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Anyone know anything about oedema and/or neuropathy in diabetics?

11 replies

TigerFeet · 20/03/2011 12:50

DH was admitted to hospital on Friday night as his feet have swollen up so much that he has lost all sensation and he could no longer walk more than a couple of steps without falling.

In the previous 24 hours he had spoken to the OOH GP, then seen his own GP who prescribed diruetics and feet up type bed rest, however despite this it got much worse on Friday evening.

He is being kept in until he can walk again.

However, the diruetics don't seem to be working, I haven't seen him yet today (not allowed in until 2) but he says his feet are the same today and the swelling has spread to his upper abdomen and hands.

The doctor he saw this morning is getting concerned about significant nerve damage, so of course he is now getting quite anxious. He is struggling with not being able to even walk the 10 feet to the loo on his own :(

He is a type 1 diabetic, has been for 30+years. His control over recent months has been shocking (which I wasn't aware of bloody idiot dh), however in the last week or so he has been making a real effort to keep his BM down. The general consensus seems to be that his body has gone into some sort of shock at the reduction of his blood sugar levels, it's used to having to try to flush the sugar from his system but now it doesn't need to so it's hanging on to the water instead.

Neuropathy isn't being ruled out but it isn't presenting in a classic way, the onset was very sudden and he can still feel heat/cold. His feet are nicely pink and they aren't too hot or cold to the touch.

Anyone any exprience of the above? We have no idea what his prognosis is tbh I am starting to worry.

TIA.

OP posts:
TigerFeet · 20/03/2011 13:14

Quick bump before I head out

THanks

OP posts:
missorinoco · 20/03/2011 13:20

I suspect they will need to run a series of tests to find out what is going on. They usually start diuretics at a low dose then crank them up (safer that way than in reverse), so it may take a little time for them to kick in. Many of the tests will only be done on week days, so you may find not much else has happened today.

Good luck

TigerFeet · 20/03/2011 17:43

Thanks, yes I hadn't thought about the weekday thing, but that's what dh was told today.

He's been moved from the admissions ward to a general ward now.

He can't walk at all now, he tried to shuffle into a wheelchair so I could take him for some air and a change of scenery, and he ended up on the floor, he couldn't push up with his legs to get on his feet :(

It's scary how quickly this has happened, on Thursday morning he was bounding about as usual, felt a bit swollen and rough Thursday evening, Fri morning he was struggling a bit but could walk up the stairs and get to the GP, Friday evening only a few steps before he lost his balance and now he can't even do that :(

OP posts:
Oblomov · 20/03/2011 18:22

I wonder what willl happen tomorrow. I wonder what the diabetic team would think ?
I am very sorry, I don't have any more advice. I have poor circulation due to 30+ years of diabetes under very good control, so I am not surprised by your sad OP.

belledechocchipcookie · 20/03/2011 18:27

My mother has mild heart failure & kidney problems so will swell if she's had too much to drink. She's on a restricted fluid intake of 1500ml per day and has had Frusomide which helps her more then a diuretics. Hope this helps.
It must be so stressful for you all, I really do hope he recovers quickly.

Babieseverywhere · 20/03/2011 19:16

I can't add anything of value. Just wanted to let you know, we are thinking about you and your family. Hope your DH gets on his own feet very soon.

TigerFeet · 21/03/2011 12:21

Thanks all

He is no better today but is due to see the consultant so hopefully we'll now get some answers

Woryingly his heart may be slightly enlarged, he is having an echocardiogram today too.

Annoyingly dd2 is poorly, she has a temp, chickenpox at nursery so waiting for spots to appear.

OP posts:
Babieseverywhere · 21/03/2011 12:57

:(

Are they giving him anything or is it a 'wait and the body should correct it' thing ?

Hope the consultant sheds some light on things.

missorinoco · 22/03/2011 11:25

Fluid overload may be in part the cause of the large heart. Hope you get some answers soon, and that dd2 just has a cold.

TigerFeet · 22/03/2011 22:22

Thanks missorinico that's what we're hoping for.

DD2 does indeed have a cold so we are off out tomorrow for some normality

I am so cross with him, he hasn't managed his condition well at all but has been hiding it from me

I had a proper go at him today, poor bloke, he can hardly move and his wife is reading him the riot act

The consultant has ordered a load of tests so we'll know more in a few days.

OP posts:
Babieseverywhere · 23/03/2011 07:04

lol, good time to have a go, when he can't run off ;)

I guess the shock has worn off a bit by now and you feel a bit better that he is in hospital getting the help he needs.

So you are allowing yourself to be cross with him for putting himself in this avoidable situation and hiding his earlier symptoms from you. He will understand and may agree with you !

Have a nice day out in the real world today chick, thinking if you all.

Ps. DD1 loved her parcel, bubbles and chocolate everywhere. :D

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