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Amputation

Newbie777

Newbie777

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hello,

Sorry grim subject but equally quite important.

As well as high BG, poor circulation, larger red blood cells, infection etc. What else are they triggers to gangrene or amputation for Diabetics.

Is there a reversal or something that can stop or prevent this?
 
Looking after your feet when you have diabetes is really important. A daily footcare routine can help keep your tootsies healthy, and means you can spot any potential issues early and get them looked at by HCPs.

Alongside being careful about blood glucose management, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, simple things like daily inspection, and wearing appropriate socks and footwear can really help, especially if you are experiencing any change in sensation or reduction in sensitivity in your feet.

You should also get your lower-limb and feet pulses, sensation, and general condition of your feet checked annually as part of your annual review.

Diabetes UK has undertaken various foot-related campaigns over the years, and funds important research into foot health. For example:

Research on preventing amputations

Diabetes causes more than 180 amputations in the UK every week. But many are preventable with the right care. And our research has been at the forefront of driving foot care forward.
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk

And

Be in the know about amputations and diabetes

You can prevent amputations The link between diabetes and serious foot problems might not seem obvious. But if your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol are consistently high, this can seriously damage the blood vessels in your feet. That’s why everyone with diabetes needs to know...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Looking after your feet when you have diabetes is really important. A daily footcare routine can help keep your tootsies healthy, and means you can spot any potential issues early and get them looked at by HCPs.

Alongside being careful about blood glucose management, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, simple things like daily inspection, and wearing appropriate socks and footwear can really help, especially if you are experiencing any change in sensation or reduction in sensitivity in your feet.

You should also get your lower-limb and feet pulses, sensation, and general condition of your feet checked annually as part of your annual review.

Diabetes UK has undertaken various foot-related campaigns over the years, and funds important research into foot health. For example:

Research on preventing amputations

Diabetes causes more than 180 amputations in the UK every week. But many are preventable with the right care. And our research has been at the forefront of driving foot care forward.
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk

And

Be in the know about amputations and diabetes

You can prevent amputations The link between diabetes and serious foot problems might not seem obvious. But if your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol are consistently high, this can seriously damage the blood vessels in your feet. That’s why everyone with diabetes needs to know...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk
Click to expand...
Thank you for this.

I think it is thicker blood cells than larger ones that make a difference.

I will be looking for more detail into this subject
 
Elevated glucose levels over time can damage the circulation, and the impaired circulation can impact nerve function which gives rise to altered sensation (eg nerve pain or tingling), and can lead to lack of feeling which can mean that you can get injuries on your feet but may not be able to feel them.

Additionally, if circulation is impaired then healing can also be compromised.

The annual check of pulses in feet and legs is meant to keep an eye on the health of your legs, alongside other checks.
 
Hello,

I think I am the only regular amputee position in the forum although I have been fairly quiet for about eight weeks after being admitted to hospital fighting a vital infection affecting most areas and multiple bacterial infections in my foot.

How well controlled is your BP (mine was 105/63 and hour or two ago)? Your HbA1c is on the high side. Have you tried counting your daily car intake -- a good initials start is 130gm/day.

The only other factor is smoking which I assume you never did or have given up. 2 years is not particularly relevant unless you were diabetic at the time. Ten is!

Others like @everydayupsanddowns have given good advice. Walking it the best exercise for circulation - I have been told at the point just below where you become breathless.


Amputation is truly a life changing experience which having met WW II amputees you never truly recover from.
 
Ian Robinson said:
My mother in law was a type 2 and double amputee which is why I'm serious about getting this under control, unfortunately she wasn't
Click to expand...
My late older (+4.5yrs) brother was T2 and a double amputee. He was living in Kenya and diagnosed as T2 on his 60th birthday, after he was found unconscious that evening. He suffered a knock on his ankle, a few yrs later while working in Sudan and he was then still a heavy drinker and smoker. We deduce he didn't give that knock due diligence; he was well aware he'd hurt himself. He died from health complications after 10 yrs as an amputee and I had my Whipples and total pancreaectomy 8 weeks later. I was totally determined that I would not follow in his footsteps (except he didn't have any to follow).

I am clear that neglect of one's feet is easy to do; the price of that neglect is dreadful.
 
In teh past I have had a nail in my shoe and this went through to my feet I had to go the NHS Chiropody Service for about 6 weeks.

I have very dry and cracked skin on my feet so use some urea based heel balm.

In terms of infections my father (who was also Type 2 for many years) had a very severe leg infection in Pakistan and who left it untreated it for many weeks was going to have his leg amputated.

I heard the news and went to the private hospital in Pakistan and the Consultant told me the bad news, however he also told me he was going to try something new first, a various mix of different antibiotics, which will cause many side effects but could save his leg.

I told my father and did complain often about side effects, but guess what it worked and his leg was saved. You may say it was not bad, trust me tegy cut out the balck infected parts and it was about 70%.

He had a nurse coming twice a day at home for 3 months but he could walk again/drive again.

I am not being disrespectful but they would not try that treatment in the UK, it is about risk and proven methods- also with gangrene once it spreads can be life threatening
 
MikeyBikey said:
Hello,

I think I am the only regular amputee position in the forum although I have been fairly quiet for about eight weeks after being admitted to hospital fighting a vital infection affecting most areas and multiple bacterial infections in my foot.

How well controlled is your BP (mine was 105/63 and hour or two ago)? Your HbA1c is on the high side. Have you tried counting your daily car intake -- a good initials start is 130gm/day.

The only other factor is smoking which I assume you never did or have given up. 2 years is not particularly relevant unless you were diabetic at the time. Ten is!

Others like @everydayupsanddowns have given good advice. Walking it the best exercise for circulation - I have been told at the point just below where you become breathless.


Amputation is truly a life changing experience which having met WW II amputees you never truly recover from.
Click to expand...

it’s so great to see you post @MikeyBikey
even if your still in hospital (which I’m presuming you are)
I thought of you as soon as I saw this thread that @Newbie777had started

indeed we diabetics have to be ever so careful indeed

as I’ve probably previously posted
my late father (following a car accident approximately 27 years ago)
ended up having an above the knee amputation
that saved his life
following a gangrenous infection of his foot/ leg

he unfortunately went on to loose his life to multiple organ failure in the year 2000
 
goodybags said:
it’s so great to see you post @MikeyBikey
even if your still in hospital (which I’m presuming you are)
I thought of you as soon as I saw this thread that @Newbie777had started

indeed we diabetics have to be ever so careful indeed

as I’ve probably previously posted
my late father (following a car accident approximately 27 years ago)
ended up having an above the knee amputation
that saved his life
following a gangrenous infection of his foot/ leg

he unfortunately went on to loose his life to multiple organ failure in the year 2000
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear about your loss
 
MikeyBikey said:
Hello,

I think I am the only regular amputee position in the forum although I have been fairly quiet for about eight weeks after being admitted to hospital fighting a vital infection affecting most areas and multiple bacterial infections in my foot.

How well controlled is your BP (mine was 105/63 and hour or two ago)? Your HbA1c is on the high side. Have you tried counting your daily car intake -- a good initials start is 130gm/day.

The only other factor is smoking which I assume you never did or have given up. 2 years is not particularly relevant unless you were diabetic at the time. Ten is!

Others like @everydayupsanddowns have given good advice. Walking it the best exercise for circulation - I have been told at the point just below where you become breathless.


Amputation is truly a life changing experience which having met WW II amputees you never truly recover from.
Click to expand...
Sorry, should have said, hope you get better soon
 
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