My feet hurt!

[latnl8rzdude]

New'ish to the Diabetes lark... Diagnosed in Sept2012, early onset of type2 due to steroids. When I was diagnosed I stuck to the diet quite well, dropped from 13stone to 11, but the last few months I've not managed to stave off my cravings! Sugar is like crack! (not that I've tried crack you understand).

Last week or so the middle toe of both feet are sore... and getting more painful. Should I panic? Are my feet about to erupt into ulsers?! I have no idea what I'm supposed to look out for in the foot area.

and advice, even if you all point and laugh!

 

[Northerner]

Hi, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sometimes when blood sugar levels are higher than normal you can experience something called 'transient neuropathy' where you can get sharp pains, particularly in your feet and toes. Getting back better control will often relieve this pain. I would recommend that you go and get them checked out by a doctor or podiatrist though - have your feet been checked at all since your diagnosis?

 

[latnl8rzdude]

No they haven't and I'd never heard of transient neuropathy (I'll be googling). I've not been given anything to monitor my sugar levels either but have had two blood tests after 1st one they changed metformin from one a day to four and after the last one gave me gliclazide 80mg one a day. at that appointment I was told to 'not worry so much about diet'... Bad thing to say to a chocoholic as thats when I started to struggle 🙂

 

[LeeLee]

told to 'not worry so much about diet'... Bad thing to say to a chocoholic as thats when I started to struggle 🙂

WHAT?!!!!
In my experience it's ALL about diet, and the drugs are there as a support not a replacement.

 

[latnl8rzdude]

WHAT?!!!!
In my experience it's ALL about diet, and the drugs are there as a support not a replacement.

SEE! Now that exactly what I thought. That was from a GP... Its a group practice, I have other ailments and I've never seen the same Dr twice, but around here, all the surgeries are like that.

Guess I need to make more noise than I am, it's just that I was really poorly from xmas to about a month ago and was in there or hospital all the time and now, apart from thirst and sore feet, I actually feel ok! 🙂

 

[Northerner]

No they haven't and I'd never heard of transient neuropathy (I'll be googling). I've not been given anything to monitor my sugar levels either but have had two blood tests after 1st one they changed metformin from one a day to four and after the last one gave me gliclazide 80mg one a day. at that appointment I was told to 'not worry so much about diet'... Bad thing to say to a chocoholic as thats when I started to struggle 🙂

Sounds like you are not receiving the best of care Have a read of what you should expect from the NHS in terms of support and the 15 healthcare essentials.

Also, that is probably the most stupid thing you could say to a person with diabetes - of course you have to be concerned about your diet, that's the whole point! In particular, you need to be careful about carbohydrates in general, not just sugar or sweet things. I would recommend reading The GL Diet for Dummies to give you a better idea of the approach you should have with your diet. You can be quite flexible, and you don't have to deny yourself anything, just make sure that the 'treats' are exactly that - once in a while, and in moderation. If you do try hard to reduce any sugar intake for a while then you will probably find that your palate adjusts and you no longer crave it as you do now - honest! 🙂

 

[latnl8rzdude]

Thank you, I'll check those links. And to begin with I was doing really well avoiding sugar and reducing carbs. I think this foot pain has frightened me into being disciplined again.

 

[Northerner]

Thank you, I'll check those links. And to begin with I was doing really well avoiding sugar and reducing carbs. I think this foot pain has frightened me into being disciplined again.

Hopefully it will be a temporary problem - but do get your feet checked to be on the safe side 🙂

 

[Andy HB]

I hope what they meant by "don't worry too much about diet" was "take things one step at a time"!

I was lucky when I was diagnosed in October, 2009 that the nurse actually gave me a meter and test strips. That was sooooo useful for me at the begining and I probably wouldn't be diet and exercise controlled now if it wasn't for that. Unfortunately, the GPs and DSNs these days don't get that kind of message and make it very difficult for newly diagnosed people to really get a grip of their condition.

Anyway, welcome to the forum. I hope we can help you.

Andy 🙂

p.s. Oh, by the way, my right foot has been a bit 'cotton-woolly' ever since diagnosis and I too get the odd transient pain. However, it doesn't stop me doing my daily walk (just being a lazy so-and-so does that!).

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forum latnl8rzdude 🙂