leg pain

[Trinifar]

I have had periodic leg pain for a long time. Now that I've been diagnosed with diabetes and have been reading a lot, it seems to be a form diabetic neuropathy, specifically peripheral neuropathy. Some of the descriptions I've read fit to a tee. The pain is from calf to thigh, seems deep and difused at the same time. My wife reports I shift my legs a lot while I sleep. Used to be most pronounced in the evening, but over the last few months it's more or less constant going from annoying to down right harsh. Also, sometimes when I wake up in the morning my feet are numb, but the numbness goes away after a walking around for a while.

I'll be seeing my doctor this week and will ask about it, but I'd like to be as informed as possible when I do. Problem is my reading tells me there is nothing to be done about it beyond taking ibuprofin or something similar. I've used a tea tree oil gel which maybe provides a little relief. Mostly, though, it smells good and massaging it into my calves and thighs feels good.

Thoughts/suggestions?

[Harold]

The three major causes of leg pain peripheral neuropathy, vascular, and compressed disc or pinched nerves. Peripheral neuropathy usually takes years of high blood glucose levels. Vascular or inhibited blood flow can be caused by clots or plaque blocking arteries or veins. Attributed to high cholesterol levels brought on by metabolic syndrome or genetics. Some type 2 diabetics have metabolic syndrome years before developing diabetes and others develop diabetes then metabolic syndrome. Compressed disc or pinched nerves (sciatic nerve) are sometimes easier and sometimes not to figure. Wrenching your back or lower back pain would be a good indication. Sometimes it takes years after an injury before you realize there is a problem.

Most people I've listened to describe peripheral neuropathy pain in the beginning as a numbness. Sometimes turning to a burning pain and then to just pain. Sciatic nerve or compressed disc leg pain in my experience has always been described as sharp and intense. What your describing the deep and diffused pain along with numbness in your feet after sleeping sounds more vascular in nature to me. Pinched nerves also cause inflammation which the ibuprofen will help with decreasing.

When you see the doctor make sure you mention all three possibilities. There are specific drugs to treat peripheral neuropathy and vascular causes. Good luck with the doctor!

[deb wardle]

Hi

I have periphral neuropathy. For me it is pins and needles, numbness, burning, aching and actual pain in my legs and feet. i get horrible, painful cramp in my ankles and toes. i take pregabalin and previously took gabapentin, but to be honest the medication dosnt really help. Hope you get some help from you doctor.

Deb

[notme]

I also have peripheral neuropathy in the radial nerves in my arms. The neuropathy actually started as pain in my elbows that radiated to my pinky and ring finger. My fingers felt a bit numb, but no pain. I take a medication called neurontin for the pain in my elbows. So far (past six years) the neuropathy has stayed in my arms and not expanded. If the pain in your legs continues, talk to your doctor about sending you to a neurologist. They can test to make sure it is in fact neuropathy. There are medications that help if you need it.

[peej07]

I've had things like that for a couple of years now. It gets better and worse depending on how much I stretch or how stiff I feel.