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Feet and hand tingling

S

Seand1

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi, looking for some advice, I've been type 2 Diabetic for 2 years. My last HBA1c results were 59 which i know is not great but have been feeling fine. Over the last month I have had constant tingling in hands and feet more so the feet. I have seen my local Dr who simply says reduce blood sugar levels. I exercise every day. Any advice appreciated to get rid of this tingling. i have read about peripheral neuropathy which is quite alarming. I'm not sure if I have the 1st stages. Anyone else experience this sort of thing? Any advice appreciated.
 
Seand1 said:
Hi, looking for some advice, I've been type 2 Diabetic for 2 years. My last HBA1c results were 59 which i know is not great but have been feeling fine. Over the last month I have had constant tingling in hands and feet more so the feet. I have seen my local Dr who simply says reduce blood sugar levels. I exercise every day. Any advice appreciated to get rid of this tingling. i have read about peripheral neuropathy which is quite alarming. I'm not sure if I have the 1st stages. Anyone else experience this sort of thing? Any advice appreciated.
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Have you had the foot Neuropathy tests.......i.e the clinician asks you to close your eyes and you say when you can feel a pin type thing touching each toe? Technically I suppose you could ask a friend to do it although I seem to remember some sort of doppler/ultrasoundy thing used to measure circulation also?
 
Seand1 said:
Hi, looking for some advice, I've been type 2 Diabetic for 2 years. My last HBA1c results were 59 which i know is not great but have been feeling fine. Over the last month I have had constant tingling in hands and feet more so the feet. I have seen my local Dr who simply says reduce blood sugar levels. I exercise every day. Any advice appreciated to get rid of this tingling. i have read about peripheral neuropathy which is quite alarming. I'm not sure if I have the 1st stages. Anyone else experience this sort of thing? Any advice appreciated.
Click to expand...
Yes me - in my feet. A mild form of it. Since radically reducing carbs this has stopped and stayed stopped.

Any signs of darkening around the toes?
 
Seand1 said:
Hi, looking for some advice, I've been type 2 Diabetic for 2 years. My last HBA1c results were 59 which i know is not great but have been feeling fine. Over the last month I have had constant tingling in hands and feet more so the feet. I have seen my local Dr who simply says reduce blood sugar levels. I exercise every day. Any advice appreciated to get rid of this tingling. i have read about peripheral neuropathy which is quite alarming. I'm not sure if I have the 1st stages. Anyone else experience this sort of thing? Any advice appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have Vit B 12 injections, one a month. Not sure if mine is related to diabetes (I’ve had poly neuropathy for ages) or the same as my brother and father who both have it (two long thin streaks- no diabetes). Anyway whatever the cause, I find it helps. Sub lingual tablets work if no injection possible.
The owner of my gym, who has trained extensively in Germany and US, says to roll my feet on a hedgehog ball. If nothing else it helps the circulation.
 
Viv19 said:
I have Vit B 12 injections, one a month. Not sure if mine is related to diabetes (I’ve had poly neuropathy for ages) or the same as my brother and father who both have it (two long thin streaks- no diabetes). Anyway whatever the cause, I find it helps. Sub lingual tablets work if no injection possible.
The owner of my gym, who has trained extensively in Germany and US, says to roll my feet on a hedgehog ball. If nothing else it helps the circulation.
Click to expand...
A GP I saw a few years back suggested using a treadle from an old sewing machine or similar to work the feet if doing a desk bound job.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. Tagging @daisy1 for the info pack offered to all newcomers.

Have you tried a dietary approach to improving your HbA1c? If your problem with tingling turns out to be caused by raised blood glucose levels then a lower carb way of eating may improve or even reverse peripheral neuropathy.

Do you use a blood glucose meter at home?

Have a wander around the forum and ask as many questions as you like.
 
