What can I do to reduce INFLAMATION and Stiffness in my Arthritic Feet?
1) Are there foods to avoid or foods to eat?
2) Are there drugs I can take to reduce Inflamation? I'm on Coumadin and can't take Aspirin.
Decades ago I jogged for 2 to 3 years. It may have triggered my problem forty years later?
I have heard that potatoes should be avoided. Can you take aleve?
I've heard jogging is very bad for your knees! That's why I've never done it!
Thank You for your feedback.. As for Aleeve, I thought it contained aspirin. However I will check it out. I'm on Coumadin and I CANNOT TAKE ASPIRIN while on it.
You may be right about the Potatoes. I will check that out too. That Inflamation is what drives us crazy.
Thank You So Much.
I'd like to know too Kingjerry!
I've been told many times by people NOT to eat tomatoes, but I love tomatoes so I continue to eat them.
My main pain is in the joint/area above the ball of my foot (nearest to the big toe) & it was actually pointed out to me by a shoe saleslady many years ago.
The other pain/discomfort I have is on the soles of both my feet. I've never really know if that is arthritis. I always need to wear at least one pair of inner soles in any pair of shoes I leave the house in, to lessen the discomfort. At home I just wear flip flops or Crocs!
Doctors have prescribed Voltaren to me for "arthritis-type" pain many years ago & I blindly took the tablets for ages, but they really took their toll on my stomach. I have ongoing problems with "reflux" / acid pain that I tend to blame on having taken Voltaren for quite some time back then, so I'm not a fan of anti inflammatory meds. If you have a cast-iron stomach I suppose they're okay, but you mentioned that you can't take Aspirin (me either) so I'd say you might not be able to tolerate Voltaren either.
I don't know if jogging decades ago would've triggered it, but I've never been more of a walker myself. What type of shoes did you wear back then? Did they have plenty of support & cushioning?
I really hope that you get some answers. : ) I'll be following this discussion.
Thank You for your feedback. I have to wear Special Arthritic socks because they don't hug my feet too tight and give my feet room to breathe.
I also read that all animal foods supposedly cause Arthritic Inflamation. How accurate and true this is, I don't know.
It would be nice (once in a while) if I could take some kind of aspirin just to get some peace of mind.
Thank You Very Much.
Kingjerry
Do you have OA or RA? Inflammation from RA should treated by a Rheumatologist as it needs specialist meds to suit you. OA in my own case is treated with pain control, Tramadol or similar. I walk about the house with just socks on and wear the most comfy shoes I possess when going out. Also, rest now and then, take the weight off your feet. A cuppa goes down well at this point! lol. I was taken off anti inflammatories due to my "age"! (72). Voltaren is one of the tabs deemed unsuitable for oldies, can cause heart/stroke problems apparently. You should not take anything unless speaking to your GP first, just in case they conflict. Aspirin can cause blood thinning which is probably why you have been told not to take Aspirin. Coumadin must do the same thing! Best Wishes, Ellie UK
Thank You for your feedback. I agree with what you say. Also, I am 72 years of age too.
Hello Kingjerry,
arthritis in the feet is awful, we are one them all the time and finding relief can be difficult. I think it is mostly trial and errorr as we all differ and what suits one will not do for another. As for diet, you could try keeping a note of what you eat and see if you can pinpoint any particular culprit.
There are many anti inflams out there but they can all play havoc with your stomach.
We all look for reasons to why we have our various ailments, the need for answers and something to blame, what we did is done, jogging may well have been a factor but, so long as you enjoyed yourself and felt benefit from the time spent out jogging I would be inclined to keep the happy memories and not beat yourself up about it now - am sure there are folks who spent hours standing on their feet everyday due to work and now have foot problems - bit short on happy memories though !
I ramble, please excuse me. I am getting to a possible help, have you tried a foot soak of Epsom Salts........ some swear by a good soak in the bath with a cup of E.S. in the water, it relaxes the muscles and is said to do all manner of good, could be worth a try. These old remedies are sometimes the tried and trusted best.
Have you spoken to your GP at all about pain relief? There are a few that do not include anti inflam, may be worth a visit and see what can be offered.
I do hope you get some good answers / suggestions, our feet are so important and with winter coming on we need to give them extra care.
Warmest regards
Jessie x
Thank You Very Much for your valuable feedback. I will certainly look into some of things you have mentioned. Sounds good.
