Hi Jon,
Your autonomic nervous system is responsible for many passive processes such as digestion and heart rate. High blood sugars over time can cause the neuropathy of these nerves that control these processes and lead to all kinds of unpleasant symptoms.
I haven't been diagnosed but I feel as if I have mild autonomic neuropathy, I have Episodes of palpitations, shakes, whole body weakness, raised blood pressure, chronic acidic burping and diarrhea, particularly at night. I believe this is related to the malfunctioning of my autonomic nervous system.
Diabetics take longer to heal in general because the high sugars interfere with the healing process. The only way to halt progression or reverse the complications is to control blood sugars and ideally get them into the normal range approx 4.9-6 mmol/l consistently which is easier said than done!
I believe the autonomic nervous system plays a major role in the healing process as well. Numerous neuropeptides that are secreted by the sensory and autonomic nerve fibres play an essential part during the distinct phases of wound healing. I'd say autonomic failure would slow this process down.
I hope you're getting on well, really sorry to hear about your situation.