I recently had a below knee right leg amputation due to mis-2diagnosed Charcot. I was diagnosed with DVT then by the time I got a correct diagnosis I had 14 plus fractures, so I had corrective surgery on an active Charcot foot, which led to severe infection, septicaemia twice... Anyway I left hospital after 3 months minus one leg and with an illieostomy bag ( non reversible). That was at the end of feb I have been mobilising well and have a prosthesis which I can wear nearly all the time and can walk stick free. Until today, I have a 1cm ulcer on my remaining foot which has been there at least 6 months, which has resulted in a decision today to take my prosthesis away. I have, as yet not managed to get any adaptations at home so I am yet again stuck inside my home downstairs and feeling dreadfully sad. My physio has said that it was a matter of time until I become a bilateral amp....is this truly a foregone conclusion ? If so what is the point in getting mobile on one leg n one prostesis ? I suffer fom long term serious depression and don't know how to handle this anymore ...please help
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Amputation
- Thread starter VIctoriaH
- Start Date
librarising
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Yours is truly a sad story. You must be reeling, both from what you've undergone, and what you've been told.
You appear to have been a victim of medical error, at least in the short term.
When exactly did your diagnosis come ? What advice, especially diet, about managing your diabetes were you given ?
Most of us here accept we unknowingly contributed to our diabetes through diet, and believe there is good control to be gained by adjusting it.
Feel free to tell us more about yourself. The more others on here can connect with aspects of who you are, the more you can hope to feel supported by us.
Certainly others here suffer from depression, and I have before in my life.
Looking forward to reading your future posts
Geoff[/quote]
hanadr
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this is a sad story and unfortunately not unique.
I would complain to your Healthcare team, they aren't doing a very good job. I'd be polite, but VERY ASSERTIVE.
As to becoming a bilateral amputee!
That's probably avoidable if you get your blood glucose RIGHT down to NORMAL. That means around 5 most of the time. If you use insulin, that can be a bit tricky and would need constant monitoring to avoid dangerous hypos.
If you haven't read Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, Now is the time.
What are they doing about that long term ulcer?
My T1 husband has had 2 Charcot feet and recurring ulcers. with good care from the Diabetes Specialist Nurse and improved blood sugar control, He's not even had amputation suggested to him. The ulcers have always cleared with careful dressing,[sometimes wirh Manuca honey]
Trouble is the healthcare professionals often believe that amputations are inevitable. They are almost always avoidable.
You have themotivation for GOOD CONTROl at NORMAL numbers and nothing to lose if you try it
Hana
I would complain to your Healthcare team, they aren't doing a very good job. I'd be polite, but VERY ASSERTIVE.
As to becoming a bilateral amputee!
That's probably avoidable if you get your blood glucose RIGHT down to NORMAL. That means around 5 most of the time. If you use insulin, that can be a bit tricky and would need constant monitoring to avoid dangerous hypos.
If you haven't read Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, Now is the time.
What are they doing about that long term ulcer?
My T1 husband has had 2 Charcot feet and recurring ulcers. with good care from the Diabetes Specialist Nurse and improved blood sugar control, He's not even had amputation suggested to him. The ulcers have always cleared with careful dressing,[sometimes wirh Manuca honey]
Trouble is the healthcare professionals often believe that amputations are inevitable. They are almost always avoidable.
You have themotivation for GOOD CONTROl at NORMAL numbers and nothing to lose if you try it
Hana
Thank hanadar I will read dr B's book. I have been a diabetic for 16 years I was originally gestational but it stayed my HB1 was 6 before all this surgery etc I have been struggling to remain stable BM wise since leaving hospital, due to reduced mobility n getting used to illieostomy . Thanks for support VictoriaH
WhitbyJet
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Victoria, welcome to the forum.
Of course you are depressed, who wouldnt be in your situation. I think if I found myself in your situation I would ask for a second opinion and a third at the very least.
