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Claudication

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Z

zuludog

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
For a while now I have had some pain & aching in my legs, especially my calves
It's OK in everyday life, though I can feel a sort of tingling or throbbing sometimes, but comes on if I try to do any hiking, especially uphill
I've Surfed the Net, and I'm fairly sure that I have INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION. This a reduced flow of blood caused by narrowing of the arteries

Does anyone have any experience of this, please, or any other advice or comments?
I saw my GP about this several months ago when it was mild, but he didn't seem too bothered about it. I think, though, that I'd better see him again.

The official view is that this is irreversible, but I've seen suggestions to take various concoctions of honey, garlic, lemon juice and so on.
Is there any truth in this, or is it do much wishful thinking?
 
Hi zuludog,
I suffered quite badly from this on diagnosis well over 4 years ago. I started daily walks as far as I could manage, walking through the pain as much as I could. What happens is the smaller arteries start to expand to take the load. It's not a quick process (right leg cured in 12 months, left leg after 18 months) but it does work. I have been able to walk 10 miles without pain for the last three years. I did go for the usual NHS scans but was told I would have to wait until it got much worse (i.e. unable to walk more that 10 yards) before they would perform surgery. That was motivation enough!
Good luck
 
Hi zuludog. As Pete says, you can encourage alternative routes for the blood to get down there. What you really need is proper Doppler studies of your leg and foot circulation to confirm that it is that that is causing your problem. That’s something that could be done by a nurse in the surgery, it’s not complicated.
 
As I said, this has yet to be confirmed, but I meet the risk factors - male, 67, diabetes, overweight (90,7kg this morning with nothing on) - and have the symptoms, so let's assume that I have

Weight is a vicious circle - leg pain, less exercise, weight gain; repeat. Also I was concerned that by putting up with the pain & carrying on walking I might be doing more damage. So I've had a good rest over winter and my weight has gone up. It's only now that I've realised that walking, even with some pain, would be beneficial

It's only in the past few days that I've found the problem, so I've been Surfing t'Net and YT. It is officially irreversible, but those and Pete's reply have given me a bit of hope for some improvement
I'll be making a doc's appointment asap

I can still walk reasonably well into town, around the shops and so on, so I wouldn't expect the NHS to do anything serious yet

At my maximum in January I was about 94kg, so I've been making an effort anyway, just by diet without any special exercise. I seem to be living off bran flakes, fish & veg stir frys, and lots of fruit. Now that I've learned that it is OK to go walking I'm hoping the weight loss will continue.
 
Hi - yes I do - and what has been said already is true.

It is impossible to actually walk 'through' the pain actually - if it is IC. However it's very important to carry on walking when the pain starts until it gets worse - which it will! - and not stop until you can't stand it - then rest for however long you need to - preferably sitting and then carry on, repeating as necessary. Gradually - the initial distance gets further.

Get it diagnosed 'formally' asap before anything else and because of quite likely peripheral neuropathy in your feet (not 'diabetic' N exactly but the D makes us a bit more prone to it even with good BG) they may want you on something to help thin your blood to help it circulate a bit more easily - I can't tolerate Aspirin so I take Clopidrogel.

There are other exercises you can do inside your home too is there are 3ft snowdrifts outside it - but the first thing they all recommend is a 30 min brisk walk every single day.
 
I had noticed this pain occurring months ago when hiking & backpacking, and just carried on but rested when it the pain became too much
Gradually I realised that this was more than just being unfit
I saw my GP but he didn't seem to bothered, so I carried on for a while
Then I thought I'd have a rest over winter to see if there was an improvement

That's the position I'm in at the moment. I need to see him and get a proper diagnosis, advice, and medication if necessary
I had been prescribed aspirin a while ago but was a bit lazy about taking it - not any more! Alright, stable doors and all that, but I'm doing it now

My last full diabetic review was in October '17. My long term HB1c thingy (can never remember the correct name) and cholesterol levels were acceptable
Likewise my foot sensitivity was good
Last time I did any sort of a hike was September '17 My legs soon ached but I managed 5 or 6 miles at a slow pace, with rests, though it took a few days to fully recover
So I think this means I am at an early or mild stage but obviously now I know more about it I can deal with it

Years ago I used to do Canadian Airforce Exercises, so I'll do something like that again, as well as regular walking. But first I'll see my GP
 
Forgot to ask, Zuludog, you don’t smoke, do you? I know Jenny does, but that’s just defiance. Comes from touring round countries in Europe where it’s compulsory.😎:D
 
Curiously it seemed more compulsory in Kuala Lumpur airport than anywhere else I've ever been You didn't need to light up, just inhale .....

Outside of the airport it was rare to see anyone. (else LOL)
 
No I don't smoke, and never have.
Considering my lack of willpower I am lucky in that respect as I don't actually like smoking

That begs the question of course - how do you know?
Well I tried a few as a teenager but very quickly stopped. Alright, not 'never have' but near enough
 
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