Just wanna reassure about your concern re foot problem. I have been a diabetic (T2) for the last 3 years and have experienced pricks and needles in my extremities since my diagnosis. According to my GP, pricks and needles in feet are quite common and shouldn't raise any concern. He told me that diabetes can cause damage to the nerve endings, sometimes permanently.
In my case, the condition can simply be annoying but it can be really painful.
Recently, I noticed that my pricks/needles have practically disappeared, which is also an indication that my sugar level is getting lower. Anyway, don't freak out about foot problems. They are a simple indicator of how well you are managing your diabetes
(my doctor dixit). Good luck!!
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Piano333
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I am sorry to begin by shattering your thoughts on diabetic problems to ones feet. Your doctor is obviously not too experienced with Diabetes. During your three years of diagnosis as Diabetic - how many HBA1c screenings have you had? You should have had at least three - one a year and if having difficulty with controlling you diabetes, six times - once every six months. The tests include, urine tests, blood tests and a foot sensitivity test. Urine and bloods for cholesterol, kidney function, sugar test which reflects your BS readings over the past three to four months plus others. The foot sensitivity test is one you can do at home with someone gently touching the base of your feet and toes with a very fine object like the shaft of a feather, a singe strand from a nylon or coarse hair brush etc and with your looking away, indicate when you are being tapped with the implement.
Pins and needles does indicate either a deterioration to circulation or that there is the beginning of nerve damage or both. The fact you are experiencing this would not ring alarm bells for a doctor because 95% of type 2 diabetics will get this and reflects the fact that diabetes is a progressive disease and if you have the beginnings of these symptoms which will, without a shadow of a doubt, get worse as the disease progresses.
The only way to control degeneration is to grip your diet, sugar control, exercise, weight loss and eventual reduction in medication by the throat and be committed to vigorously controlling your own diabetes. This is difficult only because it takes willpower and commitment for the rest of your life. I decided that I did not want to risk the loss of feet or ulcers through poor circulation. I lost 7 stone, began exercising with a commitment and within six months stopped taking insulin. Six months after that I stopped taking Metformin and am medication free and one year on, have a BS level of 5.7 and a cholesterol level of 2.
Please remember diabetes is a progressive disease and what ever anyone says to you, unless you do something to re take control of your body and do not be fooled or swayed by do gooders who try and say it does not always get worse for everyone.
If you want to succeed you will - if you think it's too hard, you will fail. I wanted to live as long as I can with all the bits I am in control of.
I totally agree with what you are saying and said as much in my post, Ticking-Ticker. My GP obviously has experience with diabetes simply because he told me the very same thing. And, btw, I have Hba1c screenings every 4 months.
My last one was 10 days ago and I am anxiously waiting for the results.
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HbA1c 51 to 35 in six months
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