Does this sound like peripheral neuropathy?

[jp619]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if you could help me?

I'm a 49 year-old male in the UK, and I've been Type 1 diabetic for 39 years. I think I'm well controlled. My HBA1C hovers at around 50, which the doctors are pleased with. I've always been told I have a strong pulse & circulation in my feet, most recently last October. And I've always exercised and am not over-weight.

Recently, I came down with a really bad neck, back and hip. Whilst suffering that, I then strangely developed tingling in one foot (which I attributed to something going on with my back, such as psiatica or a trapped nerve).

Now, much of my back pain has gone, but the foot tingling has remained. It's been like it now for about 2 and a half weeks. It's not been painful, just a tingling. It seems to be a bit better than it was. But at night it's worse, still not painful but feels like my whole leg is twitching in-time with my foot and wakes me up a few times. Whilst it was just one foot, I was hopeful that it was back-related.

Today, I have developed some pain and tingling in the other foot, which has set my alarm bells ringing. This is a sharper pain when I stand on one part of the foot, with a bit of tingling as well (although I could just be paranoid). I've also sensed some tingling in other parts of my body - arm, knee, wrists but this could just paranoia.

My question is, does this sound like the beginning of peripheral neuropathy? My doctor is sending me to physiotherapist. Is that the right person for PN? What type of doctor do you think I should see? I haven't seen a diabetic specialist at my clinic since Covid began - not great service where I live since Covis! But am (reluctantly) prepared to go private if I have to.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm quite worried at the moment.

Thanks in advance, JP619.

 

[daveaky]

Hi, I am type 1 45 years and just retired as a chartered physiotherapist. Absolutely yes a physio can assess you and give you a potential diagnosis. From what you say it doesn't sound like a peripheral neuropathy. Firstly it has come on in both legs very quickly in relation to the other leg. I believe a peripheral neuropathy would be a gradual awareness over a period of extended time. I saw many people with prolapsed/disc herniation and/or foraminal narrowing which compromised the nerve roots and gave your types of symptoms. The critical questions here are because you have symptoms in both legs. Do you have perfect control of your bowel and bladder!!!! Any symptoms here you need to visit A&E asap as could be what we call cauda equina. Also are you Absolutely sure about your neck and arm symptoms as you say otherwise meaning other possible spinal/neurological causes. Please don't worry! It is important to rule out all possible cause and a GOOD physio can help. I'm not definitely ruling out peripheral neuropathy but I believe it's one of the others. PLEASE head the bowel and bladder advice! Hope this helps Dave

 

[MrsA2]

I'd echo saying yes to seeing a physio. Not every ailment is diabetes related - we are human too!
I had sciatica a couple of years ago so badly it kept me off my feet for 6 weeks. Still today I get twinges and tingling from it. If you are given exercises or stretches to do, do them!

 

[jp619]

Hey guys, thanks for your replies.

That's kinda good to hear... I think. Fingers crossed it isn't something that stays with me. I had thought about sciatica, and piriformis (when it was just one leg). I'm at the physio tomorrow morning.

I'm also have hypothyroidism, which I understand can cause the same. My doctors barely acknowledge it and have never explained it, and it seems very passively managed/monitored, almost as though it's a side-show to my diabetes.

Bladder and bowel control is all good, but advice heeded. Thanks again.

For other people with peripheral neuropathy, did it appear in both feet at almost the same time?

I'm more than happy to hear more opinions & advice.

 

[ModyGirl]

Hi @jp619 how are you now? I too am considered well controlled, been diagnosed as diabetic for the last 7 years but have the burning/vibrations/tingling in different patches all over my body. Doctors are finding it difficult to explain.

 

[Aj1981]

Hi @jp619

How are you feeling now?

Just recently joined the community and felt that I needed to reply to your message.

I have been a Type 1 Diabetic since for nearly 2 years, have had Cervical Spine surgery back in 2018, and have since been told that I have degenerative disc disease effecting my Cervical and Lumber spine.

Due to the wait on the NHS, I have to go private and see a Neurologist who got me a MRI scan, I also have had a Nerve Conduction assessment completed that highlighted the nerves and muscles that were weaker than they are meant to be.

The NHS process is so confusing, as I am currently waiting to see someone from the Pain Clinic, it has been 4 months!! I am having difficulty sleeping, walking, standing and sitting. I get severe pain in my neck which I expect, but it goes down my spine, then to my waist, then down both my legs then to the feet. For the past few weeks I have been getting severe pain in my feet and toes, that I find so difficult to control, even have to take Ibuprofen to try to ease the pain. It is worse at night when I am trying to sleep.

I was told my GP that the new process is for them is to refer me to the Pain Clinic, then they will try to reduce the pain with medication, if not then they are the ones that would refer me to the Neurologist. The whole system is changing always,

I was told that I have Diabetic Neuropathy but my Peripheral nerves are working fine, yes I agree it is so confusing and so much to take in. I have been to visit the A&E a few times this year as I was not able to move my left side of the body and felt that I was having a Stroke, but luckily they said it is not a Stroke, but instead gave me Morfin to take at home for 7 days, I felt like a zombie

I hope since March when you posted you are getting some treatment, do update with you progress

Regards

Aj

 

[Jofster01582]

I have neuropathy in both feet and calves plus diabetic amyotrophy down my left leg ...... only had one good limb for the past 3 months due to a fall and breaking my left humerus and having had it pinned and plated .....just lucky I'm right handed ️ 3 surgeons and 3 hours under the knife and drill . I wouldn't mind but i only started on the gabapentin the same week