newbie!

[Yan]

Hi All,

I have been told two weeks ago I have diabetes (currently waiting for the antibodies to confirm which type) started taking Metformin 500mg for one week then increased to 1000mg twice a day and insulin 6 units twice a day.

Since taking the mixture, I am now experiencing pins and needles like pains on my arm and legs. My doctor said its probably my body adjusting and nothing serious. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CathyB]

Welcome Yan, I’m sorry to say I’m not the best person to answer this but I’m sure the others will 🙂

 

[Bronco Billy]

Hi Yan, and welcome. I’m afraid I can’t answer either, as my knowledge lies in type 1, but I’ve no doubt others will be willing and able to help.Whatever happens, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that this passes soon.

 

[Lyn68]

Hi Yan I was diagnosed type 2 in May and only take metoformin. For me it’s my toes not exactly pins and needles but more like I’m about to get them but it never happens. I was told the same thing that it’s probably just my body adjusting. It’s more that I’m just aware of it not painful thankfully. I have my first podiatrist apt on Wed so will see what they say.

 

[Diabetes UK]

Hi Yan, very warm welcome. Sorry to hear that you're having some delay with getting the right diagnosis, but hopefully this means that you will find the right treatment and be able to manage your levels in order to help you feel better.

The sensations of pins and needles is usually linked with higher bg levels. If you have only been diagnosed 2 weeks ago, it may be that your levels have been high before diagnosis, and this has caused some aggravation to your nerves. Often, the symptoms of high BG levels around diagnosis ease off a little once BG levels are back to safer levels.

Were your levels very high to start if you have been given insulin and are being tested for antibodies? Perhaps other members may have experienced something similar around diagnosis? As @Lyn68 did?

If you are concerned and the sensation continues, perhaps it is worth getting a foot review to test your feet, just to be on the safe side. This is something you should have annually anyway, so it may be that you will be referred for this shortly.

 

[KARNAK]

Hi Yan, welcome to the Forum 🙂. Have they given you a Glucose Meter? as Hannah say`s it`s crucial you`re BGL (Blood Glucose Levels) are brought under control for this condition and the only way to know is by self testing. Do not be fobbed off with you`re Dr`s reason/excuse this can but not always develop into DPN (Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy). This can be treated the sooner the better, please don`t be over concerned at the moment because you have only just been diagnosed but you do not know how long you have been walking around with this condition. I myself can talk with personal experience, I started loosing weight in the February of 2017 by October 2017 I had lost 3.5 stone and could not walk correctly, rushed into hospital spent 3 day`s connected to a machine and told I was lucky to be alive. Pins and needles in both legs, hands but especially feet, now my feet are numb in parts and very painful this affects lower legs and arms and hands, I cannot walk very well and use a walking stick. The moral of this story is I did not take action when symptoms became apparent thinking it would all go away but hey hoe lesson learned. Next step you need to see a Podiatrist or a decent diabetic nurse (DSN) at you`re surgery. It would be kind of you if you can supply you`re HbA1c result and any BGL you may have all available from the surgery this all helps with any help the members may advise you with. No panic needed just get it sorted.

 

[Eddy Edson]

Ditto to @KARNAK 's advice. I have neuropathy in feet from high BG levels for what must have been years before diagnosis. Annoying, in my case, and not nearly as bad as Ted's, from the sound of it - but definitely something you want to avoid.

You should be getting a podiatrist visit as part of the "package", I think, but do make sure this happens. Also, an eye check for retinopathy (which is what led to my diagnosis - no symptoms at this stage but they would have started to appear soon if my optometrist hadn't picked up on the early signs).

Chances are you don't have either of these, but apparently they're among the most common diabetes complications & I'd recommend getting the foot & eye checks ASAP.