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Losing my mind over shoes

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Posted 12/13/2010 12:33 AM (GMT -5)
I don't know if my sensitivity has reached a new level or what. 

I've had to order almost all my shoes for decades, because my feet are very wide at the toes...and they have to be tie shoes because otherwise they're too loose at the heel...oxfords or sneakers, very little variation.  8WW.

Anyhoo, I took a chance and ordered 2 pairs in brands that were new for me, and they were both too tight in the toes.  I WILL NOT put up with any discomfort from shoes, I have enough of that in other areas, thank you!  So back they went, at my expense, of course.  Then I did the safe thing and went with 2 old standbys, boring but dependable.  Well, they came yesterday, and they are also too tight in the toes!   skull   I can't believe it - same size and exact same shoes I've been wearing for years.  So now I wonder - are my old ones just super-stretched-out, or did they change their shoes?  It sure seems to me that usually, when I first put them on, they feel great. 

The customer service people never know anything at this company.  So I wonder - does this happen to anyone else??

Debbie 

Posted 12/13/2010 7:29 AM (GMT -5)
Debbie, last year, I bought the exact same slippers that I've been wearing for years, and now they no longer fit. Since I've been buying a couple of pairs a year for several years and they always fit right out of the box, I'm sure that the company has changed them. confused

I've been wearing the same tennis shoes (literally the same pair) for several years because the company has stopped making them, and I can't find any others that don't hurt. I keep changing the arch pad inside and sewing up holes, but eventually I'm going to have to find something. I dread it soooo much!

This summer I had minor toe surgery, and I couldn't wear a closed toe shoe. We were going to Disney World (we had had it planned for a long time, and the toe surgery was unexpected), and I tried like crazy to find a good, comfy sandal. I bet I ordered 7-8 different pairs to try, but they all hurt. I ended up wearing my old trusty tennies and wrapping my toe like crazy.

I don't have any advice or suggestions; I can just commiserate with you. rolleyes I really think it is super difficult for fibromites to adjust to new shoes or even find shoes that are wearable.

Hugs - Austen
Posted 12/13/2010 7:44 AM (GMT -5)

Oh...The Shoes Thing.  Yes...I think the sizes all vary now.  I read an article recently that like everything else, shoes have been 'downsized' to accomodate the vanity in some people(clothing also).  A size 8 is now a 7...for those who need to feel that they don't have big feet.  I try on every pair about ten times now and walk around the store in them, and I buy shoes that are a size too big for the two pairs of socks I wear.  I always used to buy Aerosoles because I could find them without stiff seams and they were made of really soft leather...not anymore.  I still have a pair of black Aerosole flats I bought in the 80's...worn to a nub but they are so comfy.  Shoes and Bras for Fibromites...someone should start a business...they'd make a fortune!

Donna

Posted 12/13/2010 9:43 AM (GMT -5)
I have two older friends that both have a lot of problems with their feet and both of them swear by a certain brand of shoe store. I don't know if I am allowed to say the name of the store so If I can, someone please let me know and I will tell all.
Posted 12/13/2010 11:43 AM (GMT -5)
Oh sure, Denita, I don't think there's any problem with telling the name of the store....please do! Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the commiseration, Austen and Donna. It's just so maddening, like so many things. You can't even count on old-lady shoes any more!!!

Debbie
Posted 12/13/2010 11:54 AM (GMT -5)
The name of the shoe store and brand is "clarks". They are expensive but their shoes are very comfortable and well made. they are wider, have less seams, comfortable arches......I'm really not sure but they both and a few others I know wont wear anything else. (I do not know how they are sized but could find out for you)

luckily my feet havent gotten that bad yet. And I say yet quite lightly because I have gotten to the point that I cannot wear ANY heels.
Posted 12/13/2010 12:43 PM (GMT -5)
If the shoes are made by hand, that can cause a difference, too.  I wear Birkenstocks and get the same size every time but every pair is a little different.  I just wear a new pair around the house until I can break it in.  But, none of them are to tight.  Can't do that with fibro!

 

Hope you find some comfy shoes.  That's sooo important.

