“I am a busy person and being told to put my feet up is not good for me”
Putting your feet up may seem like a luxury, for time that many do not have.
But when having to do just that as a consequence of an unwanted diabetes complication… there is nothing you want to do more than get back on your feet, as DRWF supporter Andy Austin shares in this personal story.
I have type 1 diabetes and was diagnosed when I was 10 years old. I am now 62! My main occupation was as a male nurse working in various departments from ITUs (intensive care units) to district nursing.
Prior to being diagnosed with this condition, I was a fit and active person. I have an insulin pump and have managed this (quite) well.
My activities include work as an Explorer Scout Leader, taking part in many camping trips at home in the UK, and abroad. I am a qualified Mountain Leader, which covers me in the UK and Switzerland and, as a keen cyclist, I cycle to work three days a week.
As with all people living with diabetes, I have various check-ups to attend (I regularly receive checklist reminders at DRWF Wellness Days, which I have attended many times over the years).
One of the checks was footcare. I was already under the care of the podiatry team where I live in the New Forest, for a callous build-up on one of my toes.
I noticed my right foot was becoming uncomfortable to walk on and I checked my foot, but could see no obvious injury. I had a check-up already arranged with the podiatry team. I mentioned the discomfort on my foot. I was referred to have an insole made to give my foot more protection. This was a great improvement.
In March this year I had a regular check-up with the podiatry team. I had noticed a small swelling at the base of my toes, and a larger swelling on the base of my foot. I was sent to have X-rays of my foot and returned to the podiatrist, who had obtained a “Beckham boot” for me.
I was told that I may have Charcot foot – a serious condition that can lead to severe deformity of the foot. The podiatrist measured the temperature of both feet to compare. My right foot was approximately 2°C warmer. However, this was not conclusive of Charcot foot (where temperatures can reach up to 9°C difference!).
I was told to rest my foot as much as possible and that it would be okay to continue working, as long as I could rest my foot where possible.
My employer said it was okay for me to wear the boot as opposed to steel toe cap boots. My foot felt fine. However, in hindsight, I should have remained at home.
Life-changing diagnosis
At my podiatry appointment the following week, the plan was to have a plaster cast put on below my knee – the first of many! I was told that I should be resting and that this was a life-changing diagnosis. Once home I contacted work and explained the situation.
Now, I am a busy person, so being told that I had to sit with my leg up for 45–50 minutes in every hour was not good for me or my wife, Sue! I had to arrange to sleep downstairs, as I would not be able to climb the stairs. This would put more strain on my other leg/hip, etc.
Due to being confined to sitting most of the day, I had to arrange to get a pressure-relieving cushion, as when you have your leg raised, this tends to cause a “shear friction” on your bottom! I also required a raised toilet seat as I was finding it difficult to get on and off the toilet. In effect, I have been immobilised in doing anything around our home.
I am reliant on Sue to provide meals and drinks throughout the day.
How does this affect me?
Well, I’m really frustrated at not being able to do anything apart from watching DVDs and TV, reading books, etc. The lack of exercise has drastically affected my diabetes control.
At the time of writing it has been 19 weeks since I was first diagnosed. My day-to-day living is very mundane. I get up and dressed, I use my walking sticks to go from “my bedroom” (or, as previously known, our front room) to the kitchen for breakfast. Sue prepares my breakfast – usually porridge with fruit and a drink.
I tend to sit with my foot raised, either checking emails or watching TV.
Mid-morning I have a coffee or cold drink – and check my blood glucose levels. Lunchtime has changed because of my reduced activity. I tend to eat less but continue with my normal amount of insulin.
Charcot foot is an inflammation rather than an infection, so this does not appear to raise my blood glucose as much. The reduced mobility does, however, affect my carb intake. I have to reduce the amount of food that I eat.
This left me hungry initially, but I am getting used to it now.
My diabetes is stable – with my HbA1c levels at 55 – and I am very pleased with this. Day-to-day life is slow and tiring.
There are not many visitors and this all has an affect on my mental wellbeing. I am not able to get out due to the restrictions I have keeping my foot raised.
I have weekly plaster cast changes, due to dressings I need on my toe, although this is in fact a blessing in disguise – as it gives me a “day out”! Sue and I are now on first-name terms with the staff in the plaster room and the podiatry team. We enhance our “day out” by visiting a coffee shop on our way home.
On a recent visit to the consultant, the temperatures were found to be going down in my right foot. We are really pleased with this development. The consultant gave us an option to stay in plaster until the next review or change treatment. We chose the former as the inflammation may or could possibly increase again. The consultant said that he agreed that this was a safer option.
It was nice to be given a choice, and it really felt that we had some say in my care.
Foot Health and Diabetes
Looking after your feet is essential for people living with diabetes.
You should have your feet assessed annually for neuropathy if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
These tests can determine if you have developed neuropathy, the most common cause of loss of feeling in feet and legs.
Neuropathy can affect nerves throughout the body but due to the long length of the nerves to the foot, damage happens there first.
To learn more, we have a dedicated page on looking after your feet with diabetes.
