Diabetic Neuropathy, Legs giving way randomly

[dynamitedj]

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone can help me.

I'm a type 1 diabetic, Insulin dependent and currently taking meds for what the docs and specialists are saying is Diabetic Neuropathy, over the last few weeks i am finding that my legs are worsening and i'm experiencing more falls, i've just had to be helped up from the bottom of the stairs by my partner after yet another fall however this time my knee completely went, now i cannot bend the knee and have a lump to the right side of the right knee which i'm guessing is off the fall, however after sitting down back in my chair i am experiencing randomly occurring spasms in my right thigh and it is extremely tender to touch,

I have for a while suffered with cramps in my Thigh and Calf on both sides of my legs however its usually worse in the left leg than the right but these last few days my right leg is becoming more frequent and my falls are occuring a lot more often, I've had mobility aids fitted around my premises to help with the stairs and using the bathroom and have a bottle (which i don't like to use) however i was wondering if anyone had any further information as to this or could shed some light as to the progression of this disorder. I'm a 30 year old male and currently taking Etoricoxib, Tramadol Hydrochloride, Gabapentin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Oral Morphine as well as my insulin (high levels due to resistance) levothyroxine, simvastatin and a nasal spray for migraines (sumatriptin i think)

Thanks in advance for your help with this and i'm hoping someone can shed some light as its getting worse and the doctors and specialists just keep saying its the neuropathy and we cannot do anything else.

Dan

 

[ConradJ]

Hi Dynamitedj,

It's way out of my experience, but I found this US Dept of Health website very good with its descriptions of the different types of neuropathy and treatments. I haven't had time to read beyond the first page, but there may be something that can help you pin-point the issues and discuss with your specialists: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/

Best wishes,
Conrad

Ps are you taking Evening Primrose Oil? I once read that it can help to with neuropathy and have been taking a dose ever since,

 

[Flowerpot]

Hi dynamitedj

As a different consideration apart from neuropathy has your Doctor ruled out peripheral arterial disease(PAD) or intermittent claudication. I know diabetes greatly increases the risk of PAD which causes a narrowing in the main femoral artery of the leg. Blood flow gets restricted so you suffer from a lot of thigh and calf cramps as there is not enough blood flow to the muscles on walking. It might explain the cramps and weakness you are suffering from and may be worth asking about.