Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

[Scrubs1]

Hi
I joined yesterday,and have recieved some great advice.
I know there are many side effects that come when having Diabetes, and I am sure that there have been thousands of conversations.
Dont think I would be able to reply to all, but I would be very grateful to know how people who have DPN cope with & treat it. I am told there is not a cure, it is about managing this side effect for Diebetics.
Is anyone aware of the prognosis (outlook) for the effects that arise from Background Retinopathy?
Thank you very much for reading

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Can't tell you much about DPN I'm afraid, so I don't know whether that nerve damage might repar itself partially if blood glucose management sufficiently improved, or whether it's more a question of halting the damage so that no more happens. Both worth doing, of course.

For 'background retinopathy' I have had scans in recent years which have identified the small changes at the back of the retina that come under the umbrella of 'background'. These changes seem to be very small and very early stage from what I can make out and need to progress before sight is affected/threatened. The first time I got the 'background' letter it was a real kick in the teeth, but I have since had 'all clear' scans so certainly as far as retinopathy is concerned these changes *can* be reversed, at least for some people, if you can reduce BG variability and try to get things in range as much of the time as possible.

 

[Scrubs1]

Mike
thank you for that,and it certainly encouraging to know how your experiance of BR is going

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I know someone else whose retinopathy had progressed much further and was on the point of surgery (laser I think) when they managed to really sort out their BGs and their retinopathy has gradually receded back through proliferative into background.

Not that laser surgery is a bad thing per se, but it seems it's never too late and is always worth working towards whatever small improvements in BG can be made.

 

[trophywench]

And Mike, you also know somebody (me LOL) who has had BR since the mid 1990s and it has never hardly changed although it's in both eyes now not just the one.

Of course I'd much prefer not to have it at all but I don't think there's much chance of it entirely disappearing at this juncture. Scrubs - my HbA1c has never been perfect by any means - but it's never been truly awful either, plus I reckon I must be very lucky, judging by the tales you hear.

So - I'd suggest you don't trust to luck whatsoever - and just keep your BG within tight lines!

 

[pav]

I suffer from nerve damage and have done for a few years . If caught early enough and you can get your levels down the damage may be temporarily. unfortunately for me its permanent as did not manage to get and keep levels at near normal levels, as a result to help with the pain I take amitripyline which is an anti depressant but help ease the pain.

My symptoms are pins and needles in the feet or the feeling of the feet being hot or cold. As a result of this when they do the foot sensitivity tests I have reduced feeling and am now classed as a high risk case. What I do notice is when my levels go high the pain in my feet increase, hence my constant battle with the doctors to provide support in managing my levels (currently looking for new doctor again).

Having the nerve damage on the feet also means that you have to constantly ensure ones feet are clear of cuts or injuries. I had a golf ball size blister once on my foot and did not even feel it until later on, when going to bed. If you have dry skin on your feet this is also not good as this is a way that an infection can enter the feet. To combat this you might be prescribed E45 cream, but I found this not to be much good and was switched to Urea cream which works well for me.

If I get any injuries to my feet I have to make an appointment to see a nurse and ring the podiatrist to see if they want to check me over. Fortunately for me although I have the nerve damage its not at the point where it can effect my driving licence and I intend to do my best to keep it that way.

Ref Background Retinopathy I showed signs of this a few years ago when my levels went sky high and for me I fortunately I got my levels back down to a more reasonable level and the next scan was given the all clear.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Can't tell you much about DPN I'm afraid, so I don't know whether that nerve damage might repar itself partially if blood glucose management sufficiently improved, or whether it's more a question of halting the damage so that no more happens. Both worth doing, of course.

For 'background retinopathy' I have had scans in recent years which have identified the small changes at the back of the retina that come under the umbrella of 'background'. These changes seem to be very small and very early stage from what I can make out and need to progress before sight is affected/threatened. The first time I got the 'background' letter it was a real kick in the teeth, but I have since had 'all clear' scans so certainly as far as retinopathy is concerned these changes *can* be reversed, at least for some people, if you can reduce BG variability and try to get things in range as much of the time as possible.

I got the background letter about 5 or so years ago. I was devastated. Then after reading the info that came with the letter that said nothing doing at this stage see you in 12 months, I calmed down a bit. I was thinking back to the earlier years when my control on occasions 😉 could be a bit wayward just having BM sticks and no meter. Overall though my control has been generally okay. It did focus my mind on making it even better. 🙂 Since then I've had some other background letters and some all clears.

 

[Simon Coey]

I was diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy 2 years ago, I have to say being a member of the diabetes online community #doc was a great help in that I was already pretty aware of the signs and symptoms, didn't make the diagnosis any easier.

There is no cure, and from research I've done there doesn't seem to be any formal research getting anywhere quick, the damage doesn't repair itself, but you can try and train your body to ignore the misfiring signals, drugs like amitriptyline and duloxetine help in that they can stop the brain from recognising some of the nerve damage.

