low readings?

[The Borderer]

can low readings damage you just as much as high's ?
because there are no diabetic nurses or foot examinations available in France i'm really strugling to understand how to look after myself properly, any advice on foot care etc would be brilliant many thanks Jason 😱

 

[FM001]

The jury is still out on the damage that low blood glucose has on the body so wouldn't want to scare people unnecessary, best advice is to avoid them as far as possible and get out of them as fast as you can.

 

[Newtothis]

In terms of foot care just ensure that you wash your feet in warm water daily and check to ensure you have no cuts/grazes etc...including between your toes. Ensure your shoes are well fitted and not too tight so do not squeeze your toes. Socks should be worn but not to tightly.

Your legs are also important so if you can buy some foot moisturer remember to moisturise your legs as well.

Flexitol Foot cream is good for hydrating feet and legs and I think alot of people with diabetes would recommend it.

I also use Scoll cracked heel cream because I always used to walk around bare foot and my heels were slightly cracked; slapped the cream on and some moisturing socks and feet are now nice and soft....so my diabetic nurse said...

Everything we now do is a learning curve and it is about taking one day at a time....

 

[Copepod]

It depends on how low and why?

Unless you're on insulin or other blood glucose lowering medication, I wouldn't be worried by levels between 3.5 mmol/l and 4.04mmol/l, as they're within normal for people who don't have diabetes. So, if you're diet & exercise controlled or taking just metformin, then your body won't let you drop further. If you're on insulin or some other oral or injectable medications, then a reading of 3.5mmol/l could drop further, so needs urgent attention ie a few jelly babies.

Regarding foot health - checking feet daily for damage, keeping them clean, dried carefully after washing, changing socks, wearing appropriate footwear & socks (depending on weather / temperature and activity), trimming toe nails carefully (clippers are usually easier than scissors), using creams if needed etc are the keys.

 

[cherrypie]

can low readings damage you just as much as high's ?
because there are no diabetic nurses or foot examinations available in France i'm really strugling to understand how to look after myself properly, any advice on foot care etc would be brilliant many thanks Jason 😱

I have no understanding of what is available for diabetes care in France. As they rank as one of the best health care providers in the world it seems a little odd that they do not offer foot checks.
I would suggest that you send a private message to HelenM who lives in France as she will be able to advise you.
Can you see a podiatrist or is it the cost that puts you off? I see one here regularly as there is a long waiting list for a freebie one at my surgery and they are only offered if you have problems. I consider it money well spent.

 

[HelenM]

Hi,
As 'Cherrypie' says I live in France also and have had good care, but I have T1 and I know that there are differences.
Nevertheless, if your diabetes is recognised as an ALD (ie your medecin traitant has applied for 100% coverage for your diabetes) there is a list of the procedures you are entitled to.
http://www.has-sante.fr/portail/jcms/c_419389/ald-n8-diabete-de-type-2

You can ask your doctor for a referrel to a diabetologue, either one attatched to the local specialist hospital/maison/reseau du diabete . Pragmatically,, I think many T2s are treated by their medecin traitant unlesss they have problems.
Where I live all the diabetes services ie education and dietitition visits are organised through the hospital. I know of several T2s who see the same doctor as I at the hospital and who have had visits to the dietitian and have attended education courses. There are 'diabetes' nurses (well we have one)but she has have a different role to in the UK (she organises courses, runs the 'diabetes' ward and gives individual advice to people who are patients of docs at the hospital)
Podiatry is odd, the official advice in the ALD document is to show your feet to your medecin traitant at each visit, they should test your sensitivity with a monofiliment. You can get a referrel to a podiatrist, if it is prescribed by your GP then this would be covered.* Otherwise you would have to pay but at least a percentage, should be covered by your 'top-up' insurance. In my area there are also podiatrists associated with the local diabetes organisation and visits to them are subsidised (haven't used it so don't know how it works)
I found this site that might be of use it shows resources and courses available in Caen. Unfortunately, the site needs updating. http://www.diab-caen.fr/index.html
If you aren't near Caen, there are other 'reseau' in Basse Normandie but they don't seem to have websites. http://www.ancred.fr/les-reseaux.html

*That's new to me, before I understood you had to pay unless you had an ulcer, I found that on the leaflet here:http://www.maison-diabete.info/documentation.php?dca_id=1

 

[The Borderer]

Thanks

Thankyou very much for your help and I will be following up a lot of the leads in your post & am going to look at the web address asap

cheers