10 years ago I was diagnosed as a type 2 Diabetic. Over time I have controlled my high sugar levels through dietary restriction, then medication cocktails of various tablets and increased dose. Nothing seemed to work, averaging levels of between 16.5 to 30 mmol, until 4.5 years ago I decided to go onto a whole food plant based diet. six months later at my annual testing the results showing a marked improvement and the diabetic team saying excellent everything is normal. I had lost 20kg and was regularly taking 1.5 to 2 hour walks with my dogs.
March last year COVID struck, my team all decided for their own safety to work from home, this forced me into 12/14 hour shifts 7 day weeks with 1.5 hours drive each way to work. Simplifying the story my sleep patterns reduced, the physical demands increased and major stress levels crept in to my life. In July I felt unwell, my blood pressure and sugar levels rocketed, so I consulted with my GP. Over the next13 months the Doctor gave me either increased or new medication with each change asking me to return in 3 months for a blood test to see how effective the change had been. Nothing worked and I stayed elevated and started showing new symptoms, tingling in my fingers and toes developing in to pain in my foot, calf, thigh, buttocks, shoulders, chest, upper and lower arms. in early August I was diagnosed with autonomic and peripheral Neuropathy. There was more medication introduced to help get my blood sugar and pressure under control and help with the pain I was experiencing, whilst still holding down my Job. The Doctors sent a referral letter to the hospitals diabetic team to get me in front of a specialist on the 23rd. I have had the pain relief medication increased 3 more times and have had to sign off on the sick. Each night I get about an hours worth of sleep before my feet and ankles start to contract and twist into painful positions. I have been to the ACU, MY GP, CALLED 111, spoken with diabetic UK specialists, the hospitals diabetic clinic, the surgeries diabetic nurse and an out of hours Doctor about this intolerable situation asking for support in getting someone to take a look at my feet and ankles and suggest to me what is going on. The responses have been either, wait for your appointment letter, we don’t know enough about your condition so seek a specialists opinion or we are busy with other patients so wait your turn your appointment will come when it comes, we are catching up after the pandemics impact on our department.
My own research into my symptoms is suggesting something called Charcot foot syndrome but I cannot find any remedies or remedial actions that can help me manage whilst I await the letter. I am unable to walk without pain and I am barely managing to get from my lounge to my kitchen. My mental well-being is struggling with this constant torture and I am not sure how much more I can take. My positive approach to life is starting to fray at the edge, so if anyone has any thoughts or supportive suggestions please let me know.
Thank you for taking the time to read this message and I am sorry if it sounds like I am just complaining
March last year COVID struck, my team all decided for their own safety to work from home, this forced me into 12/14 hour shifts 7 day weeks with 1.5 hours drive each way to work. Simplifying the story my sleep patterns reduced, the physical demands increased and major stress levels crept in to my life. In July I felt unwell, my blood pressure and sugar levels rocketed, so I consulted with my GP. Over the next13 months the Doctor gave me either increased or new medication with each change asking me to return in 3 months for a blood test to see how effective the change had been. Nothing worked and I stayed elevated and started showing new symptoms, tingling in my fingers and toes developing in to pain in my foot, calf, thigh, buttocks, shoulders, chest, upper and lower arms. in early August I was diagnosed with autonomic and peripheral Neuropathy. There was more medication introduced to help get my blood sugar and pressure under control and help with the pain I was experiencing, whilst still holding down my Job. The Doctors sent a referral letter to the hospitals diabetic team to get me in front of a specialist on the 23rd. I have had the pain relief medication increased 3 more times and have had to sign off on the sick. Each night I get about an hours worth of sleep before my feet and ankles start to contract and twist into painful positions. I have been to the ACU, MY GP, CALLED 111, spoken with diabetic UK specialists, the hospitals diabetic clinic, the surgeries diabetic nurse and an out of hours Doctor about this intolerable situation asking for support in getting someone to take a look at my feet and ankles and suggest to me what is going on. The responses have been either, wait for your appointment letter, we don’t know enough about your condition so seek a specialists opinion or we are busy with other patients so wait your turn your appointment will come when it comes, we are catching up after the pandemics impact on our department.
My own research into my symptoms is suggesting something called Charcot foot syndrome but I cannot find any remedies or remedial actions that can help me manage whilst I await the letter. I am unable to walk without pain and I am barely managing to get from my lounge to my kitchen. My mental well-being is struggling with this constant torture and I am not sure how much more I can take. My positive approach to life is starting to fray at the edge, so if anyone has any thoughts or supportive suggestions please let me know.
Thank you for taking the time to read this message and I am sorry if it sounds like I am just complaining
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