@Seand1
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 220,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 
Hi
I have it too as well as the tingling I get stabbing pains. Doesn't seem to make a difference with my steadily reducing BGs. I might just be unlucky as I have arthritis and chronic pain along with a whole shopping list of things. However my GP put me on duloxotine and that helps. However as I can only walk with crutches when I do the stabbing pains are horrendous so I'm having to use the wheelchair when I'm out.
What I do know is that this forum is the best place to ask questions and learn. Low carb is the way to go to reduce your B.G and you'll get all the help you need here.
Good luck.
 
My hands particularly tingle when my blood sugar goes over 8. When the sugar comes down it goes away.
 
I was diagnosed with Non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy a few years ago - via a neurologist, with nerve conduction tests.
Blood tests done then (not earlier by my previous, useless, GP in spite of reporting the problems several times, and having falls because of it) showed I had folate anaemia.
So when I was diagnosed with diabetes last year this was my main concern.
I joined the lowcarbprogram, went on their low carb programme and my blood sugar went down within a couple of weeks. Since then I've had two HbA1c results in the normal range. I am usually very careful about staggering my carbs rather than eating them in a single meal, and staying within my target. (I've had a few difficult days due to extra stress, but managed to keep it down below 110g even then. Fear of diabetes affecting my legs and eyes is a huge incentive to stay low carb.)
Both here in the low carb forum and on the programme there are tips on substitutes for rice/potatoes/bread/cereal, plus great recipes and support.
 
TriciaWs said:
I was diagnosed with Non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy a few years ago - via a neurologist, with nerve conduction tests.
Blood tests done then (not earlier by my previous, useless, GP in spite of reporting the problems several times, and having falls because of it) showed I had folate anaemia.
So when I was diagnosed with diabetes last year this was my main concern.
I joined the lowcarbprogram, went on their low carb programme and my blood sugar went down within a couple of weeks. Since then I've had two HbA1c results in the normal range. I am usually very careful about staggering my carbs rather than eating them in a single meal, and staying within my target. (I've had a few difficult days due to extra stress, but managed to keep it down below 110g even then. Fear of diabetes affecting my legs and eyes is a huge incentive to stay low carb.)
Both here in the low carb forum and on the programme there are tips on substitutes for rice/potatoes/bread/cereal, plus great recipes and support.
Click to expand...
Fibromyalgia, polymalgia, and asthma in my list too along with a host of others! I couldn't do without this forum, have lost five stone now since diagnosis three years ago but still got a little way to go with BG levels. I too stagger my carbs I don't think I could do intermittent fasting unless being asleep counts!
 
My peripheral neuropathy developed gradually over many years. It began with with itchy feet particularly at night and in the winter. This was followed by tingling in the hands and feet then pins and needles. 18 months ago following a cut in my diabetic medication I got the sharp pains and a regularly occurring stinging that sometimes feels like the skin is being ripped off.
I have received the following good advice form this forum and my diabetic clinic.
Vitamin B12, preferably sub-lingual
Cut the carbs. Since last July I have followed the Low Carb Program and my A1Cs are much improved 9.7 Feb 2018 to 6.9 Feb 2019
Alpha Lipoic Acid. This helps to repair damaged cells the immediate cause of the pain reaction of the nervous system. The clinic suggested up 1800 mg per day. I take 4 x 400 mg per day and if I miss a tablet the condition rapidly gets worse.
Keep your feet warm as the contraction of blood vessels in the feet and hands when they are cold worsens the condition.
Keep going to the gym especially anything that pushes blood out to the feet and hands. I do very rapid walking on a treadmill when warming up for weight lifting.
I also have healing prayer at Church but this may not be for everybody.
All of these have coincided with an end to the deterioration in my condition and there is now a gradual improvement.
Find out what works for you and do it now before things start to get worse.
 
