Hoping you're resting now.
Debbie, my foot swelling began about the same time I crossed over from pre-diabetes to diabetes eleven years ago. It's important that you call your doctor so they can rule out any serious conditions. I found this information helpful because it's similar to the care I received when I initially saw a doctor about my foot swelling...
What to expect during your appointment
During your appointment, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask you about your symptoms. Be prepared to explain:
- where you are noticing the swelling
- the times of day when the swelling tends to be worse
- any other symptoms you may be experiencing
- any factors that appear to make the swelling better or worse
To help diagnose the cause of the swelling, your doctor may order one or more of the following tests:
- blood tests including blood count, kidney and liver function studies, and electrolytes to evaluate the various organs
- X-rays to view the bones and other tissues
- ultrasound to examine the organs, blood vessels, and tissues
- electrocardiogram to assess heart function
Read the entire article here...
http://www.healthline.com/symptom/swollen-ankle
I did have blood tests, also an ultrasound to insure I had good blood flow to my feet; however, I didn't have an x-ray or electrocardiogram.
Speaking from experience, once more serious causes of your feet swelling are ruled out - (only a healthcare professional can do this by physically examining you and ordering appropriate lab tests) - here's a few things I did that I found helpful...
1) Continue working on getting your blood glucose levels down by changing your diet and testing your blood glucose levels in pairs: 1) before bed and immediately upon awaking; and 2) immediately before meals and 2 hours after meals; and 3) immediately before and 2 hours after snacks.
If you want to try the low carbohydrate high fat diet...
2) Greatly limit or eliminate from your diet sugar, flour from grains, omega-6 seed oils - (corn, soybean, saffola, sunflower, canola, cottonseed, and peanut oils) - fruit - (though a quarter cup of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries are okay, lemon and lime juice too) - starchy, below ground, root vegetables, and legumes.
2b) Eat meat, poultry, eggs, fish, or seafood with each meal; include healthy fats such as butter, cream, plain, full fat greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, and fat from healthy animals fed their traditional diet; other healthy sources of fat such as raw nuts, green olives, and avocados; and above ground leafy greens and vegetables. Onions and garlic are fine, as are herbs and spices. Cheese also is good in limited amounts.
Go here to read my posts on what I've eaten for the last 15 months on the low carbohydrate high fat diet...
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/low-carb-information.101919/ beginning with post #5, I believe. I think you'll find four or five posts there, written by me, with lots of helpful information about the low carbohydrate high fat diet.
Once you eliminate processed foods, you'll need to 1) drink lots of water and 2) add salt daily, a minimum of a 1/4 teaspoon a day, perhaps more. 3) Magnesium citrate helps if you develop muscle cramps and/or constipation.
3) Walk a little bit more each day even if it's only a block and back and you have to rest part way.
4) Consider adding a good quality B-complex supplement - (taking an additional vitamin B5 reduced my foot swelling last summer).
5) When you feel your feet begining to swell, or feel that the swelling is worsening, elevate your feet if you can.
If you're overweight like I was, you may find that the swelling reduces over time as you get your blood glucose levels down and continue with your daily walks. Rising summer temperatures worsened my feet swelling.
When I started the low carbohydrate high fat diet, it took me a month to get my blood glucose levels down to less scary levels. Be patient. Start a journal so you can track what your eating and how different foods affect your blood glucose levels.
A really good book to read is Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, 4th Edition (2011) by Richard K. Bernstein, M.D. You might be able to check it out from a local library.
Please let me know if I can offer you additional support. Just type
@Winnie53 and I'll respond. Keep in mind I live in the US on the west coast.
Hope this was helpful. I've been where you are now, and it's sometimes scary, often frustrating in the beginning, but it gets a little bit better with each passing month.
In the beginning, it's important that you snack between meals if you're hungry, and to eat fat with every meal to curb the hunger and sugar cravings. It takes about two weeks for the sugar cravings to calm down. Snacks can be an ounce of raw nuts or cheese, green olives, or avocado. A favorite snack for me initially was a slice of ham wrapped around cream cheese and slices of dill pickle. If you start craving corn chips or potato chips, it's likely salt that your actually craving.
Please give your doctor a call in the morning, if only to put your mind at ease. Someone really should have a look at those feet and do some lab work. I read all your posts and I see that you were encouraged to do this two weeks ago. You won't know if something more serious is wrong until you're seen by a doctor.