Its said to keep stress to a minimum, and I would fully recommend that approach, I can feel the itches and the jags and the pains when I start to get stressed.

Good luck Scrubs

 

[Scrubs1]

I suffer from nerve damage and have done for a few years . If caught early enough and you can get your levels down the damage may be temporarily. unfortunately for me its permanent as did not manage to get and keep levels at near normal levels, as a result to help with the pain I take amitripyline which is an anti depressant but help ease the pain.

My symptoms are pins and needles in the feet or the feeling of the feet being hot or cold. As a result of this when they do the foot sensitivity tests I have reduced feeling and am now classed as a high risk case. What I do notice is when my levels go high the pain in my feet increase, hence my constant battle with the doctors to provide support in managing my levels (currently looking for new doctor again).

Having the nerve damage on the feet also means that you have to constantly ensure ones feet are clear of cuts or injuries. I had a golf ball size blister once on my foot and did not even feel it until later on, when going to bed. If you have dry skin on your feet this is also not good as this is a way that an infection can enter the feet. To combat this you might be prescribed E45 cream, but I found this not to be much good and was switched to Urea cream which works well for me.

If I get any injuries to my feet I have to make an appointment to see a nurse and ring the podiatrist to see if they want to check me over. Fortunately for me although I have the nerve damage its not at the point where it can effect my driving licence and I intend to do my best to keep it that way.

Ref Background Retinopathy I showed signs of this a few years ago when my levels went sky high and for me I fortunately I got my levels back down to a more reasonable level and the next scan was given the all clear.

I would like to thank you all ,for sharing your experiences, and coping mechanisms. They are of great comfort, sounds a bit silly,but it's fact

 

[Scrubs1]

I suffer from nerve damage and have done for a few years . If caught early enough and you can get your levels down the damage may be temporarily. unfortunately for me its permanent as did not manage to get and keep levels at near normal levels, as a result to help with the pain I take amitripyline which is an anti depressant but help ease the pain.

My symptoms are pins and needles in the feet or the feeling of the feet being hot or cold. As a result of this when they do the foot sensitivity tests I have reduced feeling and am now classed as a high risk case. What I do notice is when my levels go high the pain in my feet increase, hence my constant battle with the doctors to provide support in managing my levels (currently looking for new doctor again).

Having the nerve damage on the feet also means that you have to constantly ensure ones feet are clear of cuts or injuries. I had a golf ball size blister once on my foot and did not even feel it until later on, when going to bed. If you have dry skin on your feet this is also not good as this is a way that an infection can enter the feet. To combat this you might be prescribed E45 cream, but I found this not to be much good and was switched to Urea cream which works well for me.

If I get any injuries to my feet I have to make an appointment to see a nurse and ring the podiatrist to see if they want to check me over. Fortunately for me although I have the nerve damage its not at the point where it can effect my driving licence and I intend to do my best to keep it that way.

Ref Background Retinopathy I showed signs of this a few years ago when my levels went sky high and for me I fortunately I got my levels back down to a more reasonable level and the next scan was given the all clear.

Hi Pav
Feet blocks of ice and what feels symptoms of gout,stabbing pains. I know it isn't gout though. For years I could not stand anything on my feet, now can't get enough stuff packed around them. I have tried taking driving lessons a few years,but too frightened because of the hypos. Maybe should of got licence many years ago, but I will stick with the Mrs driving, and public transport.
Take care

 

[Andy HB]

I think that I was a bit lucky with my peripheral neuropathy. I have reduced feeling in hands, feet and elsewhere plus the occasional stabbing pain in the feet.

Strangely, one effect of this is that I find it very difficult to touch certain fabrics. I actually find it quite painful to do so! Very odd.

It also meant that prior to diagnosis I had a boat of cellulitis when a rusty nail punctured my big toe (I hadn't noticed).

The good luck bit is that I still seem to heal well, but that is probably down to my good BG levels.

I am also not on any medication for it.

Andy 🙂

 

[Scrubs1]

Hi Andy
I admire your optimism, and forward thinking. I have been diagnosed type2 for around 7 years, and no I did not realise the seriousness of the disease. Up to 11 years ago I was a heavy smoker, weight gain followed, then type2. My totally miss-guided assumption was, "you are type 1 or you are fat. Look at me now. Anyway, that is I.
The fabric thing is very well known, as a sufferer of gout (not had an attack for three years, medication) putting any fabric on your feet was a no no. thankfully not suffered any bad foot injury yet, although I see 2 podiatrists, one for the DPN and one for the bone in my right foot has fallen or something, so trying all sorts of insteps, not much confidence in them.
Sorry for the waffle, but hopefully if others read this post, they will have an idea of my background.
Keep up the positive thought process and thank you for sharing.