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Diabetic Shoes

Kaye

TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
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Location
Orlando, FL
I'm Type 2 diabetic and recently had an infection in two toes. I discovered the infection on Sat., and went to the Dr.'s on Tuesday (Mon was Memorial Day). I got chewed out for ignoring my feet and was informed to stay off my feet. Three weeks, four Dr.'s appts. Felt Dr. over reacted, but I had no desire to lose my toes and understand that things COULD have gotten worse. Fortunately all is healing well.

I've been told I should be wearing diabetic shoes. After research, oh NO WAY. While I'm not dressing at the height of fashion, those shoes are UGLY (no disrespect to those who have chosen to respect the industry). If my insurance helps with the purchase (still under research), I would agree to get a pair, and wear whenever possible (I'd order sneakers and will NOT wear to work).

I have now discovered Drew shoes (drewshoe.com) and have ordered two pairs because I will work with wearing more therapeutic footwear and will stop shopping the mall for shoes. Given that TUGGERS have a wealth of advice, I'm open to ALL suggestions.

Given a 2 week trip is a week away, I probably won't post again but will read. Thanks.
 
Zappos.com carries Drew Shoes. You could also search Zappos.com for similar styles in their "comfort" section.

There may be some Earth Shoes styles that would work, too. Here's a link for that page. Scroll past the open toe sandals and there are a number of closed toe varieties.
 
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OK, now Kaye, you should have known I'd see this post and give you the riot act!! Yes, diabetic shoes are ugly (as you know by looking at mine) but at least I am walking , and at last count I had all ten toes!! Your insurance will pay for them, so get them!! The Dr just has to send in a note/prescription that you are diabetic. When you start wearing them you will forget about being "fashionable" . I could be dressed to the nines and I wear them all the time. I can no longer wear anything else. If you really want to be stubborn go out and by you some merrills. I wish I could wear them. Hugs, Shaggy
 
If you can get the kind that are molded to your feet they won't be so ugly. At least your feet don't go one way and your toes the other !!:p shaggy
 
Shoes

Kaye,
I get a catalog called FootSmart which has a lot of shoes which would be appropriate. You can look at their website at http://www.footsmart.com . You can also call and ask them to send you a catalog. Call 1-800-870-7149. They have tons of good shoes that you might like, many with rounded toe boxes like Drew Shoes, some velcro ones, etc. Anyway, give them a try.

I have some Drew Shoes, which I like. Other good for you shoes include Born and Propet. There are others, too, but those are the first to come to mind. Oh, and New Balance for tennies, cause they come in such a myriad of sizes and widths. They even have black velcro walking shoes, a favorite of people in uniformed positions (and I'd know that one).

Fern
 
[
There may be some Earth Shoes styles that would work, too. Here's a link for that page. Scroll past the open toe sandals and there are a number of closed toe varieties.


I tried using my two pairs of Earth sandals for walking around Las Vegas and they were not that comfortable with my painful bunion. Eventually my toes became painful. Of course I did more walking than I usually do. Perhaps the Earth athletic shoes would be more comfortable. I am disappointed that Earth shoes are not the answer for me.

I'm going to have to look into more comfortable shoes for walking! Thanks for the suggestions for Drew, Prophet, New Balance, etc. A friend of mine had some Ecco shoes, and said they are comfortable. You might also try Crocs. I have a pair and they comfortable; I know someone with diabetes who only wears Crocs.

Sally
 
My father, many years ago (a type 2 diabetic) got these nice shoes that he really liked. Just thought he would have to break 'em in a little. Got blisters on both feet. To make a long story short. He had one prosthetic leg above the knee and almost two. From the blisters showing up to the surgery was all of 2 weeks.

He was only on the pills and was under pretty good control of his diabetes. Sad, sad story for him. I wouldnt care how ugly the shoes were.

My daughter is a type one (she is 29 and got it when she was 12). Diabetes is such a nasty, vicious and sneaky disease. Its a constant battle for the people and thier families that have diabetes. Be careful and take care of yourself.
 
Sally,
I wear Clark's Springer Sandals for everyday walking...they are good (for me) for a lot of walking...very adjustable, and the heel is neither flat or too high. I can't wear Earth Shoes, Birkies, or Crocks anymore due to the negative heel. QVC usually carries them, if you are interested and can't find them there, email me and I'll find you the item number.

Fern

I tried using my two pairs of Earth sandals for walking around Las Vegas and they were not that comfortable with my painful bunion. Eventually my toes became painful. Of course I did more walking than I usually do. Perhaps the Earth athletic shoes would be more comfortable. I am disappointed that Earth shoes are not the answer for me.

