@Marilyn6, hang in there. You’re doing a fantastic job. I have never had a stent in my legs, but have had at least 8 in my heart. It’s day surgery and I always felt so much better after each one. Also, I got my first stent in April of 2001. It’s been almost 23 years and I’m still kicking.
Regarding statins, I have been taking statins since 2001. The cardiologist prescribed a couple of different ones which caused side effects, but eventually prescribed Rosuvastatin. For me, it works very well with no side effects.
Definitely talk to the surgeon and don’t be hesitant to get a stent. Once the blood flow is improved your legs will feel much better.
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Hi ShellaW, thanks for the compliment and thanks for sharing some of your experiences.
I have had 2 stents in my heart since 2010. I remember that I was running errands 3 days later. It sounds like there is more of a recovery period for stents in the legs. I will get all of that information next month.
Funny how different we all are because Rosuvastatin is the med that gave me neuropathy. Several if not all statins and Zetia have warnings about the possibility of this side effect.
So happy for you that you got your first stent in your heart all those years ago and that you are still kicking!!
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M,
You are T1 Warrior Women. We were never supposed to live this long! You have done everything you could to live best life.
That said, Sounds like you got great thoughts from others. I have one thought to add. Stress is major component we often overlook. I know you have a tool box of ways to manage it. ( sleep, exercise, supportive friends and family, etc)
Hope you can ride the waves in peace. Bhakti
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No one can do much better than you have. Some of this is genetics. Can’t blame you for that. Even with this new dx, you are doing great. Healthy people with out diabetes sometimes need stents.
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Oh that is nice calling me a T 1 Warrior Woman. I like that Bhakti. Many of the women here are warriors. ( of course the guys here are Warriors too).
The two doctors on TCOYD said that because of technology, diabetics are more likely to die from being hit by a bus, than from dying because of their diabetes.Maybe that could be true for the generations who follow us, but I sure don’t see that happening now. The diabetics who I know, even with the newest technology are still dying because of a heart attack or stroke. I do think that diabetics can live much longer lives now, but the work to keep ourselves healthy can be overwhelming.
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Thanks Timothy! I really appreciate your words.
I have an appointment with a vascular surgeon next Tuesday and am looking forward to hearing what he has to say, even if it is bad news. It is the not knowing how bad my legs are that is hard for me
I talked to my internist a few days ago asking him how this could happen to me after I have worked so hard to stay healthy. He told me that I am the healthiest person with diabetes that he has ever seen in his thirty plus years of practice, but that I need to remember that I am old. He also said that I am much healthier than many of his other patients.
My cardiologist and internist want me to try taking Praulent. I guess that I will try it if the vascular surgeon agrees. It is super expensive and many people have had problems with it because of side effects. I am very hesitant to take it, but if there is a chance that it will help I had better try it.
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So sorry to hear of your new thing to figure out, Marilyn. I hope someone you trust has a useful opinion. Ugh. Good luck. Keep us posted.
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From time to time I have to remind myself that it’s not all about diabetes. There is fate and there are genes in play. People who don’t have diabetes, at 75, can be very ill with all sorts of chronic problems. And people with diabetes can often skirt big-ticket issues even with less than perfect numbers.
I try to keep my diabetes in line as much as reasonably possible because I feel better with numbers “in the zone”. But as I age there will be issues. When it comes to old age my treatment of choice is gratitude and a sense of humor. 
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I think that gratitude and a sense of humor always helps. My immediate family has had more than its share of serious medical problems, so sometimes it is hard to always feel grateful.
I am just shocked to find out that my circulation is bad in my legs, after just finding out that my heart and carotid arteries look really good. I have never worried about my legs or feet since my feet always checked out fine.
I will find out much more on Tuesday when I see the vascular surgeon. I was extremely fortunate to not have complications until I had been a diabetic for 51 yrs when I was not quite 60 yrs old. I am very thankful for that.
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In case you are interested, I don’t have PAD. There is no abundance of plaque in the arteries in my leg.I have a small clot by my knee which could be caused by age. On the 3rd of April the vascular surgeon will try to remove it by doing an angiogram and angioplasty with or without a stent. If they can’t get it then I will have to come back and have it surgically removed.
So I am thrilled that they didn’t find plaque, and hope that the clot can be dealt with easily.
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I have been reading about this and diabetes can be the cause. I still am happy about the lack of plaque though.
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Reading more about this today. Diabetes is not a cause. Age, weight, smoking and lack of exercise cause this kind of clot. I have never smoked, and am not overweight, but I am old and I guess riding my exercise bike daily isn’t enough exercise.
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Marilyn,
This is very educational for us. Be sure to let us know how the appointment goes.
Best wishes,
Sue
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Thank you Sue_R. My appointment is next Wednesday. I wasn’t sure about posting my results since the clot isn’t Diabetes related, but now I will. I appreciate your comment!
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I’m late to the game here in the thread of discussion @Marilyn6 - but no no no. I really really think it’s just the draw of the straw. I have finally in my 58th year of what the youngsters now like to celebrate as our Danniversary (I can think of far better things to celebrate - but I’ll play along ) - and while my cholesterol is okay for nonD - my Endo has put me on a low dose of a statin (there goes my travel insurance for medical now - urrhhhh - well - that’s when I can afford to travel - that’s a whole other can of worms). Hopefully my next blood work will make them happy (I refuse to cut down on my calcium supplements of cheese - not good for cholesterol - bite me!!).
Hope since you wrote this (I will go into the thread of replies later) - but hopefully you’ve had the call from your cardiologist and are back in the saddle again!!
Sending you hugs from afar to a Smart Woman!!!
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Thanks Anna! It turned out not to be connected to diabetes. It is a small clot that comes with age. The vascular surgeon will try to get it out next Wednesday. Oh joy!
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