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Posted 3/19/2013 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
HI,

I am 38 years old and have had RA for 6 years.  I was taking Humira but last year switched to Orencia infusions.  I do not feel Orencia is working and will speak with Rheumy once I go for my next infusion in April.  Yesterday, both of my feet started to hurt at the same time.  It was a pain I had never felt before.  It was a stabbing, burning pain on the ball of each foot similar to if I was walking barefoot on rocks.  It had me in tears.  I could not even drive to work.  I called my Rheumy this morning to ask if there is anything I can take to help calm it down and when the nurse called me back she said " Dr. says is sounds like foot problems related to Neroupathy because you are diabetic and to call your PCP."  When I explained to her that I know what neroupathy feels like and this is not it;' it is a new pain I have never experienced before, she suggested I speak to the Dr. at my next infusion (April 20th) or I could make an appt to see the Dr.  I am furious.  If I drive in there to see her, she will bill my insurance, take my co-pay, look at my feet, and will tell me the same thing.  My problem is, we all know that RA can affect the feet; why automatically assume that mine is not?  Has anyone else had it affect their feet, and if so, can you describe the feeling?

Thanks in advance!

Posted 3/19/2013 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
If it was more in your heels I'd say it was planter's faciitis.
I have foot pain all of the time but I have fibro/lupus. It gives me the same pains as RA but not the joint damage.
Posted 3/19/2013 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and Welcome to HealingWell, Maybe you should consider
finding a new Rheumy doctor one who will listen to you and to
help with your pain. For me I have RA through out my whole body.
Posted 3/19/2013 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
My husband suggested the same thing, which was to find another doctor. I had been to another one previously (when my insurane stopped covering my present one), and when I asked her how she can help control the pain she suggested I take Tylenol. Regular plain over-the-counter tylenol! I could hardly keep from laughing! Needless to say, I was happy when my insurance started covering the one I have now again. I am usually very happy with her, but this is the second time in several years where I have called in because of a flare and she has done very little. That is very discouraging to me. Thank you for the suggestion, I am definitely going to give it some thought!

I do have pain all over as well. My pain usually stays in my hands (they are by far the worst), my wrists, elbows, and in my chest (I have had issues with costochondritis in the past.) Now I guess I have added my feet to the list....
Posted 3/19/2013 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Try wrapping your feet with ace bandages. When my joints flare I always find that compression helps.
Wishing you all the best
Posted 3/19/2013 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
OOh, I will try that! Thank You!
Posted 3/20/2013 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
I am FAR from an expert but can tell you this. When my feet ache from my RA, I do notice if I put on warmer socks or socks and slippers if swelling permits of course the warmth helps. Also I noticed if I put my feet up slightly higher than my body, say if I'm sitting on couch putting them on the footstool but on a blanket on the stool so they are a little bit higher that helps a little too. Hope you get it all figured out, I know its awful when you have to tell your doctor your diagnosis! because they seem to just not want to bother to take time to use their medical degree/knowledge to help.
Posted 3/22/2013 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah I get bad feet. I get a lot of swelling along tendon sheathes and because I teach and am on my feet they are often in agony at the end of the day.
I saw a podiatrist ad got orthotics made or my work shoes, she built ridges to support my worst pain areas and built up my heels to stop the archilles pain. It hasn't fully gone but it is more manageable. The pain is white hot and searing and I get nerve entrapment from the swelling. My calves are sore as they are working hard to try and take the pain away from my feet. The physio has given me specific exercises to help loosen my calves.
The pain is bad on high usage days and like TayIsa I use heat to give relief.
Hope something helps. Good shoes, orthotics and heat have really helped me. golitho
Posted 4/4/2013 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
I 1st had this exact feeling in my feet following a race, but I've had it since...comes and goes. Ice helps me a bit...pain medication and a little rest. I also switched shoes (for the running) and stretch my feet. Hope you're feeling better.
Posted 4/17/2013 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
I havee found relief from warmth and soft support on my feet.  Also my rheumy prescribed Voltaren gel which has been very helpful. Hope you find comfort soon.

 

Posted 4/18/2013 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
When I have flares it is my hands and feet. My feet feel like they are stone bruised all over the sole of my foot. I have to start my prednisone first thing and usually have enough relief to be able to walk the next day with less pain.
Posted 4/25/2013 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
I would discribe mine the same as yours...feels like stone bruises! Hurts very bad!!! Like I am walking on rocks! I have also lately began having cramps in them and my toes will point all in weird directions. Let charlie-horses. Usually I began with inflammation in my hands and feet then I flare up every where. Best of luck! Maybe you should find another Rheumy that will listen to you. And take your feelings seriously.

Post Edited (Boatswife) : 4/29/2013 6:11:07 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/4/2013 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
I've had success treating RA with diet challenge. Was diagnosed ~4 years ago, with pain primarily in left foot, around knuckles near ball of foot. Started methytrexate and almost went on Humira but then started to look for alternatives. Found out my flare-ups are mostly triggered with coffee and chocolate. Now on no meds and mostly pain-free. Still trying to identify possible other triggers.
Posted 5/6/2013 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
My feet were what put me over the edge in getting diagnosed. I ended up with a huge lump between 3 & 4 metatarsal. I wore dansko's which are wide and allow you to rock through the stride instead of bending the feet as much. They were all I could wear for 4 months until I started cimzia. The lump just about disappeared. Funny, the other foot, which was painful buy not as bad, still has some of the rock sensation.
Posted 5/6/2013 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Walking barefoot on rocks is a good description. I've also described my foot pain as walking on broken feet. Time for you to find a new and better Rheumy!
Posted 5/8/2013 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
I've described it to my rheumy as like walking on little rubber balls.  What you're describing is something I live with nearly every day.  It's the RA...
Posted 5/8/2013 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'd also like to say that I started wearing the Skeecher's Shape Ups, not because I actually thought they'd shape me up, but because of the wedge slant heel.  It has helped TREMENDOUSLY!  Now, after 3 years on the Shape Ups, if I wear anything else, my feet swell and I'll limp for days till they go down.  A good pair of walking shoes with lots of soft support will make a big difference.  But prepare to get out the wallet...they ain't cheap.
Posted 6/3/2013 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
Feet-- I never connected this symptoms with my other symptoms( stiff, welling fingers in the morning etc) -- but my feet burn and tingle a lot -- especially in the morning and always after I run ( I don't run far - only about 3 miles). I dont have an ra diagnosis. I have no diagnosis after 4 yrs.
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