Diabetic Plexopathy

[SusieM]

Hi There,
This is my first post after joining the forum. I have recently been diagnosed with diabetic plexopathy. Its painful in the legs and hip. There is some numbness in the leg and especially toes which includes sharp stabbing pains especially at night. Does anyone else have this condition or know of anyone who is going through the same thing.
Thanks

 

[trophywench]

Sounds much more like diabetic neuropathy to me, which people on here with it will be able to relate to.

 

[SusieM]

Thank you for that. I only know what I have been told. Is that the same thing? I am a new to complications with diabetes.

 

[Inka]

Thank you for that. I only know what I have been told. Is that the same thing? I am a new to complications with diabetes.

I don’t know if it’s the same thing but it could be related if the nerves are involved as well.

How are your blood sugars? As with most things diabetic, good control is important as it can help prevent things worsening.

 

[Inka]

@SusieM It’s been mentioned here before. I’ve just done a search for you. You can click on the threads here and see if there’s anything helpful while you wait for more replies to this thread 🙂

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/search/27549/?q=Plexopathy&o=date

.

 

[MarkGeordie]

Isn’t diabetic plexopathy just a type of neuropathy?

​

 

[SusieM]

I am pleased to hear from you all so soon, as I am a newbie to the group. I have looked it up and there seems to be a slight difference in it being all the nerve endings. In the same group of pain. I have been told it can be caused not only by sugar levels but a drop in B12 in the body, which I did have a few months ago. My sugar levels are not too bad but on the odd occasions they have increased. I found it helped by only eating gluton free products with low sugar content. Obviously not biscuits or chocolate.
The pain I have been in has been on occasions unbearable. I am slightly better and at night is the worst. If anyone has any tips on controlling the pain I would be grateful.

 

[grovesy]

Are you on Metformin as that cause the levels of B12 to fall?

 

[SusieM]

Yes I am. Thank you for that. Never new that was a side effect of the drug.

 

[grovesy]

Yes I am. Thank you for that. Never new that was a side effect of the drug.

It is well known and you should be checked for levels of B12!
I am sure it is in the patient information leaflet!

 

[KARNAK]

Hello @SusieM welcome to the forum.

Poor you not very nice is it? are you on any medication e.g. Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Duloxetine or a pain killer?
yes starts in the Lumbar region, Hips and will eventually make you weak with a Motor problem in your legs.
Nerve damage is the painful part and comes from the 12th vertebrae and the feeling in your legs and feet are
usually associated with nerve damage too but more likely Neuropathy which is where the stabbing pains and
tingly feelings come from.

I don`t wish to go any further until I know if you are on any medication for your problem, raised feet in bed will
help I use 3 blankets from the hips down which I find helps but if you get too hot remove them one at a time
until you are comfortable, make sure your Blood Levels are ok especially when you go to bed and wake up in
the morning and drink plenty of water through the day.

Hear from you soon take care stay safe.

 

[trophywench]

So they put you on a course of B12 injections to sort the problem, did they?

 

[SusieM]

Hello @SusieM welcome to the forum.

Poor you not very nice is it? are you on any medication e.g. Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Duloxetine or a pain killer?
yes starts in the Lumbar region, Hips and will eventually make you weak with a Motor problem in your legs.
Nerve damage is the painful part and comes from the 12th vertebrae and the feeling in your legs and feet are
usually associated with nerve damage too but more likely Neuropathy which is where the stabbing pains and
tingly feelings come from.

I don`t wish to go any further until I know if you are on any medication for your problem, raised feet in bed will
help I use 3 blankets from the hips down which I find helps but if you get too hot remove them one at a time
until you are comfortable, make sure your Blood Levels are ok especially when you go to bed and wake up in
the morning and drink plenty of water through the day.

Hear from you soon take care stay safe.

Hi
Good to hear from you. I am on gabapentin. I also take a morphine tablet to help me sleep.They have said it is plexopathy. I try and put a pillow under my foot to raise my leg. It is uncomfortable with the duvet touching my leg. Its trying to make things work.

 

[SusieM]

So they put you on a course of B12 injections to sort the problem, did they?

Yes, I have an injection every 3 months. The pain I get in my leg is much worse at night

 

[KARNAK]

Hi @SusieM, I understand your feet are worse at night most of us are, contact you Dr and
ask to be referred to OT (Occupation Therapist) and they should be able to help you with
your duvet touching your feet and maybe other problems you tell them about regarding your
Plexopathy, they will come to you.

Let us know how you get on please and don`t forget to tell them about your B12 injections.
Take care stay safe.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about your plexography @SusieM it sounds very uncomfortable and painful for you.

Have you been on the B12 injections for a while? Have your B12 levels improved? Hope you can find a successful pain management combination of painkillers, meds, and physical therapy.

You might be interested in participating in this study into neuropathic pain?

Do you suffer with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy, or know someone who does? Find out about Clinical Trial opportunities at St Pancras Clinical Research

Hello, My name is Joe Tulip and I work for a company called St Pancras Clinical Research, based in central London by the Barbican. We carry out clinical trials at our clinic at the Barbican in central London, testing new and exciting treatments for conditions with an unmet medical need. One of...

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