Anyone have neuropathy in their fingers/hands?

Yeah, I have it in my hands and feet. It is an absolute nightmare x

It started off as pins and needles then gradually turned to numbness and now they are numb half the time but constantly freezing cold.

I have been diabetic 25yrs (Was VERY badly controlled) and I am only 28.

I recently had really bad wrist/hand pain only diagnosed 4mths ago with type2, I also take Naproxen for arthritis but Doc said it could be Neuropathy I don't have numbness or tingling just pain he sent me for an x'ray to see if it was arthritis but it came back with only slight inflamation not enough to indicate the arthritis so he is treating me for neuropathy.

Longtimer30 said:

I've had swollen index finger for nearly a year am on naproxen they thought was arthritis but blood tests showed it's not, since had x ray and nothing abnormal. Went for healthy heart check and the nurse said may be worth talking to consultat when I go clinic ad could be I have neuropathy. Never knew you could get it anywhere other than feet. Shows how niave I've been.
Said nothing they could do but at least I would know X

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There are two medications your GP can prescribe for you, pregabalin or/and duloexitine. Both these medications have uses not primarily connected with neuropathic pain but they do work to reduce it and effectively as well.It is usually the feet and fingers which begin with the pain and then it can radiate everywhere. I speak from experience having been given pregabalin for five years and the other for one year.

I was told that neuropathy would most likely occur first in the extremities which I took to mean hands and/or feet. Initially my little fingers went numb along the outside edge (so to speak). Feet felt like birds claws for a time but what with low carbing etc. both have improved dramatically.

Longtimer30 said:

Keep seeing things about low carb diet. On insulin pump can we do this

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I don't know. It could be tricky and give you hypos since you would presumably use less insulin. I don't wish you to try something without knowing what you are doing so I am being no help at all.

You could read this

http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

but make absolutely certain that you read the note to diabetics.

Longtimer30 said:

just others things I could talk at clinic about

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The low carb message has not got to all clinics yet. You may end up in a row since the old NHS advice is to eat starchy carbs with every meal and they really don't like to hear they might have been getting it wrong.

I used to have really bad morning neuropathy in my feet. When getting out of bed and standing on my feet for the first time it was like standing on shards of red hot glass !

Amitriptyline has been amazing for my feet but the neuropathy in my fingers is constant. Tingling pins and needles and the little finger on my right hand goes entirely numb every now and then.

Longtimer30 said:

Never heard of them I will have a look, Thanks

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Pregabalin is an Epilepsy Drug,

Duloxetine is an Antidepressant.

My peripheral Neuropathy got really bad, and I then developed Autonomic Neuropathy,

Look After your self, you really don't want what has happened to me !

I have neuropathy in both feet and hands. My finger tips are now completely numb all the time. I have garbapentin for the neuropathy. I have also arthritis in most joints.

Hi There

It was Neuropathy in my hands and feet that first sent me to the Docs almost twelve months ago.

My feet felt as though I had been playing in the snow too long, cold and numb, and I got to the stage I couldn't fasten my shirt as I couldn't feel the buttons properly.

Diagnosed diabetic, probably type 2 but feared late onset type 1.

I was told there was nothing that could be done about the neuropathy except pain killers but that controlling my BS levels should prevent it getting worse.

Fortunately, the Low carb/ high fat regime seems to be working for me - I have a meter and went through the testing procedures described on this site until I got a good idea what i can eat and what I should avoid - I had a few shocks along the way, main one being how bad my morning orange juice was!

As well as the problems in my hands and feet I have had an increasingly bad right knee for years, but recently got to the stage where it was limiting what I could do. This was attributed to mild arthritis but my Doc was a little surprised it was causing me so much trouble and I have had three steroid injections into it.

Elsewhere on this forum I came across a thread dealing with neuropathy which advocated Alpha Lypoic acid and vitamin B12 supplements as helping, provided blood sugar levels are maintained below 7.8.

About two weeks ago I spent the £15 or so on these supplements and I really do believe they are helping both with the neuropathy and my knee.

Its early days yet but I feel some encouragement and I hope others do so too.

I

@Longtimer30

I am in a very advanced state of deterioration due to Complications of Diabetes, Including both Peripheral and Autonomic Neuropathy fromwhich I am Dying,

Yes, I have the Neuropathy Pains in both feet and hands, this pain has advanced up both limbs, my legs now sufeer excruciating pain from toe to hips, add in the arthritis, and life becomes unbearable,

When it then started in my hands and progressed up the arms, again combining with the arthritis, and making my hands so bad I could barely use them, typing this post, with one finger taking more than 2 hours on a bad day, then if legs are bad I can't sit, hence as now, I am laying on my bed to type this, hence taking even longer,

The effects on quality of life are devastating,

It is Imperative you take all the Professional Advice, xo your Research, and do the best you can to keep your Diabetes well controlled, Please do not leave thing's too long, or think it won't happen to you, it doe's and it Kill's ! so please don't end up like me,

Diabetes is Livable and Beatable, it doesn't have to be bad, not if you stick to simple rules, eat healthy, and exercise a little, you can live to be a very very old man, so don't break your families heart, Live Long and Healthy

Best Regards