I'm going to have to look into more comfortable shoes for walking! Thanks for the suggestions for Drew, Prophet, New Balance, etc. A friend of mine had some Ecco shoes, and said they are comfortable. You might also try Crocs. I have a pair and they comfortable; I know someone with diabetes who only wears Crocs.

Sally
 
I understand the need for diabetics to have good footwear. But. how are diabetic shoes different from other shoes?

I wear Privo (style Joyner) sandals and love them. I own several pairs of the same style. People have told me that my clothes would look better if I wear different shoes.. but I like comfort.
 
Talkamotta - thank you for posting. My heart reaches out to you, and to others affected. This weekend I did clean the closet of shoes I know I should NEVER wear again (leaving some on the border shoes in there). I'll work through it as I get shoes more in line with what I need.

Insurance won't pay for the diabetic shoes, so I'll work around them for a while. I did order two pair of Drews, have multiple Berkies already, and have good, sturdy water shoes. Shaggy, you've seen the last of me walking around the pool/beach without shoes.

Thanks for those who posted names of good shoes. I will continue to do research. I will post later if my research proves beneficial to others.

For a description of diabetic shoes go to
http://www.diabetic-shoes.info/diabetic_shoe_vs_regular_shoe.html
The Drewshoe.com website for women diabetic shoes is:
http://www.drewshoe.com/default.aspx?page=sc_category&cid=22
 
Kaye, I don't understand why insurance won't pay for them. My Dr just writes a note/prescription to the podiatrist that I have to have them as I am diabetic and they cover it. I am only talking about the specially molded ones, a plaster mold is taken of your feet and it takes awhile to get them back. It does not cover "diabetic" shoes you order online or pick up at a store.

Have a great time in Hawaii. shaggy
 
Thanks for the suggestion Fern. I have usually found Clarks to be one of the most comfortable choices. I walked in Europe in a couple pair of Clarks mules. I want to try to Clarks Privos and the Springers.

I bought a pair of Merrell's at DSW yesterday, and they were expensive. I like the way they look, but unfortunately, after a couple of hours, the toes in my bunion foot are squished uncomfortably into the shoe. I wore them right way. It's so hard to tell just by trying on the shoes in the store. After this, I think I am going to buy and walk around at home in shoes before I wear them. Zappos looks like it has a good return policy. A shoe can fit perfectly on my non-bunion foot, and be a problem for the other foot.

I wore a pair of Trotters today that came from my deceased mother. She wore about a half size larger than me. They look narrow, but actually are quite comfortable, so I think I'll buy this brand again, in the half size larger. Zappos has this brand too. I think I may be better off emphasizing closed toed shoes rather than sandals -- sandal straps often cause problems with my toes.

Just a couple of ideas -- I am on a quest to find comfortable shoes, but running out of money. My feet are feeling a little better after all the walking last week, and I can probably tolerate the Earth shoes again. I am seeing a foot doctor on Friday re the bunion.

I can really symphathize with those of you who have foot problems with diabetes. Bunions are no fun either!

My feet look like this: |/ !!

Sally
 
I, too, am a diabetic. I also have had trouble with a bunion for years. The most comfortable open toe sandal I've ever found is by "Annie". The style name is Vanessa. It comes in many different colors. The heel is nice and low and there is elastic at several key points that prevents the shoe from pressing on the foot. My bunion remains dormant when I wear these sandals.

For years I was able to get them at Marty's Shoe Store but they no longer carry them. I now order them from Old Pueblo Traders, a mail order catalogue which has a liberal return policy http://www.oldpueblotraders.com/pagebuilder/Item?item=46771&category=GSANDALS

With diabetes it is important to "inspect" your feet carefully every day or two because most diabetics have neuropathy--nerve damage that makes one unable to feel foot pain. Because of this, a cut or splinter or other wound may not be felt and therefore not treated properly, leading to an infection. If seen (rather than felt) early, the proper first aid treatment can be done.

When I was first diagnosed in 1992, I had severe neuropathy. The doctor (a top specialist at a major NYC hospital) told me that there was nothing I could do to reverse it. I read many books and came across info in "alternative" medical literature that recommended taking about 500 mg. a day of good quality alpha lipoic acid. It was not well known then, and quite expensive. But I began using it and within months my neuropathy was completely gone. The doctor was amazed and began recommending it to his patients. Many of them had similar results.
 
Diabetes


Learning About Diabetes · LAD · Diabetes and Your Health


Thanks for all the information and
diabetes related shoe website links.

If you have or suspect you may have a health problem,
you should consult your (doctor) health care provider.

Will check everyones (feet/shoe) suggestions out
and post a few links on our diabetes yahoo group.
 
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