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No please, stop! Do not use ice on diabetic numb or swollen feet! If his blood sugars are uncontrolled and running too high, that in itself can cause severe neurological pain & numbness in the extremities! There's no home remedy for that EXCEPT tight blood sugar control!
1) Get him to the doc! Have his Ha1C checked! Have swelling & pain & numbness thoroughly evaluated! Don't treat this lightly, this could be life threatening! Does he have hardening of the arteries? CHF? Any other heart conditions? Kidney disease? Has he had his brachial BP checked in his ankles lately? There could be many reasons for the swollen feet too! Edema can be due to many causes.
I have been Type 1 diabetic for 30 years, and used to get neuropathy pains in both feet and legs, hands & arms too. I was put on prescription Neurontin (generic version tho, Gabapentin) for about 10 years & increased up to 300mg twice a day. That worked great, but since I have cut out all white carbs, eat lots of fatfree salads, fresh veggies & fruits (at least 5 servings a day), lean meats--follow the American Heart Association diet basically - extra light olive oil, all antioxidant & anti-inflammatory foods, no junk foods, no fast foods, no sat fats or trans fats, no processed foods, no nitrates.
For over 2 years now, I have stopped the Neurontin altogether within the past year, and lowered my HA1C to 7, but being on an insulin pump, I want to get it lower, 6.5%. I feel the best now than I have in 30 yrs! The neuropathy pains are gone. My eyes are stable, my blood sugars are better and better, and I quit smoking too, after 35 years! Diabetics who smoke have a 30% more chance of amputation of feet/legs also!
Also, my Dad was Type 1 for 39 years, 2 shots a day, but he had congestive heart failure, terrible neuropathy in his legs (numb from knees down, purple dry skin, horrible broken blood vessels), hardening of the arteries & a stent, didn't take care of his body NOR his blood sugars ever, he always ran 200's-300's or higher, he didn't follow the ADA or AHA diet, and he had more medical problems & pills too. He was only 69 when he passed away!
So please do NOT take the swollen feet and pains lightly please! Swollen feet can be edema from various causes, it needs to be diagnosed, forget the home remedies, this could be serious & life threatening! It could require a diuretic prescription, easy "fix" but needs further testing. Please get checked by a good endocrinologist ASAP! I'm only saying this because I hope it's not caused by uncontrolled blood sugars, nor any untreated infections, CHF, or other serious conditions! He only has 1 life, he is the one who controls his diabetes but only if he listens to a competent endo & takes responsibility before severe damage is done. Even then, as in my case & others, some complications CAN be reversed if you're willing to take the bull by the horns and tackle this disease for a better quality of life! I wish my Dad had done so!
Also, do not use Epsom salts ever, diabetics should never soak with that! Do not use heating pads, and do not walk in bare feet. Check his feet every day for unhealed "anything"! Watch any cuts, scrapes, sores diligently (anywhere on the body!), and if not well healed in about 2 weeks, get treated ASAP! MY Dad almost lost his big toe, from a small bruised sore that went to blood poisoning, and was severely infected to the bone.
I'm only relating these stories because I care about all diabetics and I hate to hear of anyone suffering. And if anything I can pass on, knowledge from my experiences or my Dad's, who I took care of for over a year at the end, to try & help someone "cut things off at the pass", then I try. God bless you both, and I pray he gets treatment he needs ASAP!
Awe how sweet I can tell you really care I will try your way my feet hurt on the bottom and one of my legs . Thank you for the help .
I am going to assume that you have consulted a doctor, as did I. I received no help for my pain. I read on the internet to take Alpha Lipoic Acid. I have been taking it ever since and my pain is gone. It takes a couple of weeks to notice the effect. I buy it at Kroger grocery stores or Walmart.
Thank you so much, I appreciate your write up, i was diagnosed with diabetes since 2years age, since then, I have be trying my best to manage the condition,but at times,the pains on my legs are so sever,that I need to take some medicine.with what you have said on charge in diet, I will improve on that, thank you so much,
If the pain is due to diabetic neuropathy, the only thing that will make it better is going to be medications, such as Neurontin or something similar. He needs to see his doctor soon as you can.
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If elevation and ice treatment is desired, the best I've ever used (for my knee) is the Breg Polar Care 500. Keeps it cold for a minimum of 8 HOURS!
I live in a state where marijuana is legal. I dont smoke it but use the cannibas infused lotion on my feet and it works wonders on calming the nerves and reducing foot pain. I can go four to five hours after each application with very little pain. It has enabled me to get back on my feet and walk around.
Your husband most likely has neurepothy ie nerve pain but consult his doctor to make certain. Soaking the feet in a catnip foot bath can be very helpful for this as catnip is good for nerve pain. Make sure that soaking in a warm foot bath is ok with his doctor first. Also taking catnip internally can help. With his doctors ok bring 1gallon of distilled water to boil add 1 cup of dried catnip cover and steep 10 minutes, than uncover and cool to just above lukewarm soak feet for at least half an hour.
