Numbness

[pedrobhoy]

I suffer a lot from Numbness on lower legs and feet from knees downwards is this normal with type 2 have mentioned to my GP and Nurse who I attend for my Blood and Weight checks but don't seem to think anything about it

 

[mikeyB]

When you say numbness, does this feel as though you are wearing imaginary thick socks? If that is the case, then the symptoms are almost certainly a neuropathy. The odds are that the neuropathy is due to diabetes, but not necessarily so. Your GP should refer you to a neurologist for clarification.

 

[Andy HB]

My fingers and toes also have a tendency towards numbness (a bit like a cotton wool feeling). I, too, raised this with my GP a long time ago but nothing was done. Probably because it doesn't cause me any problems really and if I do get cuts or whatever, I still heal relatively well. Yes, it is a bit irritating (especially when I used to cut bacon with a pair of scissors ... don't ask! .... I regularly used to take chunks out of my fingers too!).

Another interesting side-effect is that I find that I cannot hold or rub certain fabrics because it evokes a painful sensation in my fingers. But on the good side, cutting chunks out of my fingers (see above) didn't hurt that much! Very odd!!

Anyway, as I said, if it isn't causing you any specific problems, then there probably isn't any reason to be worried if your blood glucose levels are now ok.

Andy 🙂

 

[pedrobhoy]

I suffer a lot from Numbness on lower legs and feet from knees downwards is this normal with type 2 have mentioned to my GP and Nurse who I attend for my Blood and Weight checks but don't seem to think anything about it

My fingers and toes also have a tendency towards numbness (a bit like a cotton wool feeling). I, too, raised this with my GP a long time ago but nothing was done. Probably because it doesn't cause me any problems really and if I do get cuts or whatever, I still heal relatively well. Yes, it is a bit irritating (especially when I used to cut bacon with a pair of scissors ... don't ask! .... I regularly used to take chunks out of my fingers too!).

Another interesting side-effect is that I find that I cannot hold or rub certain fabrics because it evokes a painful sensation in my fingers. But on the good side, cutting chunks out of my fingers (see above) didn't hurt that much! Very odd!!

Anyway, as I said, if it isn't causing you any specific problems, then there probably isn't any reason to be worried if your blood glucose levels are now ok.

Andy 🙂

 

[pedrobhoy]

Many thanks Andy HB

 

[mikeyB]

My fingers and toes also have a tendency towards numbness (a bit like a cotton wool feeling). I, too, raised this with my GP a long time ago but nothing was done. Probably because it doesn't cause me any problems really and if I do get cuts or whatever, I still heal relatively well. Yes, it is a bit irritating (especially when I used to cut bacon with a pair of scissors ... don't ask! .... I regularly used to take chunks out of my fingers too!).

Another interesting side-effect is that I find that I cannot hold or rub certain fabrics because it evokes a painful sensation in my fingers. But on the good side, cutting chunks out of my fingers (see above) didn't hurt that much! Very odd!!

Anyway, as I said, if it isn't causing you any specific problems, then there probably isn't any reason to be worried if your blood glucose levels are now ok.

Andy 🙂

That shows an interestingly cavalier attitude to your symptoms. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone with neuropathy symptoms. Or indeed, anyone. I assume you would take the same attitude if you cut a numb toe, in which case best of luck.

 

[pedrobhoy]

just would be nice if I could be told one way or the other if it was Diabetes related or not by my Dr

 

[Owen]

just would be nice if I could be told one way or the other if it was Diabetes related or not by my Dr

Sadly, I have been waiting a long time for answers, on the plus side, no pain when testing bg level. I failed the nerve conduction test in my hands, passed in my feet. Hands are all the time, feet erratic and on the day no numbness. Told I had carpal tunnel and referred to have surgical procedures. Still not got brave enough to do this. Get your blood under control and see if this improves things. Keep a diary of numbness events, including when, how long and level of numbness/pain. Then take data to next meeting.

