Sadly with my experience in the UK. I only had one review 6 months after diagnosis ( didn’t include any tests just a talk and pulse check) Where they told me when I asked about the blockages, like where there are? How many. They said it doesn’t matter I have multiple. And they discharged me back to my GP. 3 years on now confirmed I have it now in my right leg. Waiting for my appointment with the vascular team. I wasn’t given any advice or why! But I did have a stroke and heart attack prior to the PAD diagnosis. I was a heavy smoker, and Im
diabetic. So I assume thats what caused it.
I’ve been walking, pain was starting at 20 seconds, crippling after 3 mins and needed to stop.
Now 2 months on, I can do 1.40 seconds then continue to 10 mins. Im struggling to get past this. And feel Ive hit a break wall.
The good news is, my feet are not icy cold anymore. And I appear to have normal colour. Pulse is good in left but right is very weak.
If it was my smoking and diabetes that caused this, is this as good as it gets?
My main aim is of cause to avoid surgery. And gain some quality of life.
Sadly with my experience in the UK. I only had one review 6 months after diagnosis ( didn’t include any tests just a talk and pulse check) Where they told me when I asked about the blockages, like where there are? How many. They said it doesn’t matter I have multiple. And they discharged me back to my GP. 3 years on now confirmed I have it now in my right leg. Waiting for my appointment with the vascular team. I wasn’t given any advice or why! But I did have a stroke and heart attack prior to the PAD diagnosis. I was a heavy smoker, and Im
diabetic. So I assume thats what caused it.
I’ve been walking, pain was starting at 20 seconds, crippling after 3 mins and needed to stop.
Now 2 months on, I can do 1.40 seconds then continue to 10 mins. Im struggling to get past this. And feel Ive hit a break wall.
The good news is, my feet are not icy cold anymore. And I appear to have normal colour. Pulse is good in left but right is very weak.
If it was my smoking and diabetes that caused this, is this as good as it gets?
My main aim is of cause to avoid surgery. And gain some quality of life.
Unfortunately we hear this a lot in the UK. It's amazing with diabetes and smoking as risk factors - yet they don't automatically test you and brush off symptoms. It sounds like you are on the right track. Maybe we can help you get a little further and break down that wall. Here is a link to sign-up for our structured walking program, which may help. We also have a facebook walking group www.walkingsupporgroup.com and sign-up for app: https://business.tellescope.com/e/public/form?f=67eeedd93559ea50a55ed1aa&businessId=651af6db0a0b245d60ee7fa8&nextFormId=&publicIdentifier=&customTypeId=&orgIds=&skipMatch=false&autoStart=false&sessionId=&
Thank you so much Kym, I’ve signed up to the walking program 🙌 and I’ll join the group! ☺️