Is your husband wearing large enough, soft enough, yet supporting, shoes? I would suggest that a diabetic should always check with a dr. About any and all changes in the feet. I have relatives with diabetes, and i know that the feet, and eyes are always their main concern. Please don't let things get so bad that they can not be improved. If you do not get answers that satisfy from one dr., You know there are usually others that you can be referred to. Hope he gets some relief soon.
Please discuss this with the doc who treats your husband. It sounds like diabetic neuropathy and is a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to amputation if untreated.
My husband suffered this as a side effect of chemo. The doctor gave him medicine for it, but I can't remember what it was called. If you get no luck with your doctor, call or contact an oncologist as I understand this is common for people undergoing chemo.
I have a whole different approach: Everything possible organic. No air fresheners, no fragrance in soaps, no non-organc food - or- drink. Celery contains Nucleic acid, good for healing the nerves, but much nerve damage is caused from pesticides and chemicals somewhere.
If you are lots of RX's I'd suspect their base may be "corn by-products", an offender because peaches and corn have more pesticides than all foods, I understand.
That's not all...the FDA. has been allowing mercury in everything containing high fructose corn sweetener, from drinks(even "no sugar added" concentrated juices on ingredient lists. Now govt. is not requiring
all ingredients to be put on lists!) to cookies, ice creams, and candy, the obvious things, but even in some medicines so double check every single item you ingest, the best you can, and try to eat fresh, simply, and drink mostly filtered water from Whole Foods, if possible. It will save a ton of med. bills, ton of pain, if that is what helps.
Often times there are unavoidable side effects from RX's so after you eliminate all you can, here is a partial list of things you should be able to survive on: Nuts, raisins, Oat Nut Bread, Sesame Wasa crackers, teas, coffees, fresh fruits/veggies(all organic, remember, and wash all with mile soapy water), kiwi, avocados, tuna, canned chicken, organic rice, organic potato chips lt. salt, dark chocolate, home squeezed juices, organic fruit only preserves, homemade mayo, roasted tomatoes(canned), and whatever your diet allows IF it doesn't compete with this list.
I'm not medically trained, only had to watch lots of things in order to help my family/friends/self survive. Good luck/ God bless. : )
Please, have your husband see a specialist, a Podiatrist. He should be receiving regular foot care and treatment. Diabetic neuroapathy (nerve damage) is very serious and can be irreversible if not treated promptly and properly. My husband lost his leg this past May due to this. What started off as a small callus became an agonizing painful ordeal that lasted for nearly 2 years. He first lost his toe last year.
We tried everything under the sun but once the infection took hold and spread into his bones, his leg needed to be amputated. He is still recovering and is trying to get use to his prosthesis. Don't let your husband fall under this same horrible fate that affects so many diabetics. Educate yourselves about the many different aspects of diabetes and neuroapathy. There's tons of information via the internet and the more you know the better off you will be.
Good Luck!
I've had horrible Neuro-pain in feet & legs, Please don't use Heat or Ice, Go see your Dr. There are medication that can help. I take Cymbalta and pain meds , it doesn't take all the pain away and controlling your Diabetes is #1. I still have trouble with my diabetes and about to start a Diabetes pumps and I have several Diabetes related problems. Heart Disease, I have 3 stents, Degenerative disc, Spinal Stenosis & Thyroid (gout), Kidney & Liver problems and so much more and take a pharmacy of pills and I hate it but truly keeping me alive. Please Go to the Dr. and also maybe a help group too. Just anything even a book. Diabetes is a terrible Disease.
Strict diet, nothing packaged, jar or canned, these contain presevatives that are killing us. No spicies, dairy products or oils. Fresh chicken and fresh fish plus vegatables and wáter you can add lime or lemon. Try! your health will improve.
To help with your husbands foot swelling & pain, this is what I do. Support hose for the swelling. I do not use the extremely tight ones. For the pain I rub creams like Aspercream as long as it contains lidocaine. You can get numbing creams like Xylocaine up to 5% (types used by tattoo artist & for cosmetic treatments like Botox) massage into the feet before putting on hose. This is how I manage with swelling & pain. Of course if the symptoms continue constantly a doctor should be seen.
There are some home remedies that may help in managing diabetic foot pain, but it is important to note that these remedies should not replace medical treatment and advice from a healthcare professional. Some home remedies that may provide relief from diabetic foot pain include:
1. Soaking feet in warm water: Soaking the affected foot in warm water mixed with Epsom salt may help alleviate pain.
2. Massage: Gently massaging the affected foot may help improve blood flow and reduce pain.
3. Exercise: Engaging in low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming may help improve circulation and reduce pain.
4. Managing blood sugar levels: Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels may help reduce diabetic foot pain.
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before trying any home remedies for diabetic foot pain. They can provide advice on the best ways to manage the condition and prevent further complications. Or you can visit Ionic Liquids in Alfa Chemistry.
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