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Neuropathy

J

Jennie Dee

Member
Messages
9
Location
East of England
Dislikes
Having painful arthritis
Being diabetic
Being overweight
noisy neighbours
Hi
Just joined and hoping to get some advice please.


Neuropathy
I know higher blood glucose can cause neuropathy and as my BGs are not as low as they should be, I am wondering if the pain in my right thigh, which is sometimes really bad and keeps me from sleeping at night, can be helped if I manage to lower my numbers - will it go away? I also get pain in my right buttock and occasionally my right forearm - always seems to be on the right side.

I have also suffered from back pain for ages and so have been on pain meds for ages, but lately it seems worse. Could this also be because of neuropathy.

The thing that bothers me most though is very occasionally I seem to have a problem with my balance. Doesn't last for more than a couple of hours but is a really horrible sensation. I would hate for it to get worse, or permanent, so that I cannot drive my car.

Are all these things syptoms of neuropathy? I have been T2 for 14 years and have only been on Metformin for about 18 months.

I am due to see my GP in a few days but would like to know if anybody else has similar problems and any advice please.
 
None of the symptoms you describe points to neuropathy. Your symptoms are indicative of one, and very possibly two, different and unrelated disorders. There is no need to worry. The symptoms you describe are non life threatening and non emergency.
 
Actually, this page disagrees with you Terry, they symptoms reported may indicate neuropathy - however we are not allowed to diagnose on this forum - for obvious reasons.

Jennie, you are obviously feeling some discomfort and are concerned about your symptoms, the best advice we can give is that you see your GP.

Regards, Tubs.
 
I am not expecting a diagnosis - and I have an appointment with GP next week
but just to wanted to know if it is a common problem with diabetes.
 
Jennie Dee said:
I am not expecting a diagnosis - and I have an appointment with GP next week
but just to wanted to know if it is a common problem with diabetes.
Click to expand...

Snap!

My experience over 6 months is on this thread.

Now its a year on, & I did exactly the same as last year - drove 125 miles for my grandson's birthday next day. I was on my feet all afternoon & drove back in the evening without any problems. I play club tennis for several hours at a time. (I was 70 last month.) Also I am less sleepy - that was a problem as I am church organist!

Seeing the Dr didn't help. He considered my sugar control was OK & gave me quinine for cramp. Reducing carbohydrates did everything. Many on the forum consider the standard dietary advice given to diabetics to be wrong. See this petition being drafted.

Hope that helps, & you will soon feel better. I was seriously afraid of becoming disabled.

The Dr has expressed keen interest in my progress. Also, he couldn't get my cholesterol below 5 as I reacted badly to statins with muscle pain. Reduced carb lowered it to 4.3 - and I eat more cheese & eggs & meat.

Have you got a print-out of your last blood test results? What is your HbA1c?
 
Very interesting Ian - I obviously did not search far enough on the forum.

I am pleased to read that it is a not uncommon problem and the fact that
you have managed to resolve the problem is very encouraging news to me.

I wish I could do more exercise. I am 75 years old and have an arthritic back
which prevents me from doing much especially now with pain in my leg as well,
plus occasional balance problems :roll:

My last HbA1c was 7.9 - GP says that's not bad but I know it should be much lower
and my goal is to get it 6.0 or less.

I have a long list of questions for my GP :idea:
 
Hi Jennie,

I exercise with heart rehab patients in the local hospital gym. Are there any such groups - or chair exercise groups available? If you can join a group, it is much more positive with the mutual encouragement.

A very useful activity is singing, as it enhances breath control & relaxation, & mental powers. I sing with 3 choirs & have yet to face an audition. I joined 2 choirs a year ago when I thought my physical ability was ending. The oldest choir member is 94. One of the choirs entertains old people's groups & although the age range of choir & audience is similar, the youthfulness of the choir is apparent.

I also sing at home for MY pleasure, & sing to babies.
 
Diabetic neuropathy is almost always symmetrical, and tends to start at the periphery, hence the name peripheral neuropathy.

What you describe sounds more like sciatica. Tendon and other connective tissue problems are not uncommon with diabetes and can be helped with improved BG control.

I'd go back to your doctor on this one. Could also be related to the arthritis. Could be several other things.
 
Thank you Trinkwasser

Everything seems comes down to the fact that I must try harder to get my BGs down!!

I must try harder

I must try harder
I must try harder etc etc....
 
Saw my GP today at last.

What I have thought could be 'neuropathy' he thinks is a problem with my hip so I am off for
X-rays at the hospital in the near future and then back to GP to discuss the results.
I might even need a hip-joint replacement sometime in the future


Re balance problem -
he was not overly concerned and said 'keep a check on it and we will see how it goes'.

Oh well then - that's all right. :!:


.
 
 
Will do Ian. More questions until I get satisfactory answers I think :roll:

I have to have another blood test in 2 weeks so of course I will work very
hard to lower bs. Going to try low carbs. Just been googling menu ideas
 
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