Type 2 Cold Feet and smooth legs

[PenguinMum]

One thing that has changed for me in the last six months is my feet are much colder. I used to pad around the house barefoot all year round but now need socks. On the other hand I have the benefit of almost non hairy legs! I assume this is a change in my circulation due to Diabetes and I suspect I had it for some time before diagnosis.
I have adopted a LCH/MF diet and I feel and look better than I have for a long while. My second HBA1C was much improved but I still have challenges with numbers at certain times of day. In fact I think this condition will never be perfect and will be challenging as the years roll by. I am not a fan of saying it is reversed because I think even with great care it is hiding in the shadows. BUT this forum and the people on it have helped me understand it better which is priceless. Keep it coming!

 

[Deleted Account]

I have always had cold feet and not noticed any difference since my diagnosis.
However, I, too, am a bare-feet-padder. I often wander around with no socks or slippers.
But, I am aware, we diabetes, we are susceptible to foot problems. Or not noticing foot problems due to nerve damage.
So, I continue with my cold, bare feet but, with no socks to hide them, I keep an eye out for problems.

 

[ickihun]

Those cold feet can be due to circulation. Or betablockers can do the same.

Numbness/lost of sensation needs alerting if you start experiencing reduced feeling. Only keeping below 7.8mmol/l max. stops nerve damage. I think you know that thou.

I could keep under 7.8 on insulin and low carb but my finances cause my diet to suffer. Porridge is cheaper than eggs or bacon. Especially since I use water only. However I try to do what I can. Hoping finances will improve soon.

 

[ickihun]

I have always had cold feet and not noticed any difference since my diagnosis.
However, I, too, am a bare-feet-padder. I often wander around with no socks or slippers.
But, I am aware, we diabetes, we are susceptible to foot problems. Or not noticing foot problems due to nerve damage.
So, I continue with my cold, bare feet but, with no socks to hide them, I keep an eye out for problems.

Me too. In my own home.

 

[Rachox]

Low carbing really is a game changer isn’t it?! I haven’t felt this well for years. I do generally feel the cold more now but I’ve put that down to my weight loss and having less personal insulation!

 

[Guzzler]

Funnily enough, freezing cold feet was my only D symptom and within weeks of having better bg that disappeared. Just goes to show how different we all are.

 

[PenguinMum]

Thanks @helensaramay and @ickihun for replies. I go to a podiatrist regularly as I have had a lot of trouble over the years with ingrown toenails. Tea Tree oil is my secret weapon! The below 7.8 rule is useful. It must be hard to budget with a young family and bacon and egg everyday wouldnt suit everyone. Breakfast is the trickiest meal unless you are someone who skips it. I’m not one of those. I now have a Keto Cheese scone with butter which is a few carbs. But they works out about £1 each because of the ground almonds.

 

[PenguinMum]

Low carbing really is a game changer isn’t it?! I haven’t felt this well for years. I do generally feel the cold more now but I’ve put that down to my weight loss and having less personal insulation!

Agree. Hadnt considered my own reduced insulation!!

 

[PenguinMum]

Funnily enough, freezing cold feet was my only D symptom and within weeks of having better bg that disappeared. Just goes to show how different we all are.

Indeed and thats only one of the reasons the forum is so informative! Still I have enough Bic razors to see me out in the cupboard now! Lol

 

[ickihun]

Thanks @helensaramay and @ickihun for replies. I go to a podiatrist regularly as I have had a lot of trouble over the years with ingrown toenails. Tea Tree oil is my secret weapon! The below 7.8 rule is useful. It must be hard to budget with a young family and bacon and egg everyday wouldnt suit everyone. Breakfast is the trickiest meal unless you are someone who skips it. I’m not one of those. I now have a Keto Cheese scone with butter which is a few carbs. But they works out about £1 each because of the ground almonds.

I don't lose weight if I have cheese and/or too much butter.
I know once outlay for ground almonds cooking no problem but it's that outlay which has to come from others who don't like scones. I cannot be too selfish since only one needs it. However if I get an increase in income after op then I'll be buying regularly.
I did notice too many almonds gave me sore internal mouth. But may have been their skins. I got very mild allergy like symptoms.
More foods I cannot eat than can, these days. Supplements and a PPI having to cover that.
My perfect diet isn't always affordable, at mo.

 

[Guzzler]

I don't lose weight if I have cheese and/or too much butter.
I know once outlay for ground almonds cooking no problem but it's that outlay which has to come from others who don't like scones. I cannot be too selfish since only one needs it. However if I get an increase in income after op then I'll be buying regularly.
I did notice too many almonds gave me sore internal mouth. But may have been their skins. I got very mild allergy like symptoms.
More foods I cannot eat than can, these days. Supplements and a PPI having to cover that.
My perfect diet isn't always affordable, at mo.

All we can do is our best. I was reading a post last night and the OP put up a list of supplements they take. My first thought was that if I bought all those supplements I would have no money left for food!

I remember when I was widdowed (my youngest was just four years old) I really struggled to put good food on the table let alone specialist food. It must be very difficult for you with a young family.

