Diabetic Neuropathy

[SingingDuchess]

I've been type 2 for about 4 years now, lost feeling and sensation in both feet about 2 years ago too, but now its spreading to my fingers and hands. I am so worried and anxious about it because the pain is unreal. I am living with a lot of complex medical challenges other than Diabetes but Dr's don't seem to know how to help me.

I'm sat here blinking back tears because my left foot is causing me a great deal of pain and i'm suffering. I have been seriously considering amputating my foot for some relief. Please someone tell me this is treatable and this isn't forever?

I'm already on ever such a lot of medication, and due to the nature of them doctors often shy away from adding or changing any.

I just don't know what to do, where to turn. Why am I Here?

 

[Flower]

Hello and welcome @SingingDuchess

I’m sorry you’re in so much pain.

Have you had a definite diagnosis of neuropathy in your feet?

There is a lot you can do to limit and manage symptoms. The big one is diabetes management. I’ve lived with neuropathy for about 30 years and the best thing I can do to help control nerve pain is keep my blood glucose as stable and in range as possible. It really does help to diminish the nerve pain & hopefully limit any spread of numbness.

Beyond that there are drugs that might help although neuropathic pain is unfortunately hard to treat and doesn’t go away like eg a headache treated with a paracetamol. Drugs such as amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin, pregabalin can be used to help with neuropathy although the doses do need some trial to find something that helps reduce symptoms.

Please don’t despair with the situation, if there’s some improvements you can start to make with your blood glucose I’d start there and things should improve maybe not immediately but over time. Otherwise if your glucose is stable & HbA1c is in range discuss what other medication options there are with your GP.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome from me too.

Really sorry you are having such pain from neuropathy and feeling so overwhelmed!

Can I ask how you manage your diabetes because that is the thing you have most influence over. Do you home test with a BG meter and finger pricks and if so, when do you test and what readings do you get? What meds are you on for your diabetes and have you adjusted your diet and if so, in what way?
Keeping your BG levels as stable and in range as possible will be key to limiting the damage to nerves and there can sometimes be an improvement if you can stimulate blood flow with regular gentle exercise at the same time as keeping levels steady.

If we know more about how you manage your diabetes we can perhaps help you make some changes which might help or point you in the right direction of things which might help.

I don't want to rob you of any hope, but amputation is not always the answer to get pain relief because you can still suffer phantom pain, so please don't make any rash decisions on that.

 

[HayleyR]

Hi @SingingDuchess and a warm welcome from me too. I'm so sorry to hear that you're having such a stressful, painful time. As already mentioned, improvements with you blood glucose may help but also maybe your GP can suggest medication to provide relief that will not interfere with the other meds. I'm glad you joined the Forum, our friendly members are here to help and support, please keep us updated.