Neuropathy

[TxTechKimmy]

Do any of y'all have complications from neuropathy? I've started having the intense shooting pains, tingling, numbness, burning and the feeling of spikes in my feet over the last year or so. My doctor just put me on Lyrica and it helps a lot. Just wondering if anyone else is having 'fun' with neuropathy like me. :marchmell :marchmell

[lgvincent]

I have some. In 1996 I got a numb spot on my right big toe that was about the size of the circumference of a pencil. Since then, it has grown to be slight numbness in the "outer" edges of several fingers and toes. One thing that really bothers me is if I eat too fast, I will throw up. Doctors have told me they think this is because of nerve damage done around the intestines and stomach. Oh, what a joy! Never knew that could happen.

[archimeech]

I've actually been taking Benfotiamine; a lipid soluble form of Thiamine(b1). It has allowed me to regain a slightly noticeable amount of reflex in my left foot. Supposedly, benfo, will help slow down the onset of neurapthy so I'm hoping it does.

[TxTechKimmy]

Brandy..I have experienced the stomach issues too. It too is nerve damage as you mentioned..called gastroparesis. I haven't suffered from it in a while, but for a bit there, I was puking after every meal. Nexium actually helped me out.
Archimeech..wow...that's interesting. Is it a prescription? I just hate this stuff, especially at night. The pain can be unbearable at times.

[lgvincent]

Brandy..I have experienced the stomach issues too. It too is nerve damage as you mentioned..called gastroparesis. I haven't suffered from it in a while, but for a bit there, I was puking after every meal. Nexium actually helped me out.

Hey! My name isn't Brandy. She was my best buddy until I killed her a few weeks ago.

[am1977]

Hey! My name isn't Brandy. She was my best buddy until I killed her a few weeks ago.


Ig- I wish you would stop being so hard on yourself~ you did NOT kill her! :frown: I know how much you miss her, but you are not responsible for her becoming ill. You did the right thing and I think that you should find peace in the fact that she isn't suffering anymore. I'm sure she's watching over you from a better place :wink:


Back to subject...

I don't experience Neuropathy (not yet)... I hope that the medication helps you with any uncomfortable sensation. Keep us posted :)

[Catareta]

I haven't had it confirmed, but my GP thinks I have diabetic related pain...

Flank pain for 6 months since severe kidney infection; ultrasound clear, bloodwork good except low sodium.

So on Tramacet 4 times daily... its helping a bit...

[Keezheekoni]

Flank pain for 6 months since severe kidney infection; ultrasound clear, bloodwork good except low sodium.

So on Tramacet 4 times daily... its helping a bit...
I was in the ER yesterday (uh, Monday...) for what I thought was a kidney stone that wasn't passing. Turns out that it was my left ovary! Apparently I have extra blood vessels that were squeezing it :dontknow: and that was causing the pain in my kidney area. Really weird. I got shot up with 3mg of dilaudid :dancing2: and sent home with a referral to an OB/Gyn and a script for percocet. :cheers:

So, since you're having an aching kidney, you might have them look into your ovaries as well... :whistling

Rikki

[KickStart101]

Do any of y'all have complications from neuropathy? I've started having the intense shooting pains, tingling, numbness, burning and the feeling of spikes in my feet over the last year or so. My doctor just put me on Lyrica and it helps a lot. Just wondering if anyone else is having 'fun' with neuropathy like me. :marchmell :marchmell

Hi Tx: Geez, that sounds awful. I've not had pain or burning but I
did have a numb middle toe of my left foot many yrs. ago. I had been
neglecting my sugars and testing(cuz I didn't have time. :rolleyes:crazy
yr.)

My Doc confirmed my suspicions(neuropathy). So back to looking
after "myself" much better and I got the feeling back in about 6
mths. I still have no numbness or pain, etc. from Diabetes thankfully,
(kow). For worse neuropathy, it would take longer, of course, and may
not all go away. But it's certainly worth the time and effort. I hope that
you get it looked after so you will be feeling much better. :flowers: I'm
glad the Lyrica is helping. I don't know about that drug but I hope it's
not just a bandaid.

[archimeech]

Brandy..I have experienced the stomach issues too. It too is nerve damage as you mentioned..called gastroparesis. I haven't suffered from it in a while, but for a bit there, I was puking after every meal. Nexium actually helped me out.
Archimeech..wow...that's interesting. Is it a prescription? I just hate this stuff, especially at night. The pain can be unbearable at times.


No, it's not a prescription. It's a vitamin supplement. PM me if you'd like the address of the place that I've found to order it from. They seem to be the cheapest and are very responsive, however, I suggest you look into it and determine wether or not it is. I've been wrong in the past and if there is a less expensive supplier out there, I'd love to hear about it myself.
The doctors thought I had gastroparesis, and I may still have a mild form of it, but most likely you have GERD, unless you've had diabetes for a long time. I've been taking one form of Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, et al, for about 10 years now.

