Newly diagnosed

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Astroman

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Type 2
Hi Folks,
As the title says, I am newly diagnosed with type 2. It started when I went to my GP with a problem of tingling toes at night. Blood test followed by diagnosis. I am 61 and starting with my lifestyle changing practices (walking more, healthier diet etc). My one concern that I have yet to return to my GP with is the problem with my feet. One of my big toes is gettin quite painful and I have read (probably mistakenly) that it is not uncommon for diabetes sufferers to have toes amputated. I am due to see my GP again in a few days but just thought I would ask the question here.

Tony
 
Astroman, welcome to the forum. Others, including type 2s (which I'm not) will be along shortly, but weekends are often a bit quieter than weekdays. It's correct to say that diabetes can lead to amputations and other problems like neuropathy (changes in nevre feelings, especially in feet), BUT, maintaining good control - including diet, exercise / activity, medications etc - all help to minimise the risks of having such problems. Walking more is a great start. As you have a GP appointment booked soon, it's worth jotting down any queries to raise when you see them.
 
Astroman said:
Hi Folks,
As the title says, I am newly diagnosed with type 2. It started when I went to my GP with a problem of tingling toes at night. Blood test followed by diagnosis. I am 61 and starting with my lifestyle changing practices (walking more, healthier diet etc). My one concern that I have yet to return to my GP with is the problem with my feet. One of my big toes is gettin quite painful and I have read (probably mistakenly) that it is not uncommon for diabetes sufferers to have toes amputated. I am due to see my GP again in a few days but just thought I would ask the question here.

Tony
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Hi Tony, welcome to the forum 🙂 There's quite a lot to take in at first, and you'll likely never stop learning about diabetes and the different little ups and downs it may throw at you, but take your time and absorb what you can - you don't need to know everything straightway! You might like to read the following links, which should help put things in perspective and maybe prompt some questions for here or when you see your doctor:

Maggie Davey's letter to newly diagnosed Type 2s:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=5836

and also Jennifer's good advice:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=5835

Plus, a book I always recommend, as do many others here: Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker (amazon link)

Regarding the tingling toes - it is likely that, due to the raised blood sugar levels you will have been experiencing prior to diagnosis, your nerves in your feet will have become more sensitive. Sometimes, your toes may also feel numb, or have shooting pains. Hopefully, this will be a transient thing and will disappear in time. Now that you have been diagnosed and are making the necessary lifestyle and diet adjustments your blood sugar levels will improve. Initially, this may mean that you experience even greater sensitivity in your toes and feet for a while, so don't be alarmed if this happens.

Your doctor should be able to perform a few simple checks on your feet to see if the pulses are good, and how well you feel the vibrations from a tuning fork, or a slight prick with a nylon cord (doesn't hurt!). Amputations are only necessary when the limb/toe has become infected and the blood supply has failed. I suspect you would have been very aware if you were anywhere near this stage, so try not to worry.

If you have any questions, please don't be afraid to ask. Nothing is 'silly', and we will do our best to help! 🙂
 
Hi Tony and welcome to the forum, many people use this forum age, type of diabetes etc, but we all have one thing in common we want to help one another where ever possible.I'm sure after a few days/weeks of being in here you will soon see we are a very warm and friendly forum so welcome onboard x
 
Hello Tony, welcome to the forum.

I have numbness in my feet too and it tends to be worse at night.

As Northerner says though, I still have a reasonable pulse down there and so am not too bothered overall. I check my feet regularly in case I've got any cuts etc and make sure that anything untoward is dealt with promptly (fortunately, any cuts seem to heal OK too).

Just be careful to check your feet regularly too. Prevention is always better than 'cure' in this case! :D

Andy
 
Hi Tony

Welcome and as a relatively newbee myself all I can say is this is tthe place to be for support and help on any question you may have about diabetes. Well done for getting it right from the start. All the best with your appointment with your GP and I hope everything goes well.

Thinking of you.

Tasha
 
Hi Tony

Welcome to the forum 😉
 
Hi Tony

I ams sure you will be able to sort things out with your levels now thta your GP has made you aware of the problem. As others have said, getting control over your levels will doubtless improve things and help you prevent deterioration.

If you GP has not already discussed this with you, you could check out the situtation regarding free foot care- this can be sketchy - my own GP surgery used to offer this but now only gives free treatment to those with a high risk of have exsiting damage - seems like shutting the door after the horse has bolted to me. I paid for a checkup with a chiropodist when I got a corn the other month - well worth the ?25 for a good old seeing too but a bit rich on a small pension, so I have now signed up for the Age Concern Toe Nail Cutting Service (sounds grand doesn't it! I am just under 60 so you don't need to be decrepit to use it). They charge a far more modest fee and can keep an eye on things and alert you should they suspect you need medical treatment🙂
 
Hi Tony, welcome to the forum :D
 
Hi Tony, welcome to the forum.
 
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