Urgent advice needed: complications Type1.

[Ru22]

Hi, I am a 24 year old female. I am living abroad. It is difficult and very expensive for me to access medical assistance here.

I have been an insulin dependant type 1 diabetic for 23 years. I have always had a slightly high hba1c. For the past couple of years I have had these severe shooting pains in my feet which only occurred for a few days, 2-3 times a year.

In the past three weeks these pains have been quite constant. I also have the same pain in the backs of my knees and sometimes elsewhere in my legs. The surface of my legs (especially around my hips) has become very sensitive to the touch, like it's prickling all over, and sore as if it is bruised. My legs ached very badly all over, constantly, for five days.

I have also had very severe recurrent thrush, and cystitis once (without the phantom need to urinate), in this space of time.

Does this sound like diabetic neuropathy? I have now got my blood sugars under perfect control but want some advice. Can I do anything to help my legs and these recurrent infections? Will they go away?
Or does this sound unlike diabetes complications and something else? Any advice appreciated.

 

[jo78]

If you are still continuing to get these infections and they are not clearing up, I do suspect its lack of insulin, you may be insulin resistant.
Please continue gaining better blood sugars, you may be running high during the night without realizing. Check for ketones, when waking. You say it's hard and expensive to get treatment, where you live but you need specialist help Let me know how you get on.

 

[tim2000s]

Hi @Ru22, consistent thrush is a strong sign that you are running your blood glucose levels too high. On the pain and sensitivity you are suffering, I think you need to see a medical professional. The symptoms could be linked to neuropathy,. but equally, they could be linked to other things. Either way, lowering your glucose levels would certainly alleviate your discomfort in other areas.

 

[Sucre Bleu]

Hi there
There are some useful tips for non medication help for thrush and cystitis

Cranberry juice or cranberry tablets often help, increasing your fluids (water) also helps flush out nasties from your system, and often assists in overall glucose management. Probiotics can help with the thrush, especially ones added to yoghurt. Not sure where you are located, but in Australia you can get thrush meds over the counter without a prescription.
Pain around your hips and sensitive skin may be an indication you have a fever, possibly from a urine infection. I rarely get fevers reflected on a thermometer, but if I am in be and the sheets feel scratchy and my skin feels sore, this is indicative to me something is going on.
Shooting and stabbing pains in feet etc does sound a little like neuropathy, sounds like you might need a trip to the doctor. Make some notes of all your issues, so if you do invest in a consultation, you don't leave anything out,

Great work on getting your sugars under control, you will find that helps a lot. Many, many women suffer from thrush and urine infections, sadly diabetics are more prone to these issues, but I wouldn't call them diabetes complications per se.

 

[RAPS_od]

I know it's expensive and difficult to see a medical professional, but it sounds like it's time. What you describe with your feet sounds like neuropathy; as your sugars increase, neuropathy can lead to a host of other conditions you definitely want to avoid.
Getting your sugars down on a daily basis - not just a1c - which is over a period of time - is probably the first best thing to do to help yourself, but it won't eliminate the problems on its own. A doctor can prescribe medication to keep the pain at bay, as well as test you for other things that may be taking a toll on you.
I wish you the best.