[Lisa971]

What type of doctor diagnosed your neuropathy? Just curious because my endo- has checked my feet and toes with a """""vibrating""""" device and said that my feet were very good. I would tell her when I would stop feeling the sensation, but I wonder if she didn't check thoroughly, because I have had tingling, sharp pains, and when I get a blister on my toes, sometimes I can't even feel it. Now I'm having annoying pressure and pinpoint burning pains in my hands and down the bottom of my legs to my feet. It's not so much the tingling sensations I'm having, and it is painful and sometimes paralyzing.
Just wondering if going to separate specialists would be more worthwhile than letting the endo- check everything.
How were your suspicions confirmed? What kind of tests?
~Lisa

[BriOnH]

Neuropathy is the only one of the big three (Retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy) that I show no signs of yet (knock on wood, thank god, and pray that continues).

[archimeech]

What type of doctor diagnosed your neuropathy? Just curious because my endo- has checked my feet and toes with a """""vibrating""""" device and said that my feet were very good. I would tell her when I would stop feeling the sensation, but I wonder if she didn't check thoroughly, because I have had tingling, sharp pains, and when I get a blister on my toes, sometimes I can't even feel it. Now I'm having annoying pressure and pinpoint burning pains in my hands and down the bottom of my legs to my feet. It's not so much the tingling sensations I'm having, and it is painful and sometimes paralyzing.
Just wondering if going to separate specialists would be more worthwhile than letting the endo- check everything.
How were your suspicions confirmed? What kind of tests?
~Lisa


Lisa, you need to be refered to a Neurologist. The same test that they use for Carpal Tunnel (sp?) is used to test your level of neurapathy.

[TxTechKimmy]

Hi Lisa...I agree with Meech. My endo originally said she thinks it is a sign of neuropathy, however, she's sending me to a neurologist just to ensure it is neuropathy caused by the diabetes. My appointment is in a few weeks, so I am unsure as to what tests they will run. She did prescribe Lyrica to me in the interim, and it has helped A LOT.
You're right Brian...Retinopathy, Neuropathy and Nephropathy...I'm just the opposite of you and have all three...sigh. Luckily, there are ways to slow the damage down.

[notme]

I went in for several tests to find out why I had elbow and hand pain. It was determined that I had neuropathy. Now I have Trigger thumb in that same hand. I am taking neurontin, but trying to keep it at a low dose.

[VanDamage]

my feet feel like someone put a bottle of gas on them and lite them up!

[MamaCat]

Do any of y'all have complications from neuropathy? I've started having the intense shooting pains, tingling, numbness, burning and the feeling of spikes in my feet over the last year or so. My doctor just put me on Lyrica and it helps a lot. Just wondering if anyone else is having 'fun' with neuropathy like me. :marchmell :marchmell

Yeah, I've noticed some numbness at the ends of a few toes, occasionally tickling/stinging/burning sensations. My endo used his tuning fork last visit, and he didn't buy it when I asked him if he would give me a second chance to tell him when the vibrations stopped. I went in the next week to see the neurologist on staff. It is ECG, like is used to test for carpal tunnel. In my case, he told me my "large" nerves were conducting very well, but I had damage to my "small" nerves -- on a scale of 1 to 10 he gave me a 5 for the damage but said that after 33 years of insulin-dependent diabetes that was very good. He also explained that (get this..) good bG control SLOWS the onset/progress of neuropathy, but WILL NOT prevent it. He said neuropathy is an inevitable complication to diabetes and everyone develops it to some degree over time.

As a side note, I did have carpal tunnel (both wrists) and several trigger finger releases done last Spring. (No problems with this since and surgeon promised the odds were good that the problems would not return.)

MamaCat
Type 1 since 1973

[MamaCat]

VanDamage, how long have you been diabetic?

[TxTechKimmy]

my feet feel like someone put a bottle of gas on them and lite them up!

ahh yes VanDamage...fun isn't it?? I have found that Lyrica works TONS better for me than neurotin. It is expensive, but worth it.

Mama..my endo said the same thing. After having type 1 for almost 30 years, it is amazing I have just developed *complications* (I hate that word) within the last couple of years.

[MamaCat]

ahh yes VanDamage...fun isn't it?? I have found that Lyrica works TONS better for me than neurotin. It is expensive, but worth it.

Mama..my endo said the same thing. After having type 1 for almost 30 years, it is amazing I have just developed *complications* (I hate that word) within the last couple of years.


Yeah, it's the thirty years you've yet to live...with the complications! And, what gets me is the endo who looks at you with a "tsk, tsk, tsk" as if the whole deal is your fault. My last endo. was so arrogant that I secretly prayed he would develop diabetes so he could get a clue! :mad: That is one reason I went looking til I found my current endo. He was an internist until his 11-month-old son developed diabetes. Now he is an endocrinologist. From him and his team, I have gotten the best advice, education, and state-of-the-art treatment I've had in 33 years with the disease. Finally, a doctor with a passion to treat, manage and cure diabetes!

