Intermitent Discomfort Right Toe been happening for 2-3 years.

[Tash96]

Hi sorry for the long post but please help if you can.

2 or 3 years ago I noticed a feeling in my big toe. It felt either athletes foot or if my toe nail was catching the skin.

It would only come every few weeks or months. I thought maybe it was my footware or because I had been on my feet for along period.

Several months ago, I had flu like symptoms and would get this sensation in other toes or in my fingers. I then realised, it felt like pins and needles but in a very small area.

After I recovered fom these flu like symptoms the sensation went except for in my big toe as before.

Now it happens more frequently. Sometimes more than once a week. When I notice it, it is usually only for a breif period. If I start to do feet excersises the feeling goes away.

My biggest concern is that it might be diabetes. I rarely eat fast food, dont smoke or drink alcohol, dont eat snacks like crisps or sweets except for small things like a biscuit every now and then. But when I first noticed the sensation I was drinking 2 or 3 cans of fizzy drink a day and 1 or 2 chocolate bars a day. Now I drink 2 or 3 cans a week and rarely eat chocolate.

The feeling is getting more frequent, and has only ever been in the same toe except for when I had the flu like symtomes, until yesterday, when I had the feeling in my finger.

As we are still in lockdown it is not easy to see a Dr.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Hidden]

I would strongly advise you to talk to your GP about your symptoms and your worry that it might be diabetes. Pins and needles can signal the beginning of diabetic neuropathy. The NHS and GP surgeries have been providing services throughout the lockdown. The only difference is that your initial chat with he doctor may be by phone - a system we have had for years at my GP surgery.

[Galen70]

Nerve damage due to diabetes only happens after years of poorly controlled diabetes, and would cause symptoms in more than one area, not just a single toe. this is more likely to be a local cause. As Osidge said , contact your gp practice and can discuss over the phone.

Its a common misconception diabetes is too much sugar. Its not enough insulin. if youre not diabetic your body can copy with large amounts of sugar. Diabetics however don't make enough insulin. Risk factors are obesity, ( so this is where unhealthy diet comes in ) family history, ethnicity, xs alcohol consumption , and age. ( for type II ) . If you had undiagnosed type II diabetes, you would have far more symptoms than a change in the sensation in your toe , before this point.

[Edwen_]

Hi Tash, I have been having a problem with my big toe for a couple of years now and it has gradually got worse. I was seeing a podiatrist before lockdown but hadn’t had a proper diagnosis. One thing I have learnt is that there is a lot that can go wrong with your big toe. I’ve narrowed it down to either a problem with the nerve endings due to Shingles or possibly arthritis. I thought it might be Gout but have had that ruled out after a blood tests. The pain can be very intense and stop me from walking properly. Good luck with a diagnosis.