Diabetic Complications

[LINDA]

Hi all,
I'm fairly new to the forum and have been diabetic for 45 or 46 years, on the pump for the last 10. I have had and am having terrible trials with my hands. I've had carpel tunnel surgeries years ago which were very successful and trigger finger releases on all except a few have been repaired. Now I have a right hand tendon problem which can be corrected by surgery (forgot what the condition is called). I am unable to tolerate cortison. Do other diabetics suffer from these same problems? The only 2 diabetics I know don't have this problem but have had eye problems which I don't have. I work with my hands at my job but don't think that this is the cause as my surgeon says this is common for diabetics. Sometimes I feel like a surgery junkie but have to have the use of my hands none the less. Anyway I thought I would ask to see if others have similar afflections.

[Vytautas]

Hi Linda,

can't be sure about the common for diabetics part, since someone who i personaly know that has the diabetes longest is for 22 years... Neither have had problems with hands, though most of us have problems with our eyes. Though it is very likely that it's caused to many diabetics, because such complications are, in my opinion, because of certain vein problems that cause blood flow incorrections.

So to sum up, this might be a common complication but mostly to those that have had diabetes for quite a long time.

Hope you get better soon.<br><br>Post edited by: Vytautas, at: 2007/11/13 20:22

[Blair]

Hi Linda. Yes I have heard that people with diabetes are under bigger risk concerning "hand" problems. Like with the toes. I dont know exactly why, but to exercise and keep the blood circulation flowing that way seems to be the best preventor for such conditions. I also hope you will get better soon

[LINDA]

Thanks for your reponses. I had the trigger surgery last Friday and am thankful to now be pain free in my left hand. I will go in for surgery on the right wrist in the next month or so. My understanding is that the diabetes (after many years) causes the tendons to thicken and nodules grow on them as they slide inside of the sheath in the finger. By slitting open the sheath it allows the tendon to move freely.

[Blair]

Yes. that's what I heard as well. Luckily enough there is something that can be done about it.

I wish you good luck for your upcoming surgery. Please let us know how it went and if you feel better

[karen1976]

That's great that you are pain free in your left hand! Good luck with the next one, I know it will be equally fantastic!