T2 for 13 years, very quick onset of neuropathy

[markjohn66]

Hi all, T2 for last 13 years, most recent 1ac result was 47, but have developed neuropathy very suddeny in hands and feet. Not painful, but very tingly and feeling cold. Have appointment with my diabetic nurse in 2 weeks. Should I try and get a more urgent appointment? Also any good news stories or hints and tips are really welcome. Take care everyone. Thanks.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear you are experiencing tingling in your hands and feet. Do you take Metformin and if so, have you been taking it for a long time? Just wondering if it may be Vitamin B12 deficiency causing the problem as long term Metformin use can block/prevent the absorption of B12 which is important for nerve health. If this is the problem, then vitamin B12 injections should improve or reverse the problem, so I would be asking for your B12 levels to be checked. Taking oral supplements will usually not help because the Metformin also blocks the absorption of the supplement, hence the need for injections. Not saying this is definitely the issue, but it is common and it is pretty easily checked and if necessary remedied.

 

[markjohn66]

Thanks Barbara for your reply, sorry should have mentioned I am in metformin 1 500mg metform twice a day. I will ask my nurse to get a test for b12 and have just ordered b12 complex supplements. Any other advice very welcome. Thanks so much again for your reply

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about the changes of sensation that you have been feeling recently.

Like @rebrascora I’m wondering about whether it might be B12 deficiency.

Hopefully you will be able to get your pulses checked at your appointment too. Have your BG levels rapidly improved recently?

 

[markjohn66]

Hi Mike thanks for your post. Not sure what bg or pulses actually means. Just checked my printout from my gp and it states my B12/foliate is 397ng/nl in an accepted range of between 197 and 771

 

[rebrascora]

BG is Blood Glucose. Has your diabetes management improved dramatically recently reducing your Blood Glucose levels significantly as that can cause, usually temporary, neuropathy.

Part of your diabetes checks should involve assessing the pulses in your feet (and sensitivity by touching with a fine filament) If you have good strong pulses in your feet then you are less likely to have neuropathy.

 

[markjohn66]

Thanks Barbara, I have an appointment withe foot nurse this coming Wednesday. Is there anything specific I should ask? My last foot check about a year ago was all good. I have provably been bad in my management over the last good few months as had 3 close family members pass away, but have been very good over the past month. Thanks for taking the time to reply, appreciate it.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

How awful @markjohn66 , sincere condolences for the loss of 3 family members

If you glucose management has improved rapidly over a short time frame, as @rebrascora this can give rise to a temporary form of neuropathy, sometimes called Treatment Induced Neuropathy.

Might be worth asking about that too?

 

[Mark72]

Welcome to the forum markjohn66. I'm very sorry for your recent losses.

Another thing to consider is that I believe stress is considered a factor that can impact blood glucose levels and if you've not been doing your things to manage your levels perhaps as well as normal recently and have been understandably under unusual stress then that could be having more impact overall?

I have very slight neuropathy, mostly a bit of numbness in the feet with a slight tingle and every now and then a bit of pain but nothing that's ever kept me up at night touch wood but I do worry about it getting worse (I think that's normal though)? It was what led to me to finally swap doctors 8 years after moving house and actually get diagnosed last year. I hope you can get things sorted whatever the cause turns out as and see an improvement.