My coworker is 57 years old and has had Type II diabetes for over ten years. Two years ago, her toes began to turn black. Her internist told her if she did not stop smoking, he would have to cut off her toes. She did stop, after she had a heart attack, but her toes remained black. She asked for a specialist, who told her that she had a blockage. He 'took care' of it, and her toes returned to their normal color.

Now her pinkie and ring fingers on her left hand are turning black. She told her PCP that it is necropathy, due to a blockage. He said it is just because she is diabetic, along with telling her not to be concerned unless her fingers turn black. Believe me, her fingers are black! Today I told her, 'Get to a specialist"

What is the field, or the specialist, called that deals with upper body blockages, such as in the arms? Is she correct in saying this is necropathy? What can she do in the meantime to prevent this from becoming worse. Her hand and lower arm are in much pain. Her doctor would not give her the name of the type of a specialist she needs.

strangely, i just found out last night that smoking can indeed cause your body parts to turn black and in essence die because of blockage and lack of circulation. i believe it most often begins in the legs. i imagine that diabetes is a large cause as well, but smoking definately magnifies the problems.
sorry, i don´t know the type of doctor she needs exactly, possibly a heart-blood-circulation or a diabetes specialist. i wonder if she´s smoking again, if so, she needs to stop immediately.

she needs to see a vascular surgeon, and pronto!!!

Thank you, Sid!

When the specialist's office heard that her fingers turned black, they scheduled an appointment for her today.