slightly tingly feet--is this problematic?

I've finally gotten really serious about being diabetic and have gone on a low-carb (and moderately low-fat and low-cholesterol) diet and have started working out daily. My BS has dropped significantly in the past six weeks or so (my BS was 97 2 hours after dinner tonight, and my fasting is usually around 100, which is as low as mine ever is), but I've recently noticed that my feet sometimes start to feel a little tingly after a while of exercising, kind of like they're starting to fall asleep, but not all the way to pins and needles or to numbness. I still have good feeling in my feet and don't have any foot problems (that I know of). Should I be at all concerned that they start to feel weird when I exercise (usually about 20 minutes or so into using the eliptical glider)?

Thanks,
Heather

I used to get really tingly and sore feet after working. My doctor told me to spend some money and get good orthopedic shoes. My feet haven't been tingly since! Maybe the shoes you are exercising in don't have the proper support or something? Hope this is helpful. Robyn

Hi Heather,

I have neuropathy in my feet and it may be the same with you. The exercise could be stimulating the affected nerves in your feet and they may be receiving more oxygen now than when you were less active. Damaged nerves transmit different signals than healthy ones. One thing you can do for yourself is have a spouse or friend do a feeling test on your feet using a broom straw and note any 'dead' areas or places that lack feeling. Keep track of this and note if the area should enlarge. If there is a change you should talk to your doctor at your next visit. You should also be checking your feet daily for small cuts or blisters. Neuropathy can hide infections and wounds because you don't always feel them. (This can lead to amputation.)

Also, you should take off your shoes and socks at every doctor visit and if your doc doesn't check your feet, ask him/her to. They should do a dorsalis pedis (left) and posterior tibial (right) pulse check. (This is the taking of your pulse in your feet.) If they don't do it, get a new doctor.

Hi Heather,

Im a type 2 diabetic and my feet started out like yours. However, my numbers weren't as good as yours and by the time I got my numbers under control there was significant numbness that had developed (never to return to normal).

The moral of the story is watch your BS numbers closely and if you notice ANY change in your sensitivity to your feet, don't delay in seeing the doctor. There are new drugs being tested as we speek for patients with mild neuropathy that can help regenerate the nerves, so there is lots of help available. The biggest thing you can do is don't be complacent if things begin to change, even a tiny bit!

-Warren