Re: Brittle diabetic

[Guest guest]

Shelia writes:

<< ... . I had neuropathy in my legs and feet along with other problems. I

now take care of myself ... >>

I was thinking about happiness ... You know ... " Happiness is a warm puppy. "

Then the Beatles doing " Happiness in a warm gun. " And it occurred to me

that, for diabetics, " Happiness is warm feet. " If those suckers are warm, we

know there is still some circulation there.

Susie

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the feedback. Checking for hair on the feet would never have

occurred to me but it makes a great deal of sense. One thing that a

bald spot might indicate is friction/injury caused by ill-fitting

shoes. Thanks again.

OtterCritter wrote:

>

[Guest guest]

Hammond writes:

<< Checking for hair on the feet would never have occurred to me but it

makes a great deal of sense. One thing that a bald spot might indicate is

friction/injury caused by ill-fitting

shoes ... >>

That is why we love Dr. Bernstein (author of " Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes

Solution " ) - even if some of his recommendations sound draconian. With his

50 years of type 1 experience, as well as his engineering background and his

diabetic medical practice, he shares insights many of us would not have

considered. Now, when I meet potential diabetics, one of the first things I

ask them is do they have cracks in their heels.

I get a few hairs on my big toes ... Yeah, I tweeze them away ... but I'm

happy to spot them ... proof that the blood is definitely getting way down

there to those toes. And I have had several diabetics tell me that cracks in

their heels and dry skin on their feet are just " normal signs of aging. "

Newp ... signs of poor circulation. But diabetes / insulin resistance is

becoming so endemic that people are confused about it ... even doctors are.

My original doctor missed my diabetes for years ... and when I finally

self-diagnosed (using keto-Diastix), she was just horrified. She and I had

become friends. When I returned for the follow-up visit, she had three

medical books open on her desk, trying to cram .. and she asked me - as a

friend - to find another doctor who could help me more. And she apologized

profusely. People are only human ... even doctors. I still think the world

of her. And my new doctor is like a diabetic's dream ... Her name is Martha

Salyers, and she is my idol. She is now chief of staff, and really shouldn't

be seeing patients because of time constraints ... but she still sees me,

and we email back and forth.

It is important for all of us to become experts about our own bodies and our

own disease. And if you truly believe your health care provider is not

providing adequate care, and you are able to seek other help, please do so.

Your life may depend on it. But also try to work with the expert you have

come to know. You may be surprised by how understanding and helpful they can

me. Most health care providers I have encountered are very caring,

hard-working folks ... it delights them to see their patients blossoming.

If, e.g., your dietitian recommended a high-carb diet, then you cut your

carb intake and found better control, you might be delighted to find that,

when you announce this to your doctor and she/he confirms your improved

health status via blood tests, that person supports you. When I first

started seeing Dr. Salyers, she knew nothing about low-carbing. But after

she saw my blood tests, she was so very tickled ... she patted me on the

back and said, " I don't understand what you are doing - but keep on doing

it! " And now she is educated about it, and you can bet that word has spread

all through the clinic. Isn't that a wonderful legacy? That, if we are very

successful in our diabetes self-care, that those who follow us can benefit

from our personal successes? It means a great deal to me.

Susie