Neuropathy Pain

[garywh]

Have a question concerning Neuropathy pain. Is this quite normal for DB to have this. I find mine extremely bad in my legs, thighs and hips. Being type 2 for about 15 years. Getting to the point that I have a hard time walking. BS not completely under control. A1C running a little over 8. If BS come down and are constant, will this go away or is it there forever now.

Thanks

Gary

[lgvincent]

I can't answer that with any certainty but I can tell you that I have found Carbatrol to be helpful with neuropathy. Maybe it would be worth looking into for help.

[Harold]

Neuropathy from high bg's over 7 are normal. As for the pain being permanant really depends on how much damage has been done. No one can really tell you for sure. One of those things you have to bring down and get in control to find out.

[HeatherP]

My understanding of neuropathy is that it can result in either chronic pain or numbness. Can't decide which one I'd prefer. I have heard from some people that better b/s control results in a lessening of symptoms. Work at getting your numbers down a bit. If you can, try to work with a CDE - mine is the greatest help among my health care team.

I'm sorry that you're having such problems, I hope you feel better soon!

Welcome by the way,
HeatherP

[MarkMunday]

Apparently, as long as complications are not too far advanced, they can generally be reversed by normalising blood sugar and keeping it that way. But you would need to reduce your HBA1c substantially. Follow this link (http://www.diabetes-book.com/book/chapter24.shtml) for insights into what is possible.

Cheers,

Mark

[garywh]

Thanks lgvincent. I am on 2000mg of Gabapentin which is used for the pain, and I think it is in the same class as Carbatrol that you mentioned. It just seems like it is getting worse and the more I take the more I need. Going to have to really watch my Carb input for a week or so and see how it goes. Tks for the advice.

[lgvincent]

Sorry I can't be of any more help. I'm hoping for the best for you but I know that doesn't do anything to help your situation.

[dpav]

Hello
I have been on vacation for a couple of weeks so I just now got to this one.

I have had Neuropathy problems since 1977. I did not know what it was until 1987. I have had numbness and pain both. My A1C was at 13 back then and now I am at 5.7. With having a case of acute pain and some numbness and much appendage tingling and numbing, I can say with the tight control over several years that the neuropathy has improved I am still on Oxycontin and have been so for over 9 years for the pain. I have noticeable lessening of the numbing in my toes. My pain levels can still be at 9 and 10's even with the medication. But it does not take up the majority of my life as it has in the past. With tight good control it has been proven to my endocrinologist that neuropathy can have some improvements This she told me about 2 years ago.. And I am living proof that it does improve to some degree.

I hope this is a little helpful.

Don

[KLD]

Before I started my low carb regime, I was having a constant burning sensation on the bottoms of my feet and numbness in all my toes. My doctor said that it wasn't related to my diabetes because "your diabetes isn't advanced enough to be causing those kind of symptoms." I knew he was wrong because the symptoms sounded so typical of what I read about diabetes, but I didn't bother arguing with him. A few weeks later I completely changed my diet, my blood sugars normalized, and the problems with my feet cleared up. It was a gradual improvement, though, over quite a few months. I also had a spell of having excruciating pain in my feet, which I have since read was probably due to regeneration of nerves. It didn't last long but be prepared for it - it's a good sign.

Karen

[garywh]

Thanks Don and Karen.

Just in a week, I have started to notice a slight difference in the pain. It has lessened somewhat, but of course is still there. I am happy with what I have read on this posts as it gives me encouragement to continue. I would suspect the longer I control the b/s, the better it will get, so all I have to look forward to is good things. I have even notices some of my energy returning. Tks everyone, so far...


Gary

[dpav]

It sounds like you have a good thing working for you.
I am a prime example of what correcting your BS levels can possibly do for you. I do not know if it works for every diabetic, But it sure helps the majority of us.
I am glad to hear of your progress.

Take care

Don

[lazydaizy]

Get a good physical work up every couple years if one can afford it=which means tests that one normally doesn't have. The numbness and tingling could be a result of other diseases. Numbness in some parts of the body could mean a sign of a stroke and in my case a firm diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
Trying to determine what is neuropathy of the Diabetes and what is the MS is a guessing game at times.
LazyDaizy