Type 1 How to be tested for neuropathy

conniecar

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Hi knowledgable ones. After 5 years of increasing foot pain I’m really struggling to walk. I can do 20 minutes maximum. No one seems to have had a diabetic foot check here for over a year but my last one ruled out neuropathy. My blood tests are fine despite also having coeliac disease. I’ve had an X-ray and it doesn’t show much. I had a nerve test which came back ‘normal.’ I’ve been type 1 for 45 years. I can’t see anyone in person on the NHS so my question is… who do I contact and under what specialism? I have tingling hands too and spondylitis in my neck. My feet are always cold, especially in socks and I’ve been prescribed cream for my heels. It’s all adding up but who do I ask for before I throw my money at them? I was 24th in the queue this morning to speak to my gp’s receptionist… so gave up. The podiatrist said it sounded ‘structural’ due to tight tendons though how she knew over the ‘phone is beyond me
 
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Hopeful34

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Really sorry you've not got to see a podiatrist. I count myself very fortunate to have had continued podiatry care throughout the pandemic. If it is structural, maybe specialist insoles would help. We have a different podiatry team that deal with those sort of problems, I think they are referred to as 'mechanical ' issues, but that doesn't sound right now I've written it, but basically a different team that the usual podiatry team refer you to.

Saying all this, it was my endocrinologist who first diagnosed me with neuropathy.

Hope you can get some help soon, as it's miserable when you can't walk comfortably.
 
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EllieM

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The podiatrist said it sounded ‘structural’ due to tight tendons though how she knew over the ‘phone is beyond me

I agree, don't see how she could possibly know over the phone, but structural issues are common as we get older (for non diabetics as well) and a good podiatrist can give you exercises and orthotic insoles. I wouldn't necessarily assume neuropathy. Maybe see a private podiatrist who does insoles as well as diabetic stuff? (I'm in New Zealand where the hospital foot checks are pretty perfunctory so lived with the 4 month wait to see a podiatrist privately when I started to have foot pain - though mine is structural (GP said plantar fasciitis and podiatrist said something similar but more complicated whose name I can't remember) and has been pretty well cured by orthotics in my boots and a particular style of sandal for inside the house. My podiatrist sent me to a specialist shoe shop and told me exactly what style of boot and sandal to buy,

While you are waiting to see a podiatrist maybe look and see if you can find a local shoe shop that specialises in injured feet and see if they have any suggestions??? (That's assuming you are near a city.)

Good luck.
 

dancer

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About 10 years ago I had dreadful pain in the ball of my foot when walking. GP sent me for x-ray, then to a podiatrist. I saw one podiatrist after another. One pointed out one leg leg was an inch longer than the other, so built up the insole on the shorter side shoe as this must have been causing the problem. I couldn't stand it for longer than a couple of days, due to worse pain, and had to rip off the insert. Another podiatrist tried acupuncture and was delighted to find I had muscle-grip when she pulled out the needles, which is rare but causes pain. Unfortunately acupuncture didn't help either. Eventually I was referred to a consultant podiatrist who referred me for an MRI scan. This found a few things that could be causing the pain, thankfully none of them permanent or serious.
if you haven't already had an MRI, you should ask to be referred to a consultant.
 
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