[TxTechKimmy]

You've had that happen too?? I thought it was just my luck with endos. EVERY single one I have had in the past was like that. Irritated me to no ends. I finally have one who is WONDERFUL. That is SO great you've found a good one too. Makes all the difference in the world.

[lgvincent]

Lisa971. I can tell you right off that you're not going to like the test they have for neuropathy. They run an electrical current through the nerves and measure their response (I think). I remember the first time I had it done at UAB back in 1976. I was in such discomfort I was willing to do anything they wanted to get them to stop. At the time, I was certain they were trained in North Vietnam and may have said so. Maybe that's why they hurt me so much.

[archimeech]

The torture, er I mean test for neuropathy is still the same they use an ever increasing amount of shock to your muscles and then your nerves to see how you respond. After which they ask you a series of questions about what you're doing in the country and what your orders where, who your superiors are, where the hidden location of all the major defense systems happen to be......

[MamaCat]

The torture, er I mean test for neuropathy is still the same they use an ever increasing amount of shock to your muscles and then your nerves to see how you respond. After which they ask you a series of questions about what you're doing in the country and what your orders where, who your superiors are, where the hidden location of all the major defense systems happen to be......


You and lgVincent are sooo funny...! Good thing you don't have to have mammograms!

[archimeech]

You and lgVincent are sooo funny...! Good thing you don't have to have mammograms!

I'm not a doctor, but I play doctor whenever I get the chance! ;)

[TxTechKimmy]

Sounds like a Holiday Inn Express commercial! LOL

[mark-TN]

He said neuropathy is an inevitable complication to diabetes and everyone develops it to some degree over time.


I disagree with your doctor. Neuropathy is not inevitable. The DCCT showed that hyperglycemia causes diabetic neuropathy (there are other causes of neuropathy unrelated to diabetes as well). There is some great information in this Wikipedia entry. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetic_neuropathy)

Carlie’s (Kickstart101) experience and my own experience are contrary to your doctor’s belief. Carlie explained in her earlier post that neuropathy appeared after a laps in control for a period of time and reversed after control was regained. I had a similar experience with my neuropathy. I experienced tingling and numbness in my feet and lower legs for several years that was getting progressively worse. It was an extremely annoying and strange sensation that always caused me to be aware of my feet. When sitting or lying down I could never keep my legs still. I was constantly twisting and stretching them or rubbing them together to try to get rid of the sensation. I would go to sleep rubbing my feet together and I would wake up doing the same thing. In my mind it was pretty much a form of torture. I had been running A1c’s around 7% for several years. In mid 2003 I drastically changed my treatment plan. This helped me to keep my blood sugars near normal at all times. Over a period of several months my A1c dropped down to around 5% and eventually down to 5% were it has remained for the past year and half. In a couple weeks after getting BGs in a normal range the bulk of the numbing and tingling sensations in my feet and lower legs were gone. This alleviated the constant fidgeting and I was finally able to lye down and keep my legs still and be comfortable. A slight numbness still remained but gradually got better until three years later I realized that the numbness was completely gone.

For additional information on the relationship between high blood sugars and neuropathy and other complications I posted a wave file on the subject in this thread. (http://www.diabetesforums.com/diabetes/5606-wave-file-explaining-why-diabetes-complications-occur.html)

Mark

[aforaslam]

Hi Mark. I believe my mother has a similar issue. I was digging through the forum and came across this post. The link that you
have provided here has seemed to be removed/changed. Could you please provide me with the working link? (if you can find one)

Thanks in advance!

[desperado]

I'm glad I read this. I have had pain in two toes for months and it getting worse, first it was occasional then it got to be my "every day friend" and now the burning is so bad can't wait to get my shoes off when I get home from work . Am having some problem flexing the toes ..
I just got my drivers license renewed. They asked me if I wanted to be an organ donor. I told them what I had wouldn't be worth any thing to any one else because I as going through all of them real fast.;)

[cathyd]

mark
sorry if this goes over old ground but what did you do in 2003 to achieve such a drastic change in your readings?

[Russyo]

TxtechKimmy- who are you using in the dallas area. Im currently going to the Dallas Association of Endo. The doc I have now seems great but i havent gotten any further than getting the insulin and them just wanting to keep checking my sugar. I have dropped my BG levels a lot but am not keeping control what-so-ever and my feet and legs are killing me something terrible.

Mark- thanks for your info. please break down what changes you made to keep your BG under better control. We can all learn from your experience and also it will help us with the leg wiggles. Im exactly what you described before you got your BG under control. Thanks to all for your info and input thus far and for future help!

[BlueSky]

... Mark- thanks for your info. please break down what changes you made to keep your BG under better control. ....
Mark doesn't come here that often, but you can find the full story about how he improved his control at his homepage mmealey Homepage (http://www.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=193267&ck=)