Sorry you are having so much trouble with your feet. When your feet hurt, you hurt all over!

Here is another thought Guy, did your podiatrist ever give you steriod injection(s) for the tendonitis?

Even though this is not the end answer maybe, it will get you out of pain for now that would help. Sometimes when people have structural issues rather than functional ones injections are just the first step.

I was a medical assistant for a podiatrist and sometimes he would usescoban (don't know if I've spelled that right, but it is the beige stretchy cloth bandage that sticks to itself) to make 'temporary' orthotics while the real ones were being manufactured.

Maybe your podiatrist could teach you to make the wrap yourself. It is a way to compress the offending tendons and hold things in place. The only 'custom' made things he would ever Rx'ed were orthotics and never shoes. But that is most likely because most insurances don't cover that. And now it is worse I'm sure.

Do you have a diagnosis other than tendonitis?

For diabetics, he would Rx a certain type of shoe which was usually covered by insurance - one pair a year I think it was, but maybe that was just for Medicare (65 age and up). I know you aren't there yet.

Good luck and PM me if you like.