I know that unfortunstely for some reason there is often a delay in diagnosing charcots foot, it sounds like you have any grounds for medicsl negligence?
Was your prothesis taken away so thst you are basically forced to rest the other leg, presumably in an effort to ease any pressure on the ulcer and allow it to heal, hopefully, goodness I am praying for you Victoria.
You hsve shown remarkable courage and strength, becoming mobile after your amputation and learning to walk without a stick, obviously you are a fighter.
Are you allowed to exercise at all, I mean your upper body and arms? And what are your bg levels like? I would have thought that some exercise and keeping very tight control of bg levels could possibly help to heal the ulcer on your foot and help prevent further complications. Can you have manuka honey dressings on the ulcer or leeches which are used in some hospitals on patients with slow healing ulcers.
A while ago we had a post from a very concerned relative of a lady with diabetes, also facing an amputation, she later reported that the leg was saved at the last minute. Here is the link viewtopic.php?f=15&t=25763&p=253925&hilit=amputation#p253925
I truly think that anyone in this forum reading your post will want to offer their support and encouragement.
Please let us know how we can help, how things are going for you.
All the best
Judith x x
Of course you are depressed, who wouldnt be in your situation. I think if I found myself in your situation I would ask for a second opinion and a third at the very least.
I know that unfortunstely for some reason there is often a delay in diagnosing charcots foot, it sounds like you have any grounds for medicsl negligence?
Was your prothesis taken away so thst you are basically forced to rest the other leg, presumably in an effort to ease any pressure on the ulcer and allow it to heal, hopefully, goodness I am praying for you Victoria.
You hsve shown remarkable courage and strength, becoming mobile after your amputation and learning to walk without a stick, obviously you are a fighter.
Are you allowed to exercise at all, I mean your upper body and arms? And what are your bg levels like? I would have thought that some exercise and keeping very tight control of bg levels could possibly help to heal the ulcer on your foot and help prevent further complications. Can you have manuka honey dressings on the ulcer or leeches which are used in some hospitals on patients with slow healing ulcers.
A while ago we had a post from a very concerned relative of a lady with diabetes, also facing an amputation, she later reported that the leg was saved at the last minute. Here is the link viewtopic.php?f=15&t=25763&p=253925&hilit=amputation#p253925
I truly think that anyone in this forum reading your post will want to offer their support and encouragement.
Please let us know how we can help, how things are going for you.
All the best
Judith x x
Hi Victoria,
Welcome to the forum. My gosh you have been through the mill, as for the medical negligence then I agree that you need to complain. That aside what a strong person you must be. I hope that you get all the help from your care team and really hope that you dont have to go through a bilateral amputation.
God bless you, wishing you well and we are all here to support you as much as we possibly can
Lucy.xxx
Welcome to the forum. My gosh you have been through the mill, as for the medical negligence then I agree that you need to complain. That aside what a strong person you must be. I hope that you get all the help from your care team and really hope that you dont have to go through a bilateral amputation.
God bless you, wishing you well and we are all here to support you as much as we possibly can
Lucy.xxx
Paul1976
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Hi Victoria!
I woke up from surgery last year to find I had been given a stoma too which I hadn't been pre-warned of as a possibility prior to surgery,14 months on and although I manage the maintenance of changing my bag I still haven't accepted it mentally as yet but have had no-one to talk to in a similar situation who understands how hard it can be so if you want to talk about that side of things and the issues that come with it then I'm here to chat if you want to! :wink:
you're in My thoughts
Paul
I woke up from surgery last year to find I had been given a stoma too which I hadn't been pre-warned of as a possibility prior to surgery,14 months on and although I manage the maintenance of changing my bag I still haven't accepted it mentally as yet but have had no-one to talk to in a similar situation who understands how hard it can be so if you want to talk about that side of things and the issues that come with it then I'm here to chat if you want to! :wink:
you're in My thoughts
Paul
