Feet sensation loss

[pippaandben]

Hi everyone. Had my annual check-up yesterday and nurse noted that over both soles I had a loss of feeling. I only knew she was using a sharp needle when she tried the tips of my toes. Otherwise I know she is "pushing" against my feet but at a guess I would have said she was using the blunt wrong end of a pencil.

How much of this could be due to hard skin and do I need to worry? She said it was thew same last year (I didn't know that but as the tests were done in the first month of diagnosis I probably wasn't in a fit state of mind to have taken in that information anyway).

I am just recovering from my first nasty bout of fungal infection to both feet and although physical symptoms of the skin have virtually completely disappeared I have to take the tablets for the next 3-4 months. Anyone know if this would have had a bearing on it?

Otherwise everything going in the right direction. Since increase in glicazide to 4x30mg daily, from 3, my levels at long last coming down. Not perfect yet but after 4 weeks a reading in the teens is a rarity. Makes a change from having to test for ketones whenever I went over 15 twice in a daY. Lowest readings ever of 4.8 and 4.9 before dinner but morning fasting 7-8 but usually 6-7 2 hours after breakfast.

Thanks for all previous help and guidance

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hiya,
do you see a podiatrist? This would be your best option for having a full foot check up. They can also sort out hard skin etc for you.
My personal thought would be that if you had nerve damage the toe feeling would go first. But I am not medically trained just trying to think logically if you see what I mean.

 

[Northerner]

Good to hear that your levels are improving 🙂 I'm not sure regarding the feet but would speculate that perhaps your prolonged high levels may be causing some transient neuropathy - 'transient' meaning that hopefully things will improve as you begin to maintain more regular levels in the 'normal' range. It is important though, if you do have this loss of feeling to do daily checks on the undersides of your feet - either get someone else to look or use a mirror to check yourself 🙂 It might be worth asking to have the check repeated in a few months if your levels have improved, to see if there is an improvement in the sensation test, rather than waiting for an annual check.

 

[Vicsetter]

Foot sensation is usually checked with a nylon filament and/or tuning fork thing. Bit worrying if your nurse used a sharp needle😱

 

[trophywench]

If you look at the new Diabetes UK 'Feet First' bumpf, you will see that 'a cllus underneath/near a loss of feeling site' requires immediate referral to the Diabeteic Specialist Footcare Team. So if you have got hard skin build-up there, I'd see the GP and ask for a referral pronto.

 

[pippaandben]

Thanks for advice - especially Trophywrench. I am seeing The nurse again in 2 weeks as she also takes the blood tests so I will pursue the referral idea - but I think the local Podiatry Clinic has closed. Will need to do some on-line research.
Have also just heard I have a place on the Desmond course in June so now another avenue to ask questions. By the way I was told me delay in referral to this course was because 2 - yes TWO - staff who run the courses were made redundant in January. It beggars belief at a time of increase in this disease.

 

[vince13]

Hi, Just wanted to wish you well at the blood tests you are having very soon and say I know Maidstone well, having been brought up in a little village quite near you. Guess it has changed a lot in the intervening years. 🙂

In any event, make sure they keep an eye on your feet (oh dear, that does sound silly but you know what I mean !) now they have identified a slight problem.