Fibro and footwear

Hi all,

I'm heading to Hawaii for spring break next week and was looking for some good footwear for long walks and water activities. I came across Chaco brand sandals which seemed to be getting really great reviews from people with connective tissue problems or other pain conditions esp. plantar fasciitis, because of their really aggressive arch support. I hardly ever wear shoes with arch support as I'm a die-hard flip-flop fan and wear mostly cheap flats in the winter, and have never had any sort of foot pain before.

Anyhow, I got these wonder-sandals home and tried them on, and within maybe 30 minutes of wearing them around the apartment the arches of my feet were so sore from where the footbed was pressing on them and I've had terribly sore feet with pain radiating into the heel for days now. Now that my feet are in hurt-mode (I'm praying this is a temporary thing and I didn't just good-intention myself into a new chronic pain area) I am ironically beginning to notice the lack of support that most of my shoes offer. So I'm wondering, has anyone else tried shoes with fancy-pants arch support after getting fibro, and do they help you or hurt you? And can anyone recommend some good footwear that is supportive without poking you in the tender tendons?

Hi, I have really high arches so I like a shoe with support there.  I was having a problem a few winters ago with my "muck boots" (mucking out horse stalls) hurting my heels.  My mom bought me gel pads for inside and it really worked.  Another thought-- I have been seeing a machine that Dr Scholl is using to sell their supports and stuff.  Not sure if it is free and I don't know how correct they are??  Have fun in Hawaii!!

Have fun on your trip. I have had leg on down to my foot problems since I was one years old. I now wear whatever show feels the most comfortable to me and my feet. My foot DR yells at me but I just tell her she can buy the high priced shoes for me. They probably won't do anybetter than shoes from Payless. Besides I have orthotic inserts in anyway.

Hara

I somehow manage with either completely flat shoes or ones with arch support, but nothing in between? Doesn't make sense to me but that's how I roll. I wear flip flops or my sneakers for work with arch support inserts.

Have fun in Hawaii, I'll be here, jealous!