonomic neuropathy may affect temperature control, however from what i have read it has more to do with an inability to sweat normally. My neurologist told me neuropathy was not the reason for my cold hands and feet. Unfortunately I have lost trust in him. He told me it was circulation. You can also research Raynaud's phenomenon which is about this subject.

If any other members have thoughts on this I'd also love more information. I "fired" my Neurologist and he me so it'd be nice to hear what you know on this subject.:winky:

I am deficient in iron but I am not anemic. Recently, I had an EKG done due to chest pain and difficulty in breathing. They found that my heart rate was low and my breathing was slow. I don't know if this is due to the neuropathy or what but it has me worried.

Raganp, Check out the post on "Chest Pains with SFN" that is right next to this one in the Peripheral Neuropathy Forum. "February" and others have relevant information on this topic. Do not be worried. There are answers here to your questions that you may not get from your doctors.

Some drugs can affect the heart. Especially if they affect the QT (prolonged beats) of the heart rhythm.

Amitriptyline, nortriptyline, methadone, beta blockers are a few that slow the heart down. Some people inherit long QT syndrome. And if you are not eating foods with magnesium and potassium, there can be affects on the heart also.