Leg and foot pain.

[Emma_P23]

Hi. I'm new to this forum but have been t1 diabetic since 1996 aged 6. (Wow it's really been 17 years??!!)

Anyway... Lately I have been getting joint pain and swelling in my ankle and knee in my left leg. Sometimes I also get a tingling discomfort in two of my toes. Has anyone else experienced this??
Not sure if it's related to a previous operation on my foot or my diabetes. Any input would be appreciated.


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[BaliRob]

Dear Emma,

I am very much older than you and have been diagnosed for more than 8 years - I am not trying to frighten you. Your symptoms, although not as serious as my own, CAN BE indicative of kidney problems - especially the swollen ankle and knee joint pain.

I have Stage 3 CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) with severe leg problems with, coincidently, the left leg being affected the most with
oedema, joint pain and the worst possible leg cramps.

If the condition persists and if the swelling is not the result of very long periods of standing, you should ask for kidney emphasis being
the case when having your regular blood tests. By the way, the tingling in the toes can indicate poor circulation in the foot but not
to worry - I have had the same on and off since diagnosis but have absolutely no signs of neuropathy in my feet.

Hope this is of help to you.

Rob

 

[noblehead]

Hi Emma and welcome to the forum

It's difficult to say what is causing you this discomfort and your best bet is to mention it to your gp or diabetes consultant. Diabetic Neuropathy can present similar symptoms but it could also be related to your recent surgery on your foot, better that you get a proper diagnosis so that you know what your dealing with.

 

[Yorksman]

Questions about leg, foot, calf and ankle pains, cramps, discomfort and tingling sensations are common on this forum with a couple of new posts per week. It can be anything and might be as simple as badly fitting shoes or socks which are too tight. In my case it was/is a result of a side effect of a blood pressure tablet and a mild case of osteoarthritis. I'm sure the diabetes doesn't help either but keeping my feet warm and doing exercise which gets the blood pumping helps massively.

Just ask the GP, especially as you have had an operation. Normally some blood tests and/or a trip to podiatry will isolate the cause but you are luckier because the medics have 'inside knowledge' as it were, of your foot. You'll get someone with a more specialist view.

 

[Emma_P23]

Thank you for the answers. My doctor is pretty much useless so I will book an appointment with my diabetes specialist. Just don't like wasting their time but I can't ignore this problem.


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[2131tom]

Thank you for the answers. My doctor is pretty much useless so I will book an appointment with my diabetes specialist. Just don't like wasting their time but I can't ignore this problem.


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I don't think you'd be wasting their time. After all, their job is solely to help people like us, and the medical profession is always saying that problems are usually much easier to treat if they are caught early.

I hope it goes well.