Numb Feet - should i worry?

[Maskedman]

About 5 years ago my second toe on my left foot started to go numb - i mentioned this to my mum and she said that her toe was like that too. i also lived in a very cold house and thought this might be the cause of it. i didnt bother going to the doctors about it and eventually started to to forget about it. the numbness started spread to both feet and all my toes, for some reason this still didnt give me cause for alarm - i figured - i'm just a big guy my feet are probably just feeling the brunt of me being over weight.

I found out i was diabetic recently and had my 1st diabetic meeting with the nurse (joy of joys) she wasnt impressed when i told her my feet we numb and tested them with a needle. i had slight feeling on the top of my feet but nowhere else. She said it would have to be investigated - but nothing has happened. she checked the pulse and said it was fine.

do you think i should chase them up and get podiatry exam (i think thats the term)??? also i'm a bit worried that my feet will have to be removed as they are numb - is this a legitimate concern or am i worrying over nothing.

cheers

 

[chrissieworne]

Hi there,

I am newly dignosed too and don't have numb feet but a lot of tingling and pins and needles in my left leg and foot. It is due to Sciatica. I think that or a trapped nerve can also cause numbness, don't know if thats any help. Is it worse at night?

If I were you tho I would chase up the appy with the PODIATRY clinic just to be sure.

Hope you sort it soon.
Chrissie

 

[Spiral]

Chase up the referral, especialy if it was longer than a month ago it was suggested. Foot care is very important and you need to check your feet every day.

Contact the surgery and ask what has happened to the referral to podiatry - you don't necessarily need to speak to a doctor, the practice manager or admin staff can check what has happened to it. There should be a record of your last visit to the nuse, but if there is no record then ask what needs to be done to get it, sometimes it is a matter of the doctor/nurse calling you to check details and redoing the referral.

Feet being a bit numb isn't a reason for amputation. Gangrene from ulcers which won't heal is. The ulcers are the result of injuries or callouses that form because you can't feel your feet.

Make sure you have well-fitting shoes and socks, if your socks get that "Nora Batty" look you probaly need better fitting socks as they can rub and cause callouses and blisters, the initial source of problems. Also if you have athlets foot, get it treated quickly - my (non diabetic) son got horrible major infection in his feet via infected athletes foot :shock: :?

Also, if you live with anyone, make sure they get their athletes foot sorted too as you can pick things up from them if you go barefoot. Wear slippers or shoes indoors to reduce the risk of injury.

 

[Maskedman]

thanks for the replies. i'm surprised that i havent been invited to the hospital yet maybe they've forgotten about me.

chrissieworne - hi, my feet are numb pretty much 24/7 i've also noticed that my lower legs are numb too - i guess its spreading **** it!

Spiral - i dont think its quite a month yet - i will have to check my calender. but i think it could be worth chasing it up. i used to have athletes foot when i was younger - no idea if i have it these days - i'm guessing i wouldnt be able to feel it. my toe nails do seem to be very dis-couloured almost white. i wonder if that is an infection. i always wear slippers as my feet hurt if they get cold.

thanks for the amputation advice - hopefully i wont get anything like that - phew!

 

[ChocFish]

Hi Maskedman

I used to have very similar symptoms to the ones that you describe here, mine were so bad that I was unable to walk properly and eventually was in a wheelchair, I was diagnosed with neuropathy, my fingers were also affected and I found it hard to hold cutlery, it would drop out of my hands, typing was difficult etc

Its important that you get a proper diagnosis, you have waited for a month now for that appointment, if you dont want to chase it up you could at least make sure that all is still on track, because as things pass through the system they can get lost, it has happened to a few people I know, so do check that all is in order there.

This numbness that you are experiencing could be due for many reasons, you have probably been diabetic for quite some time before diagnosis, it could be some vitamin/mineal deficiency, and a whole lot of other causes too. But dont worry too much though, wait till you have your diagnosis then you know what you are up against and do your best to deal with it.
In the meantime, till you see a neurologist, make sure that you get good control over that bg, that you eat a good diet that gives you the full range of vitamins and minerals and protein and fibre that you need. Take some of the good oils, eg eat walnuts, almonds, etc

And move those legs, to keep the circulation going, move the toes, the ankles you can do exercises while you watch TV, you can do them in bed, while reading a book, anything, any movement is good, it doesnt have to be anything strenuous.

I am pleased to say that my neuropathy has gone, I keep my bg at non-diabetic levels, have a very healthy diet, take flaxseed oil and am very active, so you see there is plenty of hope there for anyone experiencing those worrying symptoms.

I hope that you get better really soon.

All the best

Karen

 

[Trinkwasser]

Assuming it is neuropathy, tight control works well to reverse it as long as you catch it early, and a combination of Alpha Lipoic Acid 300 - 600mg and Evening Primrose Oil 500 - 1000mg has been used successfully. Also Benfotiamine but I forget the dose.

These are all long term treatments, and as the dead nerves regenerate they may start to send pain signals that were previously cut off, so it might appear to get worse as part of the improvement.

Definitely I'd chase up the podiatrist, there may be another cause. Things like poor circulation and sciatica need ruling out