Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sam I am on August 26, 2012 at 8:48am

I get leg cramps after walking a few blocks. I've been tested for the artery disease, but everything came back normal. I now think my tight calves contributed to my planters faciatis but so far, they don't know what is causing my legs to cramp or a cure. Only suggestion has been from a physical therapist who says I must stretch every day no matter what I am doing. It seems to help but not resolved my problems completely.

Permalink Reply by Bertie on September 12, 2012 at 8:11pm

Michelle, I've had PAD (peripheral arterial disease) symptoms for over ten years now. Both when walking long distances OR walking rapidly. Cramping starts in my calves, if I continue walking, the cramping then proceeds up to my thighs and then to my glutes. The only solution I've found is to stop and wait 'til my circulation catches up or walk more slowly to try to prevent cramps from starting. I've been T1 for going on 59 years now.
I'm still on insulin injections. Have never gone on a pump because of hypoglycemic unawareness...

Permalink Reply by Frank Marcus Sabatini on September 21, 2012 at 9:14pm

How about adding "anemia of chronic disease", Explains why I am tired all the time,
First time I heard about that one....My last blood panel showed that I have it, and my endo knows of no effective treatment. I am still doing research on "anemia of chronic disease" will pass on what I find.

Permalink Reply by cchelms on December 30, 2012 at 1:17pm

Frank, I'd love to hear what you've found out about this. I have had chronic anemia for decades now - since my early 20s. I am 47 and have had diabetes for 31 (almost 32, in a couple of weeks!) years. I've never heard anyone mention "anemia of chronic disease" though. They just tell me to take more iron supplements, since I don't seem to absorb iron from food much. I take a multivitamin with iron, then two 35 mg iron supplements a day (three when I'm menstruating - sorry for the TMI!). Taking that dosage has enabled me to stay at the low end of normal for almost a year now. It seems like an insane amount of iron to take to me, though. I have even had low vitamin B12 levels before (pernicious anemia). Have you found information that having a chronic disease actually predisposes one to anemia?

Permalink Reply by Frank Marcus Sabatini on December 30, 2012 at 8:40pm

I have not been able to get much info together on the subject of "anemia of chronic disease" other than it is an actual medical condition and that there is no treatment. A web search of the subject only verifies what my Dr. told me, no treatment and that it is a diagnosable condition, being tired all the time for example. I'm guessing it has to do with how many times our blood glucose levels varying so many times high to low over the course of our lifetime. I have tried iron supplements but they tended to plug me up if you know what I mean. It could be that I am just tired of diabetes after 55 years now, but I keep on waking up every morning and deal with it. I figure it could always be worse. Take care!

Permalink Reply by TV on December 31, 2012 at 4:24pm

Did you see a cardiologist to check to make sure either of you don't have heart valve issues? That can cause a certain type of anemia, too. And poor kidney function can cause anemia. I didn't catch any comments about your creatinine levels, but if they are above normal, that could be contributing to the cause of your anemia.

Permalink Reply by cchelms on December 31, 2012 at 6:16pm

TV, that's interesting. My creatinine levels are always excellent and the only heart valve issue I've had is an "innocent" murmur. Of course, I haven't had that checked lately but I've had anemia for over 20 years. It also runs in my family (though no one else has T1). We just don't seem to absorb iron.

Permalink Reply by Frank Marcus Sabatini on December 31, 2012 at 9:16pm

I have a small leak in one valve but overall my cardiac health is in control, I have had a half dozen stents placed in my heart and have a couple feet of stents in my legs. My heart has been staying clean and plug free for about 6 years now, I have every thing checked on a 6 month basis, my kidney function is perfect and my creatinine levels are fine as of two months ago. A1c was 6.4 2 months ago. I have not had problems with depression for years, and I know what to watch for and have been under treatment for that for years (50 to be exact). I really feel as if the constant swings across that perfect BG level over 55 some years has a lot to do with just feeling worn out a good part of the time.

Permalink Reply by Janice on November 14, 2012 at 9:57am

Gout and arthritis. My doctor has had me on this medication to treat neuropathy, and on another one that helps minimize gout pain. I was off the medication for a while, and sure enough, my feet started totally aching with pain. It wasn't neuropathy, My whole foot was in pain. I couldn't even walk on it. Anxiety is another issue that has hugely affected me. You don't see a lot of people talking about it, but it eventually led to my needing a new kidney.

Permalink Reply by Eric on January 6, 2013 at 10:16pm

One of the things I got hit with while I was still working was gastroparesis...throwing up for days at a time was a real delight. And yeah, I've got arthritis, too. Once I started developing wounds on my feet that just wouldn't heal because I was standing all day long and became too blind to drive I finally ended up on disability. 14 billion years to get here and this is the lot we get....sheesh!

Permalink Reply by Richard157 on January 19, 2013 at 3:33pm

I have had four very painful episodes with gout. That is more common among diabetics. Even arthritis and cataracts are more common among diabetics. I have had cataracts removed, and have been arthritic for 25 years.

Permalink Reply by Betty J on February 21, 2013 at 10:11am

I've belonged to Tudiabetes almost since they started and never realized this group or the 50 years group existed...so glad I've found this group. I was reading some of the complications and can really share with others who have lived a long time with this disease. I've had D for almost 54 years, July 5th will be my 54th year. I too had frozen shoulder, trigger finger, knees and other problems mentioned here. I had laser for Retinopathy over 30 years ago and haven't had any more problems. During the 1990s one of my lowest periods in my life and only hanging by a twig I learned how to continue to live. I was referred to a CDE and he truly taught me how to live with this disease, I thank God for him, my Godsend.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page