Little Problem Here
 

I've been dealing with a swollen left foot for 5 years. The most heartbreaking thing in the world for me was getting rid of dozens of pairs of high heels I'll never wear again.

I've been lucky so far. I've found sneakers I can buy pairs of, usually after 4 or 5 shoe stores and trying several dozen pairs. I look for ones that I can lace loosely on one foot and still have it come to the edges of the tongue but still lace it tightly enough on the right foot.

For "cute" shoes I've resorted entirely to ballet style flats. I prefer something of a material that is soft and with give so it will not cut into me too painfully. These work relatively well because they have plenty of give in just widening out as my foot swells and they slip off easily if they start to hurt.

Because shoes are simply painful for me, as soon as it gets warm enough to give them up I go to flip flops. I've had to spend a fair amount even on those, buying pricy ones that are soft in the sole and with padded bands but they keep me sane in the summer. I'm counting days til spring! So glad I'm not an East coaster.

The last thing I do is only even look at shoes that come in a wide width. It is the only way I know they'll have the room for my totally swollen foot when it gets to its worst. I don't know how helpful this will be, but it's worked for me so far. It doesn't make me feel better about shoe shopping, and it doesn't make it go well, but I always shop with a plan and sort of know what to look for. Maybe other people have more or better ideas.

Lone Wolf" I ABSOLUTELY understand your predicament! I have been dealing with RSD for just over 10 years now and when I CAN get socks on, I can only wear the soft and fuzzy ones. The only shoes I can wear can wear are "Crocks" (or the knock offs)slip ons, one size too large. The good thing about getting the "Knock offs" is you can "mix and match the sizes, SHHHHHHHH! Don't tell! Just a suggestion. :grouphug: I don't have to switch sizes but they are on that little hanger thing at places like Walgreens.

You might try a manufacturer. like New Balance. They make most of the shoes and sneakers in the USA. Contact them directly, and tell them of the problem. (They're the only shoes I wear besides Merrill's). They may or may not help, but overall, I find NB to be an excellent company, I wish you the very best!

Pete


ASB

I'm afraid I have the same problem...sigh. It's been over a year since I've been able to wear shoes of any kind. RSD started on left, spread to right. Like you, it's soft fuzzy socks. I'm an East Coaster and did find a solution for winter-a company called Muk Luks makes a slipper boot-they are so soft and I went up 2 sizes to be safe. I'm usually a 5/6 so I got a 7/8. They allow room for swelling and are lined inside with pile. I discovered them on Amazon.com -Hope this helps :)

I understand what your going through I have to buy to different pairs of shoes to get the 2 different sizes, I have to buy shoes 2 sizes different then each other which i feel weird, I like to buy the soft shoes like ugh boots so they dont
squeeze my feet

Thank you all for your advice. At least I know now I'm not alone trying to find shoes to fit. guess I will see what out for spring for sneakers. alaska49, I did find a boot/slipper I have been wearing this winter. I spray them with waterproof stuff. LoL it works. yea somedays can't wear sock on my foot at all, yea I wear them soft fuzzy ones too.
THANKS EVERYONE!!!

here's a dirty trick.
Go in a show store.
getta couple pair of shoe (sizes).
Try them on, and figure which ones work best, then, re rebox then, YOURSELF!
So you can go to the the regististier yourself.
now, you've got a pair of 'out sorted' shoes!
Say, one is an an 7, and one is an 8..

I did this one time by accident once, when quite young. I didn't mean to, but I did.
Ya think shoe sales mans men care? I don't/ And,, I don't really care.

They are the best for me to wear too.

I wear an L.L.Bean version of Crocks. They're suede so they stretch out good...