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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Neuropathy
- Thread starter wnek
- Start date
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Not necessarily, I'm afraid these day people have to be proactive if they care about their health. You clearly have been suffering some impact of your high blood glucose so would be worth while to keep on top of your blood glucose level and get a HbA1C to make sure you are on track.
harbottle
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- In remission from Type 2
- Pronouns
- He/Him
A hba1c of 97 is not showing diabetes under control - at that level (>85) the risks of complications increase and it's at dangerous levels.
I'm surprised you're not on 3 medications to try to get it back into a safer zone. Instead you seem to planning to stop one?
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Why aren’t you going to your blood tests? If you don’t go then your doctor can’t help you manage your diabetes or improve your complications
That will make your hba1c even higher and make your foot complications even worse
They have requested bloods, you already said the doctor wants them every 3 months but that you don’t go. The doctor can’t review the results if you don’t have the tests.
Basically you need to go for a blood test to get a recent hba1c, increase medications or review the diet to get your bloods down, to be able to start improving the complications or at least minimise risk of them getting worse
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Do go back to your Dr for an updated HbA1c @wnek
And talk to them about your concerns over some of the n
meds you have been offered. There are alternatives, but if your surgery don’t know you aren’t regularly taking the meds you have been prescribed, they can’t help you.
Getting your BG levels back into range will most likely be the speediest way to ease your feet problems.
Jockbell
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Can I ask what the various treatments and medications are (if you know)?
thanks in advance
I can sympathise with the OP's distrust of GPs. I have the same. In the past, a lazy GP diagnosed me as asthmatic, consigning me to 5 years on inhalers. 5 years on, and in a new job, I needed to be fitted for a respirator at Porton Down. I thought I'd better mention the diagnosis to the camp doctor before they put me in the gas chamber for fitment tests. Some lung tests, and no, I was not asthmatic, and never was asthmatic. Overuse of ventolin is associated with heart damage. Thanks docs. But to the GP, someone coming in complaining of wheezing in bed, it was easier to follow the guidelines and write a script rather than consider the possibility of ordering igE tests, to check this wasn't in fact an allergic reaction.
More seriously, I believe a GP's failure to recognise symptoms resulted in my mother being rendered a paraplegic (wrongly suspecting a sore back with accompanying fever in an immunocompromised patient, was orthopedic, and prescribing oral morphine for pain relief (the pain was actually due to an infection near the spinal cord. Morphine suppresses the immune response, and was the final coup de grace).
When my diabetes symptoms first presented in April, a locum GP didn't bother to measure my BP, saying I could do it myself. At first she suggested I had an STD because my wife was Thai (!). Then she put me on a 2 week cancer diagnosis pathway for bladder or prostate cancer. I was getting urthroscopy appointments within 24 hours without even a PSA test, or simple urinary haem test (a dipstick test the GP can perform). I had a blazing argument with the Consultant why I was reluctant for an urethroscopy in the absence of supporting evidence (he called me "non-compliant"). Although a urethroscopy is routine, it is a hospital procedure where there is anaesthetic, and there is a risk of scarring and the need for a urinary catheter. No thanks.
But I don't have a STD, not cancer, but I have diabetes, which felt like a bit of a relief. The crappy treatment (thus far) is of no surprise to my, given my own personal experience, plus experience of caring for my paraplegic mother and late father (who had Alzheimers) since 2017. Maybe the stress caused my diabetes, or maybe it was inevitable.
But regarding pain in the limbs and diabetes, there is a possibility of conformational bias, ie that all your symptoms are the result of diabetes. Lots of things can cause the foot pain you describe, nt least the gout you've had before. People who get gout (a build up of uric acid crystals in synovial flud) generally have it for life; my dad used to get it, not all the time, but every now and then. There is another condition called Morton's Neuroma, which is basically a build up of fibres in the fleshy part of the foot (the ball of the feet), causing inflammation of nerves, and pain, presenting itself as numbness in the two biggest toes. This often happens in people with flat feet or poorly fitting shoes (treatment is basically massage of the foot, there is surgery, but you can end up with a numb foot).
