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Neuropathy

W

wnek

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
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He/Him
Hello,

My question is with neuropathy symptom always consist of tingling and burning sensation.
I ask because Ive not had this symptons, mine is pain of the balls of feet and knees, though the Doctor and Nurse are adamant that it is diabetes neuropathy. The pain is worst at night , I find a hot water bottle , even during the summer helps as my feet feel cold.
 
wnek said:
Hello,

My question is with nueropathy symptom always consist of tingling and burning sensation.
I ask because Ive not had this symptons, mine is pain of the balls of feet and knees, though the Doctor and Nurse are adamant that it is diabetes nueropathy. The pain is worst at night , I find a hot water bottle , even during the summer helps as my feet feel cold.
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I think the symptoms can be very varied in different people. But commonly
The main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include:
numbness and tingling in the feet or hands
burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas
loss of balance and co-ordination
muscle weakness, especially in the feet

There are various medications and treatments that can help.
 
Thanks for your comments, as I mentioned it is mainly at night , during the day it eases , in fact walk regularly over 2 miles average a day without problem. Though once stopping and resting the balls of my toes feel hard with mild pain.
Ive not had shooting pains, tingingly, stabbing, loss of balance, co-ordination, or muscle weakness. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with gout in my knees, this has since stopped.

What medications and treatments are available, my doctor and nurse say its all part if the diabetes.
 
wnek said:
Thanks for your comments, as I mentioned it is mainly at night , during the day it eases , in fact walk regularly over 2 miles average a day without problem. Though once stopping and resting the balls of my toes feel hard with mild pain.
Ive not had shooting pains, tingingly, stabbing, loss of balance, co-ordination, or muscle weakness. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with gout in my knees, this has since stopped.
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Make sure your shoes are comfortable as that can make a big difference.
 
Leadinglights said:
Make sure your shoes are comfortable as that can make a big difference.
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My shoes are perfectly comfortable otherwise I wouldnt be able to walk as much as 5 miles on some days.

None of this makes sense
 
I have felt pins and needles in my heels just a few days ago. I'm panicking a lot. I do have osteoarthritis in both knees too. My sugar could be better but it's not horrendous. I am confused too. Pins and needles have gone!!!! Just have an odd sensation on the soles of my feet
 
Hi @wnek - i have neuropathy in my face and neck. It has been getting more pronounced and extensive over the years. The intensity comes and goes in the short term with no apparent pattern. At its worst it is becoming debilitating.

I have come to the conclusion that when it comes to neuropathy just about everything is guess work. The tests that can be done (nerve conduction tests and MRI scans) are crude and blunt. I have had all done and nothing has been seen that could account for my neuropathy. If it were due to something big - stroke, brain tumour gross deterioration of the nervous system - then the tests are likely to have seen something. They have not, so I can take some solace from that. The neurologist, not a natural guesser, will not give a diagnosis and says that a root cause for my neuropathy might never be found.

Your GP/DN might be adamant that your neuropathy is diabetes related but you have to bear in mind that it is a guess. They may be good guessers and be right, but it is nevertheless a guess.

I have tried all the medications approved for neuropathic pain. None have had any effect on the neuropathy. The last thing the neurologist suggested was to take pregabalin and try and get to near maximum recommended doses by building up the dose up very slowly. I have just tried that getting to half max dose in 4 months but the side effects - basically addling your brain - were too much and I have come off it. My GP, who is being very helpful, has suggested some off-licence drugs and I am tying some of those in combination with low dose pregabalin. I have no real confidence that anything will work.

Sorry to be a bit downbeat on the subject but that has been my neuropathy story over the last 12 years or so. I have just learned to live with it.
 
Docb said:
Hi @wnek - i have neuropathy in my face and neck. It has been getting more pronounced and extensive over the years. The intensity comes and goes in the short term with no apparent pattern. At its worst it is becoming debilitating.

I have come to the conclusion that when it comes to neuropathy just about everything is guess work. The tests that can be done (nerve conduction tests and MRI scans) are crude and blunt. I have had all done and nothing has been seen that could account for my neuropathy. If it were due to something big - stroke, brain tumour gross deterioration of the nervous system - then the tests are likely to have seen something. They have not, so I can take some solace from that. The neurologist, not a natural guesser, will not give a diagnosis and says that a root cause for my neuropathy might never be found.

