High heels - surely there is a way to ease the agony?!

[Feenie]

I am 43. Bit of a die hard goth, and I love high heeled boots. I used to wear them all the time, even to teach in, had a physio raise his eyebrows over my every day wear and a long standing knee injury (karate).

But I am old. I can't wear them for work, but would like to wear them when I go out (will accept kitten heel sandals in summer). But they kill, and I mean kill me. They hurt so much after just half an hour. I have gel filled sole inserts which help a bit, but God it hurts. Surely there must be a way to wear them? Does anyone have any secrets, or must I suffer/ditch them forever?!

Just to be clear, my knees are fine but it's my feet that are in agony.

Just wear uggs allright!

You are at an age where you should have figured out that comfort matters more than fashion

Awww, I kind of am, but for nights out cookbook don't want to give up the rock chick vibe. Would be like admitting defeat - am soooo not ready. (Look, bikinis I am in denial, go easy )

Cookbook = soooooo

Kindle wants to act my age for me

I'm 43 and live my life in flats. Very sad, love heels but after having to spend my friend's wedding reception with my feet in an ice bucket because I was in so much pain have accepted that beautiful shoes are no longer in my life.

Ooh, interesting. Will look into that. Does it not compare the style of the shoe though?

Ginbunny, yes - the pain. I went to a Sisters of Mercy gig where afterwards the taxi booking lady asked me to walk a short while to meet my taxi- I practically wept! They took pity on me and drove to exactly where I was.

Ffs - compare should read compromise.

are there any other ways in which you deliberately cause yourself pain and risk deformity ?

pain is your body's way of warning you that something is seriously amiss

why wouldn't you heed it ?

how about some thumbscrews

give your bunion-risking feet a rest, fgs

Oh, Anyfucker, you make me laugh - and okay, you have a point. On the other hand, my very well fitted bra (bra interventioned up the ying yang, btw) hurts a bit by the end of the day. But okay, not, crippling.

Aaargh, is no one going to have a solution where I don't have to admit my feet are 43 years old and cannot hack it any more???!! Am I done??

Theawfuldaughter - exactly as you describe, but thin soled. Am definitely going to take your advice on board and look. Thank you.

Clarks do softwear heels, ugg do high heels and have a look at Pavers, they have cushioned heels, googled cushioned or padded high heels, theres quite a few

As, you lovely, lovely people - thank you. will consider all,especially the platform sole. Even your comfort aspect which I hadn't posted for, anyfucker - am a long term fan and as such fully respect your podiatory insight

M&S insolia shoes are quite comfortable . I understand Jimmy Choos are too, but they are too slender for my hooves

You need strong ankles to wear heels - you can improve yours by walking up stairs on your tiptoes

Ha ha Feenie. You don't have to take my advice of course. But when you are 53 and your feet are fucked, you have back pain from throwing your weight forwards on heels and your tootsies look like they have been through a mangler....don't come crying to me

When you get the burn rub your feet with ibuprofen gel ;)

Shoes will feel a bit slimy for a little while but no more pain :)

Kurt Geiger shoes are super comfy as the heel seems to be set differently

How about wedges? I have some very high wedges which are very comfortable.

I am not advocating this at all, but my sister had Botox in the balls of her feet to stop them hurting. She swears by it.

Personally I think that's going a bit far.

You can get really cheap memory foam thick insoles from ebay- worth a go.

Don't buy wood platforms though- torture. Cork ones are fab cos the absorb pressure.

Get to M&S and try on some shoes in their Insolia range. The idea is they redistribute your weight backwards to take the pressure off the balls of your feet and improve your posture. If they feel more comfortable you can buy Insolia inserts to go in your own shoes here.