Diffuse Neuropathy

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that mild neuropathy symptoms can be reversed or contained by controlling Bg levels but the more severe the neuropathy and the more damage there is makes reversing it unlikely.

 

It is 'work in progress'...........

There is apparently a new class of drugs being studied that might offer a better option for people with neuropathy. Present medications treat the symptoms by relieving the pain and discomfort.

The research is ongoing into something called PKC Inhibitors. Apparently in one particular study it was stated that, "It not only slowed the progression, but it showed that you could actually get some reversal of the nerve damage." The study of one particular drug showed that there are both symptomatic and objective signs that nerve function improved in subjects.

So at the moment, nothing definite but maybe in a year or two things may be very different. There are also studies taking place using other types of therapy as well. If you Google PKC Inhibitors you should find more information.

It's a competitive area which understandably the various companies are keeping fairly tight to their chest.....this from 2009 regarding the market information.

http://www.reportbuyer.com/pharma_healt ... itors.html

At the moment it is still the case that of all the treatments available tight and stable glycemic control is probably the most important for slowing the progression of any type of neuropathy.........

 

3 years ago I was becoming crippled with neuropathy. Low carb cleared it completely.

 

What sort of level of high BGs causes Diabetic Proximal Neuropathy?

The reason I ask is because my Type 2 diabetes was caught very early, my BG was monitored 6-monthly over 6 years previously because my GP thought I was prime candidate! So the fasting 9, HbA1c of 6.5, April 2010, was the highest I've ever been.

I've always considered my muscle pain and weakness, which is similar to but not as severe as that described by IanD, to be caused by statins - Simvastatin, to be specific.

My symptoms include unable to get up onto stiles, sometimes even stairs without something to pull myself up with; coming down is stiff and painful too. I'm sometimes unable to get up from chairs that at another time I'll be okay with; I have pain in thigh muscles and an inability to balance properly, or to react quickly to a stumble. It's not in my ears, by the way! (balance). I can't walk any distance comfortably.

Some of it is weight; some of it is osteoarthritis; some of it could be due to a partly-torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Might it be worth me chasing up Proximal Neuropathy? I appreciate that no-one can diagnose, we can only compare symptoms, but any advice you feel you can give - I've lost nearly 2.5 stone now (still a long way to go), and my mobility and pain is no better.

Viv 8)

 

This sounds very much like the pain I have been in for a long time! I have been going to my dr's for 18 months to find out what the problem is. This has never been suggested to me, are there any tests for this at all. If anybody has this what painkillers are you taking?

 

I take Volsaid Retard 75mg (mcg?) once a day, though I am allowed them twice a day if I need them. I've been on NSAIDs of one sort or another for so long that I'm trying desperately to get off them, but I can't quite manage it. If I know I'm going to be on my feet all day - on site maybe, or severe gardening :lol: , I'll take 2 for a couple of days before. They don't completely remove the pain and stiffness, but if I don't take any for a couple of days I soon know about it!

Volsaid are prescription only. Please discuss pain relief with your HCP - it can be very dangerous to take over-the-counter painkillers for a long time without supervision.

Since I stopped taking the Simvastatin I have noticed some improvement - though every now and again I seem to have a relapse!

Viv 8)

 

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/

This site gives an explanation of all neuropathies with diagrams showing the affected parts. It seems it can affect any part of the body.

 

Have you been running high blood glucose levels? As I notice in your profile you say you are diet only.

The reason I ask is that the symptoms you posted above match the symptoms I have had for three or four years before I had diabetes and in my case are caused by degenerative arthritis of the lower back (spondilitis) and have nothing to do with diabetes so if you do not have high blood glucose levels then it may be a good idea to see your GP as not everything is diabetes related

 

Another vote here for seeing your GP as Sid Bonkers suggested.
In addition to my Type 2 I have a back problem with spinal and exit canal stenosis that predated by 6 years my type 2 onset. The diabetes was probably accelerated by the obesity that resulted from lack of mobility. There is no doubt that the neuropathy that I suffer is partly caused by the back problem and partly by the diabetes but it is very difficult to separate out the effects.
Here is a run down of the effects I experience to use as a check list:

Pain in the ends of the toes like chilblain (even the numb ones).

Hypersensitivity alternating with numbness in the soles of my feet.

Varying mild to severe sciatic pain from my lower back down both legs (feels like a huge diffuse toothache)

Pins and needles in legs, feet, and parts of the hands. Actually the pregabalin I take to reduce the neuropathic pains causes carpal tunnel syndrome if my dose is too high

Highly unpleasant crawling sensations in the front of the thighs and the centre of my back.

Itching around areas of numbness.

Sensation like someone trickling hot water down the back of my legs.

Sensations in the feet like standing in hot sand.

If I persist in standing still for too long (frequently only 5 mins) both legs go numb and it feels like I'm walking on a bouncy castle. This is followed by falling over

This not an exhaustive list but I'm exhausted writing it. If you've got any of this little lot then it could be the diabetes or you may have an undiagnosed back problem as well hence 'go see your GP'.

 

Yep, every visit to the diabetes nurse at the GP's, currently extended to 6 monthly she checks my feet by lightly touching the underside of each foot in various places with a needle like implement. I could barely feel it on both heels but I suspect that is due to the hard skin I have there.

I assume that is a test for neuropaphy?

 

Like most type 2's, my doctor reckons I was diabetic for at leat a year or two before diagnosis.

Being told I was type 2 was almost a blessing, for I felt, by my symptoms at the time, I had something FAR worse.

I literally felt I was being crucified on a daily basis. It honestly fely like someone was hammering a nail through my feet or stabbing my hands or arms with a stilletto blade knife.

Long story short, I have been taking Benfotamaine tablets for about a year now and my neuropathy has virtually disappeared.

The pills (bought in USA) cost me about £10 a month, but are worth every penny.

I cannot post a link on here as the moderators will remove it, but if anyone wants the link to the USA website I buy them from then just private message me