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Neuropathy symptoms dismissed

M

Mum23boys

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone else has symptoms dismissed by Health Care professionals?

A bit of background, I was diagnosed in January 2026 with an HbA1c of 100, followed by a confirmation HbA1c of 92 12 days later as told won’t diagnose on a single result. I had already started making dietary changes between tests.
When the ‘confirmation’ result came through, it was coded by GP as needing no further action. I questioned this, and fought to be seen by nurse at GP surgery. Started on Metformin & Dapagliflozin and told to return in 3 months for repeat. In meantime had foot checks etc, all good.
About 2-3 weeks before repeat bloods, started experiencing pain in my legs & feet. Thinking sound much like neuropathy. Nothing was easing when it struck, tried Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Epsom salt soaks, massage. But at that point intermittent and uncomfortable.
The 2 nights before my appointment with nurse for review of results (April) I barely slept as was so painful constantly. Thought I would mention to her that I was having this pain then.
I was told that due to an improvement in my HbA1c (49), it was probably my body regulating now sugars more controlled.
Sent me link to self refer to Podiatrist ‘if that bothered by it’. I did this and am awaiting a response.
Since then it has been becoming increasingly more frequent, and more painful. Waking me some nights, unable to get back to sleep if wake due to pain. I am getting really frustrated as it’s painful to be on my feet for long, but also painful to sit for long, and seems worse at night when resting.
My feet are not cold at all, so not concerned it’s circulation issue. I just don’t know what to do to ease it, and nurse seems to think I am exaggerating.

I feel really let down/ alone with this. I don’t want to pester already busy professionals, or waste my time trying to make someone listen who obviously feel there is no issue.

Has anyone else experienced these symptoms when ‘in target range’ and it has resolved by itself?

Thanks for reading, sorry it’s a bit of a ramble.

Any advice welcome!
 
Thank you! How did you manage it? Did you find anything to help?
I feel like I have tried so much to no avail but nurse basically said to just get on with it other than sending me to self refer to podiatrist.
 
Mum23boys said:
Thank you! How did you manage it? Did you find anything to help?
I feel like I have tried so much to no avail but nurse basically said to just get on with it other than sending me to self refer to podiatri
Click to expand...

Mum23boys said:
Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone else has symptoms dismissed by Health Care professionals?

A bit of background, I was diagnosed in January 2026 with an HbA1c of 100, followed by a confirmation HbA1c of 92 12 days later as told won’t diagnose on a single result. I had already started making dietary changes between tests.
When the ‘confirmation’ result came through, it was coded by GP as needing no further action. I questioned this, and fought to be seen by nurse at GP surgery. Started on Metformin & Dapagliflozin and told to return in 3 months for repeat. In meantime had foot checks etc, all good.
About 2-3 weeks before repeat bloods, started experiencing pain in my legs & feet. Thinking sound much like neuropathy. Nothing was easing when it struck, tried Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Epsom salt soaks, massage. But at that point intermittent and uncomfortable.
The 2 nights before my appointment with nurse for review of results (April) I barely slept as was so painful constantly. Thought I would mention to her that I was having this pain then.
I was told that due to an improvement in my HbA1c (49), it was probably my body regulating now sugars more controlled.
Sent me link to self refer to Podiatrist ‘if that bothered by it’. I did this and am awaiting a response.
Since then it has been becoming increasingly more frequent, and more painful. Waking me some nights, unable to get back to sleep if wake due to pain. I am getting really frustrated as it’s painful to be on my feet for long, but also painful to sit for long, and seems worse at night when resting.
My feet are not cold at all, so not concerned it’s circulation issue. I just don’t know what to do to ease it, and nurse seems to think I am exaggerating.

I feel really let down/ alone with this. I don’t want to pester already busy professionals, or waste my time trying to make someone listen who obviously feel there is no issue.

Has anyone else experienced these symptoms when ‘in target range’ and it has resolved by itself?

Thanks for reading, sorry it’s a bit of a ramble.

Any advice welcome!
Click to expand...
My understanding is that the NHS won't refer to a diabetic podiatrist unless you've lost sensation in your feet. In my view, if you can find a good podiatrist, it's worth self-referring, even if it's for a one-off. Congratulations on reducing your A1c.
 
Mum23boys said:
Thank you! How did you manage it? Did you find anything to help?
I feel like I have tried so much to no avail but nurse basically said to just get on with it other than sending me to self refer to podiatrist.
Click to expand...
Not much helped a lot early on. It was pretty bad for a few weeks, and then I saw pretty steady improvement for a few weeks. I would say about 50% better in a few weeks following the worst, but improvement was slow from then on. For me, I would have good weeks, followed by bad. Different than typically neuropathy from what I have read.

Anyway, it slowly got better over time overall. This is 7 years later now for me, and I still have what I would call flare ups, but manageable for the most part. Still annoying at times for sure.

From what I have read though, for most it should go away. Hoping it goes quickly for you.
 
Mum23boys said:
Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone else has symptoms dismissed by Health Care professionals?

