new story-anxiety from symptoms

[tommyAvalon]

Today I realized the small sores on my feet arent from bug bites/mesquitos. I had heard about feet problems and saw a few patients in hospitals with huge sores on thier feet & legs and felt for them. Well, now I see myself in the hospital in the future with some guy lookin at my feet, sayin the same thing about me. I also experience the hot flash symptom after eating...the lows when I dont eat. The highs otherwise. Ive been getin blurred vision for years. I had hypoglycemia for years. kinda comes and goes when you eat right.(or dont).
What i need is some help dealing w/ the possibility of being diagnosed w/ T2. I need to get the tests so i know for sure & start to get some treatment. After all ive read online, I have it.
BUT, i need to confirm w/ a doc. What is the first line of doctors to see? General, Foot Doctor, Internal, Specialist , ER ? Also how bad do foot sores have to get before you reach amputation stage?

Tom/NY

[genie86333]

You say you're having lows & highs...I assume you have a meter because of the hypoglycemia? What kind of readings are you getting?

What do you think caused the sores on you feet if it's not bug bites? As far as I've heard, diabetes doesn't *cause* sores if that's what you're thinking, it just can keep sores from other things (bug bites, cuts, scrapes, etc) from healing right.

Any doctor (GP, ER doc, etc) can do the tests to diagnose diabetes, but what types of readings are you getting? If you've been hypoglycemic, you should know what's normal & what's not & there shouldn't be any doubt about whether you need to go to the ER or not.

[mraymond]

Hi Tom,

I had sores for a couple of years that didn't heal, was thirsty all the time, frequent urination, blurred vision.... and numb feet/toes. Finally the orthopedic doctor I was seeing for a broken ankle suggested that I have a fasting glucose test -- and it was really high.

I would suggest that you see your primary care physician (I didn't have one) and ask them to run some tests to check out whether you do indeed have diabetes. Once I had the fasting test, the doctor I now see ran an HbA1C test which measures your glucose level over a 3-month period.

But, do get yourself tested -- the sooner the better -- so that if you do have it, you can start changing your lifestyle. I think for most of us it is scary to get an initial diagnosis, but it can force you to lead a healthier lifestyle and ultimately you will feel much better if you can get things under control. I know that I had sores on my feet and for the most part that has cleared up -- it took months sometimes for things to heal, but as soon as my glucose levels came down the sores started healing much faster.

This forum has been a great source of information and inspiration to me and I'm sure everyone on it will be there for you, too.

mary

[butterflykisses]

See your PCP, have a complete work up. Usually sores do not just pop up on your feet or legs for no reason. They come from friction from shoes or an injury. Most people with diabetes and good feeling in their feet and legs will not have a problem with sores. It's those that have nerve damage and poor circulation that can have those bad ulcers that do not want to heal. Even someone who is newly diagnosed with out of control blood sugar can get control and not have problems. You could have a fungal infection...and yes, diabetics can be plagued with these. If you are in fact diabetic getting diagnosed and under control will reduce your chances of ever having to deal with amputations. So make that appointment ASAP!

[Moonglo]

Tom,

I just wanted to say that, as a relatively newly diagnosed type 2, I totally understand the fear that comes with having to acknowledge something like this. I worked myself into such a tizzy that day that I had to go home, make my room as dark as possible, and lay down with a wet cloth on my forehead to attempt to get rid of the massive tension headache I gave myself by getting so stressed. And that headache lasted all afternoon. It was awful.

And I've always said I'm the ultimate carbaholic. But guess what? I'm actually making progress. And if I can make progress, I know you can... but you have to get this taken care of now, before it gets worse.

We're all behind you. Go ahead and see that doctor.

Oh, and btw, there are other diseases out there that exert similar symptoms to diabetes. So you definitely want to be careful about making assumptions before you see the doctor.

Best wishes, and keep coming back! Always room for one more here. :)