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Newly diabetic and very heavy legs

S

sylvialatetype1

Member
Messages
8
Hi,

I have surfed the web but could not find similar experience.
Diagnosed with type 1 at 40 (DKA & A&E fun trip) 6 months ago - as soon a i was rleased from hospital and on MDI, my legs swelled up big time. Went to GP (only one clued-up about diabetes in the practice) who had 'never seen that'. Got every tests under the sun, even cardio (heart & everyhting ok) but am still suffering from huge calves & ankles (particularly since summer started), by the end of the day i struggle to bend my legs. Control ~ ok though levels doing weird things in the heat wave (will ask in separate topic).
I am on Novorapid & Lantus (was on NPH but switched just before summer).
I am just wondering is it because of the Insulins and/or because of the heatwave which makes these symptoms worse?
After digging a lot when it started at the first use of insulin, i found that it was listed as a possible insulin side effect.

I'm after personal experience to know if change of insulin would work or do i just need to live with it and wait for winter for some relief.

Cheers,

Sylvia

Type1 at 40 since Feb 2013,
Novorapid + Lantus 1x bedtime
 
I has massive swelling for a while when I started on insulin. For the first few days it was slightly puffy ankles but within a week or so I could barely fasten my trousers, could only just get crocs on as my normal shoes didn't fit and couldn't wear my watch :shock:

No one seemed to have any idea why, suggestions were everything from celiac to an allergy to something in the insulin (quickly discarded because there were no other signs on allergy). Lots of tests came back negative and gradually it went away so we stopped investigating. I did end up with some neuropathic pain in my feet which was horrible and scary but calmed down with medication and again (fingers crossed) seems to have been part of the adjustment and I've stopped the tablets.

Once I saw the consultant a few months later she mentioned it can just be an adjustment thing as our bodies get back to a more normal BG level. I've since found it mentioned as a possibility when starting on a pump
http://www.endocrinologyupdate.com.au/latest-news/oedema-risk-with-insulin-pumps

I do still get slightly puffy ankles in the summer but nothing like that anymore. I was on lantus and novorapid at the time. I have since switched to levimir for various reasons but it hasn't changed the swelling.
 
Never experienced it myself in 32 years of injecting insulin, however if your convinced it is then ask for change to an alternative insulin's to see if the legs and ankles go down.

My mother's legs would swell-up and this was put down to water retention, medication and putting her legs up whilst sitting would reduce the swelling quite considerably.
 
I was diagnosed 1 year ago age 36 and had terribly swollen feet and ankles on discharge from hospital. Lasted about 2 months then went away. The Dsn was adamant it had nothing to do with diabetes or insulin, but I think it must have been! Hope you get some answers.
 
Thanks for the replies - i just wanted to know it did happen to others - obviously not everyone. It seems i am lucky it's only my legs, and mainly after long days, particularly in hot weather.
I'm glad to hear it should improve with time. I had it happen both on NPH & Lantus, so at the moment i am not sure insulin-type makes a difference.
All the GP could say is it bing a 'shock to the system'. Your replies here have been a lot more useful to me. Cheers.
And yes, 'puting my feet up' would be nice - when i retire maybe... or stop having a life :-)

The best joke i've ever heard at the hospital was 'you can still have a normal life...' i think they should banned Doctors from ever saying that, such a lie. But i still have a good life - and tired and puffy feet from it! All i need to do now is stop being a carboholic-chocoholic; the insulin & pricks are a piece of cake (yum, cake) compared to restricting all the sweet stuff i enjoy. Just as well i love veg and meat too.

Thanks for all advices.
 
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