Diabetic Neuropathy

[Chandlers59]

I have been a type 1 for over 37 years, I now have diabetic neuropathy and the pain is unbearable. I am receiving tablets from my GP and they keep changing them because they don’t see to help. How are other people managing this, any help would be appreciated.

 

[trophywench]

As we don't yet know your history, it would probably be useful to know what your medical team have actually tried you with so far. I have a friend with non diabetic neuropathy caused by spinal conditions and someone said to her last summer, Ever tried pregabalin, Mic? so she asked her medics if she could try em and although it took a couple of months to help at all - she told us late last year she thought they were helping, we don't see them at all during the winter and next time was Easter this year and they've been helping considerably including lots of digestive problems with all sorts of different foodstuffs in the past (I mean tolerances apart from her coeliac disease ones, although she is now at least able to digest gluten free bread, which she absolutely couldn't before! She said to me at Easter, Oh Jen! my sheer delight in being able to really enjoy a flipping sandwich - it's truly wonderful!)

I think - the same as finding which insulin(s) suit our own body - nerve pain is kinda the same - often we really do need to kiss one helluva lot of frogs, before we find our prince!

 

[Inka]

Sorry to hear you’re in so much pain @Chandlers59 What tablets have you tried? How do you treat your diabetes - injections or pump? Do you have a Libre or CGM? Controlling blood sugars won’t magically make the neuropathy go away, but it might help a little, so any improvements or help you can get to do that would be worth it.

There are also supplements that some people say have helped. Obviously check with your GP that they don’t interfere with your prescribed medication, but if not they’d be worth a try. Alpha Lipoic Acid is the main one. It’s actually prescribed for neuropathy in some countries. You need a large-ish dose so it isn’t super-cheap, but not a ridiculous cost.

 

[ianf0ster]

I've had 2 bouts of sciatica and opiates give no pain relief for me, but no experience of neuropathy.
I found that Pregabalin worked both times for the sciatica. I would assume that Neuropathy pain is similar, but what works for one person may not work for another.
The only problems I had with Pregabalin were:
1. It's difficult to get it prescribed.
2. Had to both build up dose slowly AND then also reduce dose slowly when the pain had gone.

 

[trophywench]

Well sciatica simply IS neuropathy - just not 'diabetic neuropathy' but from a different cause.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about your nerve pain @Chandlers59 - it sounds really difficult to live with

Neuropathy can be a bit of a swine from reading the experiences of others. Trying to keep glucose levels fairly stable seems to help reduce flare-ups a little. Erratic levels seem to trigger bouts of pain.

There are a few drug options mentioned on this page, and even a cream if the pain is localised:

Peripheral neuropathy - Treatment

Find out about treatments for peripheral neuropathy, which may include treating any underlying cause as well as any symptoms you're experiencing.

www.nhs.uk

Occasionally TENS machines are mentioned by members here too - which can help block the electrical signals that carry the nerve pain.

I think @Pattidevans has a ‘cocktail’ of supplements that she found helpful in the past.