Beginning to panic!

[pippaandben]

I have foot drop and "normal" neuropathy of my left leg due to spinal surgery and I am numb from below knee to top of toes. Also diabetic neuropathy in right foot. Recently (18/9)fell with loss of tip of right big toe which is being dressed twice a week at local surgery. Thankfully no pain at all due to neuropathy and much to relief of A&E nurses and Drs. Had diabetic check yesterday and nurse noticed swelling of left foot and ankle (and not right) and suggested contacting Dr for possible dieretic pills. Dr called this morning and said would put me on this for a month. As haven't received tablets yet do not know which I have got.

Silly me then did some online research selecting only uk medical websites and am now concerned over possibility of charcot. Can anyone help me over precisely what questions I need to ask and if they are expecting swelling to reduce in one month and that's it?

Phone call consultations may be great but you sometimes what to actually see someone face to face or have a manual examination to ensure all avenues have been considered and for your own peace of mind.

I appreciate you cannot give medical advice but information from anyone who has stated this journey would be helpful. Thanks

 

[grovesy]

I will give a shout to @Flower !

 

[Flower]

Hi @pippaandben sorry you're in trouble with your foot.

The main symptoms of Charcot foot are a hot or warm foot in comparison to the other foot, swelling, redness of the skin and sometimes pain but this isn't always present due to neuropathy. It is quite a rare complication that can initially look like a sprain and because of that it isn't always recognised or considered but needs to be ruled out rather than overlooked. Did the Dr who prescribed diuretics examine your foot or was that by phone? Have you got a diabetes podiatrist you can contact and ask for advice and send a picture of your swollen foot/ankle? Having neuropathy and a damaged toe it might just be fluid build up due to the injury and disrupted drainage but you are right to be cautious and wary of something more happening. I would ask for another opinion rather than taking drugs for a month and seeing what happens.

I was prescribed anti inflammatory drugs when my foot and ankle became so swollen- I was wrongly diagnosed with a sprain even though I said I knew I hadn't hurt myself. The drugs did nothing towards reducing the swelling/pain/warmth. Charcot is hard to diagnose initially as early x rays can appear clear even though the foot is swollen and painful.

With your combination of diagnosed neuropathy and existing foot injury I wouldn't leave the swelling unchecked. I hope it turns out to be nothing else meanwhile keep your foot elevated to reduce the swelling as much as possible. Best Wishes.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Don’t forget about your blog post @Flower 🙂

Useful links for people new to diabetes

These links provide useful information, particularly to those newly-diagnosed. You can also browse the Recommended Books and Links sections for further information :) Contents: Type 1 Section Insulin Pumps Section Type 2 Section General Help and Information Section Complications and screening...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

Sorry to hear about your feet and legs @pippaandben

Hope you get some reassurance at your next appointment and that the pills help with the swelling.

 

[AndBreathe]

I have foot drop and "normal" neuropathy of my left leg due to spinal surgery and I am numb from below knee to top of toes. Also diabetic neuropathy in right foot. Recently (18/9)fell with loss of tip of right big toe which is being dressed twice a week at local surgery. Thankfully no pain at all due to neuropathy and much to relief of A&E nurses and Drs. Had diabetic check yesterday and nurse noticed swelling of left foot and ankle (and not right) and suggested contacting Dr for possible dieretic pills. Dr called this morning and said would put me on this for a month. As haven't received tablets yet do not know which I have got.

Silly me then did some online research selecting only uk medical websites and am now concerned over possibility of charcot. Can anyone help me over precisely what questions I need to ask and if they are expecting swelling to reduce in one month and that's it?

Phone call consultations may be great but you sometimes what to actually see someone face to face or have a manual examination to ensure all avenues have been considered and for your own peace of mind.

I appreciate you cannot give medical advice but information from anyone who has stated this journey would be helpful. Thanks

Pippaandben - does your surgery have a facility whereby you could send them photos of the worrying parts?

I was recently talking to my GP about painful hands, and explained it was frustrating not to be able to show her. Her response was that if it was felt it could be important they did have means of doing that.

At the end of that call, I was referred for some bloods, then more recently x-rays and a Rheumatology referral, but if you feel you need to she your Doc what's going on, I'd be asking how to email in or how to have a video call, which is the other possibility at my surgery.

A very unsettling time for you.

 

[Piglet]

Hi pippandben,

I have Charcots on Both my ankles and it was misdiagnosed as a sprained muscle in my foot/ankle so do not let this go. I am now disabled and have no functioning ankle only left foot. Ask your GP for an immediate referral to the Diabetic foot clinic as they specialise in this type of condition. DO NOT DELAY. Flower is right about the symptoms. I was walking only foot for 5 months due to the misdiagnosis and now have a deformed foot (classic Charot but it was missed by 2 Drs in A&E 1x Emergency Nerse Practictioner and my GP)

Good luck and I hope it turns out not to be the case.

Piglet