Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer B. on July 3, 2009 at 7:50pm

Your post caught my attention because when I was diagnosed last year, the ER docs said "no more high heels, open toe shoes, going barefoot or pedicures". I was very upset about this because I do all of these things. :( Later, my Endo told me I still can as long as I stay in "good control". I know your concern is more medical than cosmetic of course. I think like others mentioned, if your D is not in "good control" you will heal more slowly in the lower extremities, so while this isn't exclusively a D problem, it is more of a concern for us.

ALWAYS get a second (and maybe third) opinion when a doctor suggests REMOVING a part of you! ;) Maybe you could try some anti-fungals? The mainstream meds are extremely harsh on the liver, but tea tree oil (which is natural) takes a lot longer to work from what I've read. Also, possibly consult a Naturopath doctor for some other anti-fungal ideas. I've also read that HyperBaric Oxygen Therapy has been successful in treating wounds in diabetics, among other things.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on July 26, 2010 at 9:22pm

My mother who was also a diabetic had some issues with her toe's having a fungus infiltration and not being able to take the oral medications because of fear from her liver acting up which was also in ill health at the time would spread Vicks vapor rub over her infected nails which was also a old household remedy of sorts actually made the fungus diminish greatly almost to the point of it being non existent but did take some time for this to help.

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Permalink Reply by Kathy on July 3, 2009 at 9:45pm

Oh I just thought of something else - when you clip your nails, do not clip an infected one and then go and clip a healthy one - the doc said that's a very easy way for it to spread to all the toes. Dip the clippers in alcohol between each toe. It's extra effort, but might be worth it.
And yes, I agree with Jenn that the oral antifungals are very hard on the liver.

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on July 3, 2009 at 9:54pm

Thanks for sparing us photos!

I had yellow toenails, not too disgusting, but a fungal thing. Teatree oil helped a lot. As Jenn said, it does take a while to work. I also soaked my feet in water with apple cider vinegar. Don't know if that helped.

My endo said that I probably had dangerously high BG for about 5 years until I collapsed DKA, so "just diagnosed" can be a misleading label.

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Permalink Reply by David B. on July 3, 2009 at 9:56pm

Yes, you have to take really good care of your feet. I'm sure you know that a s a diabetic it usually takes you longer to recover from infections and you want to take precautions to avoid them. You should try to avoid going barefoot. I wear water shoes when I swim. I've also had several ingrown toenails and I know it hurts like high heaven when your toe is in the process of being numbed up before the problem is taken care of.

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on July 3, 2009 at 10:05pm

Know the posts here about what people would do if they cured? After burning my meter & all supplies, I'd run around barefoot. Miss that sooo much.

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Permalink Reply by Peter on July 4, 2009 at 9:21am

I used to do a lot of Martial Arts and barefoot was my mode of transportation.

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Permalink Reply by Kathy on July 4, 2009 at 10:36am

I have done a daily tai chi practice for over 20 years. Yes, it was irksome to have to start wearing shoes and when I went to classes I felt I stood out like sore thumb. But I got over it. You do what you have to do, and life remains good.

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Permalink Reply by Stuart on July 26, 2010 at 8:52pm

Hello Kathy:

Ancient thread, wanted to follow up, if you were around. Which flavor of Tai Chi do/did you practice prey tell? I will assume it is for health and not for martial arts practice?

Stuart

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Permalink Reply by Peter on July 4, 2009 at 9:39am

Thanks everyone very good comments that have made me think. I definitely need to be assertive with my doctor and not settle for what the doctor wants to do for a quick fix. If he's got a problem with it, I will call the insurance company and if I have to change pcps. He already seems to not want to give any more referrals for a podiatrist and for surgery for my carpel tunnel (which has been tested in June '09 and is severe in the right hand-the nuerologist is recommending surgery). I will try the tea tree oil, make sure I use alcohol between clipping my toenails, ask about a culture and ankle brachail test and try to get an appropriate antibotic and/or Lamisil. I know the toenails serve some purpose and I like how they look, of course I don't want to lose more than a toenail just for asthetic purposes.

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Permalink Reply by FatCatAnna on July 4, 2009 at 10:02am

Then you'll be able to paint your toe nails like mine once you've gotten things sorted out (kidding on the blue varnish of course). My feet were cold when I took this 5 minutes ago - it's so unsummerish right now - rain is on it's way ... again ...

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Permalink Reply by Cathy Jacobson on July 26, 2010 at 9:00pm

I've been diabetic for over 10 years and haven't had any problems with my feet. BUT then I go for footcare every other month.
The doc / tech checks my feet for callous', cuts, blisters, toe infections, etc. Then he/she clips and files my toenails. So that I am very intune to what is going on with my feet. I understand that footcare is VERY important for diabetics, and have seen first hand what happens when you don't care for your feet, or have the doc check them. Are you doomed....I don't think so, but your toe nail will grow back if they remove it.and you take care of them tootsies. I for one wouldn't be the one doing the foot care for someone else, ick! what a job. But it's important Peter to have them checked often. I still haven't talked my doc into polish yet, but you probably wouldn't have that problem.

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