Hello, I'm new here, and really glad i found you. T2?

[w00d57]

Hello Admin, Users...

I'm newly diagnosed and really overwhelmed by the breadth and scope of Diabetes.

Let me just explain my current place in things, I was getting seriously out of breath, urinating every 5 mins (exaggeration but not much) and up at least 6/7 times a night (litearally). I was hampered by my years of drug abuse in the past and being on/off the streets most of my adult life, sleeping rough for 8 years approx and sofa surfing nearly always.. I had poor dental health and am awaiting surgery, the reason I share this is it explains why my diet was so high in sugar content for so many years which I didn't care about or really see being a problem through ignorance of course. I survived on cereals and biscuits all softened with mlk for a very long time and when the pandemic hit, my health just got worse and worse. Finally my friend insisted I visit the doctors and my bloods were checked after declaring my symptoms. My HbA1c was 112, and my finger test 28.8 mmol. When the nurse told me that if i carried on as was I'd of potentially died from my actions I was shocked.. I'd been and continue to suffer with the most horrific and constant agony in my feet after being on them for a few minutes, they would burn and throb as though I'd been on them all day, I just thought I was fat and lazy and the drug abuse was catching up with me in later life, not that I was Diabetic, "that was something you're born with I thought".. I'd also had a couple of surgeries on my ankle for breaking it badly in the past that I believed were the reason for one foot at least. I now thanks to knowing more am able to put a legitimate reason to the pain although admittedly I'm angry with myself for being so ignorant to what I've discovered is a serious and debilitating disease which comes in many forms.

I'm currently on Metformin, Empasiglyfin, Gabapentin, Naproxen, amongst many others and the pain is still just as bad despite being on the highest doses allowed. I even registered for a clinical trial to see if that would help with the peripheral neuropathy but I was unsuitable due to high HbA1c etc. I have no relief from the pain so spend almost all my time indoors with the exception of medical appoinments.

I'm curious as my doctor has told me I'm T2D but I've not seen a DSN yet and my records show I'm pre-diabetic? I was hoping someone could share some light on that?

I've completely changed my diet and my mmol via finger is now hovering aroung 10/11mmol and have had the lowest reading of 6 once.. progress I hope.

I'm 41 and the pain is making me get quite low at times and although always happy to accept this is of my own making I still would like to know if anyone has had the foot pain this bad, did it go away, do you have any tips?

I know this may be the wrong way to introduce myself but I hope to become an informed and regular member over time and am really anxious to learn..

Thank You

W

 

[Oldvatr]

Well done taking the steps you have recently made, and the courage to share your journey with us here. It will take time and a lot of re-learning as you adjust. I detect a determination to make things work better.

With those blood sugar levels you are beyond pre-diabetic and deffo a seasoned veteran. Now that your sugars are coming down and presuming you are not on insulin, then I recommend you try to lower your carb intake as much as you can, since you seem to have a working pancreas. This forum is a good start for info on that. I did not have bad foot pain myself, but did have curious cramps before I started my T2D journey, and I have very few of those since gaining control of my sugars. One tip - an increase in salt may help especially while doing low carb, it may help.

I hope that you will continue to see improvement from now on. Good Luck, and Welcome.

 

[EllieM]

I'm currently on Metformin, Empasiglyfin, Gabapentin, Naproxen, amongst many others and the pain is still just as bad despite being on the highest doses allowed.

Do you mean empagliflozin?

As for the pain, some people find it improves when their blood sugars normalise, hopefully you will be one of them.
You have my sympathy, it sounds excruciating.

I'm curious as my doctor has told me I'm T2D but I've not seen a DSN yet and my records show I'm pre-diabetic? I was hoping someone could share some light on that?

The dividing line for diabetes is set at 48 and over, so with an hba1c of 112 and a doctor's diagnosis and diabetic medication you are definitely past the prediabetic stage. My guess is that they haven't updated your records yet, and the last time they did your hba1c it was at prediabetic levels.

Good luck.

 

[w00d57]

yes, the correct word is empaglifozin, always getting that one confused.

thanks to you both for the welcome and response, I don't have many outlets so just finding the forum here is a god send.

