Diabetic neuropathy - boo hiss!!

[DarrenAu]

Hello all,
Well a few months ago I switched to a LCHF diet and combined with regular exercise, by BG's came down to almost within a healthy range. That was great!

But then I started getting aching legs, pins and needles down the side of my leg and some numbness. My shins in particular became quite sore and raw feeling, needing to be scratched.

I have read that a rapid drop of BG levels can cause diabetic neuropathy to worsen and this really feels like it's been the case.

Has anybody else had a similar experience - and where did you go from here?

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

There is a helpful thread about neuropathy here. The guy called Omnipod has some very good advice

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/help-in-dealing-with-neuropathy.74653/

 

[Brunneria]

Hello all,
Well a few months ago I switched to a LCHF diet and combined with regular exercise, by BG's came down to almost within a healthy range. That was great!

But then I started getting aching legs, pins and needles down the side of my leg and some numbness. My shins in particular became quite sore and raw feeling, needing to be scratched.

I have read that a rapid drop of BG levels can cause diabetic neuropathy to worsen and this really feels like it's been the case.

Has anybody else had a similar experience - and where did you go from here?

You may also want to have a look at Dr Bernstein's book, The Diabetes Solution
He is a type 1 diabetic who experienced a lot of complications including eyes, kidneys and feet in his 40s.
He created a regime, and runs a clinic, teaching T1s and T2s how to control their blood glucose at a level that allows recovery from complications. He is now in his 80s, with no complications except for a his feet - the damage was permanent there.

 

[AndBreathe]

Hello all,
Well a few months ago I switched to a LCHF diet and combined with regular exercise, by BG's came down to almost within a healthy range. That was great!

But then I started getting aching legs, pins and needles down the side of my leg and some numbness. My shins in particular became quite sore and raw feeling, needing to be scratched.

I have read that a rapid drop of BG levels can cause diabetic neuropathy to worsen and this really feels like it's been the case.

Has anybody else had a similar experience - and where did you go from here?

Your profile is pretty blanks, so excuse my asking; Do you take any meds, Darren? Some meds can cite sore legs as a side-effect and another I can think of has an itching legs.

Have you actually been diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, or are you concluding that from your reading?

 

[DarrenAu]

Your profile is pretty blanks, so excuse my asking; Do you take any meds, Darren? Some meds can cite sore legs as a side-effect and another I can think of has an itching legs.

Have you actually been diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, or are you concluding that from your reading?

Hi and thanks for the reply. Yes I'm on Kombiglyze XR 2.5 / 1000 (Saxagliptin / Metformin) and Ardix Gliclazide 60mg. My readings have recently come down from 12-14 to 7-9mmol fasting as a result of diet change and exercise. The leg problems seemed to have started at the point my readings came down. I did read that this can happen, when the change is quite sudden.

 

[DarrenAu]

Your profile is pretty blanks, so excuse my asking; Do you take any meds, Darren? Some meds can cite sore legs as a side-effect and another I can think of has an itching legs.

Have you actually been diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, or are you concluding that from your reading?

Could you point me to where I can add my personal info, readings etc (as you have them) under each post? I can't see where to do that!

 

[Indy51]

If you hover over your avatar picture at the top right of the screen, you should get a list of options - your details can be entered under "Signature".

 

[AndBreathe]

Hi and thanks for the reply. Yes I'm on Kombiglyze XR 2.5 / 1000 (Saxagliptin / Metformin) and Ardix Gliclazide 60mg. My readings have recently come down from 12-14 to 7-9mmol fasting as a result of diet change and exercise. The leg problems seemed to have started at the point my readings came down. I did read that this can happen, when the change is quite sudden.

Darren - Some people taking Metformin have experienced rashes, dry skin and discomfort /itching when taking it. Statins can lead to leg pain too, but you don't mention those.

It would make sense to consult a professional about your legs, so that if it does transpire to be neuropathy it can be monitored properly. On the upside though, a number of people already suffering neuropathy at the time of diagnosis have seen improvement (and sometimes a disappearance) of the symptoms when their bllods settled into a good place.

I see Indy has answered your other question, so I won't repeat her correct information.

God luck with it all.

 

[Pinkorchid]

Hello all,
Well a few months ago I switched to a LCHF diet and combined with regular exercise, by BG's came down to almost within a healthy range. That was great!

But then I started getting aching legs, pins and needles down the side of my leg and some numbness. My shins in particular became quite sore and raw feeling, needing to be scratched.

I have read that a rapid drop of BG levels can cause diabetic neuropathy to worsen and this really feels like it's been the case.

Has anybody else had a similar experience - and where did you go from here?

It is said when starting LCHF to go slowly cutting out things a bit at a time not everything all at once to much to soon can be a shock to the system. That may be causing what you say but I think you should see your doctor about it to know for sure

 

[DarrenAu]

It is said when starting LCHF to go slowly cutting out things a bit at a time not everything all at once to much to soon can be a shock to the system. That may be causing what you say but I think you should see your doctor about it to know for sure

Yes that's exactly how it feels, as it's very suddenly affecting me and it's hard to not feel like it's quite catastrophic! But of course, seeing my specialist is the next step. Just wanted to see if it was something that people on here may have experienced.

 

[Seeker2016]

Darren, I can empathise. I have had bad numbness and pins and needles in my feet and arms since going on insulin and was diagnosed in May. It got much worse as my bgs came down from@ 29 to single digits. Is it worse at night?

 

[DarrenAu]

I also feel that the walking I've been doing may have brought on this numbness and itching in my legs, as it coincided with me starting an exercise program, consisting mainly of walking about 5 times a week.

The walking though seems to help ease the pain and itchiness on the front of my shins, but not usually the numbness down the side of my leg and side of the backside.

Feels like I've suddenly put my legs under a lot of pressure and having been in bad condition before I started, it's no wonder they are struggling! The catch 22 being that without this exercise I will never lose weight, get off medication and improve my situation. It's not meant to be easy though is it

 

[DarrenAu]

Darren, I can empathise. I have had bad numbness and pins and needles in my feet and arms since going on insulin and was diagnosed in May. It got much worse as my bgs came down from@ 29 to single digits. Is it worse at night?

Hey there - no not really worse at night and not troubling me when sleeping. the only difference between night and day is that I'm walking around more during the day, which seems to help, although maybe I'm just not focusing on it so much. You say you have experienced this when your BG's came down (well done btw!). Did you seek medical advice about it occuring?

 

[Seeker2016]

I did, mine is much worse at night. I was told it was neuropathy, and given gaboprentin,which is for nerve pain and sleeping pills. The itchiness maybe dry skin as a side effect of diabetes. I know what you mean though,its a vicious cycle, legs hurt, cant walk,then no exercise etc.

 

[DarrenAu]

I did, mine is much worse at night. I was told it was neuropathy, and given gaboprentin,which is for nerve pain and sleeping pills. The itchiness maybe dry skin as a side effect of diabetes. I know what you mean though,its a vicious cycle, legs hurt, cant walk,then no exercise etc.

I'm trying to push that that discomfort barrier, as the exercise is getting my weight down and also helping keep my levels down and steady. I guess it's a small price to pay thinking of the long term.

 

[Living-by-the-beach]

I'm trying to push that that discomfort barrier, as the exercise is getting my weight down and also helping keep my levels down and steady. I guess it's a small price to pay thinking of the long term.

May I suggest that you have a watch at this film www.fixingdad.com Geoff's a great inspiration for getting on a bike..