So I'm about to lose my right foot.

You got 'em, TJ.

Blessings,

Nick (fellow diabetic)

 

Im not knowledgeable, but I thought that IV antibiotics are the most effective treatment.
I think you need a second opinion at the Emergency Room ASAP.

http://www.ossur.com/pages/2780#Q2

 

Sorry to hear that TJ . . . and yes, my prayers are with you.

I had a childhood friend who, at the age of 13, lost her left leg just below the knee due to diabetes. As devastating as something like that would be for a 13 year old girl - or anyone else for that matter - she soon regained her zest for life and didn't let it stop her from becomming an outstanding softball player, snow skier, pianist, Ivy League graduate, wife and mother.

Let's hope your faith and antibiotics don't force you to face the same life altering trials. Life is hard enough with two good feet.

 

Most doctors you see on a first visit are just use to making pronouncements and prescribing a drug. Get aggressive and find a doctor interested in saving your foot. Ignore the insurance requirements and GET MOVING. You will suffer very bad things unless you get aggressive at finding someone who cares.

 

My prayers are with you TJ. I hope you have a diabetes specialist near you to treat you aggressively. Most people have no idea just how much diabetes affects the whole body unless they have someone close who suffers from it.

Treatment has improved so much over the years, but even using an insulin pump can't match the normal functioning of the pancreas. A co-worker's 14 year old son is on one, and tests 5 times a day with a bolus as required. Still he has problems with regulation due to the fact that he's growing rapidly. His recent A1C was over 10 and he's at the age where normal teenage rebellion starts to kick in. His mom knows what the long-term effects can be and it is so hard for her.

Please let us know how you are doing. And hang in there a day at a time. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

DEFINITELY go for a second opinion - I know today is a holiday, but please, please, please go to the emergency room at the best teaching hospital in your area, and do it this morning.

Try googling 'wound care Dallas' to see if you can find a hospital-related wound care program somewhere near you, and go to the emergency room at that hospital. Even if the emergency room doesn't have one of these specialists on duty today, they'll be able to call someone in to determine whether should be done now, and what can wait until tomorrow.

I'm diabetic, too, so I know you're in a very dangerous situation - the sooner you're having more expert attention paid to the gangrene, the better.

 

From northern Indiana, my prayers are with you. Go have it checked, today!

 

i'm so sorry to hear that, TJ. i hope you are able to salvage your foot, i know nothing of it personally but it sounds like others are providing some good advice about getting aggressive.

i worked with a diabetic some years ago who had some issues with his feet. some days he would stand at the counter and some days he had to sit on a tall chair to do his work. he was also very concerned about losing a foot or leg one day.

i'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best.

 

Being aggressive about it is the best option at this point! Go to the emergency room now! Still here? Go!

Nothing but my best wishes TJ. I hope everything comes out OK.

 

praying for ya man!!

talk to other doctors. my sister-in-law's brother is diabetic and has had two amputations of his leg. but the first one was supposed to happen like 20 years ago. he moved (for job not medical advice) and new doctor was able to treat with medication and delay first amputation by a good 5-6 years... so definitely dont take one persons word for it. NO doctor knows everything... and to be honest with ya, a good doctor will tell ya, its a lot of guesswork.

if one med does not work, have him try a few more. i know with infection, time is very very critical... i would be making an appointment tomorrow ASAP

 

I will say a prayer also.

 

Oh man TJ... this just SUCKS! I so hope you find another solution other than losing your whole foot. I'm sending thoughts, prayers and some healing white light your way. Take care and please keep us posted.

 

Not a good way to start the new year TJ, our prayers are with you! My wife is diabetec and we are allways concerned with hand and foot injuries, but so far she is doing quite well. How well do you keep your blood sugar in control? If you are taking insulin, I would strongly recoment a pump, my wife uses one and the change from shots is incredible. The newest pump from Medtronic now integrates continous bg monitoring.

 

My wife was diabetic, so I know all about the foot thing, too.

I wish you good luck!

 

I would so see someone else and real soon. "You're gonna lose your foot, here's a shot, take these pills and see you later"? Gee, I don't think so.

If this was so serious, why was it on an outpatient basis? Why weren't you admitted until the infection was under control?

 

Im the guy whose sister went to Kaiser with the worst headache she'd ever had ,that felt like a spike in her head.
She was given some aspirin and an appointment to see a specialist a month later.She died in her car the next day of brain hemorrhage.
If my sister had looked up her symptoms in any home medical guide,she would have known that she needed an MRI immediately.
You have to be your own advocate and DEMAND treatment, because the HMOs dont want to spend money if they can avoid it.
For my sister they saved the cost of the MRI and any subsequent surgery.

 

I've got a pile of good thoughts heading your way from NJ. Here's hoping you get to keep that foot.

 

Exactly, don't let them decide for you what happens. It's not their foot, after all. F**k the insurance, it's not as important as your foot. The human body has a tremendous ability to heal itself. Go to someone like Deepak Chopra who's expert at healing, not of cutting something off of you. I know that doctors and nurses work very had and I have a lot of respect for their abilities but they deal with sickness and in removing it. A healer is what you want, don't become a victim of people who want to cut you, it won't make any difference to them one way or another but it will change your life forever and your life, your health, are more important.