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Neuropathy pain and stress

conniecar

Well-Known Member
Messages
299
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
What I’ve found.....

This week has been a tough one ( don’t like to say stressful as I’ve always liked to think I was a coper - I stress the word ‘liked.’ ) But, I had a new job role chucked at me with no warning, training, not much help or anything. As we all know that often means unpredictability, something us diabetics with routines don’t always like. I’ve lost sleep and eaten badly. By Wednesday I can’t describe how bad the neuropathy was. I take Alpha Lipoic Acid 600mg as I’ve been diabetic for 43 years, and get sore feet if I walk any distance. This was on another scale - up my arms, tingling and stabbing pain in my feet legs, thighs, couldn’t tolerate a bath, painful hands, it was even in my shoulders and face? I Googled shingles at first as I felt rubbish and extremely upset. All these years and yes I’d damaged myself - all my own doing blah blah. But as the week got better at work so did the pain? I’d taken co-codamol to sleep through it but now it’s all but gone? I made an appointment to see a lovely acupuncture doctor I see for spondylitis in my neck, and I asked about neuropathy pain. He said ‘let’s see what’s really causing it?’ ( He’s dead clever). I’ll keep the appointment even though I’m nearly 100% now but does anyone else have this? I’ll have to learn to deal with anxiety better if it is the case. Anyone any tips? I’ve put my foot down at work and said I’m not missing lunch breaks - hate using this as an excuse but sometimes you have to realise you’ve got to organise your life to the finest detail to stay in employment, for people who aren’t always that knowledgeable it’s hard for them to understand.
 
Firstly, I wish you well.
Secondly, are you totally sure that it's diabetic neuropathy.?
How's your blood pressure etc?
 
Hi both. Yes it’s been diagnosed as neuropathy - blood pressure is fine and I’ve been taking R-ALA.
 
Hi both. Yes it’s been diagnosed as neuropathy - blood pressure is fine and I’ve been taking R-ALA.
And cholesterol?
The reason for asking is that I assumed that my pains etc were due entirely to DBN.
It seems that this isn't the case.
Have you, forgive me..I'm sure you have.. tried the Ipswich toe touch test?
 
I had a nerve conduction test and balance test with a neurologist. The diabetic foot man said they were ok but two of my toes are slightly numb. I’m ok walking until it’s a hard surface then I struggle after 10 minutes. I have to be careful what I wear on my feet. The GP said after 43 years of being type 1 it’s highly likely I’ve some damage. My feet feel more pain ( like if I stub my toe ) than numbness but I get cramp very quickly after walking.
 
But I’m looking at Ipswich now sorry my post looked a bit abrupt, I was just listing that’s all x
 
Ipswich test - had it and it came back with a slight numbing sensation in my left foot. My original post was about a sudden increase in pain, that’s subsided . Worse at night, couldn’t bear bedclothes on etc.
 
Ipswich test - had it and it came back with a slight numbing sensation in my left foot. My original post was about a sudden increase in pain, that’s subsided . Worse at night, couldn’t bear bedclothes on etc.

Yep..and they are interconnected.
On reading through the posts higher up, you've certainly been through the mill...again I wish you well.
Though, like me for another reason, you've had the conduction tests and they were ok.
I'm not sure if you've tried the Revitive , I've found it to be incredibly soothing.
Getting cramp after walking sounds like a symptom of PAD...again all these ruddy aches and horrible pains go hand in glove.
 
Thanks for your support. Having all of these chronics going on is a bloody pain isn’t it? I’m epileptic, have an under active thyroid, don’t absorb vitamin D and oh, am a clumsy Saggitarean! Im glad of this site as we are the experts very often. Take care! X
 
Sorry to read about your recent problems.
What were your BG readings over this time.
I do not know about neuropathy but I know stress (or “tough weeks”) can increase BG.
When this happens to me I increase my basal to try to keep my BG down. This is relatively easy for me as I use a pump but I used to do it a little when I was injecting too. My DSN told me changes to basal could take a few days to “bed in” but I found it beneficial to tweak it depending on stress and/or exercise.
 
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