Its easier for the GP to say you have neuropathy than to order the tests to investigate alternatives, because for the former, there is nothing really the NHS can do to treat it. Going back to my mother; in Europe, most spinal injury patients are initially given a diagnosis of an incomplete spinal cord injury. In the UK, its completely the opposite, which most initially diagnosed as complete, and then only much later, receiving a revised diagnosis. The reason is you can't treat a complete spinal cord injury, just teach patients to live with it. But if incomplete, then there are treatment options, but time is of the essence. But these are expensive treatments.....
Go back to your GP and ask about the gout. Though gout is also a complication of diabetes. Untreated gout can lead to orthopedic problems.
More seriously, I believe a GP's failure to recognise symptoms resulted in my mother being rendered a paraplegic (wrongly suspecting a sore back with accompanying fever in an immunocompromised patient, was orthopedic, and prescribing oral morphine for pain relief (the pain was actually due to an infection near the spinal cord. Morphine suppresses the immune response, and was the final coup de grace).
When my diabetes symptoms first presented in April, a locum GP didn't bother to measure my BP, saying I could do it myself. At first she suggested I had an STD because my wife was Thai (!). Then she put me on a 2 week cancer diagnosis pathway for bladder or prostate cancer. I was getting urthroscopy appointments within 24 hours without even a PSA test, or simple urinary haem test (a dipstick test the GP can perform). I had a blazing argument with the Consultant why I was reluctant for an urethroscopy in the absence of supporting evidence (he called me "non-compliant"). Although a urethroscopy is routine, it is a hospital procedure where there is anaesthetic, and there is a risk of scarring and the need for a urinary catheter. No thanks.
But I don't have a STD, not cancer, but I have diabetes, which felt like a bit of a relief. The crappy treatment (thus far) is of no surprise to my, given my own personal experience, plus experience of caring for my paraplegic mother and late father (who had Alzheimers) since 2017. Maybe the stress caused my diabetes, or maybe it was inevitable.
But regarding pain in the limbs and diabetes, there is a possibility of conformational bias, ie that all your symptoms are the result of diabetes. Lots of things can cause the foot pain you describe, nt least the gout you've had before. People who get gout (a build up of uric acid crystals in synovial flud) generally have it for life; my dad used to get it, not all the time, but every now and then. There is another condition called Morton's Neuroma, which is basically a build up of fibres in the fleshy part of the foot (the ball of the feet), causing inflammation of nerves, and pain, presenting itself as numbness in the two biggest toes. This often happens in people with flat feet or poorly fitting shoes (treatment is basically massage of the foot, there is surgery, but you can end up with a numb foot).
Its easier for the GP to say you have neuropathy than to order the tests to investigate alternatives, because for the former, there is nothing really the NHS can do to treat it. Going back to my mother; in Europe, most spinal injury patients are initially given a diagnosis of an incomplete spinal cord injury. In the UK, its completely the opposite, which most initially diagnosed as complete, and then only much later, receiving a revised diagnosis. The reason is you can't treat a complete spinal cord injury, just teach patients to live with it. But if incomplete, then there are treatment options, but time is of the essence. But these are expensive treatments.....
Go back to your GP and ask about the gout. Though gout is also a complication of diabetes. Untreated gout can lead to orthopedic problems.
Thank you for all of comments and advice.
I've been on the latest meds for 8 months, previously was on meds also for 8 months and stopped for 4 months and felt better. These last 8 months and again I don't feel any different, so what's the point of taking them with no noticeable improvement compared to not taking them and feeling better.
I'm glad to hear that you're all achieving your remission goals.
I took meds for my prostrate for 15 years getting steadily worse , it wasn't until I to go the emergency department before a decision to operate was made. I opted not to have biopsy but to have a turp and have that tested, it wasn't cancer.
It was whilst waiting in hospital for the op that the T2 diagnosis was made whilst my stress level was extremely high.
My stress periods have been less frequent since. This year I've had 3 bouts of high blood pressure, it has lowered each time to an acceptable level after a 5 days of monitoring.
I also know that my stress and BP rises when seeing the doctor and especially for a blood sample.
So avoidance is the answer. Nothing nothing less.
I have spoke to the doctor but the fixation is T2.
I've been on the latest meds for 8 months, previously was on meds also for 8 months and stopped for 4 months and felt better. These last 8 months and again I don't feel any different, so what's the point of taking them with no noticeable improvement compared to not taking them and feeling better.
