Sounds like several problems and your podiatrist seems very sensible.
1: Faint pulse in feet; it is actually difficult to feel the pulse at times even if it is fine; if one is really worried about the foot blood supply, one would do a doppler scan, but if this was required, I think your podiatrist would have mentionned it.
2: Cold feet - some folk just do have cold feet, some have a poor blood supply; but beta blocker drugs such as bisoprolol, atenolol etc also cause cold feet; if you had Raynaud's phenomenon, you would find your hands changing as described above.
3: Lesion on toe which is slow to heal and may be verucca - I am sure that the dermatology opinion is invaluable. I would ask the GP what has happenned - referrals do get lost in the system. Point out that you have neuropathy numb feet and weak pulses in feet, ie at risk feet, to get them going - since you are concerned about your feet, problems would probably be addressed and controlled.
4: Pain - again, did the podiatrist think that the toe lesion was enough to cause this pain? Did they find any evidence of neuropathy?it sounds very severe: when do you get it and what does it feel like?
5: That is a brilliant HbA1c - congrats. Yes, as folk say, unlikely to go hypo on metformin monotherapy; non-diabetic people when well can get a 4-ish on their blood tests. The meters might not be totally accurate in the low range; you might feel poorly, but you are not going to black out or come to harm from low glucose values on metformin. Also, if very cold hands with sluggish circulation, the fingerprick blood sample might have a falsely low glucose value. Other agents which folk might take can drop the glucose values and these include quinine, tramadol and the ciprofloxacin group of antibiotics, and also decent dose alcohol. How do youo feel when get lowish values?
6: Numb feet with good glucose control on metformin; you need to also get your vitamin B12 (lowered by metformin), vitamin D, and thyroid function (underactive thyroid can give neuropathy and cold feeling) tested - sorry - this means seeing a doctor which is causing you problems at moment.
7; The abcesses are unpleasant, but if glucose control is OK, probably just bad luck; sorry.
8: I trust that you don't smoke cigrettes - sorry - stupid question, but one of the most useful things to do to look after your blood vessels.
9: Sounds really difficult to find GP; most of time they do not mind if someone a bit out of area, but they are under a lot of pressure - they are expected to do more and more of the work of hospitals, patients are often more complex than in the past and resources are being reduced. This is no excuse for not giving you the healthcare required, and GPs would always try their best. See
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices...ss-nhs-crisis-funding-part-time-a7727706.html The replies above are very helpful - I guess that you have to use your present GP and assure him that you are looking for a closer GP, but none available at present. Some GPs state an interest in diabetes, but not very common.
Best wishes
