Can I ask if anyone has nerve pain in calf or thigh. This severe pain is new to me. It wakes me in the early hours - every day - and has made normal walking laboured. I am looking for something that will help reduce the pain levels as they are severe. I have been prescribed Duloxetine and Gabapentin and I am using Zappain as a pain killer! Any advice or help would be VERY much appreciated!!
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Nerve Pain
- Thread starter Phil Kay
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- Type 1
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Sorry to hear about the nerve pain you have been experiencing 
Have you recently changed anything about your diabetes treatment?
And are you monitoring your BG levels? From reading other members’ experiences it seems that erratic and elevated BG levels can trigger flare-ups of neuropathic pain.
It can also be triggered by a rapid improvement of glucose levels, eg when you start a new medication.
Have you ever tried blocking the nerve signals with a TENS machine?
Have you recently changed anything about your diabetes treatment?
And are you monitoring your BG levels? From reading other members’ experiences it seems that erratic and elevated BG levels can trigger flare-ups of neuropathic pain.
It can also be triggered by a rapid improvement of glucose levels, eg when you start a new medication.
Have you ever tried blocking the nerve signals with a TENS machine?
Good morning - Thanks for your response and kind words. The blooming pain is off the scale!!
The management of my condition has changed. I have been prescribed Glicazide - that has given me BG levels of less than 6 every day. Lowest was 3.9, the average 4.6 and the highest 5.4.
I have never experienced levels this low ever before. I am in a position where I believe the levels are low, but I get so little help from my diabetic nurse I am left in the dark - looking at Google for help.
My pain has me awake every morning. I am on a low to no sugar diet. I'm 61, 13 st and 5 foot 8. I6 weeks ago I walked 6k every day and swam to control my sugars - now 600 feet walking is difficult. I try to swim three x a week
I will look at anything that may help so will look to purchase a tens machine - are they any you know of that do help?
Again - MANY thanks for taking time to respond - its extremely kind and V much appreciated.
KRs
Phil
The management of my condition has changed. I have been prescribed Glicazide - that has given me BG levels of less than 6 every day. Lowest was 3.9, the average 4.6 and the highest 5.4.
I have never experienced levels this low ever before. I am in a position where I believe the levels are low, but I get so little help from my diabetic nurse I am left in the dark - looking at Google for help.
My pain has me awake every morning. I am on a low to no sugar diet. I'm 61, 13 st and 5 foot 8. I6 weeks ago I walked 6k every day and swam to control my sugars - now 600 feet walking is difficult. I try to swim three x a week
I will look at anything that may help so will look to purchase a tens machine - are they any you know of that do help?
Again - MANY thanks for taking time to respond - its extremely kind and V much appreciated.
KRs
Phil
Eddy Edson
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Have you been checked for peripheral artery disease?
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
If your pain has started since the change in medication then it could be the quick and sudden drop in blood glucose that is the cause. Have you also had your vit B12 checked as that can be a contributory factor.
Hello Eddy. Thanks for taking time to respond - No, I havent. Do I speak to my Dr about that?
Eddy Edson
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Yes, I would. Symproms vary widely but I think it's something you'd want to check out when you have calf or thigh pain. The major risk factor is smoking/former smoking, but diabetes is also a risk factor.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Read about peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a common condition in which a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood supply to leg muscles.
www.nhs.uk
That NHS piece talks about "intermittent claudication" as the major symptom - acute pain/cramping on exercise which goes away when you rest - but that actually only applies to a minority of people with PAD.
Anyway, it's a simple check - compare blood pressure at your ankle and your arm; a ratio less than 0.9 usually indicates PAD. Probably would need a hospital or specialist referral to perform the test.
Thank you for taking the time to respond - its kind and appreciated.
I have my sugars under control. I'm doing that with Glicazide - what I haven't done is much walking given the pain levels. The pain is a kind of burning and feels like someone is gripping the calf or thigh.
I'll begin walking from tomorrow. I miss my long walks - they are so good for my mental health!
Will keep you all posted - Stay safe and glad your pain has gone.
Would you say good sugar control is less that 7.0?
Regards and thanks
Phil
Hi @Phil Kay, sine you are asking in here, I presume that your nerve pain in your thigh and calf isn't sciatica. I have has 2 bouts of sciatica and since found that pregabalin worked for me - though it took 2 weeks (building up to 2x 50mg 3 times per day).
Pregabalin is a very dangerous drug, but since other things didn't work for me and the pain was so bad I felt I had no choice. I know that pregabalin is also sometimes prescribed for pain from diabetic nerve damage (as well as for epilepsy).
Pregabalin is a very dangerous drug, but since other things didn't work for me and the pain was so bad I felt I had no choice. I know that pregabalin is also sometimes prescribed for pain from diabetic nerve damage (as well as for epilepsy).
I don't want to dis those who need medication in order to control their blood glucose, but I consider good control to be control by lifestyle without medication other than metformin. But so far as levels are concerned, I consider good to be maximum BG level below 8.0mmol 2hrs after every meal. Though for a lifestyle controlled T2, I feel that testing is pointless apart from before meals and 2hrs after 1st bite, in order to regulate diet - until there are no more surprises with foods.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
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The general recommendations for T2 are:
4-7 before meals and
Below 8.5 by 2 hours after eating
Hello. Thanks for taking the time to email me - its kind an very much appreciated. I an struggling to understand what I have. I was told by doctors when the back pain started I had muscle damage that would rectify itself! It didn't - I was then told [by a Doctor] that I had Sciatica.
I called 111 and was referred to a Pharmacist - he said I can't have Sciatica as the pain is not at the back of the calf or thigh!!
The pain has been at levels I cant take. I'm not proud to say I've had end of life thoughts on one or more occasions [well early hours of the morning] that's my body make s me suffer for having taken care of it for 40 years.
My Doctor says there is nothing they can do for me and refuse to give me any other appointments. Its not untrue to say I've been in hell with the pain. Zapain is evil and doesn't relieve the pain - nothing touches it. My sugars are under control but the pain is with me like a bad penny!!
I have been told Tramadol may be an answer but how can I get any drug when I cant get an appointment with my Doctor and that also means not being able to get any referral to a Pain Management Clinic. I've been told to demand a appointment but the lovely adorable kind and friendly [NOT!] receptionists refuse to allow me to see a Dr or Diabetic Nurse.
As I say I'm at my wits end so receiving advice through this forum is invaluable. It also teaches me I'm not suffering alone - although I would not wish this level of pain or anyone and I wish no one else suffered what it is - what it does and how very low it drags you!
I will having received the emails I have approach my doctor in person and BEG to see someone.
Thanks again. Hope you remain pain free.
Krs
Phil
then but I have
This is great to know - thanks. sice taking Glicazide am not above 6.8
Hi, In my case I told receptionist (on phone) that pan made it impossible to get to surgery. Was given a telephone appointment slot.
Dr agreed with my own thoughts that it was Sciatica (pain was in the 'correct' places). Got the prescription delivered by taxi - just as well since wife was out of country and no way could I have collected it in person.
Blimey - that is amazing. I will give it a go. The receptionists at my surgery have a knack of cutting the line. Its bl&&dy warfare trying to see a medical professional.
Thanks for letting me know this its extremely kind and helpful. Hope you are on the mend?
Krs
Phil
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