For those of you that have been to a podiatrist for foot isses, have many visits did it take until you got some resolve? And/or if wearing an orthotic, to get that made?

After a month's wait as a new pa, I finally went to my pod doc appt this week. 30yr practice guy. Seems very knowledgeable. Also known to be conservative (not like, hey! let's cut your foot open and operate). Which is good. But, I left with the jist that he didn't really understand what I meant about cycling shoes and clipless pedals. 30yrs is a long time. Surely he's treated people like me before, right???

I go back in 2wks for another specialist office co-pay appt, $ugh$. But, I left with no help for my cycling. It was rather frustrating and disappointing (snow is coming here soon too *sigh*).

He had advice on going to a couple certain quality shoe stores for a professional fit. Types of shoes he wanted me to try for my problems. Watched me walk barefoot. Examined my foot. Talked aobut the med hx. And showed me some inserts in his office we could try "next" after the shoe trip.

When I asked about custom orthotics, he said at this point, he wouldn't be sure exactly what to even make. OK, I know that's reasonable. Also, some of my other stuff I had he could maybe add to it. And when I asked again about my cycle shoes, he said something could be made to fit in them specifically.

Well, these OTC inserts that I can still return are still $50 a pop. By the time I mess around and "add whatever" to a few of those, I could be up to the price for the real deal I think I need in the end anyway. Plus all the office co-pays, etc. I'm getting mad thinking about that one.

The overall dx is this:
I do have a hx of peripheral neuropathy (extremity numbness), that there is no cure.
My arches are REALLY high (no OTC even touches the top of it).
Morton's neuroma in rightie.
Platar fashiitis overall (lack of support to the arch).

If *I* play doctor... I think all I need is a really good thin well fitting orthotic for my cycling shoe, and the like supportive for other shoes. I don't want this process to take forever!