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Autonomic neuropathy?

seaspray1998 said:
If your gp is correct, then your condition is a very serious one, I'm sorry to say.

You need to get various tests done, nerve conduction test, qsart test, mri scan, ct scan, skin punch test, an endocrinologist only deals with metobolic imbalances, NOT the neurological complications from diabetes
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Seaspray I appreciate the problems you have with your condition, but your post is somewhat alarming. The OPs GP has suggested they may have autonomic neuropath , doesn't mean that they do. Neither does it mean they're extremely advanced either, or I feel they'd have explained a bit more about them.

Thousands of diabetics develop neuropathy of some sort but are walking around totally unaware of it until symptoms develop to a more advanced stage. There are various stages in any condition and the full monty of extensive tests is usually reserved for when symptoms warrant it, not as routine checks. The GP and consultant will take cognisance of all of this when deciding what needs done. Incidentally I have AN which affects various body systems and has an effect on my life quality etc so have some awareness of its effects.

Glad the OP has now seen some a consultant and is in process of being investigated.
 
Erm are you aware of all the symptoms she's experiencing? She hasnt got a cold!

And it ws only her dn who suggested getting her gp to be referred to see an endocrynlogist!

Not what she should be seeing which is a neurologist experienced in at least peripheral neuropathy

The ignorance amoungst both gp's and even neurologists is actually shocking, including even of what tests should be done

And by
 
And to have any neurological condition correctly diagnosed, she needs to have the appropriate tests to prove, or even disprove it.

That's the point!
 
And yr assertion of "thousands walk around with neuropathic symptoms but are unaware - kinda illustrates my point regarding the ignorance amoungst a great deal of the medical profession - and therefore in turn their patients, means that certain causes of such as vitamin B12, will mean that they will not be treated early enough to prevent permanent nerve damage.

And it is in most cases it's a progressive disease - how quickly depends on each person and the causes of, even with 2 people having the same neurological disorder, symptoms can vary.
 
One should never fully pay such reverence to someone, just because they are a doctor, they do not know it all and they are not gods!

To quote the American Neuropathy assoc "One should always be ones own advocate"

And that should be whether in terms of any form of neuropathy, or otherwise.
 
Seaspray, does having AN also give you literary diarrhoea? Please give it a rest as you are obviously scarring the hell out of the OP and countless other members. OP and her medical team have taken action to sort out her problems. Obviously as you are in such a state your team didn't and that's where you need to concentrate your energies :)
 
I agree with Adele, that your post was alarmist.
I think that an endo/diabetologist is exactly the right port of call. They are experts in diabetes and it's complications. .Autonomic neuropathy is common, the seriousness depends on degree.
Many people with T1 have some evidence of it (altered sweating patterns is one of the earliest, and has been found in children within months of diagnosis, pupil adjustment to light is another common one ) I put those 2 because I know I have them and had them at diagnosis.
As Adele says this doesn't necessarily give rise to a battery of tests because the very fact of having the symptoms plus having diabetes can lead to a diagnosis and advice on symptom management (so someone with ED may be given appropriate help, someone with dry skin advice on keeping cracks at bay and people with excessive sweating medicine to help control it. People with digestive problems may need advice on how to manage that with diet or medications. With good glucose control the problems may not worsen and may sometimes improve.

The endo is well placed to direct someone to the correct specialist or order appropriate test when necessary . In this case they have done this, a gut specialist, plus thyroid checks and indeed checks for peripheral neuropathy. They act as a sort of conductor/gatekeeper and that's important with something like diabetes which can affect so many parts . You need someone who looks after the diabetes as a whole.
 
Thanks guys. I also assumed the consultant was the best place to start. At the moment my symptoms are erratic and mild, he has requested a referral and is doing lots of other checks. I've got to see him again in six weeks, dsn moved to three months instead of six. That's quite thorough I think. :)
Although I could do without the 24 hour urine test! Lol x
 
Not much fun, I had to do one of those in hospital when diagnosed. I was urinating 'gallons' with high glucose levels. Just try explaining in very bad French that you need a new container because you've already filled up the first.
 
Yep I seem to be wee'ing more today, most annoying. And I have a splitting headache but it says not to take any extra tablets do I'm drinking more water to stay hydrated which means I'm wee'ing more! Lol x
 
DonnaC-T said:
Consultant was very thorough, lots if questions. He wants me to see a gut specialist first as the symptoms aren't consistant, rule out other things, he said a slight possibility of gastoparesis but only a possibility.
He's checking my thyroids again, 24 hour urine. He's also going to do checks for peripheral neuropathy just to be on the safe side.
I've got to see him in six weeks, dsn in three months.
On the plus side, my hba1c over the last 10 yrs hasn't been as bad as I thought. The highest was 9, in 2006, mostly 6's though.
Thanks again x
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You symptoms sound very much like mine , I have been diagnosed with gastroparesis as I was suffering with ' lumps in my stomach' and also had severe vomiting, the meds didn't help with the transit of food but I now follow a diet that is soft, meat products I avoid as well as raw veg as it they take a long time to digest, for me the gastroparesis was diagnosed by eating a meal of egg white omelette and piece of toast with jam ( prepared by hospital) and x rays every half hour for six hours , the x rays show how much and where the food has travelled,
 
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