Kingjerry
I've found some good relief from taking Curcumin capsules (it's the active ingredient in the spice Turmeric - but turmeric as a spice only has about 5% active curcumin, so buy curcumin from a health food store instead). It really helps my arthritis in my ankle and hands. Its not a painkiller as such but it definitely does reduce the inflammation which in turn reduces the pain level and makes the joints much more flexible. The only foods I avoid are processed foods which are generally unhealthy anyway and I reduced my gluten intake too, which seemed to help. Good luck hon.
Thank You for your feedback. I will definitely try the Curcumin. Sounds good.
Kingjerry
Hi Annie. I looked into both tomatoes and red bell peppers when someone told me they werent good for arthrities sufferers but I believe now that's more to do with rheumatoid than osteo arthritis. The consultant at the hospital told me its perfectly okay for me to eat both those and they have so many other beneficial components I should ignore any contrary advice. Hope that helps.
I agree with Jessie re the Epsom salts - magnesium is very good for pain relief. I put epsom salts in bath water if I'm having a long soak - its very comforting.
Another cause of foot pain, particularly if it's in the ball of the foot near to the toes is something called Mortons Neuroma. I developed that in my 'good' foot because it was taking more strain after my accident to the other leg. It's a form of nerve damage from pressure. I was offered steroid injections - which I'm told are horrendously painful but I had mine done whilst under anaesthetic for some other surgery to my 'bad' leg so didnt feel it. The benefits didnt last long unfortunately so I declined having it done again whilst awake. Surgery is also offered but is a bit invasive so I declined that too. I've tried to improve my gait and not favour that foot too much and it's sort of cleared up a lot on its own.
Hello loxie,
this Mortons Neuroma, does it feel as if you are walking with a tennis ball under the ball of your foot? I am plagued with this and what I think is nerve damage/irritation in my toes, the toes I have been putting down to coming from my back, the discomfort under the ball of my foot I have no idea lol. Don't like the sound of the injections though !
Warmest regards
Jessie x
It's a weird feeling jessie - something like standing on a pebble in bare feet - painful but also with a 'fizzy' tingling sensation. It's generally in the soft pad in the part of the ball of the foot just below the toes. Mine was adjacent to the toe next to the little toe - my surgeon said that's a common location because that's the part of the foot that bears the brunt if one is not walking correctly due to other issues. I'm a coward and couldn't face the possible pain of another injection but a friend who had it too said it worked very well for him and relieved the pain a lot. Best thing is to talk it through with your doctor and get further tests/x-rays etc., to see what's happening in the foot. I hope you find a solution soon hon.
eat all foods that reduce inflammation
curcumin is wonder in reducing inflammation personally i take 1\2 teaspoon in a cup of water 2 cups daily morning and night
ginger is MAGIC aswell it reduces inflammation greatly u can take ginger the way u want eating it or tea extract whatever also soaking into hot hot water ( max u can tolerate is great ) make sure u rest afterwards cos the muscles r relaxed u don't wanna strain them
clove aswell has amazing antiinflammatory properties
get well soon
Thank You for your feedback. I certainly will be trying Curcumin. It seems to be very effective.
TKU
KINGJERRY
Hello loxie,
thanks for the reply, that is not like mine lol, no, ermm mine is more a numb feeling and under the toes closest to the big toe, feels as if I have wet leather round my foot, the tennis ball feeling is numb but wobbly !!
Hope you get comfort soon one way and another, I would not fancy an injection in the foot either.
Take care
Warmest regards
Jessie x
Hi Jessie
Definitely sounds like a nerve issue, perhaps related to the big toe joint, which is very prone to inflammation and wear and tear. I now have extremely painful and enlarged bunions. My doctor insisted it was due to poor footwear when I was younger but it definitely isn't - my mother was obsessive about making me wear 'sensible' shoes and I've never worn high heels etc. My right foot suffered a lot from my accident, including a dropped instep and the big toe becoming displaced and the left foot has taken a pounding as a result of compensating for my poor gait on the right leg. All of which has caused painful issues. We're 'only human' eh. Do talk it through with your doctor but don't let them fob you off with excuses - if it's examined properly there will be an answer and hopefully some relief.
My feet are my worst enemy. I have severely high arches and they have hurt since I was in Jr high. I rub topical pain cream on them, change my shoes 2 to 3 times a day, elevate them.. I have stomach ulcers n can't take anything 4 inflammation n my ankles stay inflammed, I can only sleep if I take tramadol. Serious RLS. I could use some advise myself. Hope you get some relief soon