Diabetes Type 2 Support Group

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not make efficient use of it. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert food into glucose, a sugar that the body uses for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose can accumulate in the blood, and can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and strokes and organ damage...

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PolarBear427 04/09/2011

Hi! I'm pretty new to all of this. My doc says that numbness is probably due to diabetes. My question is, my numbness is in both feet and is mainly in ball of foot and toes and is mostly all of the time. It sometimes travels up into my ankles too. Also, when I walk barefoot, it feels like I'm walking on something, like my skin on the bottom of my feet is separate and I'm walking on it ... does this make sense? I know it sounds weird, lol. I also have a lot of swelling in my legs, ankles and feet. This is due to my other illnesses.

Oh, I also have redness like I'm wearing socks, up on both ankles, looks like a sunburn. The areas are also warmer than the other parts of my legs. I have asked my doc about this and she said it is what is going on with me, connective tissue disease, but this was a while back and she no longer is my doc due to her leaving her practice. My new doc noticed it on my arms as well and asked me about both areas. I told her what the other doc had said and she didn't comment further. So, I thought I'd ask if any of you have experienced anything like this either. I plan on asking my internist also, but I don't currently have an appt with him.

Thanks so much!!

Sheri

mzizgayle 04/09/2011

Absolutely get to another doctor who can help you with this...I am guessing you have diabetes? Is it in control? You could have diabetic neuropathy (peripheral neuropathy), It will act up more so in the evening, tingling, pain to touch, etc. I have it but when my diabetes got back into control, the feelings were not as bad, sometimes it can get better but many times it might be too far gone so do please make sure you get to a doctor, don't take no for an answer and find out what to do.

grannie 04/09/2011

Yes, I have neuropathy, I agree with Gayle, get a new Doctor.

Debbie66 04/10/2011

I also have neuropathy.... I thought that all the night time burning and swelling and lack of feeling was due to being on my feet all the time at work. I actually did a search on the internet and found that numbness in the feet is a symptom of diabetes. I got myself to my doctor and asked to be tested for diabetes... and I was. Please keep monitoring your feet and get yourself to a doctor that will listen to you and help you. My mom didn't and ended up losing 1/2 her foot because she chose to ignore her symptoms. Please start wearing slippers and shoes at all time so you don't hurt your feet (like stubbing your toe) and not knowing it. Good luck, take care. Deb :o)

earthworm 04/11/2011

This neuropathy at the extremities worries me..Use a IR temp gun to measure - an idea of mine.
Also the VA does a test at the feet consisting of a mild scratch and asks if the patient can sense the stimulus.
Perhaps massaging would help, and there are devices for this.

deleted_user 04/17/2011

I have been diagnosed with diabetes for about 2 yrs. At first I was serious about making changes in my diet, taking my blood sugar, changing from regular coke to diet, and so on. I was able to get my bs# down to a good level and on the most part keep them there. I then got real slack thinking maybe I was not realy a diabetic or at least not that bad of one. Denial crept in.
I started having pain in my feet in March of this year. It just kept getting worse until I was having difficulty walking. It was more like a hop on my right foot. I finally went to the dr and found I had peripheral neurophy. I have spent the past month and half in bed. I have great difficulty making it to the bathroom or kitchen. I live alone so it has been tough. I am having to use a cane. I do not even consider going out to the store or anywhere else out of my house.
Sorry this is so long but I never had heard of neuropathy. Be aware of what diabetes can do to you and take it seriously. I heard that diabetes is a disease of denial like alcoholism. It rages in our bodies doing damage and then it rears its ugly head.

mzizgayle 04/18/2011

Okiegirl - once you get numbers back into control, the feet might get better...mine did and my feet/toes felt horrible in the beginning but once back into control they do much better...they let me know my numbers are up without me even testing just by the way they feel.

Have they given you anything?

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