Anyone experienced numbness?

[vbutcher]

I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and do one shot of lantus a day. My left arm keeps going numb in the night. It's like dead weight. Anyone experience this or know why it's happening?

[fgummett]

Hi vbutcher and Welcome! Glad you found DF.

Are you only on the one shot of insulin a day?

High blood sugars may be associated with a reduction in blood flow; so it is possible that your numb arm is related to your condition, especially if you tend to lie on that arm as you sleep. I often get the same, especially if I use too many pillows.

Please ask more questions and maybe tell us more about yourself.

Cheers
~ Frank

[vbutcher]

I have been on meds for 2 1/2 years and just went on insulin 2 months ago. My blood sugars were well over 400 and now they run around 100-130. I take 14 units per day and then still take actos, metformin and januvia. It seems as if it happens to my left arm more often lately. I had a circulation test and a CAT scan of my heart, pelvis and abdomen and it call came back normal, so I'm thinking it's not circulation. However, it's making me nervous. I go to the doctor Thursday, so I'll ask them about it. Thanks for responding.

[Mich]

Hi V,
Welcome to the forum.

How often are you testing your blood sugars and what are they running? How recently were you diagnosed? Did your doctor suggest any type of fast acting insulin to cover the meals you eat or are you still in the "honeymoon" phase where your pancreas is working a bit?

Your numb arm coould be from sleeping on it or it could be a nerve issue. Yes, both happen to me.

Mich

[vbutcher]

My blood sugars are now running good since the insulin. My hands get very cold, so I thought I had a circulation issue, however the test came back ok. Not sure what the problem is....

[princesslinda]

I have a herniated cervical disc and sometimes if I sleep the wrong way, i'll wake up with numbness in my arm and fingers. It can cause anxiety...its my left arm as well.

[Mich]

HI again, V.

Frank beat me to it. I tried to delete my post which repeated his questions, but it didn't work.

Between now and Thursday, I wouldn't worry too much about your arm. I think it will begin to behave itself more now that your blood sugars are back in control.

Again, welcome.

[Subby]

Hi vbutcher. To kind of echo what's been said, I've had similar problems and I think it is probably related to your recent high BG. Back when I was diagnosed and for the first few years with pretty high BG, I was very suceptible to pinched nerves, aches and pains etc. I was never diagnosed with neuropathy or actual circulation problems by the doctors. It was shorter term, intransient effects upon the circulation and nerve system, but not full blown neuropathy in the verifyable or "permanent damage" sense. I'm not sure the doctors would necessarily agree this is the case (then again they might), because it's quite possible those tests that you speak of just won't pick up on this phenomenon.

So, to me it sounds like you have "mild", reversable, effects of neuropathy from running high only 2 months ago. I believe the general rule for these effects to fade is something like 6 to 12 months of better BG levels. Gotta grin and wear it for a while: but if this is the case it really should go away.

By the way, you might want to try changing your bed. I found that on some beds it would happen every time, on others of different density the pinched nerve problem was much minimised.