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Gutted! UPDATE

chocoholic

Well-Known Member
Messages
831
Location
United Kingdom
Just been told it's almost certain I have the start of diabetic neuropathy. Doppler test confirmed it's not arterial, so I've now been given surgical knee-high stockings and told I must wear them for life! Just as I was feeling slimmer and thinking of going back into pretty dresses and skirts, the Norah Batty look is enforced. Was told neuropathy will only get worse, so came home, shed a few tears and am feeling really gutted.
This was not what I expected after only 5 years of being Type 2. I coped with going onto insulin quickly and I've always looked after myself, so I guess I'll cope with this too but I'm only 50 and feel like hiding away from the world right now.
 
Re: Gutted!

So sorry you have had this news! I am rather new to this so can't offer anything practical but just wanted to send (((BIG HUGS))). I am sure you will cope with this, as you say you have done so well so far.
x
 
Re: Gutted!

sorry to hear it's bad news.

I don't think that it's actually true that the neuropathy will only get worse, I think that if you can keep very good control then theres no reason it should get any worse, and some people even report that it improves.

I'm not sure of your specific symptoms but thave they offered you any medication to help with the pain?
 
Re: Gutted!

No, only Norah Batty stockings!The thought of wearing those in the summer is not one that I like. I have had suggestions from other members on this site which I may well try...magnesium and Vitamin B supplements for one. I shall be speaking to the diabetes nurse again next week. I'm waiting on blood test results at the mo'.
 
Re: Gutted!

Really sorry you had that news. I'm sure it's very scarey.
Read Bernstein. I'm sure he says tight control can reverse neuropathy.
 
Re: Gutted!

chocoholic said:
No, only Norah Batty stockings!The thought of wearing those in the summer is not one that I like. I have had suggestions from other members on this site which I may well try...magnesium and Vitamin B supplements for one. I shall be speaking to the diabetes nurse again next week. I'm waiting on blood test results at the mo'.

You are the second person I have heard of that has been given surgical stockings to treat circulation problems in the feet. The neuropathy should get a tiny bit better with tighter control on your bg levels so test mid morning and mid afternoon in addition to the other tests and try to make sure that you dont overeat on the carb. In other words inject enough insulin so that your bg rises and drops within 2-3 hours and not 4 hours. Eating small amounts of carb is the best way to go.

In the meantime, try to get yourself some Vitamin B1 thiamine tabs or benfotiamine. These should help in the long run although not immediately. Another alternative is to think about buying a Chi Machine which will make you vibrate from head to foot so will increase the circulation. Sometimes you can pick these up on eBay. I bought one for myself because I have a tight thorasic spine and it has done me a world of good. I also bought one for my mate who has got neuropathy and spine trouble. She has also noticed an improvement.
 
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Thank you for your suggestions. I hadn't realised until today that neuropathy could affect the hands too. This past week, I've struggled with minor things like turning garden hose tap off and hubby has not understood why I because it was not tight. Had upper arm ache too. Now wonder if that is all linked into things. Pain is constant in my feet and lower legs and I've a stonking headache.....probably because I've got a bit stressed by today's news.
 
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Have you seen a specialist,Choccie? Also check out to see if you can get 'nice' surgical stockings ie ones that don't look like surgical stockings.Some chemists have catalogues for these.
 
Re: Gutted!

Hi Gill/Chocoholic

So so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but dont give up hope just yet, there are plenty of things to try.
Supplements of Vitamoin B complex, magnesium, benfotiamine, alpha-lipoic acid, cut out chemicals/additives as much as you can and definitely every tiny bit of transfats, use cis oils only and animal fats for cooking or olive oil for cooking may well help you get rid of neuropathy, it did for me, might just work for you/others too, but be aware that none of these will give you instant relief, it takes a bit of time, I gradually improved over 18 months, so be patient. But before taking any supplements or cis oils check with your doctor or nurse!
Neuropathy doesnt have to get worse as you get older, as for Nora Batty stockings, I am wondering why you were told to wear those, is there something wrong with your circulation as well or something? Of course it is important to keep the circulation going, so go walking, use a stepping exerciser, get yourself a bicycle or one of those cycles that you use while sitting in your armchair or sofa while you are watching TV to keep those legs moving, if you are a passenger on a bus or car just wriggle your toes or since last year I have been wearing FitFlops (I hope I am not advertising here, I am not selling them, only wearing them), they really do exercise your legs and your bum, even if you just walk in them for a couple of hours a day.

It will be interesting to see what your blood test results are, if they are high, then obviously they need to come down, do relaxation and deep breathing exercises and imagine the nerves in your legs healing.

Whatever you do, you dont give up and think the worst, I dont think it is necessary to buy any expensive specific machines unless you want to really try and give them a go, suppose they are not going to hurt you, and only your wallet.

I remember reading somehwere on another thread a posting by Martin Buchan, he said oxygen therapy can help with neuropathy too, but maybe you can only have this treatment if the condition is severe.

I know you are devastated at the moment, but I hope that soon you can be more confident again.

