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Diabetes & Taking Care of Your Feet - It's Important!
If you have neuropathy and if you also have diabetes, it's really important to take care of your feet. Mayo Clinic has some good information on the subject here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-neuropathy/basics/prevention/con-20033336.
I do not have diabetes but it runs in my family. My mother and my two sisters had it. I've never had it but my doctor has told me that I fall into the pre-diabetes category. I learned to take better care of my feet the hard way. I have had peripheral neuropathy probably for 20+ years in my feet and legs. Mostly just numbness. I was used to rubbing my feet together at night as a habit due to the feet always feeling kind of cold. One night several years ago I had to get up in the middle of the night for my old man's trip to the bathroom. When I was in the bathroom I glanced at the floor and there was blood everywhere. I kept turning in circles to see where it was coming from until I noticed a small little pin spray of blood coming from my ankle in spurts. Long story short - a trip to the ER via ambulance when I couldn't get the bleeding to stop. The paramedics did get it stopped wanted me to go to the ER just in case. What I found out was my big toenail had a sharp edge and cut into a blood vessel just under the skin. So now, I check my feet everyday. When the toenails grow too long I trim them. I also wear socks at all times so that if I step on something and my foot bleeds I'm going to see it (white short crew socks at night). It's funny looking back at the incident but it was a little scary when it happened, especially when the paramedics were taking me out of the house on a stretcher and wanted to cover my head with a blanket to keep the sleet off my head. I saw my neighbors lights on and told the paramedics please don't cover me up - don't want the neighbors to get the wrong idea.
Anyone else have any taking care of the feet tips?
John
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John, I think you said it all -- carefully check your feet every night!
Your comment about the paramedics shielding your head from the sleet and what the neighbors would think cracked me up!
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3 Reactions@johnbishop -- I was looking back on your fascinating story here about how due to your neuropathy and diabetes combination, your sharp toenail led to an ambulance ride to the ER!
Wondering if @hopeful33250, @gman007, @chromebottle50, @oldkarl, @sallymagint, @amaze02, @jazzlady1, @mfobrien36, @bugs, @gailfaith, and @loisogden have gotten a chance to see this intriguing story?
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2 Reactions@johnbishop Well, anyone who would like to read a "fascinating" story of the state of modern health care can download Amyloidosis at HTTPW://bit.Ly/1w7j4j8
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1 ReactionThanks @oldkarl - I have read that from one of your earlier posts...it is like you say a journey. 🙂
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1 ReactionHi @lisalucier - I actually gave a speech about it at Toastmasters - "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride". It wasn't funny then but did put things in perspective and I can laugh about it now. Kudos to the 5 or 6 EMTs that carried me on the stretcher up the stairs...I was about 40 lbs heavier at the time. ☺
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2 ReactionsOh yes, I saw it. One great story!
Teresa
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2 Reactions@johnbishop Hi, JohnBishop. Another tip for anyone with neuropathy. If you wear compression stockings, get good ones. But most importantly, be careful about putting them on. I was half asleep a few days ago. I was careless, snagged my "Lil' Piggy" with a sharp splinter, pulled the toe out to a 90 degree angle from the foot, and broke the bones of the toe and the foot into several pieces. Take my advice. Have that coffee BEFORE putting on the compression stockings. OldKarl
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1 ReactionHi, @oldkarl -- ouch! So sorry that happened to your poor foot and toe!
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2 ReactionsHi @oldkarl, A big ouch!! I hate it when that happens. I'm wide awake in the morning...still have my sleeping socks on when I get up, feed the kitties then jump on my exercise bike for 30 minutes or so, then do the routine shower, shave stuff. I used to be able to put on my socks when standing but that's not possible anymore. Also used to be able to take off my trousers and make a temp floating device while treading water - of course we had to be able to do that to graduate from boot camp in the Navy. It would be fun to try that again ☺
John
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3 Reactions@johnbishop Ahhh, those were the days. JK
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