Diabetic Neuropathy

[KMPMBA]

Can neuropathy progress despite good BG control and normal HbA1c?

 

[Antje77]

Do you mean nephropathy (title) or neuropathy (question)?
I don't know the answer to either, but it might be helpful for others.
Good luck!

 

[KMPMBA]

Do you mean nephropathy (title) or neuropathy (question)?
I don't know the answer to either, but it might be helpful for others.
Good luck!

**** autocorrect targetting my kidneys instead of my feet. It was meant to be neuropathy.

 

[Member496333]

The pain can certainly worsen. I had extreme, unpredictable agony as my glucose control improved. Like someone twisting a dagger into the soles of feet. Random excruciating cramps, throbbing and burning. Really very depressing and quite life changing. This became steadily worse as my control improved - the subsiding numbness leaving behind the realisation that the nerves in my feet were half-destroyed.

I’d read that neuropathy is irreversible and can only be treated with painkillers, but I wasn’t having any of it! A year later, after living primal-keto religiously, my feet are fully healed and feel absolutely amazing. So to those that say neuropathy is incurable - NUTS!



Honestly, reading that back to myself, knowing that I beat it, makes me well-up. That’s how bad it was

 

[KMPMBA]

I only have some numbness, it started with numbness in the V between the big toe and 2nd but now fingers 2-3 feel slightly numb and some area above the V. My HbA1c improvement has reduced the intermittent mild burning in the feet. I have never had any pain, just numbness that worries me, just wondering if it is neuropathy or some other underlying cause as my BG remains at normal levels at all times for the last 6 months.

 

[Cumberland]

I’ve struggled with it for almost a year

 

[Mr_Pot]

Can neuropathy progress despite good BG control and normal HbA1c?

I can't see how it can progress if you have normal blood glucose levels or it would affect non diabetics. Some people report increased pain in their feet when they have reduced their HbA1c but this could be the result of numbness disappearing and feeling returning. In my case the tingling and pins and needles have gone since I reduced my BG but it took about 18 months to go completely.

 

[KMPMBA]

@Mr_Pot that's exactly what logic would dictate

 

[NicoleC1971]

I can't see how it can progress if you have normal blood glucose levels or it would affect non diabetics. Some people report increased pain in their feet when they have reduced their HbA1c but this could be the result of numbness disappearing and feeling returning. In my case the tingling and pins and needles have gone since I reduced my BG but it took about 18 months to go completely.

That is logical but it might depend on how you reduced those BGs e.g. if you take a med that takes the glucose out of your blood e.g. insulin or sulphonyureas then Dr Jason Fung contends that that glucose is merely being secreted around your micro and macro vessels.
If you are living la vida low carb then the glucose isn't spiking with the excess causing the nerve damage etc....I assume that is what is meant when people talk of getting normal bgs on this forum anyway!

 

[Mr_Pot]

That is logical but it might depend on how you reduced those BGs e.g. if you take a med that takes the glucose out of your blood e.g. insulin or sulphonyureas then Dr Jason Fung contends that that glucose is merely being secreted around your micro and macro vessels.
If you are living la vida low carb then the glucose isn't spiking with the excess causing the nerve damage etc....I assume that is what is meant when people talk of getting normal bgs on this forum anyway!

Good point. However the OP is using diet only, so he should ok.

 

[KMPMBA]

I am on diet + 1x500mg metformin. Majorly HbA1c and PPG improvement was noticed with weight loss 23lbs in 4 months.

 

[brassyblonde900]

I only have some numbness, it started with numbness in the V between the big toe and 2nd but now fingers 2-3 feel slightly numb and some area above the V. My HbA1c improvement has reduced the intermittent mild burning in the feet. I have never had any pain, just numbness that worries me, just wondering if it is neuropathy or some other underlying cause as my BG remains at normal levels at all times for the last 6 months.

I don't know if you have already answered this, but when you say normal what values are you talking about.

 

[KMPMBA]

I don't know if you have already answered this, but when you say normal what values are you talking about.

36.5 / 5.5% consistent for last 6 months

 

[brassyblonde900]

36.5 / 5.5% consistent for last 6 months

Have you sought medical attention for it?
I ask because I am one of those people, who blame this diagnosis for everything.
Were a meteorite to fall from the sky and hit me on a bright sunny afternoon, I will blame it on my having T2DM.
KWIM.

 

[Antechinus]

Can neuropathy progress despite good BG control and normal HbA1c?

Yes, it can. Peripheral neuropathy occurs in non diabetic people and sometimes there is no cause identified for it. Always worth having it check out by GP/specialist if you have symptoms of neuropathy as it can be a sign of some other hidden medical problem.

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @KMPMBA, I agree with @Antechinus, there are a number of causes of neuropathy and diabetes is just one of them.
see www.mayoclinic.org - Peripheral neuropathy.