Your GP/DN might be adamant that your neuropathy is diabetes related but you have to bear in mind that it is a guess. They may be good guessers and be right, but it is nevertheless a guess.

I have tried all the medications approved for neuropathic pain. None have had any effect on the neuropathy. The last thing the neurologist suggested was to take pregabalin and try and get to near maximum recommended doses by building up the dose up very slowly. I have just tried that getting to half max dose in 4 months but the side effects - basically addling your brain - were too much and I have come off it. My GP, who is being very helpful, has suggested some off-licence drugs and I am tying some of those in combination with low dose pregabalin. I have no real confidence that anything will work.

Sorry to be a bit downbeat on the subject but that has been my neuropathy story over the last 12 years or so. I have just learned to live with it.
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Sorry to hear of your problems, I know its been 12 years, I do hope it eases soon.
 
Sorry to hear about your painful feet and knees @wnek

Neuropathy is and the pain/sensations involved are often more pronounced at night.

How are your pulses and the sensations in your feet generally? Do you get your annual ‘toe tickle’ (filament check)?

Cold feet may also be connected to reduced circulation, which can come along with diabetes for some people.

Hope you find some treatment options to reduce your discomfort. Great that you are still able to walk such good distances - keep that up!
 
Pulses dont know what they mean, the sensation I have is sometimes a hard feeling in the balls of my toes.
Toe tickle what's that, supposed to see the doctor once about 3 month for a blood hba1c test , which I do miss I decide if I'm going give blood, in 2 years Ive had 3 test, last was in April and was 97.
 
wnek said:
Hello,

My question is with nueropathy symptom always consist of tingling and burning sensation.
I ask because Ive not had this symptons, mine is pain of the balls of feet and knees, though the Doctor and Nurse are adamant that it is diabetes nueropathy. The pain is worst at night , I find a hot water bottle , even during the summer helps as my feet feel cold.
Click to expand...

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to circulation problems (Cold feet, but this is also a symptom of neuropathy) and also electrolyte imbalances, which can cause pains in muscles. In my case, I had terrible pains at night that would go away as soon as I walked around. I could see muscles twitching. It all went away a few weeks after I got blood glucose under control.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
How are your pulses and the sensations in your feet generally? Do you get your annual ‘toe tickle’ (filament check)?
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wnek said:
Pulses dont know what they mean, the sensation I have is sometimes a hard feeling in the balls of my toes.
Toe tickle what's that, supposed to see the doctor once about 3 month for a blood hba1c test , which I do miss I decide if I'm going give blood, in 2 years Ive had 3 test, last was in April and was 97.
Click to expand...

Apologies @wnek Those were my slightly light-hearted terms.

Every year you should get an annual diabetes review, and ideally that would include a brief physical examination of your lower legs and feet to feel the strength of the pulses in your legs and also to use a fine filament like a piece of fishing line to see if your feel are still sensitive to gentle touches.

Have you ever had these checks done?
 
Everydayupsanddowns,

Was diagnosed Dec 22 with hb1c at 143,
Started treatment Jan 23, only had 3 hba1c tests since ,might another next month.
Apart being on metformin for 8 month I stopped for 3 month and on glicazide for last 7month.
Thats it no other tests, oh apart eye test, I don't like or trust Doctors so only see em when feel.
Not a regular taker of medications either.
I think I have gout but doctor has it as nueropathy.
 
After the first AZ Covid jab my lower legs and feet were swollen, and so painful. Never felt anything like it even giving birth.
My father's family were nurses midwives and herbalists, and they put great store by massage, being credited for saving limbs, feet, hands and fingers - they were common injuries in South Yorkshire. I massaged my legs pushing blood down arteries and up veins - I did CNAA Biology and have BSc from the Open University and when I could walk and stand under the shower I used hot and cold water to help.
I have needed several courses of antibiotics at intervals since then, as I can get cellulitis. I thought it was gout at first, but managed to get to the clinic that time and the GP said cellulitis.
At first I put layer after layer of foam insoles in my sandals to cushion my feet at the first sign of a problem, and now I have some lambskin ones over an inch thickness of fleece which help a lot.
My feet and legs look pretty normal now, but I thought I was in deep trouble when it first flared up. If I notice any swelling I start massaging at once. It actually doesn't take much effort these days to get the blood moving and my feet deflate.
 