 

[Andy HB]

That shows an interestingly cavalier attitude to your symptoms. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone with neuropathy symptoms. Or indeed, anyone. I assume you would take the same attitude if you cut a numb toe, in which case best of luck.

Like I said, if I do cut myself, I heal perfectly well. Believe me, I am not cavalier about my symptoms (I wouldn't have improved my condition so much if I was).

Also, I was at pains to mention about having reasonable control over blood glucose levels.

Of course, I take care with scissors now! My lack of care with the same was early following my diagnosis when I wasn't fully aware of my lack of sensation in my fingers.

Finally, of course people with diabetes must take care with cuts and blisters etc. That goes without saying and it wasn't my intention to give any other impression. I was trying to make the point that numbness in itself is not necessarily a problem if one heals ok all things considered.

Andy 🙂

 

[Robin]

(especially when I used to cut bacon with a pair of scissors ... don't ask! .... I regularly used to take chunks out of my fingers too!).

Well how else would you cut bacon? I've always used scissors, probably because that's what my mother did too.

 

[DeusXM]

I think perhaps it's important here to clarify some terminology.

'Diabetes' in itself doesn't cause anything.

Imperfect blood sugar control does.

So the very first question to ask is, what's your blood sugar control like?

If your HbA1C is elevated, then you are at greater risk of complications.

Now, numbness in your extremities can be caused by a variety of things, but in people with diabetes, the balance of probability is on diabetic neuropathy.

In any case, numbness in your extremities is NOT normal and should be handled by a doctor. The cause is almost largely irrelevant - what is important is it is treated.

The vital thing to remember is that any complication from diabetes is not 'normal' - it may be 'common', but that is something entirely different.

 

[Austin Mini]

I suffered with numbness in my right hand. It was only when I stopped riding motorcycles it dissappered. I can pass the neuropathy tests with flying colours. Holding onto the handlebars for fifty years was ro blame.

 

[Lilian]

Have you had your B12 checked? If you are taking a vitamin pill with B12 or folate in it you will have to wait three months without it before having a test. Also if you are within range but lowish you can still be B12 deficient.

 

[pippaandben]

I had numbness in the front lower leg from below knee to just above ankle. Saw GP who ordered full blood test and found I had an underactive thyroid. Numbness persisted and then after a couple of years it would occasionally affect my foot so it gave way - although after sitting for a few minutes it "come back to me". Saw GP ordered full blood test and found I was diabetic!!

Had right knee replaced which led to left hip pain and went to physiotherapist who was also acupuncture qualified. Treated hip but said I had spine problem which could only be diagnosed by MRI scan. She was willing to talk to GP who referred me to consultant for scan which showed the problem for at least 5-7 years was caused by pressure on my spinal chord by the cartilage between my vertebra. But I had NO pain in my back Result was that in May this year I had an operation to fuse 4 vertebrae with rods and screws plus decompression L2 to L5.

My advice therefore is to keep badgering GP for further tests and/or referral and do not accept that just because you have diabetes every other illness who have is diabetes related.

I have also had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands with complete success and would not recommend waiting until it gets to the stage of not knowing if you are holding the coins to get them out of your purse or hold a needle! The tests they carry out will define the damage being caused to the nerve and it cannot get better without intervention.

 

[mikeyB]

I suppose we've all got tales of neuropathy not caused by diabetes. There was the time I woke up at uni sitting in a chair with no feeling in my left arm. That wasn't diabetes, it was McEwans heavy, and pressure in the armpit from the arm of the chair. Took half the day to get back to normal.

 

[mikeyB]

just would be nice if I could be told one way or the other if it was Diabetes related or not by my Dr

Getting back on topic, you said originally that you "suffer" from numbness. If it is a concern, go to your doctor and insist on getting it investigated. If the doc says its your diabetes, ask him how does he know. That might focus his mind on appropriate investigation.

 

[pedrobhoy]

thanks to all for their input

 

[Caroline]

If your blood sugar levels are OK then there is probably no need to worry, but push it with your doctor to rule out other things if you are worried.