Peripheral Neuropathy

[theeicebear]

One of the major symptoms I had/have is nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), does anyone else have it too? How do you manage it, treat it?

I am on 9 gabapentin x3 a day for it. I think it works for the most part. But I still get a lot of pricking pains in my hands and feet. My feet are very numb.

The kicker is, the doctor said that it's hard to tell if its working or not as when the nerves regenerate I'll get pain. To be honest, my faith in doctors is quite low regarding my diabetes and how it was diagnosed (I diagnosed myself via a cheap Accu-Check machine from ASDA, then had a blood test for diabetes right away as my BC was 24).

I just wanted to know what advice, tips or experience anyone has had? Sometimes I feel very alone in all this and it does get me down.

 

[phil hammond]

Hi, I have had Neuropathy for nearly 4 years, there seems to be no cure, but can get a little easier. when I had the stabbing pains I was put on Amitriptyline, 1 tablet per day at night, which did help control the pain although I have come off that now as the pains have subsided. My feet occasionaly feel sore like there is an graze on it, but there is no injury. My strongest advice is concerning Blisters and cuts, if you get a blister or cut get referred straight away as these can develop into Ulcers (not nice), i have 2 uclers , and are taking months to repair/ heal.
I change my surgery when I felt the same as you, I had been at the same place for 40 years, and now feel more motivated, been Diabetic for nealy 20 years,, hope this helps and best wishes

 

[trophywench]

Nerves do 'twitch' when they are healing - whether they are on the way out or on their way back in - it proves there's still some life in them - and where there's life - there's always hope!

 

[theeicebear]

Hi, I have had Neuropathy for nearly 4 years, there seems to be no cure, but can get a little easier. when I had the stabbing pains I was put on Amitriptyline, 1 tablet per day at night, which did help control the pain although I have come off that now as the pains have subsided. My feet occasionaly feel sore like there is an graze on it, but there is no injury. My strongest advice is concerning Blisters and cuts, if you get a blister or cut get referred straight away as these can develop into Ulcers (not nice), i have 2 uclers , and are taking months to repair/ heal.
I change my surgery when I felt the same as you, I had been at the same place for 40 years, and now feel more motivated, been Diabetic for nealy 20 years,, hope this helps and best wishes

Thanks for the advice and info. I have been with the same doctor since I was 5. I'm 38. It feels like he's spinning his wheels into retirement. I'm seriously thinking of switching doctor's surgery all together so I have a fresh brain on the case.

 

[pav]

I have it too and take Amitriptyline, while it takes the edge off it the pins and needles are permanent, if you have had it for a short while you may recover from it by getting your levels down. For me it was to late to recover as it slowly crept up, then may levels went haywire and the damage was done.

All you can do is manage the symptoms, while I could take a stronger dos of Amitriptyline to help with the pain, I use the symptoms as an indicator to how my levels are. As my levels rise so dose the pain, sometimes I do wish I could take a stronger dose, but at the min can manage most of the time how it is now.

 

[phil hammond]

Thanks for the advice and info. I have been with the same doctor since I was 5. I'm 38. It feels like he's spinning his wheels into retirement. I'm seriously thinking of switching doctor's surgery all together so I have a fresh brain on the case.

I think you are at a stage where i was a year ago. I was fed up of going to my reviews and hearing the same things over and over, in the end I decided enough was enough, you do not have to have any contact or give a reason why you are changing, and it only took a couple of weeks, but , I just feel a lot better about myself this past year.

 

[theeicebear]

Nerves do 'twitch' when they are healing - whether they are on the way out or on their way back in - it proves there's still some life in them - and where there's life - there's always hope!

thanks, that's good to know something is going on!

I have it too and take Amitriptyline, while it takes the edge off it the pins and needles are permanent, if you have had it for a short while you may recover from it by getting your levels down. For me it was to late to recover as it slowly crept up, then may levels went haywire and the damage was done.

All you can do is manage the symptoms, while I could take a stronger dos of Amitriptyline to help with the pain, I use the symptoms as an indicator to how my levels are. As my levels rise so dose the pain, sometimes I do wish I could take a stronger dose, but at the min can manage most of the time how it is now.

Think that's what's happening to me. My levels sky rocketed for some reason (15.8, I was around 11 ish). So I think it should calm down as I get closer to my goal (being 6-7).