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foot drop..

L

Littleninja

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi everyone, new here!

Thought I'd say hi and ask a question all rolled into one to save time!

I'm guessing some background info will be needed before I ask my question!

I'm 25, had type 1 for 5 years, my control wavers between good and bad. I have had hba1c's as good as 6.6 and as bad as 16.1, I suffer with depression which seems to affect my control.

I have had no complications so far until now, I think.. Which leads to my question..

About 5 days ago I experienced pins and needles in my left foot, two days later it was still there, I also realised I was unable to lift my foot up to walk so consequently I tripped over or dragged the foot on the floor, I went to see the doctor who suspects I have drop foot (or foot drop). The pins and needles have sort of shifted and are now only in my toes, however my whole foot and most of my lower leg is numb. I also experienced terrible pain one morning in my calf area and was unable to walk however this wore off and now is only sore to touch.

The doctor was reluctant to say the cause was down to diabetes or not, stating that it was unusual I would experience this is such a short amount of time and had no history of complications or similar loss of feeling in any other limbs or any eye issues, also no known family history of possible related causes.

The doctor has referred me to go to the hospital to see the neurology/orthotic department which should be in the next couple of weeks, he also has requested a blood test but was very reluctant to tell me what the testing was for and just told me not to panic.

I'm extremely worried about the whole situation as to what they may find, I've read drop foot can be temporary or permanent, and could have many underlying reasons..

I guess I'm looking for some reassurance or some tough truths or someone who has been in a similar situation.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :) thank you!


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How is your back?

The reason I asked is because I had slight numbness on the top of my right big toe and instep for a couple of years. Doctor not interested (it was long before I was identified as pre-diabetic).

Eventually I went to a chiropractor for neck ache, and he did a couple of corrections to my lower spine.

Not only did the neck pain clear up, so did the toe numbness!!! Something about vertibrae pressing on toe-nerve, which affected posture -> neck pain. Bizarre but true!

No idea if that has any relevance to your situation, but it might be worth checking it out...
 
If he hasn't checked it then it might be worth asking the doctor to check your B12 levels as this can be linked to depression and also may contribute to the problem with your foot. Worth having a quick check on the NHS website to see if you notice you have any of the other symptoms.

Keep us updated and let us know how you get on!


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Thanks for your replies, my back is fine (i hope ha) no pain at all, just the foot/leg area I'm experiencing numbness and pain! I will ask tomorrow when I go to my app for bloods and ask regarding B12 after I've had a look see if it could be relevant!

Thanks again!


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Hi. I am T2 and I too have drop foot but mine is not linked to diabetes. I have a hereditary motor neurone disease called Charcot Marie Tooth disease (aka CMT or HMSN and not linked to charcots foot) which affects the nerves and muscles in my body, mostly hands, fingers and feet. I have had this for several years now and as it's a progressive disease I know it's not going to get better. Like yourself I do get numbness and drag my feet when walking and fall over often. I'm under a neurologist who I see annually. I also have had a leg splint made to measure, which does help with the drop foot but it is always not practical to wear as it's quite chunky and I have to buy footwear 1 size to big so it is able to fit in a shoe.
Sorry I can't be of much help but seeing a neurologist should help you or at least give you answers.


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I went for blood tests today and got a copy of the tests being carried out:

Ana (hep-2) (anti DNA) screen
Anca
Gfr
Haemolysis check
Hba1c
Immunology carrier test
Plasma viscosity test
Thyroid function test
Urea and electrolytes

Does this make sense to anyone lol? I know a few, hba1c, thyroid but not the others.

Cheeeers


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Why not check on Google ?



Late onset T1, several auto immune issues.
Humalogmix25 twice a day, Methotrexate 25mg once per week, FolicAcid 5mg once per week, prednisolone 5mg daily, Allopurinol 300mg, Calcichew-D3 800iu, Levothyroxine 50mcg, Atenolol 50mg, Losarten 100mg, Aspirin 75mg, Nicorandil 20mg, Nitrolingual GTN spray, Metformin 2000mg, Allimemazine 10mg, Lanzoprazole 30mg, Atorvastatin 20mg, Co Codamol 8/500mg, Depo Medrone (Methylprednisolone) or double Prednisolone for 7 days in case of RA flare.
 
As you have realised, foot drop can have lots of different causes, that's probably one reason your doc is reluctant to speculate.
The tests are easy to find online http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/
but remember that blood testing may be confirmatory but may also be to exclude possibilities .
 
Hey littleninja.

I was just wondering how you were getting on with the foot drop? I have been having pretty similar problems myself too. Have you had a nerve conduction study done? Feel free to PM me if you want.

Hope your doing ok.
 
Littleninja said:
Thanks for your replies, my back is fine (i hope ha) no pain at all, just the foot/leg area I'm experiencing numbness and pain! I will ask tomorrow when I go to my app for bloods and ask regarding B12 after I've had a look see if it could be relevant!

Thanks again!


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Click to expand...
I get that sitting on the toilet reading for an hour ..when I get up my foot in numb and doesn't work, I have tingling in the leg..it's either nerve or vascular..what ever it is it is far from normal to hang around more than a couple of minutes.
I would seek urgent medical care
 
I'm 23, been T1 for 6 years. Had foot drop before diagnosis.

They are sending me for a MRI because they think a disc is compressed on a nerve causing the foot drop and also some numbness on my left big toe.

Maybe something to look out for is lower back pain and why not mention an MRI to your GP if other investigations come back with nothing.

Hope this helps
 
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