Is this diabetic neuropathy?

[Cathryes]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if what I have is diabetic neuropathy or a pinched nerve.

About me:
Im 33
Im male
I am a diabete
I also a bi-latteral amputtee( from a fire not from being a diabete )
Ive had c5 - c6 fused.
My sugars have been 80-100 since ive been put on actos. Since ive found i was diabetic its been controlled

My problem:
The problem started on christmas with just my arms being warm but went away. About a week ago it started back up and now its all of my body.
I have total body numbness, tingling, and or warming effect. It goes from legs to my head.
Even my privite part are effect with the warming feeling and tingling.
I have a spilting headache that feels like I have a vice grip on it.
Ive also feel weak in my legs and arms.


So I was wondering if diabetic neuropathy would effect my whole body like this.

My doctor doesnt want to even consider anything else since I am a diabedic. But from what ive read online diabetic neuropathy should manly effect my legs and arms not my whole body.


Thank you
Garrett

[BriOnH]

What you are experiencing does sound like symptoms of neuropathy, though with sugars under such tight control it sounds unlikely.

How long haveyou had diabetes? If you don't mind me asking, you claim you are weak in your arms and legs. Isn't a bi-latteral amputtee a person with either both legs or both arms amputated?

[Cathryes]

Im type 2
Ive been a diabetic for about a year. I was only 190-200 when I found out I was a diabetic. Its always 80-100 in the morning(when i was told to check it)
Its both legs below the knees. Both legs are eaither numb/tingling/warm from the stump.
And im weak in my legs like from the thighs up. Its a real effert(sp) to walk and life my arms.

[Cathryes]

Also does diabetic neuropathy cause the pressure in the head like a vice grip is tightning. Its feels like its on both my temples and being pushed inward.

Also some corrections from the last post:
Its a real effert to walk and LIFT my arms. The best way to desccribe is LBS feeling.

[BriOnH]

I am sorry to read about the problems you are having. The tingling you describe is more common with neuropathy then the headache. Though it is different for everyone, usually neuropathy doesn't set in so soon, especially with sugars <200 mg/dl.

How is your blood pressure? Have you thought about getting a second opinion? If you do try not to describe what the first doctor diagnosed.

Welcome to the forum btw. Glad you found it.

[ladytaz]

Firstly ...
Welcome to DF Garrett! :ciao:

Secondly ....
Your headache sounds like a migrain. They are nasty things, those migrains! I know! The other symptoms could be cause by a pinched nerve. Pinched nerves do funny things.

Do have it checked! If your doc won't listen to you, find one who will!!!

[slipperyelm]

A whole body response like that makes me think of things like allergic reactions or drug sensitivities. Could you be having a reaction to a medicine you take? How long have you been on Actos? Perhaps it is a reaction to Actos?

How were your blood sugars before you went on Actos? I'm wondering if your blood sugars were high enough, long enough to have caused such far flung neuropathy.

If you went on Actos recently, even in the last six or eight months, consider this: Sometimes when neuropathy is healing, there are pains and tingles that you may not have felt previously. And some neuropathy _can_ indeed heal to some extent. It is a slow process, though, and only takes place if you can keep those blood sugars down.

Actually I think there are a lot of things that might cause symptoms like you are having. But I don't think the symptoms point directly to one most likely cause. And, of course there could be more than one thing happening in your body to cause the different symptoms.

Have you thought about whether you might be having "ghost pains" related to the fire? I know my Dad who was an infant amputee (on the day of his birth) still has ghost pains in his appendage that isn't there. And he is 83 years old! So, I'm wondering if perhaps the same fire that was responsible for the loss of your lower legs, gave you some whole body burns and affected skin nerves. Those nerves which might now be be stumps themselves (if the ends of them were destroyed) could be generating ghost pain. Or they could be healing somewhat from the fire damage and thus causing pain. Seems like your doctor would figure this out , if this were the case. Just thought I'd mention it though.

All in all, I think it would be a good idea to ask your doctor again about the problems, and seek a second opinion if you aren't satisfied. It sounds mighty uncomfortable.

For your sake, I sure hope it is nothing more than neuropathy healing--- 'cause that would mean your better blood sugars are really helping your body to get better. (I have healed neuropathy in my feet. It happened in stages parallel to getting my blood sugar down in stages.)

[Cathryes]

"How were your blood sugars before you went on Actos"

Its always been normal since I was diagnosis about a year ago. Ive only been over 180 once even after a meal and that was when I eat TO much candy. In the mornings its always normal. Well last few days its been 70-80 in the morning.

I now have a new symptom:

My tongue is now swore on the tip. Its like its numb and when I drink something hot/cold it has a buring sinsation. ( I didnt burn it )

Im leaning to mybe B12 Deficiency. Not sure and its driving me nuts.