 

[MargaretR]

Indeed and thats only one of the reasons the forum is so informative! Still I have enough Bic razors to see me out in the cupboard now! Lol

Hello PenguinMum

I see a podiatrist regularly, and she mentioned the hair on my legs, and toes. I used to have very hairy legs, but since the diabetes 2 started they have got much less hairy, and the closer to my feet the less the hair.

It has regrown a bit as I have got my blood sugar levels under control.

I was very puzzled at first, and had put it down to old age. I’ve never seen it listed in any list of symptoms, but the podiatrist was very certain, and it makes sense because of lowered blood circulation.

But I’m delighted to loose the hairy toes especially, wearing sandals was an embarrassment. But then I can’t wear those now anyway.

 

[Dr Snoddy]

Fascinating! I have just looked at my feet and sure enough,
I no longer have Hobbit toes! I hadn't even noticed. Just one more benefit of being a well-controlled Type 2 diabetic.
One of the (few) sensible pieces of advice I got from the DN on diagnosis was to take much better care of my feet and in particular to avoid cracked heels. Palmer's cocoa butter does the trick really well and is cheap and long lasting.

 

[ickihun]

All we can do is our best. I was reading a post last night and the OP put up a list of supplements they take. My first thought was that if I bought all those supplements I would have no money left for food!

I remember when I was widdowed (my youngest was just four years old) I really struggled to put good food on the table let alone specialist food. It must be very difficult for you with a young family.

It is. 4yr old needs more help than the average 4yr old. It's exhausting. Luckily Mr ickihun is hands on. Phew!

 

[ickihun]

Hello PenguinMum

I see a podiatrist regularly, and she mentioned the hair on my legs, and toes. I used to have very hairy legs, but since the diabetes 2 started they have got much less hairy, and the closer to my feet the less the hair.

It has regrown a bit as I have got my blood sugar levels under control.

I was very puzzled at first, and had put it down to old age. I’ve never seen it listed in any list of symptoms, but the podiatrist was very certain, and it makes sense because of lowered blood circulation.

But I’m delighted to loose the hairy toes especially, wearing sandals was an embarrassment. But then I can’t wear those now anyway.

I've only noticed less hair and also hair loss. My tummy was covered due to PCOS with mild mustache and under chin hairs. Metformin weakens hair forming for me. Less testosterone being produced.
Are you on metformin tablets?

 

[Resurgam]

Now that I am 18 months from diagnosis I have noticed that my feet are paler, pinker and smaller than - for instance six months from diagnosis - so there could still be changes to come. Just as diabetes creeps up slowly, the effects recede at a leisurely pace.

 

[ickihun]

I use Australian - Flexitol Heel Balm. It's fantastic. Used it for decades now.
I normally use e-bay for a large tube or 2 smaller ones per purchase.
I try and only bother podaritist if I cannot manage myself.
As I remember an elderly none diabetic having to wait months and months for help with her feet. She couldn't bend to solve her own unmanagable feet and it stopped her walking well. They wait longer than diabetics but are sometimes just as in need.

 

[dbr10]

I use Australian - Flexitol Heel Balm. It's fantastic. Used it for decades now.
I normally use e-bay for a large tube or 2 smaller ones per purchase.
I try and only bother podaritist if I cannot manage myself.
As I remember an elderly none diabetic having to wait months and months for help with her feet. She couldn't bend to solve her own unmanagable feet and it stopped her walking well. They wait longer than diabetics but are sometimes just as in need.

Is it available on the NHS? I think it is. But the hard skin and callous balm you have to buy.

 

[Rachox]

I use Australian - Flexitol Heel Balm. It's fantastic. Used it for decades now.
I normally use e-bay for a large tube or 2 smaller ones per purchase.
I try and only bother podaritist if I cannot manage myself.
As I remember an elderly none diabetic having to wait months and months for help with her feet. She couldn't bend to solve her own unmanagable feet and it stopped her walking well. They wait longer than diabetics but are sometimes just as in need.

Woah that Flexitol is expensive! I use Boots foot cream, cheap effective and smells good enough to eat!
http://www.boots.com/boots-deep-moisturising-foot-cream-100ml-10004041

 

[ickihun]

Mine has to be super absorbant as I get dry feet easily. Once a week my feet dries out. Also when I cannot bend to administer it I have to rely on hubby so not done everyday. Weekly or so. I guess I use less of it compared to daily. So works out just as economical @Rachox.

Maybe once my back is fixed I could look at changing if I get the time to administer twice a day.
My feet are like everything in my life. Given attention in proportion of need. They are visible checked daily.

This reply has just reminded me of how I had time to do feet moisturization a few times a week on top of 2 showers a day. Worked on the railways so showered going to work and on returning.
Mind you I was living on my own and had plenty of time to pamper myself. Lonely but pampered by me. I even bought myself expensive Xmas presents. Those were the days.....
Like help from hubby is appreciated but you cannot pamper yourself better than doing it yourself.
(this is posted with 4yr old needs and family needing a lunch... Oh and hubby appreciates my interaction too).

Mind you I could multi-task well before they came along. I had to in the City and demanding commuters.
Off to make lunch for us all. I'm so slow now but they always enjoy it so it cannot be all bad. 11yr old is my assistant today and tomorrow.