Taking time to get the right balance
DRWF supporter Andy Austin, living with type 1 diabetes, shares the third part of his personal story.
Since my last update on living with Charcot foot, a serious condition that can lead to severe deformity of the foot, I have been reviewed by the consultant and the temperatures in my affected foot have dropped.
They are now recording just 1°C higher or lower than my good foot. This was really welcome news after such a long time in a plaster cast.
The plan from time of writing is for a plaster change in three weeks; to check my leg and foot just in case of any hidden tight spots/injuries.
Then after a further three weeks (in April 2026) I will be reviewed again, with temperatures taken again (to ensure no change between the temperatures of my feet). It will then be up to the consultant what happens following my next review.
The options are that if temperatures remain higher to stay in plaster cast; or come out of the plaster cast and into a supportive boot (e.g. a plastic “Beckham boot”); or thirdly, I could have specially made supportive insoles for my feet and be able to wear normal shoes.
As for my care, it is interesting that medical teams appear to look at the “issue” rather than me, with little consideration to my mental wellbeing.
My sick pay from work ran out after six months, and since then I have had to rely on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) benefits to pay bills, in addition to travelling into hospital almost every week. I have been supported really well from friends and neighbours for travelling needs during this time.
I have received little advice about how to keep well. As I am on an insulin pump I had to liaise with my diabetes team to reduce my insulin dose as I was not physically exercising or using up any energy. I also did not want to eat the same amount of food as usual, as this would increase my weight. This took time to get the right balance.
My GP surgery did not allow for me being housebound. I found this very difficult as I needed my regular diabetes checks to be completed.
Eventually I had home visits from healthcare professionals and community nurses for blood tests and to check my blood pressure and feet.
It appears that the podiatry team are much more used to seeing people in person and talking with them, and then more accustomed at being practical and empathising with patients.
This situation has now changed as I now have a walking cast, so I can go to appointments other than the hospital.
I stress that these are just my own personal experiences from this time.
Read the first and second parts of Andy’s story
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2026 edition of Diabetes Wellness News. To subscribe visit here
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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.
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