Another question...

[Tattoogirl]

I'm now on 4times daily injections after risking lockdown to see a consultant. After hbac1 readings of 133 and a battle to gain control I now.am on correct treatment and regular readings of between 5 and 7 each test.
However am.suffering severely with leg/foot pain, night cramps in 1 leg. Could this be a side effect of such high blood sugar for.over a year ( even though ate healthy) or am I just paranoid or not likely to be connected?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Great to hear your BG levels are so much improved.

I would suggest contacting NHS111 to describe your symptoms - I wonder whether it might be a temporary form of neuropathy that can be triggered by rapid improvement in BG levels - previously known as insulin-induced neuritis, but now called Treatment Induced Diabetic Neuropathy.

Treatment induced diabetic neuropathy– a reversible painful autonomic neuropathy - PMC

To describe the natural history, clinical, neurophysiological and histological features and outcomes of diabetic patients presenting with acute painful neuropathy associated with glycemic control, also referred to as ‘insulin neuritis’. Sixteen ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

It’s quite rare, I think - but it should pass as you maintain your improved BG levels.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Have you checked your blood sugars when you have the leg cramps? I know at night that is one of my hypo symptoms, so if you haven't checked then worth doing so.

 

[DaveB]

Hi. Before my diagnosis I had nerve pains in my arms and shoulder which I couldn't explain. Since being on the right medication this has stayed away so it may be temporary? I still get cramps occasionally but many of us do as we age regardless of whether you have diabetes or not.

 

[KARNAK]

Hello @Tattoogirl nice to hear from you.

How quickly did your levels come down? I`m talking about your HbA1c rather than your daily finger prick tests
which is very good and you are to be congratulated on.

Can you let the forum know your latest HbA1c result and how quickly it was reduced from your very high 133
to its present reading.? You are not being paranoid this is a common "side affect" with Diabetics but normally
affects both limbs but after a lot of research on my part this is not always the case.

There are other conditions that can affect your problem so we do not presume it is always to do with Diabetes,
that is best left to the professionals, stay safe.

 

[Drummer]

I get cramps in hot weather, and it is due to dehydration.
I tried all sorts of supplements thinking that I was lacking something, but it turned out to be water.
I now make sure that I have water by the bed, and that I drink plain water several times a day.

 

[Tattoogirl]

My 133 reading was in February when I was put onto novomix 30 injections which struggled to control the daily readings. I was put onto the 2 separate a month ago and daily readings between 5 and 8 with the odd 4 immediately.
Mot had a hbac1 done since Feb due to lockdown. Diabetic clinic sorted my insulin regime but wouldn't send me for bloods done as it meant entering the main hospital as the clinic is separate. Should be done hopefully very shortly

 

[KARNAK]

Thankyou for replying, yes lockdown is creating a lot of problems at the moment.

Your surgery may be able to offer you blood tests to gain your HbA1c results
its worth an enquiry. Your readings are still admirable and my only concern is
if you reduce your HbA1c levels too quickly it may make your symptoms greater
and take more time to recover.

 

[SB2015]

My 133 reading was in February when I was put onto novomix 30 injections which struggled to control the daily readings. I was put onto the 2 separate a month ago and daily readings between 5 and 8 with the odd 4 immediately.
Mot had a hbac1 done since Feb due to lockdown. Diabetic clinic sorted my insulin regime but wouldn't send me for bloods done as it meant entering the main hospital as the clinic is separate. Should be done hopefully very shortly

I am glad to hear that your readings have come down now that you are on the separate insulins.
As @KARNAK said you may be able to get an HbA1c blood test done at the surgery, but you already know that your levels are much better, so they may not feel it is ‘essential enough’ in the current circumstances.

It still seems worth pushing for C-peptide test to check for T1, although it is less urgent now that you are in a more appropriate treatment regime.

 

[SB2015]

Ps
I was told that usually nerve pain related to the high BG would come on in both legs/feet, and that if I got it one side again I was to get it checked out again, since it was more likely to be related to spinal issues. Worth a discussion with your GP.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Congratulations on your great improvement in BG levels @Tattoogirl

Hope you can manage to get any other checks and appointments you need wherever and whenever it is safe for you.