Cold feet...

emiliano

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all,
just a quick one.

In the last month I often get cold feet, and sometimes they get slightly numb. Plus I'm under the impression that my right foot has "grown" in the last period; I mean I feel like my right shoe is too tight.

I've been T1 for seven years now and my a1c has always been satisfactory (>7,5%<6,5%).

I have to say I started to notice this feet thing since I've been on this forum, before I never would have thought about nefropathy as my doctors always told me my diabetes was well under control.

So, should I look for some peculiar symptom, or is there something I can do prior to go to a specialist? I got my fundus oculi checked one month ago and everything was fine...
 
C

catherinecherub

Guest
Hi @emiliano

It does not follow that because your eye tests were satisfactory that you feet will be too.
You need to ask your Dr. about the symptoms you are experiencing. Not everything is diabetes related and there amy be another explanation.
 

dawnmc

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,431
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
I thought a foot check was one of the '15' tests, do they check your feet when you have blood taken?
 

emiliano

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
No. I had my feet checked just once a loong time ago.

anyway I called my diabetologist and she said it is very very very unlikely that it's diabetes related because of my good control. so I'm a bit relieved, but I still have to find out what it is....
 

Omnipod

Well-Known Member
Messages
531
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
its funny you post this.... I posted a post about Diabetic neuropathy today....
Before all my burning and pain started, i experienced the same. It felt like my foot grew and my trainers and shoes felt tight on my feet
Perhaps this is the start to diabetic peripheral neuropathy....
im suffering terribly and its getting worse rather rapidly.

I hope you manage to sort this out
 

emiliano

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Perhaps this is the start to diabetic peripheral neuropathy....
im suffering terribly and its getting worse rather rapidly.

mmhh
I hope not...

Anyway, when it started how long you were been diabetic? and what about your HBA1C?

Sorry for your condition...
 

Omnipod

Well-Known Member
Messages
531
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
it started a month or so ago. been diabetic since 2001. HBA1c is 7%
 

Diamattic

Well-Known Member
Messages
678
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I am not even close to being a doctor, but if you HbA1Cs have always been low, then the only other thing you can really do is make them lower, and make sure you don't spike past 7.8mmol/L ever...

The next thing is to maybe looking into other conditions that would cause swelling of the feet ?
I would see a doctor and look into non-diabetes related reasons that you could have a swollen foot.
 

emiliano

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
The next thing is to maybe looking into other conditions that would cause swelling of the feet ?
I would see a doctor and look into non-diabetes related reasons that you could have a swollen foot.

My Hba1c has never been higher than 7.4% since I got diagnosed.

The point is that the foot is not swollen, it just feels like it. They're both kinda numb, not in a painful way. in italy we describe this sensation as the limb being "asleep", like when you sit with your legs crossed for a while and then the upper leg gets... well... numb.

The doctor who's been following me since I got diagnosed is positive it can't be nefropathy, but still... I'm a bit worried. My hands are a bit numb as well but that happened to me in the past a lot of times, not sure why.

since last week - exactly when this numbness started - I went once again zero carbs after a period of not-so-strict-diet and so and so BG.
Since then BG has been very low. for instance now I'm 53mg\dl and not feel hypo the least bit so I'm probably ketotic.
maybe there's a relation.

we'll see. thanks everybody for your comments.
 

Patricia21

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,764
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Animal crualty
My feet can feel cold at times,numb at times,and feel burning at times,no pain at all.
I also have good control,between 5 and 8.
It must be diabetes as I have never had it before.
 

logindetails

Well-Known Member
Messages
297
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Neuropathy :-(
You really should see a podiatrist. At my diabetic clinic a foot examination by a podiatrist is available to me each time I visit - they check for lack of sensation and blood circulation around various parts of the foot.
Ask your doctor to refer you.
 

emiliano

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
You really should see a podiatrist. At my diabetic clinic a foot examination by a podiatrist is available to me each time I visit - they check for lack of sensation and blood circulation around various parts of the foot.
Ask your doctor to refer you.

Thank you logindetails, if this thing doesn't stop I will for sure.
 

Diamattic

Well-Known Member
Messages
678
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Its a strange situation you're in... I would schedule some appointments and get it sorted out sooner rather then later, because if you wait until it gets worse it may be too late (or it may go away on its own, but I am a 'better safe then sorry' kinda guy lol)

Could it be nerve problems, but not diabetes related - like maybe a back problem ? Mildly herniated disks can be know to cause nerve pain without any actual localized back pain. Is there a chance you twisted, or lifted oddly that may have caused a back issue?
 

Roberta

Active Member
Messages
31
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Do you get your feet checked on a regular basis? My feet are always cold, they go numb and sometimes I get had pins and needles. This is down to circulation. Your feet are the furthest body part from your heart and it's important as a diabetic to get them checked. If your blood sugars are good then it could be due to something else. Hope you get it sorted :)
 

emiliano

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Thanks to all,
the situation has luckily gotten better. Got my feet checked and they're ok. Numbness has gone, and so has the cold feeling.

I feel a bit stupid but probably all this was due to a pair of boots I bought exactly when all this started... didn't think about it in the beginning. they're a bit too tight. didn't wear them for a coupla weeks and all discomfort has gone...

sorry everyone I got alarmed for nothing...
 

tim2000s

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
8,934
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Other
Well, you've learned one thing from it. Always by shoes that fit comfortably from the word go. (This is also a recommendation that is always made to t1 diabetics as too tight shoes can result in circulation issues or rubbing).