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Type 2 I am extremely scared as just developed pain and numbness in feet

Zammo

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
[I am type 2. Confirmed diabetes since 2021. On insulin and metformin. 30 stone]

Last week I started to get stabbing sensations in my feet, I assumed it was anxiety as I have a brother in law who has peripheral neuropathy of his feet (he thinks it due to his diabetes but it is not proven) and he would go in to great detail of what it felt like and the consequences and his fears, and after we last spoke about 6 weeks ago I was a nervous wreck as he went in to detail how diabetes attacks the extremities, how toes can fall off, etc, and my daily blood sugar tests are far higher than his so it effected my subconscious and existing anxiety badly. Within the last week my toes became numb, painful, and lacking in any feeling other than the pain. Yet I passed a diabetic foot check just 2 months ago. This is insane speed. I thought diabetic nerve damage happened slowly ?

I think the pain and sensations I am going through go way beyond anxiety and are just a sad coincidence. I am in agony with my feet with nerve stabbing pain, especially my left foot, and I can't sit in chairs for long as within minutes the pain increases and increases in my left foot and it sharply prickles. I am laid down in bed most of the time and even that isn't pain free, just a lot better. I can't bend my toes up, and when I try and curl them they feel very stiff. When I am sat in an armchair, not only do I get the stabbing nerve pains in my left foot but also occasional stabs in my calf and left hand.

A month ago my diabetes nurse changed me from 120 units a day intermediate insulin to slow release once a day insulin of same units. I am also on 2 metformin a day. Levels between 10 and 22 a day on finger prick test, 3 monthly test at 102.

I know I will have to see a nurse or doctor, but I know what they will say and that they will offer nerve pain pills. I suffer massively from reactive tinnitus that I can barely cope with and most nerve pain tablets can make tinnitus even worse, so I feel stuck on how to deal with this.

Do you think there is any chance my stress and anxiety about getting peripheral neuropathy made perhaps pre-existing symptomless diabetic neuropathy worse ? I have no idea if I had it before, I definitely couldn't feel any nerve damage, and I do know a month back I would have to grip my chair and grit my teeth due to being so ticklish when my toes were being cut by family member (at 30 stone I am too big to cut them myself). When they did them 2 days ago I couldn't feel a thing. Terrifies me so much.

I realise diabetic neuropathy can't be cured by doctors, but has anyone here or anyone you know had it appear like this then go away fully ? Especially soon after starting ?

I have attached my Dexcom chart from the last 10 days, which covers when this began. My awake times are 3pm to 6am, so consider 3pm to be most peoples 8am, so the very low area is when I am asleep. Due to my depression and anxiety I comfort eat a lot of bad food, I guess I was under the false illusion that regardless of the numbers the insulin and metformin would keep diabetic neuropathy at bay, oh dear.

Thanks for any help.
 

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I see that you are the same weight that you were in May 2024. At that time @JoKalsbeek gave you good advice. Did you follow any of her recommendations?

I recall that Dr Bernstein said (in his excellent book) that normalising blood glucose levels helps to lessen diabetic neuropathies, and even to get rid of them over the years.

Good luck.
 
... cut by family member.... ... I couldn't feel a thing.
As you know, it is important to identify any red or sore areas in you toes and feet before they cause damage. If you cannot examine your own feet, perhaps this family member would be willing to check your feet between the toe-nail trimming sessions.

I had an accident a month ago where I broke several bones in one of my feet (nothing to do with diabetes). Apart from the pain, it reminded me how important healthy feet are. Fortunately mine will mend.

I wish you all the best in trying to look after your health.
 
Thanks everyone. So I went to the doctor today and he couldn't tell whether it was a back pinched nerve or diabetes. I failed the vibration test all over my feet and didn't feel it until he pressed it on my knees. I also failed the pointer test on my feet. Doctor said because I have had back pain in the past in previous years it is best to try and go down that path. He thought diabetic neuropathy coming on over the space a week to the level it is now is unlikely. I didn't tell him I have read endless reports of people saying it came on instantly for them. He didn't prescribe any nerve pain killers. So I am left with a sheet of paper with back exercises on. I don't know if he is just being "kind" by giving me some hope it might be my back (as that can be fixed), I don't know.
 
I don’t think your doctor is just being kind. The pain and numbness you describe can be caused by back pain if a nerve is being compressed so it makes sense to see if that is the case.

But to go back to your earlier comment just taking insulin and Metformin will not stop diabetic side effects developing. It is the high blood sugars that cause side effects. So to stop them you need to get to the point where the insulin you take is controlling your blood sugars and keeping them at a lower level than they are now. As it’s a month since your nurse changed your insulin can you get an appointment with them and discuss what needs to be done now to reduce your blood sugars?
 
It can take weeks to feel the benefit of exercises, so please keep doing the exercises every day. Even when you start feeling better, continue the exercises to keep muscles strong.
 
I pulled my lower back about 4 weeks ago, I could walk & stand which being a hairdresser helps! I could not lay down or sit for long. During that time, I had pain in my leg, foot, pelvis and other unmentionables! GP said it was trapped nerves, associated pain. Thankfully, I am almost "okay" now. Its worth giving the exercises a go as the worse thing is not moving despite it really hurting. I did my stretches on the bed as I could roll off and on very ungracefully! I have a pain in my side at the moment and I am trying to not think the worse, but I pulled it moving something on Sunday. I cannot win! Take care xxxx
 
In my experience diabetic neuropathy Can be cured but it takes hard work. Essential to get BG under control. That means changing what you eat and your Weight as well as using your CGM to help control insulin. Quickest way to do that may be Mounjaro if your doctor will prescribe; but it is also down to you.
 
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