Leg infection

[Chris Thailand]

My mother-in-law has T2 and is medicated but otherwise pretty much uncontrolled. Tested her fasting level this morning and it was 17.1-plus she has developed a foot infection and blistered legs.
Took her to the local clinic where the doctor seems to be not connecting the foot problem to the diabetes and just advised her to keep her sugar under 11.
Here's a pic of the foot. Any comments?

 

[cathief51]

Go and see a different doctor it shouldn't be ignored.

 

[kokhongw]

The blister can certainly heal faster when the glucose level is controlled. Especially in the earlier stages when one is younger and in generally good health.

In the advance, late stages when there are severe vascular plagues all over, it becomes an agonizing battle...because we have to deal with multiple fronts, failing kidneys, fluid retention, muscles wastage etc...

All the best.

 

[AndBreathe]

My mother-in-law has T2 and is medicated but otherwise pretty much uncontrolled. Tested her fasting level this morning and it was 17.1-plus she has developed a foot infection and blistered legs.
Took her to the local clinic where the doctor seems to be not connecting the foot problem to the diabetes and just advised her to keep her sugar under 11.
Here's a pic of the foot. Any comments?View attachment 20008

Whatever you do in the immediacy, keep a very close eye on this, and don't just wait and see. I'm not suggesting your MiL goes onto any sort of radical dietary overhaul, but certainly whilst the blistering and infection seem to be there, I'd want to be minimalising sugary, and carb content to try to keep those numbers down. Blood sugars can feed the bugs, helping them to thrive.

If this were my Mum, I'd want to be looking at this first thing in the morning, then a bit later in the day. Any worsening and I'd be making a BIG fuss.

Hopefully it's just a pesky nuisance, but be cautious.

 

[chalup]

I also think you should see a different doctor or perhaps have it looked at in the emergency room if you can. At the very least she should be on antibiotics if she is not already. Also keep a record of her blood sugars to show the doctor maybe.

 

[Chris Thailand]

Unfortunately we are dealing with a clinic in a rural community upcountry but at least she's been put on antibiotics and the blisters drained and dressed. I talked to her about having a holiday from rice and sticky rice but these are her staple foods and culturally vital- a common greeting between friends is 'have you eaten rice yet?' but one hopes she will listen as she's a nice lady who I want to be around for a while yet.
We're going up to see her again next week and she's going to the clinic daily for dressing changes so at least she's getting some care.

 

[APACJoe]

Hello @ChrisThailand,

When you say up country, can I presume this is Issan?

You're correct on the Dr's assumptions, as in many cases these are the 30THB answers, but there are very good hospitals that can deal with these leg ulcers, vasculitis etc.

The best place in in Bangkok called the Ramkenheng Hospital, they have a specialist there who is wonderful, I've met him a few times, superb knowledge and care. In Ubon Ratchatani the general hospital also has excellent foot and leg care.

In Khon Kaen there are 3, the Bangkok Khon Kaen has some expertise, but the Medical Education hospital has some visiting specialists.

I know some friends whom live in Chang Mai whom are farang and they have said there are some local expertise.

So essential to get this seen too, reduce the Khau Neuw (Niao?) and get to a specific general.

But my advice is Ramkenheng Hospital, it's wonderful and the same Dr that charges mega $$$ at Samitivej is the main leg ulcer chap there, but with Thai health prices for Thai citizens!

Give my regards,

Joe

 

[Chris Thailand]

Great local knowledge, Joe!
I go to Praram 9 hospital in Bangkok and I'm happy with my doctors there and the treatment I've received but I have a great medical insurance policy with my job. I've also been impressed with Chulalongkorn ( where my daughter was born) and that's a government hospital not a private one.
Khun Yai's (granny) leg is definitely on the mend now we just need to do something about what she eats

 

[himtoo]

i hope this doesn't sound too silly , given the cultural importance of rice that you referenced in your earlier post.

Is it possible to use cauliflower to make the rice -- as a lot of us diabetics are doing so here in the UK.

if it is lightly steamed and then stir fried the texture is amazingly like rice and the flavour is excellent
and carbs are around 2.5 carbs per 100 gram instead of rice at around 30 grams carb perr 100 gram cooked

 

[JenniferG]

Has she tried a low carb, hi fat diet? My blood sugar was in A1C range of 10 to 11% for four years. Then I started LCHF and my A1C dropped below 6%. It dramatically healed my limbs.. I got half the feeling back in them within a couple weeks of LCHF!

Maybe if she started the diet (hard to get through first few days for some, but easy after), her leg would heal up nicely?

I'll pray for her. I had fasting levels as high as her's (17 plus) for four years.. within one week of changing diet I got down below fasting level of 7 and have remained there for the past 3 months since I started. ANd again in only a couple weeks I had half the feeling back in my limbs! If the sugar is cleared out of the blood, limb has a lot better chance to heal.

Recommended Books:
Blood Sugar 101 (Ruhl) -- $15
The New Atkins for a New You (Westman/Phinney/Volek) -- $9
Keto Clarity (Moore/Westman) --$17
Why We Get Fat (Taubes) -- $10
The Obesity Code (Fung) -- $11
Diabetes Solution (Bernstein) -- $18
The Art & Science of Low Carb Living (Phiney/Volek) -- $15
Good Calories, Bad Calories (Taubes) -- $10

 

[kokhongw]

This is what happened to my glucose level when I stopped eating rice/noodles/bread...and started on roast pork lunches

 

[PNJB]

My mother-in-law has T2 and is medicated but otherwise pretty much uncontrolled. Tested her fasting level this morning and it was 17.1-plus she has developed a foot infection and blistered legs.
Took her to the local clinic where the doctor seems to be not connecting the foot problem to the diabetes and just advised her to keep her sugar under 11.
Here's a pic of the foot. Any comments?View attachment 20008

The ulceration your ma in law has on the back of her leg in the photo, I have on the front of my shin. (thankfully much improved now I am losing weight and my blood sugar is normalising) I consulted my GP who diagnosed it is caused by insufficient pressure pumping the blood around. He advised keeping my leg elevated horizontal, and to rub Daktarin or moisturiser on it twice a day to keep the skin elastic. (My symptoms were rawness, sore to touch and layers of upper skin drying out and peeling off) Your ma in law appears to have a worse case than me, so an early visit to the GP is highly recommended!

 

[PNJB]