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Help...?

Kerry-Michelle

Well-Known Member
Messages
176
Hi all, I hope everyone is okay and looking after themselves in this cold weather...

I was wondering if I could get some help...

The last time I went to the doctors I had my feet checked.. Docs said everything was okay but i questioned her about my toenails.. Now I hate feet with a passion don't like anyone touching mine or putting their feet near me sounds weird I know but that's me.. Any way I have like white corners on the tops of my toenails and I clean my feet everyday which I manage quiet well I dry them and moisturise them well.. But I've had these white marks for around a year or so now... Thing is they're not just little spots they are in both corners of each big toe.. Really noticeable.. The doctor just put it down to discolouration but like I said its on both big toes and not on any of the others... I've asked for a second opinion and got the same answer...

It's driving me made and I've just caught my toe and the corner has ripped off..

Does anyone else suffer with this?
Is it related to type 1 or just diabetes in general?

Please help

Many thanks

Kerry xxx
 
I just saw a podiatrist a couple weeks ago who told me that the best thing for big toe nails and diabetics was a layer of vaseline every night... Apparently meant to be better than any creams for improving condition of toe nails. She did say could use on all toe nails..

I hate my feet, but will make sure I do get them checked by a podiatrist...and this lady is new, as I have just moved.. Going to a podiatrist has to be on a par with my fear of dentist.. However, I know I can lise a tooth and still cope, but not my foot... So I have to make sure I look after them.. Despite hating it.

Could markings on nails come from shoes? Are circles at bottom of nails, middle, top or sides? Do you wear sensible shoes?

I havent got marks, but have got phobia over my feet and hate them, so can empathise about the feelings... But much better to get checked out by somebody that specialises than risk being knocked out and waking up without a foot!!
 
I can't afford to see a podiatrist unfortunately.. So take things into my own hands.. I have shoes that fit well never have any aches or pains from wearing shoes... Shoes for me have to be comfortable as I work with children and walk quite a way to work also I sing in a band and gig pretty much every weekend so I like having shoes that fit nicely...

The markings on my toes are on the tops and slightly down the sides of my toe nails.. I've never seen anything like this to be honest but then feet are a no no for me..

I will try to go and see someone who specialises in feet maybe that will help...

Also I will try Vaseline maybe it will help too also do you suffer with weak and brittle nails too??

Kerry xx
 
Hi Kerry-Michelle I'm just wondering if you have asked for a referral to a chiropodist? As a diabetic you are entitled to free foot care you shouldn't have to pay to see anyone for that! It's definitely worth enquiring about & keep on at your gp until you get a referral.

I don't get markings on my toenails but my fingernails are so weak they get to a certain length & split usually right near the skin ouch :-(

I hope you have some joy getting a chiropodist :grin:

SJ x

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Actually you don't get free foot care, when I was waiting for a hip replacement I couldn't bend down to cut my toe nails due to chronic pain and I have 2 in growing toe nails. I went to my GP who referred me to see a podiatrist, I saw her on 1 occasion, she cut my toe nails but said she couldn't see me again as my foot were in too good condition. They would only see me if I had repeated infections or something seriously wrong with my feet.
 
Thanks SJ and Sarah..

Unfortunately I don't early know what to ask my doctors or and any of my diabetes nurses... I bring up my toes all the time and get no where... They all just say the same..

I also have trouble with my fingernails as a child when I was nervous I used to bite my finger nails I've been trying to grow them out and I've been doing really well untill they all went brittle and broke off.. I filed them once every week to maximise growth also I used strengthening and growth nail care paint which helped and now they are getting back to the lenth I want them to be..

However I cut my toenails myself but when I cut them especially my big toes I find that the nail is hard at the top but really weak on the top corners.. I also file down my toe nails as these White markings seem to like rise on my tow nail creating like a bump on both sides of the nail on both feet doctors told mw to file it down but it just keeps coming back... I don't paint my toenails as I was told toget as much light to then as possible but I'm kinda at my wits end with all of this...

Many thanks for all your help

Kerry xx
 
Hi Kerry-Michelle, I too have white marks on my big toes - they are on the side of the toenail next to my big toe and my chiropodist told me that they are caused because my second toes are slightly higher than my big toe and when wearing shoes they get pushed together and the pressure causes these white marks - I too always wear comfortable shoes so have never notice any problems with hurting or quashed toes but he said they were nothing to worry about and that it is quite common. But if you are worried you should get it checked out.
 