Love from

Karen x

PS I had numbness in both legs up to my knees and drop foot on one leg, I couldnt walk properly at all, gastroparesis and both my hands were affected too, things like threading a needle or fastening my bra was not possible, I couldnt open tins using a tin opener or unscrew bottle tops, could only write with certain pens if they were soft enough to drag across the paper, forget ball point pens where pressure is required to write, using scissors or chopping vegetables, all impossible or very difficult to do, and worst of all was when I was looking after my first niece and found that I couldnt fasten the poppers on her babygro never mind carrying her around - but I can do all these things now though. So if I could get well again, other people can get better too, I am not unique by any means
 
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Well, I'm feeling a bit more positive this morning. I dug out a Diabetes Uk magazine that I was given on diagnosis. Although I read it at the time, it frightened the hell out of me, so I put it to one side. I have just read the article on neuropathy again and it clearly states in there:

* The worst of the pain will end. Although this can take six to 18months , in the meantime there are many treatments for pain.

*Better diabetes control should eventually help the pain.

*The pain, no matterhow bad, does not lead to amputation or paralysis.

This puts a somewhat more optimistic tone on what I was told yesterday and there is no mention anywhere in the article about wearing bloomin' Norah Batty stockings!

It also says it is very important that you are examined by a diabetes specialist or by a neurologist to confirm a diagnosis of neuropathy.I have seen neither, ever and when I asked should I not now be referred to a diabetes specialist, I was told they wait until someone has ulcers or toes turning blue..I would have thought it was a bit bloody late then. Sorry don't mean to swear but I'm angry.
I went to the G.P. initially last week and said to him I'd never seen anyone but a diabetes nurse,ever and he just referred me back to her again.
How can I get to see a diabetes specialist if they won't refer me on?

I consider I have done everything I could since diagnosis. I'm in the normal healthy weight range, belong to a walking group, use a cross-trainer on the days I don't walk,have cut trans fats and carbs since reading advice on this site and don't know what I've done wrong. (Other than previously following the eat-starchy-carbs-every-mealtime advice given on diagnosis by the dietician!! :(

I so appreciate members on this forum sharing advice and friendship. I wish to God I'd found you lot sooner.
 
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If this doctor does not refer you you are entitled to a second opinion.Are there other doctors at your practice? See one of them.Go to the practice manager and complain.You are a very knowledgeable ,articulate diabetic, you can make a case for this to happen.Good luck and keep going!
 
Re: Gutted!

Good idea to ask for a second opinion and to see a neurologist, nueorpathy might not be due to diabetes but some vitamin or mineral deficiency, etc.

Also please dont beat youerself up over it, you have done absolutely wrong to have neuropathy, sometimes these things happen for other reasons, wait and see what another doctor and neurologist have to say.

I admire you, you are doing so much already to keep healthy and you have a good attitude, wish I had been like that, I wasted a lot of time and still regret it, esp spending more time with my son when he was little, I was too unfit/unhealthy to be the Mum that I wanted to be :-(

All the best

Karen x
 
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chocoholic said:
It also says it is very important that you are examined by a diabetes specialist or by a neurologist to confirm a diagnosis of neuropathy.I have seen neither, ever and when I asked should I not now be referred to a diabetes specialist, I was told they wait until someone has ulcers or toes turning blue..I would have thought it was a bit bloody late then. Sorry don't mean to swear but I'm angry.
I went to the G.P. initially last week and said to him I'd never seen anyone but a diabetes nurse,ever and he just referred me back to her again.
How can I get to see a diabetes specialist if they won't refer me on?.

Your GP is being a bit naughty in not referring you on to see a diabetic consultant. It is your right to be referred to see someone who specialises in diabetes and its complications. I should go to see her again and ask to be referred on the grounds that you want to maybe change your insulin treatment over to something that might enable you to keep better control such as using a fast acting insulin pen in addition to twice daily or changing to MDI and also to chat about c-peptide with a consultant (your GP wont have a clue on c-peptide but a consultant should lol). Of course, your problems with your feet might be down to diabetic neuropathy but then again they might be due to something else and only a diabetes consultant will be able to arrange tests etc. I would start to be a thorn in your gp's side if I were you and insist on the referal.
 
Re: Gutted!

You are welcome

Makes me hopping mad that a GP could be like this to a patient. They are not diabetic specialists, they are only "jacks of all trades" and at the best of times will only have basic diabetes care knowledge.

If you find that you cant get your gp to refer you, then refer yourself and site your gp as not adhering to their duty of care regarding your condition.
 
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It's actually a diabetes nurse I see.The G. P. just referred me back to her on the one occasion I did see him last week and actually, I think dealing with diabetes patients is just one of the things the nurse does.
I can see I shall have to be quite assertive on my next visit this week. Perhaps I should walk in in Rambo-style attire and threaten "action" if I don't get a referral...or do you think that's a tad OTT? :lol:
 
Re: Gutted!

chocoholic said:
It's actually a diabetes nurse I see.The G. P. just referred me back to her on the one occasion I did see him last week and actually, I think dealing with diabetes patients is just one of the things the nurse does.
I can see I shall have to be quite assertive on my next visit this week. Perhaps I should walk in in Rambo-style attire and threaten "action" if I don't get a referral...or do you think that's a tad OTT? :lol:

What,you mean stripped to the waist with bullet belts on! :lol: :lol: :lol: Mmmm maybe a touch OTT :lol:
 
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