Help in dealing with neuropathy

Trishanne

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I just been through this and have done tons of research.
Neuropathy starts when your BS post prandial goes higher than 7.7.
My neuropathy was so bad that I could not wear shoes and I could not sleep. The dr's put me on Amytriptiline but then I could not wake up in the mornings. It left me too drowsy that I could not function 100%

I went back to the dr who sent me to a neurologist and podiatrist. They then prescribed Gabapentin. I went to collect the pills and when I got home, i started reading the leaflet. There was no way I would take take these pills. I googled them and read many reviews. I did not want to feel like my brain is numb, halucinate or appear slow.

I then was advised to read 'The antioxidant Miracle' by Lester Packer. I bought the kindle version and started reading. I read the book cover to cover in a single day and was so inspired by the stories and research that I was reading.
I went to Holland and Barret and bought Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, D and E. Tripple Omega and Co Enzyme Q10.

I started low carbing and keeping my bloods as low as possible. I did everything to avoid a post prandial spike. Within 1 week, my neuropathy pain was gone.

I now find that if I have a bout of high blood sugar, even if it goes up to 12 after a meal, the tingling and burning comes back. The other day I had a blood sugar or 26 and the pain returned even worse.

The ONLY way to treat neuropathy is to keep you BS under 7.7 and to take alpha lipoic and vitamin B12.

In Germany all diabetic patients with neuropathy are prescribed alpha lipoic and Vit B12.

I have also been reading stories about men in particular with neuropathy. Most of them have a degree of erectile dysfunction. Some of these men started taking viagra / cialis which improved the flow of blood into the microvascular veins which inturn also seemed to improve neuropathy.

Neuropathy is a serious condition and will only get worse if you just take stuff like gabapentin and do not deal with the cause. You really have to stay below 7.7 at all times.

Hope that helps.
 

Trishanne

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I found the transcript very interesting, a lot of emphasis on prediabetes and neuropathy, I suspect this is exactly what has happened with me, metabolic syndrome for a number of years

Hi there, I am not a diabetic, but I do have a very bad neuropathy in my left leg/hip area that I've had for 6 months. I worked in hospitals with some of the top medical specialists for 47 years. Now, when I need help it is hard to come by. Rather than go into that, I wanted to share my experience with Gabapentin GaP (neurontin). I was desperate, so went for it. I'd steered away from any analgesic meds, Tylenol (acetaminophin) because of the long=term effects effects on the renal system. I am up0 to 7 GaP caps x3 daily which last me aboiut 5 hours, If I am lucky, but still need ES Tylenol for breakthrough pain. Now I got interested in antioxidants as a way of reokenishing my muscles and cartilage. There is a company on the west coast in BC who make pure Astixanthin, named Regenurex antioxidant. i woke up one morning and felt a stabbing pain between my buttucks and leg. Tried MAT muscle activatiion, which served me well, got my skeleton balanced. Sadly, I started working out too soon and back I went! Had acupuncture - which I recommend for many maladies, then chiropractic. Been to a pain clinic and had epidural steroid injection on April 5. I an closer to relieving this (at times) excruciating pan. I spend each and every day lying on my right side to do everything.......which is not much at all. The pain has robbed me of my life and I had big plans for this year, 3 moniths of it is almost gone. I will followup on the regenurex
 

Winnie53

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@Trishanne that's a lot of pain. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Do you know what is causing the pain? For those with diabetes, neuropathy often can be reversed once the cause is determined and addressed. It can be caused by a mix of high glucose levels and nutrient deficiencies, but there are many other causes too.
 
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ickihun

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Interesting about sweating or none sweating feet. Sweaty feet as a teenager but one cold foot but no longer any numb baby toes.
Low bgs are helping me with a lot. Cold feet or hands are a side affect to some meds.
Numb toe and side under my right foot has kicked off. Tingling a lot in bed. Both feet.
I have an appointment with podaritist in a few weeks. Bgs are low 8s before bed as basal lowers bg to 6s on waking so no hypo or somogyi effect through the night. I could get a tiny bit better on those figures but avoiding hypos in sleep too.
Haven't bought more r-ala as I've needed the money for clothes for us 4. Winter coats more important, at mo.
Luckily I'm on tramadol with very little side effects already. Phew,
 

ickihun

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@Trishanne that's a lot of pain. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Do you know what is causing the pain? For those with diabetes, neuropathy often can be reversed once the cause is determined and addressed. It can be caused by a mix of high glucose levels and nutrient deficiencies, but there are many other causes too.
Can you recommend me a good book about how to manage neuropathy due to high bgs, deficiencies etc.?
I'd like to educate myself more.
 