Stephen Lewis said:
My peripheral neuropathy developed gradually over many years. It began with with itchy feet particularly at night and in the winter. This was followed by tingling in the hands and feet then pins and needles. 18 months ago following a cut in my diabetic medication I got the sharp pains and a regularly occurring stinging that sometimes feels like the skin is being ripped off.
I have received the following good advice form this forum and my diabetic clinic.
Vitamin B12, preferably sub-lingual
Cut the carbs. Since last July I have followed the Low Carb Program and my A1Cs are much improved 9.7 Feb 2018 to 6.9 Feb 2019
Alpha Lipoic Acid. This helps to repair damaged cells the immediate cause of the pain reaction of the nervous system. The clinic suggested up 1800 mg per day. I take 4 x 400 mg per day and if I miss a tablet the condition rapidly gets worse.
Keep your feet warm as the contraction of blood vessels in the feet and hands when they are cold worsens the condition.
Keep going to the gym especially anything that pushes blood out to the feet and hands. I do very rapid walking on a treadmill when warming up for weight lifting.
I also have healing prayer at Church but this may not be for everybody.
All of these have coincided with an end to the deterioration in my condition and there is now a gradual improvement.
Find out what works for you and do it now before things start to get worse.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Just ordered some ALA and will give it a go. This forum is so good for ideas and advice.
 
Just forgot. The condition was also helped a couple of years ago by medication, pregabalin, that increases the size of capillaries in order to help reduce blood pressure. Your doctor may be able to advise if this is suitable for you. It seems to be all about improving blood flow so that our warning system, pain, is not activated and repairing cells damaged by too much glucose.
 
Have you had your nutrient levels tested via something like Genova Diagnostic FMV metabolite tests? I had full on parasthesia of hands and feet for a while that were resolved once I had my diet revamped, and nutrient deficiencies resolved.

Often overlooked is that when the pancreas is taxed for a long time, there is also an exocrine impact, meaning you are not producing enough pancreatic enzymes to break down food properly. Malabsorption can be due to EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency), but also things like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or candida yeast overgrowth that often are caused by bad, excessive sugar/carb diet. Have you had those checked?

Have you looked into 'Primal' living and eating?
 
With LCHF I'm eating far more healthily than before diagnosis. I come from a diabetic family, my Mum was one of 13 children, 4 girls 9 boys, the boys all had type one and four boys died in their teens, the girls were all type 2 on insulin in the forties but they all loosely followed the dietary advice of the time which was high carb, low fat, low blood sugar reading they would reach for the chocolate, then with the next reading being high they would have a sandwich, but they all got to their 70's without too many complications and Mum was 87 when she passed. My brother was type 1 and passed at 40 but not from diabetes he had other problems and wasn't expected to get past his teens. So I think I'm pretty lucky to have got to my 60's before diagnosis. My GP is excellent and always looking into research he was the one to get me into LCHF and is very pleased with my progress. Dietary testing sounds interesting, I'll mention it next time I see my GP. Thanks.
 
Mike D said:
Get R-ALA, not just ALA. Many say it's far more effective
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I did use the R-ALA but is is very expensive in Canada. I find using a much higher dose of the ALA works just as well and a lot cheaper. Choose what works best for you.
 
I had this unpleasant tingling in one foot many years ago but couldn't get anyone interested, then after a couple of years it developed in the second foot but again doctors and nurses seemed uninterested and couldn't offer any ideas about what was causing it. Even a podiatrist had no idea what the problem could be. Eventually I looked at all the other undiagnosed symptoms and asked my GP "is this diabetes?" The answer was definitely "yes". The tingling has never gone away despite getting my blood sugar down to reasonable levels although doppler tests and pin prick test, which are done fairly regularly now, show that the circulation is still OK.

Recently I have developed, not just tingling, but hands losing all sensation until I massage them back to life. I tried to find out if this was something similar to the feet but was told that I have carpal tunnel syndrome. Actually, I know that I do, but that is due to the extreme pain in my hand joints and I still suspect that the lifeless hands is something to do with diabetes.

Does anyone else have this problem?
 
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