 

Sherrine

Posted 12/13/2010 3:57 PM (GMT -5)
Debbie,

I don't have too many problems with finding comfortable shoes, but I do have a problem shoe shopping in stores. Actually any physical shopping, while I enjo it I get soooo tired. I find that I am quite an online shopper because I can cover a lot more ground that way and am not exhausted after. I love the stores that offer free returns as most of the time something doesn't work and I hate the idea of paying $6 to send it back. There are a lot of shoe stores that offer free shipping and free returns. I have used both of these sites and think they are great zappos.com and endless.com - I think there are a few more but I haven't used them.

Hope this makes it easier to try lots of different shoes and return them in the future :)
Posted 12/13/2010 9:09 PM (GMT -5)
I have trouble finding shoes that fit with a wider toe and don't hurt my heals. The last pair I bought were the Shape-ups shoes from Sketchers. I had to go up a whole size, from 8W to a 9. It's so weird. They only hurt my heal a little bit so I'll just have to deal with them for now because they cost alot of money also. So I'm getting my wear out of them.

 

HARA

Posted 12/14/2010 12:26 AM (GMT -5)
Debbie, I had to laugh with your descripton...old lady shoes.
I too understand your frustration. Sizes really vary...I wear any-thing from a size 8-91/2.

My feet often swell during the day and my toes are arthritic with
Raynauds. Finding shoes is as tough as finding a great pair of jeans. Wished I lived in the tropics...I'd go barefoot :)

Hope you find the comfy shoes of your dreams :)

Hugs, Robin smilewinkgrin
Posted 12/14/2010 2:12 PM (GMT -5)
It's so nice to know others understand, and yet I feel bad for you all too!

Frankey, thanks, I'll have to try those companies because I'm awful tired of paying to send them back!

Denita, actually I've worn Clarks a lot - they are good. I have a couple of pairs I wear in the summer that are incredibly comfortable.

Well, one of the pairs I was complaining about seems to be ok now. I really think my feet are just getting more sensitive, if that's possible... which, of course, it is!! :) throb throb throb...ouch!

Debbie
Posted 12/15/2010 12:20 AM (GMT -5)
I can sympathize re: finding shoes. My feet measure as size 5 Wide. I usually end up buying size 6 W and then using heel pads and insoles to make the shoes fit better.

Casual shoes are no problem, as I can usually buy in the children's department, but trying to find sexy shoes or even a pair of plain black peeptoes is almost impossible.

I think as we get older, our feet do get bigger...I know I used to measure as a size 4 in the past.

Good luck with shopping!

hugs,
Pam
Posted 12/15/2010 9:35 AM (GMT -5)
shoes are a challenge for me. i can´t wear any heels, and now I´m also buying bigger shoes than before, I´ve always been 9 but now I wear 10. I wear heel pads most of the time, and I´ve given away thousands of shoes, since they no longer fit me or they just hurt me. my feet are very thin but so am I and I dont look quite well with such a big shoes, and my husband tells me that they look like mens shoes, lol .
Posted 12/15/2010 9:54 AM (GMT -5)
My feet are very narrow with high arches so shoes can be a problem if they don't have enough support. I have a pair of Ariat paddock boots that zip up the front and are only just above the ankle. I rarely zip them up, slip'em on and off. They felt great the minute I put them on. They are pretty expensive but worth every penny.

Oh and the best part was that I didn't pay a dime for them.
Posted 12/19/2010 11:59 AM (GMT -5)
I wear Easy Spirit open backed shoes "Estravel Time" all the time.  They aren't the most attractive and in the winter I just wear them with socks.  They are the best I've found so far...  But my feet still hurt, shoes or no shoes.  The doctors keep trying to say it must be something else causing the pain but after testing have found no other cause.  The pain is in my toes and balls of my feet and goes from stiff to tingling to numb to cold.  Is this like the pain tht any of you feel?  I also have other health issues and just had my entire colon removed due to Ulcerative Colitis.  If I could just walk again maybe I could finally exercise again.  Can't even do yoga.

Thanks

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