[Golden80]

I've already scheduled a doctors appointment this week. I've been waking up with numbness in my hands and feet over the past couple of weeks. Most of the numbness is in my hands. I've also been getting some of the tingling sensation in my feet. When I first get out of bed, or put stress on my feet after an extended sit, there's some pain in my feet. It goes away after a few steps. I'm thinking this is due to my recent insulin adjustments in trying to convert from Lente to NPH. I had used pork lente up until the point they quit making it, and switched to humulin L. One of my doctors heard that Lente was being discontined and told me to switch to NPH. My body did not adjust well to it. My sugars hung in the 200 range, and I had many high sugars while on it for the past 4 months. I've since switched back to the Humulin L because I found out it was not being discontinued. I guess this was inevitable though since I've been type 1 for 23 years. Well wish me luck folks. I hope it's just some fluke weirdness, but I doubt it is.

[lgvincent]

I hope it isn't happening to you. When it started with me, I had a small spot on my right big toe that was numb. It was about the size of a pencil. If it is neuropathy, I've found Carbatrol helps with the numbness a lot. It doesn't get rid of it but it does seem to make it less noticable.

[duck]

Can I ask both of you how long you were diabetic before you noticed symptoms? How are/were your A1c's and retinal exams when you noticed symptoms?

[nantomsuethom]

Golden80

I sure hope it is a fluke also. Let us know how your appt. goes.

Nancy

[Golden80]

I've been diabetic for 23 of my 24 years on this rock. My A1C was great 6 months ago. I can't remember what it was and would have to call the doc's office, but they said it was great. I know it's been too long since I've had bloodwork done, but will do it on this office visit. I'm willing to bet my A1C has increased to bad levels since I switched to the NPH. For some reason, I could never get the doses right with it. I'm also a brittle diabetic, so any changes in meds always mess me up for 6 months.

[Shalyndria]

First of all, good luck! I hope that you're assumption is wrong. I think that you've exercised great judgement by making an appointment with your physician regarding this; none of us are experts, and it's always a good idea to seek the opinion or help of one. Do let us know how it turns out, no matter the outcome!

Shy

[archimeech]

Golden, I'm experiencing a lot of pain, numbness, and burning sensation in my feet. I've been diabetic for 20 years and have probably gotten my sugars down to the best they have ever been in the last 2 years. I don't know, the better I take care of myself the worse I feel. Good luck, and I hope it's not neuropathy or at least it is very mild for a long time.

[Golden80]

Hey arch, I'd suggest talking to your doctor about it. Better safe then sorry!

[MarkMunday]

Arch,

Experiencing more serious neuropathy symptoms in spite of maintaining very good control, must be very frustrating. Maybe it is part of a healing process. You may be able to relate to the following comment about reversing neuropathy through improved control.

..... several patients with total numbness of their feet have complained of severe pain after several months of near-normal blood sugars. This continues for a number of months and eventually resolves as sensation returns. It is as if nerves generate pain signals while they heal or “sprout.” The experience may be very frightening and distressing if you haven’t been warned that it might occur.

Dr Richard Bernstein

You are on the right track. So keep up the good work and hang in there.

Cheers,

Mark

[KickStart101]

Hi Golden: I sure hope it is a fluke also. You are too
young to have to worry about neuropathy.
Out of curiosity, where did you hear that Lente isn't
being discontinued? I could only hope...it works good
for me. I've been on it for 7 1/2 yrs. My Pharmacist
only had 1 bottle left(granted it's a small Pharmacy).
He said he has trouble getting a hold of it. I am going
to go to some more Drug stores and buy myself some
extra bottles. Not too many people use it anymore.
Supposedly Novolin(I think that's it)is it's equal. I'm sure
there would have to be doseage adjustment since it is
made by a different company.
It would be nice if the Lilly site was incorrect this once,
but it says that the Humulin L will no longer be made as
of July 4/04. Sorry, 'bout that. If you know of any other
sites that says it's not, please let me know.
www.lilly.co.uk . I think you click on Discontinuation of
Drugs (or something similar).
Best of Luck to ya at your Doc's appointment.
***Carlie***

[KickStart101]

Sorry Golden, I had missed the thread about Novolin
being discontinued.
As far as the Lily site(I forgot to say "click on Diabetes first",
then on Insulin Discontinuation). I know you knew that.
We call them Lente bottles not vials. I imagine they mean the
same thing.
***Carlie***

[archimeech]

Golden, I've talked to my doctors but they just shrug and say, "it must be neuropathy" Not much actual medical help down here in the South.

Mark, thanks for posting the quote, I've heard from a few others that this might be what it is. I've almost gotten my morning sugars all below 180, and I'm thinking this has a lot to do with it. Hopefully this is a sign of good progress and not the beginning of what I actually fear it to be.

[JasonJayhawk]

Can you try Lantus? It's non-peaking. I was dx'ed in March with Type 1 and feel "lucky" to have these new insulin analogs available ... with NPH and animal insulins, I would be living on the life of an insulin schedule. Novolog(or Humalog)/Lantus allow me to live my life! Even Novolin/Humalin would be good.

I can't believe Canadians are still unable to have access to Lantus yet. That seems really odd how slowly it is moving. I wonder what the political/health reasons are for it?

[sparkle9]

Arch,

I live in Georgia also. My doctor sent me to a neurologist when I was having pain and numbness in my arm. He did nerve conduction tests and it turned out to be carpal tunnel. I'm sure there are neurologists in Savannah who could do these tests on your feet. A warning...the tests involve needles and small electric shocks and are pretty painful.

Sparkle

[lgvincent]

Yes, I hate the testing that is done. The first time it was done to me at UAB, it was done by some Chinese guys. I remember thinking they must have been trained to torture Americans during the Viet Nam war. By the time they were finished, I was willing to confess to just about anything they wanted me to.