I've recently been diagnosed with Neuropathy associated with my type 2 diabetes. My feet tingle a little and my hands less so. My DN has checked my feet and the touch test suggests I have a slight numbness in my big toes. I have an appointment with my doctor next week to check my meds are not causing it. I must admit, it really does worry me and it's good to know I'm not the only one suffering. So thanks for sharing your experiences.

I just wanted to add that there is a fair bit of scientific evidence suggesting that drinking green tea helps repair/improve nerve damage such as neuropathy. I've started drinking 4 cups per day to see if there's any improvement. If you're interested, there's a good article here worth reading. Best wishes.
 
@wnek - your last HbA1c blood test result was 97, so virtually double the level at which diabetes is diagnosed, ie 48+.

What advice about your diet have you received and what have you actually done to make changes to what you eat and drink? What medications have you been prescribed for you diabetes itself and do you actually take them regularly?
 
trophywench said:
@wnek - your last HbA1c blood test result was 97, so virtually double the level at which diabetes is diagnosed, ie 48+.

What advice about your diet have you received and what have you actually done to make changes to what you eat and drink? What medications have you been prescribed for you diabetes itself and do you actually take them regularly?
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I've not had another blood test since the 97 in April, doctor has requested one and I'm not going to nudge.
Still have a bad sleep pattern, between 3 and 5 hours a night, the mild day problems have eased since stopped taking the statins think in september, when had go on antibiotics for a chest infection

Been eating more oats and multiseeds and chloestral yogurt drinks, I try maintain a 130 gm carbs diet, so weight is back to pre diabetes level of 74kg. I do take Glicazide 2 tabs daily.

Jockbell,

I've not had any tests like you've had, as I say doctor say its due to the diabetes and still have if the diabetes goes into remissionbeed to live with it

I'm not worried, following reading about Glicazide on the pancreas I'll probably stop the Glicazide as well. Ive stopped omerprozole at same time as statins due to reports. Just general antacid when needed, rarely.

Overall I never felt bad due to diabetes and still feel same as prior to diagnosis , don't understand what diabetes is supposed to feel apart from my feet. Its been the medication that makes me feel bad.

Still managing 10-15 miles a week walking

So why am I taking it
 
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Surely the best thing for your neuropathy would be to take control of your blood sugars?

97 is high and is doing your body no good at all.
If the medication makes you feel bad, why not talk to your doctor re alternatives? Or ask others here for whats helped them get into safe and healthy figures?

Plus, you WILL feel bad temporarily as your blood sugars go down. Temporarily. Long term you will be healthier, and be able to keep on with those long walks.

Basically, if it was ok to stay at 97 this message board would be empty, and there would be no type 2s on low carb. And i could stop jabbing myself with needles 4 times a day.

How you deal with your diabetes is up to you. But, as you are finding out, you can ignore diabetes, but, sadly, diabetes isn't going to ignore you.

I know you aren't keen on medication or doctors, but perhaps now is the time to take a look at the direction this is going, and give them a chance to help you? Work with them.
 
wnek said:
I've not had another blood test since the 97 in April, doctor has requested one and I'm not going to nudge.
Still have a bad sleep pattern, between 3 and 5 hours a night, the mild day problems have eased since stopped taking the statins think in september, when had go on antibiotics for a chest infection

Been eating more oats and multiseeds and chloestral yogurt drinks, I try maintain a 130 gm carbs diet, so weight is back to pre diabetes level of 74kg. I do take Glicazide 2 tabs daily.

Jockbell,

I've not had any tests like you've had, as I say doctor say its due to the diabetes and still have if the diabetes goes into remissionbeed to live with it

I'm not worried, following reading about Glicazide on the pancreas I'll probably stop the Glicazide as well. Ive stopped omerprozole at same time as statins due to reports. Just general antacid when needed, rarely.

Overall I never felt bad due to diabetes and still feel same as prior to diagnosis , don't understand what diabetes is supposed to feel apart from my feet. Its been the medication that makes me feel bad.

Still managing 10-15 miles a week walking

So why am I taking it
Click to expand...
Hopefully you will be able reduce your medication if you manage to reduce that high HbA1C and it sounds as if you are making good effort to do so by keeping to a low carb regime and keeping up with the walking.
Some people do have issues with statins, my other half did so stopped taking them and also with esomeprazole so refuses to take that but reducing carbs can help reduce cholesterol so that may work for you.
 
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