Crocs..and Birks
 

Finally shoes that are cute and my feet can have support when they swell and hurt...I can ALMOST see my feet in Croc heels...I so miss all my shoes, but with the glittery Birks and fun styles of the Crocs..I see a glimmer of hope that I can look "cute" inspite of my ugly bumpy legs!

I miss all my old shoes too. I went through my closet and gave away 38 pairs of shoes and 17 bags of clothes that I can no longer wear because of the RSD. Made me so sad to give away my pretty shoes. Just got a new pair a few weeks ago by the brand Naot. I'd never heard of them before but they are SO comfy...like walking on clouds with no break in period. Because they are mary jane style they give me the support I need (with a strap I can adjust based on how swollen my left foot/ankle is) but are open enough that nothing is touching the most sensitive areas. WAY more than I have ever spent on a pair of shoes before but since I currently have all of 2 pairs I can wear at the moment including these I think they're worth it. Sort of funny though was when I read some online reviews and people complain about where the strap is...but it works perfect for me because any higher on the foot/closer to the ankle and I wouldn't be able to wear them.

cindi,

I love my size to big crocs. it has been the only thing I have been able to wear for 2 years now. But I sure do miss my other shoes. Sometimes I just open the door and look at them.

Hello everyone, I try so hard not to even think about shoes because they are no longer comfortable. My RSD started in my right great toe and now is progressively becoming full body. I have a pair of orthopedic shoes that I wear for work, but they too hurt. The only shoes I am able to wear are those that have the back out and they have to fit a certain way. All shoes hurt my feet. I use to love shoes so much and now I can't wear them.

Nw

Have you tried a size to big crocs? Crocs by nature are wide. But maybe if you got a size to big they wouldn't rub. (the winter ones) the other one's have open backs.

I have such a hard time with open back shoes. Most of them hit my ankle right where the pain is the absolute worst. I tried going a size up but then I can't keep them on my feet...and lord knows I don't need anything else to make me MORE clumsy and off balance...lol! I'm also afraid of something bumping me in the open back...guess I've been run into by too many strollers, carts, etc and I just don't trust people anymore so I like the protection. So I tend to prefer shoes that are like ballet flats because I get the protection around my foot but it's open on top so nothing touching the worst area. The mary jane style has worked out great because I could get it a little large and the strap keeps it on my foot.

Like everything else with RSD, I think it's one of those things you just have to play with and try a lot of different things before you find something that works. I can't tell you how many times I have tried to explain to other people how sensitive my ankle is and why most shoes just do not work...but I think they just can't wrap their heads around how much pain is involved. I felt so bad when my parents got me a new pair of New Balance running shoes the Christmas after I first got RSD. I tried to put them on so many times but I just cry trying to put my foot IN the shoes. I've thought about taking them to a shoe repair place to see if they could take all the padding out around the top...then I might be able to wear them. But so far I haven't ever gotten around to trying that.

I have to say that since giving away almost all my old shoes I at least don't feel so bad everytime I look in the closet at all the things I can't wear anymore. That's like a cruel sort of torture...

catra,

I understand the being clumsy, I fall into walls quite a bit when I walk. When you talked about being run into it reminded me of a time before my injury where a man ran over me with a grocery cart, while I was trying to get something off the bottom shelf. He didn't say sorry or anything.
I havent tried mary jane style shoes. I think because the top of my foot has rsd as well as my ankle and toes.
After my last lsb, I was able to wear my tennis shoes for about a week. I was so happy. I refuse to get rid of my shoes, that would mean I have given up on getting better and I am not doing that. Looking at them reminds me not to give up and a reason behind continuing lsb, stim. trials, etc.

See...I like to think of it like I will reward myself with a whole new shoe wardrobe WHEN I get better...lol! Nothing like the thought of shopping for a new shoe wardrobe to motivate me to get better...lol!

But seriously...I am sorry to hear that you have it just as bad on the top of your foot and toes. Again I am reminded that as bad as things are for me that I am lucky to not have it as bad as some. I still have the pain in my whole foot...but the other areas are not AS sensitive to touch as my ankle is. That's where the RSD initially started and it just seems so much worse in that one spot. Wearing the shoes a little big seems to be good enough for the other areas so that there's not any pressure (except when it swells...but not much I can do about that)...but with my ankle I just cannot have ANYTHING from the shoe touch it.

Oh well...we all do what we have to do to survive and keep dreaming of the day when things will be better.

My daughter can only wear TOMS...They seem to be the only kind that do not hurt her feet. And for ever pair you buy they donate a pair to the needy. So hope this helps.

Sandy

Sandy,
Did this company use to be Tom McCan. (I think that is the right spelling)
:o