I'm glad to hear that you're all achieving your remission goals.
I took meds for my prostrate for 15 years getting steadily worse , it wasn't until I to go the emergency department before a decision to operate was made. I opted not to have biopsy but to have a turp and have that tested, it wasn't cancer.
It was whilst waiting in hospital for the op that the T2 diagnosis was made whilst my stress level was extremely high.
My stress periods have been less frequent since. This year I've had 3 bouts of high blood pressure, it has lowered each time to an acceptable level after a 5 days of monitoring.
I also know that my stress and BP rises when seeing the doctor and especially for a blood sample.
So avoidance is the answer. Nothing nothing less.
I have spoke to the doctor but the fixation is T2.
What! the
I was 78 kg before my op , diabetes diet and meds down to 68kg and felt awful, so set carbs at about 130 per day, after the first 8 months when gave up for 4 months I went up to 73-74kg and now still at that. BMI down from 28 to just below 25
When I restarted started the meds 8 month ago Doctor said loose weight , can't repeat what I said her to do, but harsher than prat.
I'm much better than on the first 8 months for my temper and patience.
I'm not the expected build to have diabetes.
As previously mentioned I'm fairly fit in that I walk average 10 to 12 miles a week , but the first 8 months of meds and diet killed that.
I now got that back over the last 6-7 months as my feet since stopped aching after the first 8 months during the day, but at night their as different as chalk and cheese
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We are all different but most of us are somewhere on this spectrum or, alarming as I was, off the scale to the left.
Professor Roy Taylor's book 'Life without diabetes type 2' told me I needed to get rid of excess fat in my liver. His 2023 talk 'Achieving T2D remission' explains why.
Following his advice I was lucky enough to get my HbA1c down to the far right. I dieted to get my waist down to where it once was. Most of my ailments disappeared. In hindsight I think some sort of time restricted eating could be the best way into the green part of the spectrum.
dannybgoode
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Regardless of whether you want to take meds or not you really should get your Hba1c checked and possibly your ketones. 97 is dangerously high and it could be even higher now, you just don't know.
Maybe the Dr thinks you're ok because you're not taking up the offer of blood tests etc so you really should check in. They are inviting you for them, you're just not going. That doesn't suggest they're not concerned, rather they're being ignored.
I don't think anyone particularly likes having blood taken. I've had so many blood tests over the years and I am still not very fond of them but I go to them as they're vital.
Last thing you want is permanent nerve damage, possible damage to your eyesight or worst of all a bout of DKA.
I've been speaking to people since my diagnosis and one chap was in hospital with uncontrolled T2D and had to have toes amputated as his feet were so badly affected.
I'm not the shape for T2 either - in the last 3 years I've run 2 half marathons and a full marathon with all the 100's of KM's of training that involves and yet I still might be - I'm waiting for the test results. If it is I'll take appropriate medication and go to all the follow up checks as I would rather keep the various parts of my body attached to all the other various parts!
Maybe the Dr thinks you're ok because you're not taking up the offer of blood tests etc so you really should check in. They are inviting you for them, you're just not going. That doesn't suggest they're not concerned, rather they're being ignored.
I don't think anyone particularly likes having blood taken. I've had so many blood tests over the years and I am still not very fond of them but I go to them as they're vital.
Last thing you want is permanent nerve damage, possible damage to your eyesight or worst of all a bout of DKA.
I've been speaking to people since my diagnosis and one chap was in hospital with uncontrolled T2D and had to have toes amputated as his feet were so badly affected.
I'm not the shape for T2 either - in the last 3 years I've run 2 half marathons and a full marathon with all the 100's of KM's of training that involves and yet I still might be - I'm waiting for the test results. If it is I'll take appropriate medication and go to all the follow up checks as I would rather keep the various parts of my body attached to all the other various parts!
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
When my other half was in hospital last year, the 3 other people in his ward had had amputations and complications of diabetes. One chap was refusing medication and lying that he had eaten when he shouldn't have prior to a procedure he was booked for until his son told him point blank that if he didn't comply he wasn't coming back to live with him and he was on his own. He soon took the meds.