I actually have another blood test Thursday and will maybe get a better idea of how things are going following that, I hope at least on here i'll be able to get personal answers over internet nonsenses I've come across so thanks to all who make it a possibility.

 

[w00d57]

just want to add i've glanced at a very small amount of this site and it's already got so many answers just as big bold images and links!! AWESOME

 

[ajbod]

Before diagnosis i had terrible foot and leg pains, They diagnosed Peripheral neuropathy, and pre diabetes. This occured having done a strict Keto diet for several months and losing over 25 Kg, so i firmly believe the Hba1c was seriously skewed and i was infact very diabetic at the time. I could only walk at most 100 metres before crippling calf cramps, which when massaged reduced after a minute or so. At night my feet burnt and i had to keep them uncovered in bed, they were so sensitive that the slightest touch was agony. After the keto diet i ate a much reduced amounts of carbs and the burning feet and cramps reduced significantly. Eventually i was diagnosed as type 2 with an Hba1c of 48 followed up with a test of 49. Back on keto though not strict, probably 40 - 50 grams of carbs a day. 3 months later Hba1c of 36, legs and feet best they'd been for years, then they decide to do something about them. peripheral artery disease, Popliteal anuerisms so left Femoral artery replaced.
Eat low carb and reduce your sugar levels and i'm quite confident your neuropathy will improve, if not disappear.
Chin up you've now got a diagnosis and know where you are, and with the great information and encouragement from members on the site you can greatly improve your health and well being, and remember NO question is silly. we've all been there. We all knew next to nothing, but learnt from this forum. However trivial a query you may have ask away you never know between us all we may learn something new from the discussions.

 

[Bildad]

Hello @w00d57 and welcome. I am sorry you are suffering so much. I have no experience of neuropathy so I can't offer you any help I am afraid. There is such a wide, diverse and knowledgeable group of people who frequent these forums I am sure someone will be along who can offer you some advice. Keep up the good work you have started and ask away for any help you need. I have learnt lots over the past few years by reading on here.

 

[MrsA2]

empaglifozin

Just be aware that with this medication it is best you reduce carbs slowly, over several weeks. Lots of the advice on here will be to go cold truly or get rid of things ASAP, but that is contra-indicated with the "flozins" as the dose is calculated on your current intake and weight, and if either lower too quickly you will be at risk of a serious condition called dka.
Yes, you still reduce carbs but over several weeks if not months and you keep seeing your doctor to get your medication adjusted accordingly
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/empagliflozin/

 

[valann]

Hi w00d57, Welcome to the forum. So sorry to hear you've had such a rough time of it and do hope you are now sorted with somewhere to live permanently. These forums are a great place to be to learn from people that actually have diabetes and know the problems and are able to give informed advice.

I have only been here a few weeks and already I feel my diabetes has started to turn around, I'm following the low carb diet which is really helping me. Also I've found out the no question is silly, we all have questions and until we get answers we don't understand what is happening to us. So ask away no matter how silly you think you're being, because you are not and you are not alone.

Looking forward to reading more of your posts and wishing you well.

 

[sue512]

I don’t have neuropathy but did have a serious back problem that stopped me walking very far. I’ve been low carbing with support of diabetic nurse. Back pain has nearly resolved chiropractor I saw every 4 weeks has never felt my back so loose to such an extent I might be able to stop going soon! I never realised what effect my diabetes was having. I wish you luck in controlling those blood sugars and would love to know how you get on.

 

[w00d57]

Well, I am really grateful to all who have replied and it's so nice to have my own issues validated and recognized by others, I have never really been one to admit i need help and that's part of why I let it get so bad. To all of you who have replied and made me feel very welcome indeed I'm truly grateful for it.

It's early days for me I understand and to have words of positivity and encouragement are dearly welcomed, knowing that there are others who have had their pains subide over time is music to my ears to put it bluntly.

As a newbie here I'm unfamiliar with the "quote" system in replying but please don't think I'm passing anyone over by neglecting to include your words in my reply. I will be a regular and learn as I go but for now to all, THANK YOU.. You've already brought me a lot more happiness than yesterday!