Hi i would say it was the chips. Im not a expert im four yrs in still on diet and exercise but i have almost given up on potatotoes. With a standard portion of chips id estimate you took a hit of about 45g of carb without the batter from the fish. Id shoot high from qbout 5 chips. Sadly takeaways are a thing of the past apart from egg fu yung from chinese. Next time just have the chips i bet you hit high numbers from them rather than the fish
 

I've always had free foot care in the 24 years I've had diabetes I've never been turned down either I've always been told by my diabetes care team that diabetics are entitled to free foot care to help reduce the risk of complications I think from the sound of it you have been let down by your chiropodist even if your feet are in good condition you should still be having follow up appointments to ensure your feet are alright!!! I had surgery on two ingrown toenails about 7 years ago saw a chiropodist running up to the surgery & still have regular check ups at least every 6 months.

Kerri-Michelle just ask them to refer you to a podiatrist tell them you're concerned about your feet maybe play it up a bit more than what's actually worrying you as unfortunately it seems some gp's/health care professionals are very reluctant to make a referral unless its really dire don't take no for an answer our feet are so important if something concerns you make sure you get it looked at I really hope your gp comes through for you :grin:

SJ x

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Sarah69 I think that unfortunately as you're type 2 there may be limited availability for foot care :-( where as type 1's are entitled to free foot care!

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Hi kerry i have had the white corners on my big toe nails about 6 months ago ( pre diagnosis ) it cleared up by itself never thought it could have been diabetes related
 
Thanks for all the replies...

I never used to have these White marks before my diagnosis.. I used to be a dancer I taught and studied ballet, urban, hip-hop, tap and all sorts and forms of dance. I used to have ny feet checked at the hospital every so often as athritus runs in my mums side of the family.. I had perfect feet I was always told.. The diabetes team say I still do but these White marks came along before I was diagnosed with type 1.. Ive spoken to a friend who works in a local hospital on the childrens diabetic ward.. She said to keep going on at the doctors but is concerned that I stunned my toe and the corner of my toenail fell off...

Reetpetite my left second toe is smaller than my big toe but on ny right foot my second toes is almost inline with my big toe I also know that my nan has this problem but both her second toes are the same length as her big toes but she doesn't have the White marks and she isn't type 1.. Type 1 runs down her side of the family..

we've traced it back and every 5th generation person gets type 1.. Unfortunately I am the 5th it skipped my aunty and uncles and my nan but my 2nd cousin has type 1.. We speak quiet often but she also doesnt have these White marks..

It's a mystery to me...

But thank you everyone for the replies and help and all the information!!

I really appreciate it!!!

Much love to all

Kerry xx
 
Just a quick add on to this ref getting to see a podiatrist via gp.

My gp said to sel refer myself and there was forms in reception to do so. He ( and the podiatrist) said I have good diabetic feet, but because I am disbetic I could self refer and be seen,, but mat take a little while to get sn appointment because I'm not an emergency.

I filled in the form at the reception.. And got an appointment with a lovely podiatrist within 3 weeks..
I see her again in 6 months. She said besides my nails.. Which are still important I have the best diabetic feet she sees...

See if your GP allows you to self refer to a podiatrist... Tell him you not happy with ur feet and would lije to see someone that deals specially with them.. Even if it is a one off.. Ask if there are any self refferal forms...

Good luck.. My nails by way are really, really thick.. But vaseline has been brilliant and only been doing for 5 nights... Also got told to put sugical spirit on cotton wool overnight between liitle toe and other one.. This too has been excellent advice.

Such a shame so hard to see a podiatrist as **** sure it would save nhs money longterm!!
 
Hi Kerry, could it be nail fungal? If you google nail fungal you can read some more about it and pull up some images and see if it looks/sounds similar... I do know candida overgrowth (also worth googling) is really common in people with diabetes - which can manifest itself in loads of ways, including thrush, digestive issues and nail fungal problems, to name a few...
Good luck x


Diagnosed Type 2, 22nd Feb 2013
Hba1c 7.5
Three month trial of managing through diet & exercise.
Low carb, pescatarian
Trying various supplements!
 
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