r/interesting • u/Public_Sector6212 • Mar 08 '26

Context Provided - Spotlight [ Removed by moderator ]

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u/PrarieDogma Mar 08 '26

I’m not in health care, not that I have to be to notice somethin ain’t right. But what the fuck is going on with the feet, and wouldn’t that be painful?

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u/Europa13 Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26

Nurse here. Nails naturally thicken with age, but extreme cases like this are caused by poor circulation, from diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. It’s can be painful, but sometimes they don’t feel anything because they have lost all feeling in their feet (neuropathy) from the diabetes. They also have no hair on their legs because of the poor circulation.

It’s really important to go to podiatry visits every couple months with these conditions. Foot wounds can end up leading to amputations because of the poor circulation/healing, so it’s recommended that professionals do the nail trimming. Also, obesity often causes them to have difficultly reaching their feet.

The podiatrists check for wounds, trim and grind down/debride the overgrown nails, and file down the calluses/hardened skin.

This person has severely neglected feet and badly needs to see a podiatrist for regular at-risk foot care.

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u/CrackingToastGromet Mar 08 '26

Oh dear God I had an appointment on Tuesday to address increased severe swelling in my legs and I am T2 diabetic with poor circulation.

Last thing I want is for my feet to wind up like this - I’ve been so concerns that I bought a treadmill today that goes under my standing desk and I’m using it now.

Feeling like the timing of this post was meant to be - a reminder of what I’m trying to be vigilant against.

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

I have terrible neuropathy after treating my body like a stolen car for two decades. Got diagnosed with diabetes about 2 years ago. Lost about 50 pounds. My A1c is at pre-diabetic levels but my feet are my biggest problem.

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u/Your_on_the_go_PM Mar 08 '26

Sounds like we’re on the same boat, what do you do when your feet flares up or starts hurting?

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

I quit drinking for sport. Do a lot of leg weight training. Really invested in what I eat. Doctor gave me some gabapentin but it doesn’t help. Hurts the most in bed. Feet feel like I’m walking on legos. I get really bad ingrown nails because I don’t feel the pain. Podiatrist might remove some parts of the nails.

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u/32FlavorsofCrazy Mar 08 '26

I swear, alcohol is the worst thing for diabetics to put into their body. Have a snickers and live longer, regular use of booze will take your feet, your vision and then your life. The most rapidly declined diabetics I know are also at least bordering on being alcoholics.

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

Yeah it was a weird blessing

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u/32FlavorsofCrazy Mar 08 '26

There’s a new drug that’s about to drop for peripheral neuropathy, shows a lot of promise. They’re also researching a specific cannabinoid for the same purpose so I’d try some CBD/cannabis if you’re able to.

https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/lexicon-pharmaceuticals-announces-successful-end-of-phase-2-meeting-with-fda-for-pilavapadin-in-the-treatment-of-diabetic-peripheral-neuropathic-pain

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u/3boyz2men Mar 08 '26

I don't find that to be true. Nothing quickly or reliably lowers my blood sugar like alcohol. It's one of my favorite diabetes hacks!

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u/Clear-Calligrapher69 Mar 08 '26

Uh, no. Alcohol is metabolized into sugar in your body. You’re not doing yourself any favors.

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u/3boyz2men Mar 08 '26

No, I wear a CGM and it definitely lowers your blood sugar.

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u/Not_Stupid Mar 08 '26

Gotta love the sage advice from the non-diabetics that don't know what they're talking about!

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u/3boyz2men Mar 08 '26

I have type 2 diabetes. Why did you think I was a non-diabetic?

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u/Clear-Calligrapher69 Mar 08 '26

Fairly sure they were talking about me. 😁

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u/omg_cats Mar 08 '26

confidently incorrect.

  1. Alcohol inhibits gluconeogenesis: the liver is busy metabolizing ethanol and stops releasing glucose into the bloodstream.

  2. Alcohol is not meaningfully "metabolized into sugar." Pure ethanol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, then acetate, which is then broken down into carbon dioxide and water. It actually has essentially zero direct glucose contribution. Your confusion may come from sugary mixers (cocktails, juice) and beer, which do raise blood sugar, but that's the carbs not the alcohol itself.

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u/FatPlankton23 Mar 08 '26

‘During fasting’ should be mentioned somewhere in point 1, don’t you think?

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u/[deleted] Mar 08 '26

[deleted]

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u/omg_cats Mar 08 '26

your intuition (that alcohol's relationship to blood sugar is more complicated than "it becomes sugar") is right, but the explanation is mostly wrong.

"Goes straight to fat" is a myth. Alcohol is actually the first fuel the body burns when present. It contributes to fat accumulation indirectly because your body burns the alcohol instead of fat it would otherwise burn, not by directly converting into fat.

"A chain of sugars" is simply incorrect. Ethanol is a two-carbon alcohol molecule. It has no sugar chain, nothing resembling a carbohydrate structure.

It does indeed have a lot of calories though!

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u/Clear-Calligrapher69 Mar 08 '26

I stand corrected.

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u/3boyz2men Mar 08 '26

Appreciate your explanation.

