Neuropathy Question

[Tee P]

Hi everyone I am new to the forum, I have had diabetes type 2 for just over 13 years, I take insulin and metformin and amptitripline for my neuropathy. I am feeling very anxious and nervous currently self isolating due to the Coronavirus. This is affecting my neuropathy quite severely and wondered if anyone else is experiencing this. Spoke to my GP over the phone who has increased my amptitripline to 30mg. Any advice? Forgot to say my Hba1c is 53 down from 113 7 years ago, diabetic nurse has reduced my insulin considerably gradually coming off but difficult to manage atm. My blood sugar levels are in good range B4 breakfast around 5.7, after midday meal 7.8 and before bed 8.2. The pulsing in my body at night and neuropathy is what is worrying me the most.

 

[Docb]

Can't offer any help but I know exactly what you are talking about. Don't know where your neuropathy shows itself but mine is in the face. It first turned up when I was diagnosed some 12 years ago and has got gradually more pronounced over the years. It comes and goes but when it comes back it is worse than it was before and when it goes it does not go as far away as it used to.

Have been down the medication route, including amitriptyline, but nothing really helped. Currently going another round with the neurologists but all those plans have been messed up. When things settle and I get back to them, they might have some ideas about what the root cause is. Maybe its the diabetes, maybe its something else or maybe they will still have no idea.

I've just had to learn to live with it and my only strategy is to try not to get too fatigued - it's worse then - and to rest and ride it out when it hits hard. As I say, not a lot of help but much sympathy, I get where you are.

PS.... If you come off the amitriptyline take care, that is unless you want the technicolour dreams that the hippies used to pay good money for!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Tee P

Sorry to hear about your anxiety and neuropathy.

Good that you are in contact with your GP, hope that the dose adjustment helps.

I believe that stable and ‘in range’ blood glucose also significantly helps protect from neuropathy progressing and can help to reduce the symptoms. Good that you are checking both before and after meals. The more stable you can keep your BG, with as few ‘spikes’ as you can manage the better.

Do you think the reduction in physical activity is having a negative effect on your neuropathy? Have you looked into any of the online ‘home workout’ resources? Are you getting out for you once a day socially-distanced exercise?

Are you trying any mental health exercises to try to calm your anxiety? There are a number of free helpful resources for things like mindfulness and CBT which may help?

 

[Tee P]

Can't offer any help but I know exactly what you are talking about. Don't know where your neuropathy shows itself but mine is in the face. It first turned up when I was diagnosed some 12 years ago and has got gradually more pronounced over the years. It comes and goes but when it comes back it is worse than it was before and when it goes it does not go as far away as it used to.

Have been down the medication route, including amitriptyline, but nothing really helped. Currently going another round with the neurologists but all those plans have been messed up. When things settle and I get back to them, they might have some ideas about what the root cause is. Maybe its the diabetes, maybe its something else or maybe they will still have no idea.

I've just had to learn to live with it and my only strategy is to try not to get too fatigued - it's worse then - and to rest and ride it out when it hits hard. As I say, not a lot of help but much sympathy, I get where you are.

PS.... If you come off the amitriptyline take care, that is unless you want the technicolour dreams that the hippies used to pay good money for!

Thank you Docb, I feel I am not alone now, have askedGP to refer me to neurologist which she said she would but after the pandemic. Meanwhile I think I have to ride it out like you say. I worry that something underline is going on. Appreciate your reply.

 

[Tee P]

Welcome to the forum @Tee P

Sorry to hear about your anxiety and neuropathy.

Good that you are in contact with your GP, hope that the dose adjustment helps.

I believe that stable and ‘in range’ blood glucose also significantly helps protect from neuropathy progressing and can help to reduce the symptoms. Good that you are checking both before and after meals. The more stable you can keep your BG, with as few ‘spikes’ as you can manage the better.

Do you think the reduction in physical activity is having a negative effect on your neuropathy? Have you looked into any of the online ‘home workout’ resources? Are you getting out for you once a day socially-distanced exercise?

Are you trying any mental health exercises to try to calm your anxiety? There are a number of free helpful resources for things like mindfulness and CBT which may help?

Thank you for your reply everyday ups and downs. I try to walk in my village round the block everyday and have been doing hand and leg exercises from an online source specifically for neuropathy. I have looked online for calming music and breathing exercises but I still seem to be anxious. Is there anything you can recommend.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sound like you are doing really well, and taking very positive steps to help yourself.

If your anxiety relates to the current pandemic, these guides were written by a clinical psychologist for people with diabetes worried about Coronavirus and self isolation (mostly aimed at T1s), but much of their content is universal I think.

Hope they help:

Dr Rose Stewart - Coronavirus Toolkit

A selection of useful resources developed by clinical psychologist Dr Rose Stewart with the support of other healthcare professionals and Diabetes UK. Topics include reducing worry and anxiety, practical tips on self isolation, and improving sleep.

www.t1resources.uk

 

[Tee P]

Sound like you are doing really well, and taking very positive steps to help yourself.

If your anxiety relates to the current pandemic, these guides were written by a clinical psychologist for people with diabetes worried about Coronavirus and self isolation (mostly aimed at T1s), but much of their content is universal I think.

Hope they help:

Dr Rose Stewart - Coronavirus Toolkit

A selection of useful resources developed by clinical psychologist Dr Rose Stewart with the support of other healthcare professionals and Diabetes UK. Topics include reducing worry and anxiety, practical tips on self isolation, and improving sleep.

www.t1resources.uk

Thank you, will take a look at the link. Much appreciated.