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Neuropathy so soon after diagnosis?

mountaintom

mountaintom

Well-Known Member
Messages
574
Location
Lauragh, Kerry
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Is this possible? I’m 3 months in and for the past 3 or 4 days I’ve had numbness in my left hand index finger and thumb and under my left arm near my arm pit. Occasional shooting pains in my elbow. Get especially bad when I’m driving and holding the wheel at the top.
I’m seeing my consultant tomorrow so will be mentioning it to him. Just wondered if anyone has had symptoms so soon after diagnosis.

Thanks.
 
mountaintom said:
Is this possible? I’m 3 months in and for the past 3 or 4 days I’ve had numbness in my left hand index finger and thumb and under my left arm near my arm pit. Occasional shooting pains in my elbow. Get especially bad when I’m driving and holding the wheel at the top.
I’m seeing my consultant tomorrow so will be mentioning it to him. Just wondered if anyone has had symptoms so soon after diagnosis.

Thanks.
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I've had tingling since before diagnosis,
 
Anything is possible, I was diagnosed with diabetes related eye problems a month after I got the diabetes diagnosis
Although I do think it is unlikely, it may be that its because you've been high for so long and are having more 'normal' levels now xx
 
It may not be neuropathy, so many things can affect nerve pathways, some transitory, some needing treatment. Not surprising your brain leaps to neuropathy when T1 fills it so soon after diagnosis. Good to raise it with consultant.
 
Carpal tunnel syndrome?

I think t1's can be prone to it anyway.
 
i get pins and needles and a little numbness when my bgs are running a little high also jump to conclusions that every ache and pain is to do with diabetes which it is probably not
 
I have had a lot of pain going from my left shoulder into my hand, which sometimes makes driving impossible - I can’t push the gear lever away from me or reach the steering wheel some days. That started a couple of years ago, and none of the treatment I’ve had has helped. I’d basically given up. However, and it’s a big HOWEVER, since I got my sugars into normal ranges in the last few months, it’s almost completely better. Still a little pain, but good enough that I can actually do my physio to strengthen it. I’m even back on my motorbike after a couple of years of being unable to ride. I’m hoping to get back to archery again this summer :)

So if it is a spot of neuropathy, don’t despair, with decent glucose levels, it can probably be booted.
 
Alexandra100 said:
Carpal tunnel syndrome may be yet another diabetic complication. There is an interesting article on diabetic neuropathy by Jenny Ruhl here: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/16162153.php
Don't forget that diabetic complications can often be reversed by maintaining low blood glucose levels.
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Just had a very brief look through the article.
Failed to see any reference to T1 diabetes. Everything was T2 diabetes. Surely neuropathy is neuropathy whatever type of diabetes you have.
 
therower said:
Just had a very brief look through the article.
Failed to see any reference to T1 diabetes. Everything was T2 diabetes. Surely neuropathy is neuropathy whatever type of diabetes you have.
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I’d have thought so - after all it’s damage done by glucose levels being high for too long. The one thing both types actually do have in common!
 
I agree with @kev-w . I had/have carpal tunnel. I had it severely in my L hand in 2016 requiring surgery, my R hand has it mildly, not bad enough for surgery yet. Your numbness and pain distribution is exactly right for the median nerve which is the one that’s squashed in carpal tunnel syndrome
 
therower said:
Just had a very brief look through the article.
Failed to see any reference to T1 diabetes. Everything was T2 diabetes. Surely neuropathy is neuropathy whatever type of diabetes you have.
Click to expand...
You are correct in that JR is T2 and does not claim to write for T1s. However, as others have already pointed out, the problems of raised bg and neuropathy are common to both types of diabetes, as is the question as to what bg levels are desirable. You might prefer to read Dr Bernstein, who of course is T1. This is from his book "Diabetes Solution" and is quoted on his site :

"DIABETIC NEUROPATHIES
Diabetic neuropathies seem to improve in two phases—a rapid partial improvement that may occur within weeks, followed by sustained very slow improvement that goes on for years if blood sugars continue to remain normal. This is most apparent with numbness or pain in the toes. Some people will even comment,“ I know right away if my blood sugar is high, because my toes feel numb again.” On the other hand, several patients with total numbness of their feet have complained of severe pain after several months of near-normal blood sugars. This continues for a number of months and eventually resolves as sensation returns. It is as if nerves generate pain signals while they heal or “sprout.” The experience may be very frightening and distressing if you haven’t been warned that it might occur."
 
@Alexandra100 . I prefer not to do anything Dr Bernstein. But agree that as this is a T1 thread in the T1 sub forum quoting Bernstein may have been more apt.
 
Alexandra100 said:
You are correct in that JR is T2 and does not claim to write for T1s. However, as others have already pointed out, the problems of raised bg and neuropathy are common to both types of diabetes, as is the question as to what bg levels are desirable. You might prefer to read Dr Bernstein, who of course is T1. This is from his book "Diabetes Solution" and is quoted on his site :

"DIABETIC NEUROPATHIES
Diabetic neuropathies seem to improve in two phases—a rapid partial improvement that may occur within weeks, followed by sustained very slow improvement that goes on for years if blood sugars continue to remain normal. This is most apparent with numbness or pain in the toes. Some people will even comment,“ I know right away if my blood sugar is high, because my toes feel numb again.” On the other hand, several patients with total numbness of their feet have complained of severe pain after several months of near-normal blood sugars. This continues for a number of months and eventually resolves as sensation returns. It is as if nerves generate pain signals while they heal or “sprout.” The experience may be very frightening and distressing if you haven’t been warned that it might occur."
Click to expand...
I can agree totally with his first example. I’ve got the feeling back in my toes very quickly and they do feel worse if my sugars are high.
 
There are times that the doctors will say you have carpel tunnel and they do the op but it makes no difference, i have had 3 ops on the hands and one on the elbow. I had a pancreas and kidney transplant about 3 years ago and now that my BS are normal they have have found i have nerve damage all of over my body with serve pain. I have to take a lot of painkillers just to get through the day. I think you need to have some nerve tests done to see if there is anything they can do for you, there are a lot of people out there who have diabetes but do not know. So there could be diabetic for two years before you get the treatment they need but as with everything health the lack of money and staff leaves diabetics with a quick visit to see someone from the diabetic team and then say we will see you in 3 months time.
 
I found a good tool for mild carpal tunnel was a 'powerball', I got a 2nd hand one a good few years back from ebay for under £10 and it certainly helped, I was trying to learn the guitar at the time and getting a lot of numbness in my left hand which I put down to having broken that wrist a couple of times but the Dr said most likely carpal tunnel and a mate suggested the powerball, and it does seem to work.

Though one imagines one looks a pr*t when using one....
 
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