[pegasus]

I have arthritis and my feet in particular are killing me! I'm on an anti inflammatory and take high dose zapain (codiene/paracetamol 30/500.)

Can anyone here suggest what I can do about my feet. If I stand for long periods of time, I'm in agony. Would support stockings/bandages help?

[sabby]

Support stockings may help a bit but how about being fitted for some good supportive shoes that are made specially for those with arthritic feet? They may not be the prettiest of shoes, but it sure beats being in so much pain all the time.

[pegasus]

I hadn't thought of that, I guess I need to go back to my doctor. I'm pretty much in pain all day long. Thanks sabby.

[Wren_]

do you see a podiatrist at all or is your doctor good regarding feet as well? might be worth trying both the stockings and the shoe idea sabby suggested ... as well as getting your feet checked to see if any kind of orthotic would help as well. Although you mention the arthritis it might be worth checking there aren't other things going on with your feet; e.g. even your walking style can impact pain levels

[pegasus]

Thanks tigergirl, my ankles are really swollen and it seems to be the ball of my foot aswell. I really must get to see someone about it soon. Thanks for the suggestions.

[H3rmit]

Do you have flat feet? My family doctor missed this and said I probably have arthritis. I don't.

If you do have misdiagnosed flat feet, more info in this previous thread may be helpful to you:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/healt...-foot-abs.html

It also includes a food pain diagnosis tool, from the web page that our regional specialist foot clinic referred me to when I finally got properly diagnosed with this common ailment of middle aged people. Maybe it'll help you learn more about your specific problem(s).

[pegasus]

Thanks H3rmit, some really good info in that link. I was diagnosed with arthritis 2 years ago, one doc said rheumatoid, the other said osteo, so a double whammy there! Pretty much have pain all over but it's my feet that are the worst at the mo. I read in your links that there are special insoles, I'll look into that. Thanks again.

[sabby]

pegs, did the docs do any blood testing to either rule in or out the dx of rheumatoid arthritis? I think it's important to get the right dx so that you can treat it properly. Here is some info from the Mayo Clinic on blood testing for it:

Blood tests

People with rheumatoid arthritis tend to have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, or sed rate), which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. Other common blood tests look for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies.

[pegasus]

Yes I had a blood test when this started and 6 months later and it showed the Rheumatoid factor was up which lead the first doc to diagnose as rheumatoid. She said the first thing they do is to try pain relief and later think about DMards (?) which are drugs used for people with cancer. The way she described it, sounded awful, you get the same side effects as chemo, hair falling out, sick, tired etc. I didn't fancy that!

That doctor left and the next doc agreed with the first diagnosis but said it sounded more like osteo, either way I'm just plodding along, realised that my pain meds are not supposed to be prn, but should be taken more regularly! . I think the doc would probably suggest seeing a rheumatologist but I don't have time for this!! Hahaha!

[sabby]

pegs, you need to MAKE time for YOU! You deserve that time to take care of yourself. No one else can or will do it for you right???

I would imagine it's possible to have both kinds of arthritis. Maybe that is why your symptoms sound more like one than the other. Do you notice different types of pain at different times?

[Auntie2014]

I was referred to a podiatrist form my GP. He did all sorts of tests to determine how I walked and what part of my feet have pressure when walking. Then he did the script for shoe inserts. By doing this my insurance paid for them. I also ended up changing jobs so I was not on feet as much.

[ginaaa22]

osteo and rheumatoid are very different and treated with wayyy different drugs. dmars are the first line for rheumatoid arthritis. there are other options like humara. definetly need to take the time and find out!!! if u have rheumtoid your damaging your joints!

[gayleggg]

Pegs, have you tried soaking your feet in a mixture of epson salts and water. Might help with the swelling.