Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Pain when working

I wouldn't worry about the impression of the customers. Put your feet first. I've had foot problems my whole adult life and when they're at their worst i'm miserable. With all the other fun stuff that AS throws at you the last thing you want is a bad case of plantar faciitis trust me. if not a stool, maybe you could get a mat or cushy remnant of carpet to stand on, that would be better than nothing.

major problem because the kiosk is located in a major mall is solid concrete underneath your feet non-stop. Why don't developers of malls think of people's feet when they design their creations?

I have high arches and am overweight. Not a lot of exercise due to pain. Arthrotec and depression meds are making me gain weight.

I have a thick spongy mat that I keep in front of my sink and stove. It really helps when I am on my feet a lot. Sometimes I move it from place to place, depending on where I am going to be standing. You could get one, roll it up and take it with you when you work and take it home when you are done. It sure feels good on my feet. Also, sometimes it helps to change shoes every few hours.

Thank you, Donna. I began walking last night at home on the side of my left foot because the pain was not as bad when I did that. A thick spongy mat sounds so delightful. Where would I buy something such as that?

You could buy a think spongy yoga mat at wal mart and cut it.

I bought mine at Costco, but I think you would have to just check out the stores. The thicker and spongier it is the better. Mine is about 1/2" thick.

Yoga mats or the mats they use for backpack camping - only about half an inch thick but incredibly insulating and soft feeling. The solid kind, not the blow up ones. Will keep out the cold of concrete as well as softening under your feet. They are great. If you buy the camping size one you can cut a smaller piece off to use at your kitchen bench or anywhere else at home you are likely to stand for a while as well.

You'd get it from a camping/adventure supplies store that sells backpacks, tents etc.

the very best thing i've found to stand on is those kneeling pads like you use in the garden, to do housework, etc.

i get them in the garden section of lowes or home depot.

they are really inexpensive, super lightweight, small and so easy to transport (bring to work in a canvas bag), and very thick and cushiony.

i never stand in my home kitchen without one (we have oak floors) and never stand in my lab at work without one (we have concrete floors there).

they wear out in a few years, but are so inexpensive, easy to replace. and when the ones at work started getting old, i just put one on top of the other and got a few more years out of them.

i'm at my best when i can take my shoes off and stand on the mat in just my stocking feet, so i tend to wear loafers that are easy to slip on and off. otherwise i stand on the mat in my shoes.

and i agree with what was said above: sit if it makes your body feel better. don't worry what others think. i've learned over the years to be selfish for my body. there are very few chairs i can sit on at work. and i'll take them to whatever rooms we have meetings in. keep them there all quarter if we will meet there every week. i don't care how odd it looks to others that i must sit in specific chairs, if it keeps me functional and more productive, its a win - win for everyone. if you are more comfortable, you will be able to serve the customer better. in the end, not only is your comfort better for you, but for everyone else as well.

i was surprised when mobic made me really tired. i had never had that as a side effect with any of the other nsaids i had tried.

have been surprised how different each nsaids side effects have been for me. some bother my gastritis the most. others give me edema the most. and mobic mostly just made me tired, so very tired.