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Sore Foreskin = Ketones?

Kansenji

Kansenji

Well-Known Member
Messages
76
Location
Winscombe, Somerset, U.K.
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Being obese.
I am Type 2 Diabetic and, since being diagnosed 3 years ago, my Blood Glucose readings have climbed inexorably, never going below 15.1 mmols/litre and more usually about 17.5mmols/litre before meals. I have been on Metformin, then Gliclazide; since yesterday, I am on Novomix 30 Insulin twice daily, plus 1 Gliclazide tablet twice daily.

About eight weeks ago, I noticed that my foreskin (only) was sore, red & swollen (Posthitis). Since then, it has fluctuated from being near normal to very sore, all the time with skin shedding. I haven't had sexual intercourse for about two years :shock: so I know I have not picked up an infection. I have tried more frequent washing, Hydrocortisone cream, Canesten cream, Chlorhexidine cream and Vaseline. Only the Vaseline has had any effect, possibly because it protects the foreskin from urine. That made me think that it might be something in my urine.

I wonder, as my Blood glucose levels are quite high, might I have KETONES (acid) in my urine that is causing the irritation? Do Ketones cause such problems? Has anyone (man or woman) experienced similar irritation? :?
 
Time for the Docs Kansenji.
I've had fungal infections before I was diagnosed - itchiness and redness - which cleared up after a about a week using Canestan. SInce you have already tried Canestan without success I think you should seek medical help.
All the best.
Alan
 
Fungi and bacteria LOVE sugar, so it's likeely an infection. I don't think ketones would be the cause.Plus Ketones are not acidic.
 
Hello hanadr,

Now you've really confused me. I understood that ketone bodies (acetone, acetoacetic acid and
beta-hydroxybutyric acid) were acidic?
 
Both acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate are acidic, and, if levels of these ketone bodies are too high, the pH of the blood drops, resulting in ketoacidosis.
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But that is in blood,is it the same in urine?
 
THANK-YOU everyone, for your replies. :D I am seeing my Diabetes Nurse in a few days and will bring up the subject when I see her. When the cause is found, I will report back to this thread.
 
The clue is in the naming. If the compound in question has a name ending in ~ate, it's an ion. the associated hydrogen ions would lower the pH. Often we talk of ketones, but the real substances are ketoacids, which are chemically different and are acidic. I was thinking in terms of chemical names, not physiology. A true ketone, like Nail polish remover, isn't acidic, but a ketoacid is.
 
Sounds like it could be thrush however canesten cream usually sorts that - so as advised best check with doc/nurse as it sounds really painful and def needs sorting out :oops:

Chris
 
Just remember how sensitive the area is that needs treating. Tea tree could be a bit viscious. there's a fungicidal cream( can't remember the name) which is sold for athletes foot, which says it's suitable for Dhoti itch. that would be ok
 
Kansenji said:
THANK-YOU everyone, for your replies. :D I am seeing my Diabetes Nurse in a few days and will bring up the subject when I see her. When the cause is found, I will report back to this thread.
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Be careful how you bring it up or you could be arrested

Seriously though, some of my ongoing chronic symptoms which have all mostly ameliorated with BG control included skin and eye infections, thrush and crotch rot. Bacteria and fungi love high BG and probably also urine if you are spilling glucose in it. Treatment may need to be continued for some time to eliminate yeast or fungus.

I use athlete's foot powder or spray around the armpits of my legs.
 
I got my diagnosis of being a type 2 diabetic because I had an ongoing problem with Thrush which lasted about 6 months.

I suffered exactly the same symptoms, and by god it hurt at times.

See your GP. Don't wait to see the nurse.

A couple of tips to make things easier, use a really mild shower gel or soap, I use Sanex dermo protector shower gel, and I use Carex original hand soap, heavily perfumed ones do not help at all. Speak to your doctor about it, and ask if you can have Lamisil, it worked wonders for me, but you have to carry on using it for at least a week after everything seems to have cleared up.

You have to get your blood sugars down, it is the main cause.
 
This one was a main symptom behind my diagnosis as well. I had chronic thrush for about 6 months and nothing I did would make any different. It's still not gone now, but I'm only a month since diagnosis and have more pressing issues on my mind. Will try for Lamisil next time I'm at the GPs.