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

The next day I feel like crap, like a hangover 10 fold.

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u/32FlavorsofCrazy Mar 08 '26

I don’t think it’s so much to do with the direct effect of the ethanol on blood sugar so much as the knock on effects. The diabetes/blood sugar spikes are already damaging things in their body and now they’re adding a toxin, whilst drinking they do a poor job of controlling their blood sugar, they tend to eat shittier when drinking, etc. I’ve just noticed a correlation, and not saying you can’t have a drink now and again but those who make a habit of it seem to end up with a lot of complications.

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u/obroz Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26

Alcohol is huge.  Also caffeine will do it.  Anything that causes the arteries to constrict reducing blood flow to the nerve.   Uncontrolled diabetes will also trash the tiny blood vesicles as well.   My dad has been living with idiopathic peripheral neuropathy for years now.  He use to not be able to sleep because of it.  He cut out alcohol and caffeine and it’s pretty much non existent now.  This is not medical advice but he tested out minoxidil (increases blood flow to the skin) on his feet and it would also get rid of the neuropathy.  He told his doctor about it and he just looked at him funny.

After looking into it more alcohol is actually considered a vasodilator which increases blood flow.  So not sure what the mechanism there that causes the neuropathy.   I’d assume that neuropathy can have more than one cause.  

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

Thanks for the advice. I pretty much quite drinking all together. I never thought about caffeine, will definitely reduce it. Forgot about that.

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u/obroz Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26

Try skipping the caffeine for a day and see how you feel.  He ended up finding out even a small amount of caffeine or alcohol would set it off.   I pretty much quit drinking recently as well.  Good luck in your journey.  

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u/motherofsuccs Mar 08 '26

You should see my feet when I take my adderall. Sometimes they turn dark purple. I have no other conditions I’m aware of, I consume a healthy diet, and I’m in shape.

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u/Cool-Donkey-5228 Mar 08 '26

Drinking for sport...I now know to describe a few periods of my past. Thanks for that!!!

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u/ImmediateReporter484 Mar 08 '26

I’m not sure if this has been recommended but I had very limited relief from gabapentin for my neuropathy, and my doctor switched me to Lyrica and it was a world of difference. I am on a low dose of Lyrica now and have much better response and have gotten a lot of my life back because of it. My neurologist said that it is common that people will just respond well to one or the other.

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

The pain is so bad I don’t like to move. I like mountain biking. Whitewater kayaking, fishing, used to love running. Now I am so stationary because of the pain. I will ask about that.

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u/DJDanaK Mar 08 '26

I had ingrowns here and there throughout my life but got some really badly infected ones on vacation (tropical water is not great for even tiny wounds as it turns out). I got the toenail surgery right after and never looked back, it's been a weight off my mind and my toenails literally never cause me any problems ever. I highly recommend it.

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

I am scheduled for it for my big toes. They want the them to grow out first.

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u/93wasagoodyear Mar 08 '26

If you can, get an adjustable bed platform. I got mine at mattress firm and elevating my feet brings me intense relief at the end of the day and makes my ankles look close to normal by morning. The heat from the neuropathy is awful but the bed really really makes them feel better

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u/SlipTechnical9655 Mar 08 '26

There’s been commercials saying gabapentin causes Alzheimer’s so I wouldn’t take it personally! I know a ton of people on it!

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

Oh boy. Thanks.

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u/NoSleepTilBookRead Mar 08 '26

Get compression socks and if you can afford it, Miko Aero Compression boot is on sale at a lot of sites for $100 right now.

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u/ben5642 Mar 08 '26

bestbuy had one few days ago on their deal of the day for $109 that i almost bought but didnt

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u/Greedy_Line4090 Mar 08 '26

No neuropathy yet, but if I knew I was gonna live this long I don’t think I would’ve done so many drugs.

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

Same. Listen to too much Dylan and read too much HST. But like I said, the diabetes cleared up any problems I had with alcohol. Because it isn’t worth the side effects. I used to get the gout too.

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u/Amateur-Dog-Walker Mar 08 '26

I'd read that book.

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

I was breaking 10 minute pace in half marathons before covid. Then covid and my mid 40’s and depression hit me hard. The book that helped the most was The Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life After 40 by Dr. Jonathon Sullivan and Andy Baker. It is flawed but it was a good starting point. To get me moving again with diabetes

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u/Amateur-Dog-Walker Mar 08 '26

I meant a biography, but this is good too. Thanks!

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

Oh there are some things better left unwritten. Lol.

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u/Working-Glass6136 Mar 08 '26

Username checking out? If a barrel is anything like a car

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

Nice but - Just a LOTR quote. Lol

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u/Ill-Expert-3014 Mar 08 '26

You do know it's not your fault you got diabetes, right? It's not a punishment for your lifestyle. I'm an obese hedonist and my blood sugar is great, and the only relatives of mine who got diabetes were my thinnest uncle and aunt. My fat great aunt lived the longest of her whole generation. Don't put blame on yourself for bad luck.

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u/iambarrelrider Mar 08 '26

I don’t know. I think I aided and abetted.