Hi everyone. From what I've read and learnt diabetic amyotrophy is reasonably rare and affects people differently, so I wondered if my experiences may help others.
Fifteen years ago I suffered the first of two episodes of acute pancreatitis, the second was eight years ago. After the second my consultant decided that pancreatic cancer was the right diagnosis and proposed that he conduct a Whipple Procedure. Needless to say I was not keen and managed to persuade him to monitor the situation - as a result I'm still here fully intact. However, Type 2 developed due to my failing pancreas and amongst other things I was put on Metformin in 2013 and have been on it since.
Last December I began to notice a slight weakness in my left leg culminating in much humour when I collapsed on the beach when trying to skim stones with my grand-daughter. This weakness grew over the Xmas period and I consulted my GP. My symptoms also included weight loss and a great loss in muscle tone. After many blood tests, consultations and much Google doctoring the general consensus was Diabetic Amyotrophy. Google indicated that it was possible that this may be due to a vitamin B12 deficiency caused by prolonged use of Metformin. Sure enough that was shown to be the case and I now have a B12 injection every 3 months.
After many more consultations with neurologists and CT and MRI scans it appears that, other than Pregabalin to help with the pain, there is no treatment per se other than time. I was told that it could take as little as six months to pass or up to three years. It's 10 months now and the initial excruciating leg pain has passed (both legs) and I can get around without crutches - I still need a stick and cannot manage steps.
It took until September to get to see a Neuro-Physio and I have hope that this will help in my recovery but what I believe has helped most over the last couple of months are visits to the gym. Our local Sports Centre is council owned and my GP was able to 'prescribe' a course of treatment with a gym instructor. I have an hour session twice a week and have a noticeable increase in strength, although I cannot seem to increase my weight (at least it has stabilised).
Well, that's a brief history, please feel free to get in touch if you think I can be of any help to you or others.
Fifteen years ago I suffered the first of two episodes of acute pancreatitis, the second was eight years ago. After the second my consultant decided that pancreatic cancer was the right diagnosis and proposed that he conduct a Whipple Procedure. Needless to say I was not keen and managed to persuade him to monitor the situation - as a result I'm still here fully intact. However, Type 2 developed due to my failing pancreas and amongst other things I was put on Metformin in 2013 and have been on it since.
Last December I began to notice a slight weakness in my left leg culminating in much humour when I collapsed on the beach when trying to skim stones with my grand-daughter. This weakness grew over the Xmas period and I consulted my GP. My symptoms also included weight loss and a great loss in muscle tone. After many blood tests, consultations and much Google doctoring the general consensus was Diabetic Amyotrophy. Google indicated that it was possible that this may be due to a vitamin B12 deficiency caused by prolonged use of Metformin. Sure enough that was shown to be the case and I now have a B12 injection every 3 months.
After many more consultations with neurologists and CT and MRI scans it appears that, other than Pregabalin to help with the pain, there is no treatment per se other than time. I was told that it could take as little as six months to pass or up to three years. It's 10 months now and the initial excruciating leg pain has passed (both legs) and I can get around without crutches - I still need a stick and cannot manage steps.
It took until September to get to see a Neuro-Physio and I have hope that this will help in my recovery but what I believe has helped most over the last couple of months are visits to the gym. Our local Sports Centre is council owned and my GP was able to 'prescribe' a course of treatment with a gym instructor. I have an hour session twice a week and have a noticeable increase in strength, although I cannot seem to increase my weight (at least it has stabilised).
Well, that's a brief history, please feel free to get in touch if you think I can be of any help to you or others.