But seriously Kansenji, you need to get those levels down pronto. Hopefully the Novomix will do the trick. Also, which BG meter do you use? Some of them (Like the Optium Xceed) allow for Ketone testing as well and you should be able to obtain strips, if you're really worried. It's worth checking out if you've been high for so long.
 
acron^ said:
This one was a main symptom behind my diagnosis as well. I had chronic thrush for about 6 months and nothing I did would make any different. It's still not gone now, but I'm only a month since diagnosis and have more pressing issues on my mind. Will try for Lamisil next time I'm at the GPs.

But seriously Kansenji, you need to get those levels down pronto. Hopefully the Novomix will do the trick. Also, which BG meter do you use? Some of them (Like the Optium Xceed) allow for Ketone testing as well and you should be able to obtain strips, if you're really worried. It's worth checking out if you've been high for so long.
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Yes, I use the Optium Xceed meter too. When I saw my diabetes nurse a couple of days ago, I mentioned the "Ketones" alert on my meter and she said (wait for it) "KETONES TESTING IS FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES ONLY ! " This is the same nurse who said that "TYPE 2 DIABETICS DON'T GET HYPOS" ( http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3021 ) a few months ago. :shock: Thankfully, as I'm gradually increasing the insulin doses (currently on 28 units a day), my fasting blood glucose is now down around the 11/12mmols/l area and the inflammation mentioned earlier, is lessening.

My nurse also prescribed a fresh tube of Canesten (Clotrimozole) as my old one was at its expiry date. I'm still not sure the Canesten is working, but will keep on with it for a while. :D
 
Hmmmm yes I have in the past suffered from thrush so badly that I could barely walk, and whatever what was prescribed for me didnt work, the condition improved as my bg levels dropped but my immune system was still not so strong and despite lower bg I still got all these fungal infections and soreness for quite a while.

That is when I was advised to start drinking kefir (as well as doing all the other things that are good for me and got me to the stage I am now) - also I was advised not to use toilet paper (even the softest rolls I could buy felt like heavy duty industrial sandpaper that was impregnated with vinegar) so started using babywipes instead (much cheaper than moist toilet tissue). And this really helped and I havent suffered with this complaint for about 7 years now.

Hope you feel better soon

Karen

I hope this wasnt too personal.
 
ChocFish said:
Hmmmm yes I have in the past suffered from thrush so badly that I could barely walk, and whatever what was prescribed for me didnt work, the condition improved as my bg levels dropped but my immune system was still not so strong and despite lower bg I still got all these fungal infections and soreness for quite a while.

That is when I was advised to start drinking kefir (as well as doing all the other things that are good for me and got me to the stage I am now) - also I was advised not to use toilet paper (even the softest rolls I could buy felt like heavy duty industrial sandpaper that was impregnated with vinegar) so started using babywipes instead (much cheaper than moist toilet tissue). And this really helped and I havent suffered with this complaint for about 7 years now.

Hope you feel better soon

Karen

I hope this wasnt too personal.
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Hi Karen,
One of the things that is great about this forum, is that we can "talk" about very personal things, just like the very sensible adults that we surely are; so nothing is too personal as far as I am concerned. We should be able to freely talk about foreskins and women's parts in a straightforward and practical manner.

I'm sorry your soreness was so bad that you could barely walk; my wife seems to get a lot of soreness :cry: so I can imagine how bad it was for you.

I hadn't heard of Kefir before and have just looked it up on Wikipedia HERE . I will try and source it and give it a try.

Because I am a man & therefore have a hairy bum, :shock: I have used baby wipes for improved hygiene for several years. I use the Morrissons ones with with a plastic lid, as they are the only ones I have found that have two plastic flaps that try to stop multiple wipes coming out at once. Another advantage with wipes is that they do not disintegrate & stick to you as toilet tissues do!

Thank-you for your helpful post. :D
 
Oh, I am going to Morrisons later on, I will look out for the wipes there then.

I would like to add to my post above there, that washing with soap is to be avoided, even mild baby soap can cause irritation, I found sitting in a warm bath with salt added was wonderfully soothing.

If you need kefir grains, I have a very healthy, lively culture and would be happy to send you some to get you started? Just let me have an address to send to.

All the best

Karen
 
I use baby lotion on triple folded paper - I've had abscess surgery several times so I need to keep very clean.
 
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