A bit of background, I was diagnosed in January 2026 with an HbA1c of 100, followed by a confirmation HbA1c of 92 12 days later as told won’t diagnose on a single result. I had already started making dietary changes between tests.
When the ‘confirmation’ result came through, it was coded by GP as needing no further action. I questioned this, and fought to be seen by nurse at GP surgery. Started on Metformin & Dapagliflozin and told to return in 3 months for repeat. In meantime had foot checks etc, all good.
About 2-3 weeks before repeat bloods, started experiencing pain in my legs & feet. Thinking sound much like neuropathy. Nothing was easing when it struck, tried Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Epsom salt soaks, massage. But at that point intermittent and uncomfortable.
The 2 nights before my appointment with nurse for review of results (April) I barely slept as was so painful constantly. Thought I would mention to her that I was having this pain then.
I was told that due to an improvement in my HbA1c (49), it was probably my body regulating now sugars more controlled.
Sent me link to self refer to Podiatrist ‘if that bothered by it’. I did this and am awaiting a response.
Since then it has been becoming increasingly more frequent, and more painful. Waking me some nights, unable to get back to sleep if wake due to pain. I am getting really frustrated as it’s painful to be on my feet for long, but also painful to sit for long, and seems worse at night when resting.
My feet are not cold at all, so not concerned it’s circulation issue. I just don’t know what to do to ease it, and nurse seems to think I am exaggerating.

I feel really let down/ alone with this. I don’t want to pester already busy professionals, or waste my time trying to make someone listen who obviously feel there is no issue.

Has anyone else experienced these symptoms when ‘in target range’ and it has resolved by itself?

Thanks for reading, sorry it’s a bit of a ramble.

Any advice welcome!
Click to expand...
I had quite bad neuropathy in my feet starting when my HbA1c was around 44/45 and rising. It was undiagnosed as diabetic neuropathy "because my blood glucose wasn't high enough". I was given some pain relief that had no effect at all.

It went very quickly (within weeks) as I got my BG into normal range - that is, under 42. I have some permanent damage but it's really only a mild tingle and it's definitely not pain.
 
Mum23boys said:
Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone else has symptoms dismissed by Health Care professionals?

A bit of background, I was diagnosed in January 2026 with an HbA1c of 100, followed by a confirmation HbA1c of 92 12 days later as told won’t diagnose on a single result. I had already started making dietary changes between tests.
When the ‘confirmation’ result came through, it was coded by GP as needing no further action. I questioned this, and fought to be seen by nurse at GP surgery. Started on Metformin & Dapagliflozin and told to return in 3 months for repeat. In meantime had foot checks etc, all good.
About 2-3 weeks before repeat bloods, started experiencing pain in my legs & feet. Thinking sound much like neuropathy. Nothing was easing when it struck, tried Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Epsom salt soaks, massage. But at that point intermittent and uncomfortable.
The 2 nights before my appointment with nurse for review of results (April) I barely slept as was so painful constantly. Thought I would mention to her that I was having this pain then.
I was told that due to an improvement in my HbA1c (49), it was probably my body regulating now sugars more controlled.
Sent me link to self refer to Podiatrist ‘if that bothered by it’. I did this and am awaiting a response.
Since then it has been becoming increasingly more frequent, and more painful. Waking me some nights, unable to get back to sleep if wake due to pain. I am getting really frustrated as it’s painful to be on my feet for long, but also painful to sit for long, and seems worse at night when resting.
My feet are not cold at all, so not concerned it’s circulation issue. I just don’t know what to do to ease it, and nurse seems to think I am exaggerating.

I feel really let down/ alone with this. I don’t want to pester already busy professionals, or waste my time trying to make someone listen who obviously feel there is no issue.

Has anyone else experienced these symptoms when ‘in target range’ and it has resolved by itself?

Thanks for reading, sorry it’s a bit of a ramble.

Any advice welcome!
Click to expand...
Doing any better with this?
 
Caprock94 said:
Doing any better with this?
Click to expand...
Hi @Caprock94
I was diagnosed with T2 in August 2113. Shortly after I was diagnosed, i started to experience pins and needles and pains in my feet that lasted for a couple of years. The pain has now gone, but the numbness has continued. In the last four years, I have noticed real problems with walking and loss of feeling in my feet and legs and have been to the NHNN/UCLH in London for spinal decompression surgery, which hasn't helped at all. Thing is, all this time, I have been diet controlled (stupidly labelled under remission by the GP) and not really diabetic at all, Whether the diabetes started the ball rolling, or whatever it was, the neuropathy is progressing nicely on its own, so I now have a lot of difficulty walking. The response from the NHS and private doctors (I have seen 12 consultants) is useless and they don't share any information with each other, nor treat me with respect by explaining what is going on or what the outcome will be. I had a telephone consultation just now with a professor at NHNN/UCLH and he couldn't explain what the problem is but wanted to see me again for another examination. It is so frustrating!!! My wife has problems with her Achilles heel and hips and is getting nowhere either. I am 82 and she is 78, so perhaps they are just waiting for us to die.
 
Mum23boys said:
Thank you! How did you manage it? Did you find anything to help?
I feel like I have tried so much to no avail but nurse basically said to just get on with it other than sending me to self refer to podiatrist.
Click to expand...
I am on Pregabalin for my Peripheral Neuropathy. I also take Alpha Lipoic Acid (a supplement) which helps with my nerve pain.
 
I used to have shooting pains in my feet and legs. My brother had similar polyneuropathy in his legs and feet although he is not diabetic. Since about 12 years or more I take Vitamin B 12 tablets, sublingual (under the tongue). As I understand it taking B12 by swallowing is not absorbed well. My doctor used to give me a B12 injection once a month but that wasn’t enough. Funnily enough I knew when I needed more when washing my hair under the shower, when my hands would tingle from the water spray. I have my levels controlled approximately every 3 months. It keeps it pretty well under control. Right now I take a tablet every second day. I’m in Germany so have a different health care system.
 
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