Reasons for taking the condition seriously is not being a burden on family.
Just a quick note to say, I had hba1c test last week at 108, compared to April 24 of 97 or 134 Dec 23. Oh well makes no difference on how feel, except feet are a better as well is my sleeping, that's due to walking 10-15 miles per week.
Asked to/changing to 1x 10mg/day Empagliflozin for 6-8 weeks then 1x20mg daily from 2x 20mg/day Glicazide.
I'm maintaining a upto 130 carbs and circa 73kg weight.
Asked to/changing to 1x 10mg/day Empagliflozin for 6-8 weeks then 1x20mg daily from 2x 20mg/day Glicazide.
I'm maintaining a upto 130 carbs and circa 73kg weight.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
It certainly seems as if you need a bit more help from medication if what appears to be a sensible amount of carbs and your exercise. I would have expected greater improvement with the medications, has it been considered that you may be Type 1 rather than Type 2. It may be worth asking for further tests.
Jockbell
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Just wanted to provide an update on my green tea situation. I've been averaging about 3 cups per day since early December. Previously I would have scored the neuropathy tingling in my feet as 5 out 10. Since the new year this has reduced significantly to 1 out 10, maybe less. I'm really not aware of it at the moment. I've also taken up slow jogging (see YouTube) for 30 minutes per day. This greatly improves circulation. I'm hoping this is a long term benefit.
End of Feb changed to empaglaflozjn which I took for a 4 weeks but had skin itch and rash so now on dapaglaflozin. I stopped taking the med between the change over, until rash and itch went before starting dapa...
Rash and itch started again, wife suggested anti histamin and the rash and itch cleared up. So now on dap..... and anti histamin.
Got a Dr request for blood test, but I'm not doing it, also a diabetes clinic referral sometime in the next 5 weeks or later.
Still not sleeping great at night, don't understand sleep pattern bed at 11pm, wake at 1am , wake at 3am then 5am with feet feeling better then get up at 8am and feet are a lot better all day then repeat. From 11pm to 5am feet very cold, red to blue in colour.
Whilst outside my fingers also go cold and blue in colour, spent lot on buying gloves , not found a pair that keep my hand warm, should be less frequently now warmer weather is here.
8am ish have breakfast followed by meds, with on sleep for an hour or so.
I don't mind
Rash and itch started again, wife suggested anti histamin and the rash and itch cleared up. So now on dap..... and anti histamin.
Got a Dr request for blood test, but I'm not doing it, also a diabetes clinic referral sometime in the next 5 weeks or later.
Still not sleeping great at night, don't understand sleep pattern bed at 11pm, wake at 1am , wake at 3am then 5am with feet feeling better then get up at 8am and feet are a lot better all day then repeat. From 11pm to 5am feet very cold, red to blue in colour.
Whilst outside my fingers also go cold and blue in colour, spent lot on buying gloves , not found a pair that keep my hand warm, should be less frequently now warmer weather is here.
8am ish have breakfast followed by meds, with on sleep for an hour or so.
I don't mind
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Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Why not? Your hba1c is 108 it’s important to keep a close eye on that
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I think you should go back to your doctor as what is happening doesn't seem quite right. Are you remembering to drink plenty as that is what is needed with that medication, a side effect is thrush which can cause itching due to the fungal infection. You may need topical treatment if it persists.
Are you waking up as you need loo visits as that wouldn't be uncommon with the medication as you should be drinking more. If not something like Nytol herbal sleeping tablets may help if only to break the habit.
Thinsulate gloves are usually pretty good if you haven't tried those or heat packs which you can hold in your hands or put inside your gloves. As soon as you open the little pouch they heat up and keep the heat for about 12 hours. I bought some off the internet but I believe Halfords have them.
Thanks for the reply,
I drink 300ml with the tablets , followed by at least 1.5l during the day.
The itch and body rash are on arms and torso not in the genitals area.
I don't wake up to urinate but because of cold feet and dry mouth, usual drink about 800ml all together during the night and urinate after I have breakfast.
Ive bought different Thinsulate gloves with no satisfaction and hand warmer don't keep my fingers from turning blue.
Ive mentioned these to the Dr who says all typical diabetes symptoms.
In truth I do believe any doctors