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Sinco

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HI
I am a retired police officer aged 55 who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in August 2011. I have been extremely ill and off work since that time with rapidly deteriorating mobility, unbearable pain and weight loss. No diagnosis was made for some months but I have recently been told that it is due to diabetic amyotrophy. I have since made some improvement but am very frightened about the future and would like to hear from anyone with a similar experience
 
Hi Sinco, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm very sorry to hear about the problems you are enduring - are your receiving medication? Are you able to monitor your blood sugar levels at home, and if so what sort of numbers do you see? Some people do develop painful neuropathy, either because their levels have been unknowingly high for sometime prior to diagnosis, and others because their levels have begin to improve after diagnosis and this can cause temporary but reversible effects. The most important consideration with any diabetes complication is to try and maintain good blood sugar levels, so if you are unable to test currently then I would suggest you persuade your GP the importance of it.

Have a look at the following, as a good introduction to gaining a good understanding of how to manage your diabetes: Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter. There is much more information in our 'Useful Links' thread.

I hope you continue to improve and that the pain reduces. Diabetes is a manageable condition and the prospects for the future can be very good if you learn to manage it well. Another good resource is Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which many of out Type2 members have recommended.

Please ask any questions you may have, there is a wealth of experience and knowledge here, and no question is 'silly', so if it bothers you - ask! 🙂
 
Hi Sinco. Welcome 🙂

I had to look up amyotrophy and it says it can be improved by better control and exercise, so hopefully your symptoms will ease with time.

Are your health care team doing all they can to bring your blood sugars down to a normal level ?

Rob
 
Hi Sinco. Welcome to the forum where I am sure, like me, that you find a great deal of help and support. Although my symptoms were slightly different to yours, we all take the same steps in the end to gain a better understanding and control of our condition and many of us were (and sometimes still are) worried about the way in which we are affected. It's good news that you have found this forum as you will have somewhere to ask questions, no matter how silly you may think they are. We have all probably asked them before! For me, changing my diet and testing the way foods affect me was a great place to start and my symptoms have got much better over time and I now feel much more in control. There are some great links in the newbies section which you will find very useful. Best of luck and keep posting on here - it really helps! Katie
 
Hi Sinco, Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will find lots of help here. I too was diagnosed in August of last year. I am currently on Gabapentin for my Neuropathy, have you been prescribed any medication yet? If so I hope it is working for you. he complications associated with this D thing can be frustrating to say the least :(
I am sure there are people on here who will be able to provide lots of good information. Wishing you the very best in dealing with your challenges.
 
Welcome to the forum Sinco 🙂
 
Hi Sinco, welcome to the forum. Hopefully your nerve problems will improve now that you are beginning to reduce your BG.🙂
 
Welcome Sinco.

I've replied to your post on amyotrophy thread. Hope you find these boards useful and welcoming.
 
Thanks for your reply which is very helpful and I will look at the links recommended. I would appreciate some advice regarding dealing with my GP. Despite my considerable problems I have only been prescribed painkillers (max daily dose paracetomol,130mg morphine slow release tablets twice a day, oramorph liquid morphine when needed, 25mg amitryptilene, 10mg ramipril). GP says there is no point treating dibetes until I am no longer on morphine so has not given me anything specifically for the diabetes or checked my blood sugar levels for over 4 months. I bought my own blood testing kit and have been testing myself weekly getting readings between 7 and 12 which seems sort of OK but in truth I don't really know when to test and what to read into the results. I think my fairly low readings (my original result when diagnosed was 16 following overnight fasting) are down to drastic lifestyle changes I have made since diagnosis. (Lost 3 stone in weight-I am 6' tall and now weigh 12 stone, given up alcohol and smoking having been a heavy consumer of both and radically changed to a healthy diet as recommended by the medical practise dibetes nurse who I saw in August but have not seen since. I get the feeling of being abandonned to my fate or am I just panicking? Any help/advice appreciated.
Sinco
 
Hi Sinco, when are you doing your tests? between 7 and 12 is not too bad considering the pain you are having to deal with and being unable to exercise. You've clearly done very well with your dietary changes to lose the weight and bring your levels down, so well done. I don't know, but perhaps the pain medication you are taking would cancel out the efficacy of the drugs your GP would normally prescribe, or perhaps there are potentially dangerous interactions between drugs that need to be avoided?

If you are not happy with your treatment then it can be worth making an appointment with a different GP at your practice if there is one, there can be a huge difference in the approach taken as I myself, and many others here, can attest. As your problem appears to be relatively rare, perhaps you could be referred to a more specialist doctor who has dealt with similar cases and is aware of different treatments. Also, I believe there are pain management courses that people can attend if they have chronic, debilitating pain.

I do hope that you can find some relief soon 🙂
 
Hi Sinco

Sorry to hear of your diagnoses.

Sounds like you have made some positive changes which is brilliant. T2 Diabetes is generally fairly 'slow moving' so the good news (ha!) is that you have time to make changes steadily and improve gradually. I think I read somewhere that the standard 'roadmap' for newly diagnosed is 3 months on diet and exercise then review to see if improvements are being made (which it would seem they are on your case.

Hope you get some relief from your pain soon
M
 
Hi Sinco, welcome to the forum; you've come to the right place for support; advice and guidance, the guys on this site are amazing....

I too was diagnosed in August and like you went through so many emotions. All I can say is things will become clearer, it is a mindfield at the beginning but just take things slowly, its all a learning curve - we're here to help and support you so ask as many questions as you can, we've all been there and learning every day....you're not on your own.

Amanda xx🙂
 
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