ickihun

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I have only just read this, Omnipod, and wish to ask ... Do you think this nerve damage reversal can apply to eye damage caused by diabetes? I was shocked to find nerve damage so soon into being diagnosed last year.
How are you getting on? Any improvement?
 

ickihun

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Hi there, I am not a diabetic, but I do have a very bad neuropathy in my left leg/hip area that I've had for 6 months. I worked in hospitals with some of the top medical specialists for 47 years. Now, when I need help it is hard to come by. Rather than go into that, I wanted to share my experience with Gabapentin GaP (neurontin). I was desperate, so went for it. I'd steered away from any analgesic meds, Tylenol (acetaminophin) because of the long=term effects effects on the renal system. I am up0 to 7 GaP caps x3 daily which last me aboiut 5 hours, If I am lucky, but still need ES Tylenol for breakthrough pain. Now I got interested in antioxidants as a way of reokenishing my muscles and cartilage. There is a company on the west coast in BC who make pure Astixanthin, named Regenurex antioxidant. i woke up one morning and felt a stabbing pain between my buttucks and leg. Tried MAT muscle activatiion, which served me well, got my skeleton balanced. Sadly, I started working out too soon and back I went! Had acupuncture - which I recommend for many maladies, then chiropractic. Been to a pain clinic and had epidural steroid injection on April 5. I an closer to relieving this (at times) excruciating pan. I spend each and every day lying on my right side to do everything.......which is not much at all. The pain has robbed me of my life and I had big plans for this year, 3 moniths of it is almost gone. I will followup on the regenurex
Any improvement?
 

Guzzler

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@Trishanne

Your situation almost mirrors mine. I have cordal epidural + Gabapentin for severe sacral sciatica. Without the injections the breakthrough pain is bad but without Gabapentin I find that the pain is unbearable. I describe it as how it must feel to be tasered. N.B I have never been tased!
I am about to start a pain management course but have no high hopes of it doing any good. Like you, I have days, sometimes weeks of being bedbound and it is at these times I feel almost as though my pain has me trapped, holding me hostage to medication with no hope of ever leading a normal life.
As you know, one can only have one round of injections in a six month period, I get about three ish months of good pain control but I have noticed that the first inklings that the injection is wearing off and my mood plummets, it takes all my will power to stay positive at times.
I hope that you see some improvements soon so that you can return to some semblance of normality. Best wishes.
 

MuntiJay

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I cure my neuropathy with acupuncture. I have read that it stimulates blood flow to restore nerve damage. I turn to Eden Physio physiotherapist. Also I limited my alcohol intake and started to attend gym.
 
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ickihun

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I cure my neuropathy with acupuncture. I have read that it stimulates blood flow to restore nerve damage. I turn to Eden Physio physiotherapist. Also I limited my alcohol intake and started to attend gym.
Surely that's because caused by a trapped nerve and not nerve damage, surely?
 

MuntiJay

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Surely that's because caused by a trapped nerve and not nerve damage, surely?
my doctor said that it cause of a trapped nerve but such therapy is not for everyone, some people have progress and other have no effect
 

ickihun

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Baby toe is bright red, hot compared to foot and feeling alien to me today. It started yesterday but still very weird. I know now diagnosed from my back not neuropathy.... but still as worrying.
How is @ally1 today and any improvement in your numbness hun?
 

ally1

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Baby toe is bright red, hot compared to foot and feeling alien to me today. It started yesterday but still very weird. I know now diagnosed from my back not neuropathy.... but still as worrying.
How is @ally1 today and any improvement in your numbness hun?
Thank you for asking. My numbness is no better and no worse x
 

Firefly1

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Just about to hit the 3 months stage since diagnoses and my feet are painful on and off , the thing is my sugars according to the Verio have been good and lost a couple of stone, only one and a half more and I'm a normal weight .
Some say the foot pain is the nerve ends healing as its early days , I just don't know?
I have spoken to two doctors and they don't seem that worried but it's still very uncomfortable .
It's been suggested I take cod liver oil tablets , any thoughts please.
Did this ever go away for you?