Diabetic feet/neuropathy/vascular damage

[cmotdibbler]

Just been to my parents for the weekend, and found that their health had declined markedly.

Both have type II diabetes, but dad has been having problems with his feet for a while. Dr said it was gout, nothing to be done. Eventually the diabetes nurse looked at them and sent him to the chiropodist (in 13 yrs mum has never been sent to the chiropodist for a foot check and dad had never either, which I did think was odd) a few weeks ago who has diagnosed neuropathy which is quite extensive. For the first time in a long time I actually saw his feet this weekend... Several toes have black patches, and the whole of his right foot is cool and not pink.

So, does anyone know how fast this might progress to losing the foot ? He is worried about it (as v obv am I) but would like to know

bump

He should have had a foot check every year!!I am diabetic and my feet get checked.

He needs to see his gp right away to get his feet looked at.

He has seen the nurse (GP basically does nothing to do with their diabetes) since the chiropodist, but she 'hadn't had the report', but is seeing the chiropodist in another 2 weeks. I'm going to try and go with him to get more info, as he was concentrating more on the pain of someone handling his foot than what was being said.

I always thought that annual foot checks were a must, but neither of them have ever had one.

cmotdibbler - not to worry you - but if they are not getting their feet checks are they getting eye screening done?

Im a diabetic too - and every year I get my eyes photographed and my feet checked. Along with my bloods. ALL this is done via my GP.

Sorry that your parents haven't been getting the care that they need

Yes, they do get eye checks done - their PCT has contracted this to a local opticians. It makes my dad laugh as they have to photograph both eyes, even though his retina on the left is detached and sitting at the bottom of his eye

He needs to get those black patches looked at asap. My dad had the same on one toe. GP said it's an infection, it'll clear up, take antibiotics and come back in two weeks. He was very very sick and lost the toe a few days later. It probably could have been saved if he had seen someone with sense early on. Not sure about the cool foot - I know to look out for very hot, red patches but they need to get checked out.

Sorry, don't mean to frighten you. Having said all that, despite having the fright of his life my dad has got very lax again.