Peripheral Neuropathy - How soon did it occur?

[Izz33]

I am a recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetic. I initially went to the GP with tingling in my fingers and toes, but none of the other initial signs of diabetes. This has now worsened to more numbness in my feet and difficulty with walking and balance. I feel like I am wearing lead boots and walking (or staggering) as if I am drunk!

I was tested 3 years ago and showed no signs of diabetes, so can't understand how I have peripheral neuropathy which I understand is normally associated with long term diabetes? I have changed my diet and lost 10kg since diagnosis.

I also drink between 0 - 3 units of alcohol per week, so it is unlikely to be alcohol related? - although I have considered introducing a regular glass of red wine - as I have read that it lowers blood sugar?

Has anybody else had similar experiences and can anybody suggest anything else I may be able to do to help?

 

[andcol]

have you had your B12 levels tested

 

[mrspuddleduck]

Hi @Izz33, just checking
Have you been diagnosed with neuropathy? If so who diagnosed you, was it your GP or have you seen a specialist to confirm it? Sue xx

 

[Chemin]

I am a recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetic. I initially went to the GP with tingling in my fingers and toes, but none of the other initial signs of diabetes. This has now worsened to more numbness in symptoms I had been sufferingmy feet and difficulty with walking and balance. I feel like I am wearing lead boots and walking (or staggering) as if I am drunk!

I was tested 3 years ago and showed no signs of diabetes, so can't understand how I have peripheral neuropathy which I understand is normally associated with long term diabetes? I have changed my diet and lost 10kg since diagnosis.

I also drink between 0 - 3 units of alcohol per week, so it is unlikely to be alcohol related? - although I have considered introducing a regular glass of red wine - as I have read that it lowers blood sugar?

Has anybody else had similar experiences and can anybody suggest anything else I may be able to do to help?

Sorry, I'm in the same boat and have also lost 10kg. After 3 years of being treated like a dumpling I went to a French doctor who said "I know exactly what's wrong with you - Diabetic neuropathy" (not peripheral neuropathy) and there on wikipedia were all the symptoms I had been suffering from and at last I could start the journey to improving my health. No easy thing as they don't seem to have a clue other than diet.

 

[davyburns1]

Sorry, I'm in the same boat and have also lost 10kg. After 3 years of being treated like a dumpling I went to a French doctor who said "I know exactly what's wrong with you - Diabetic neuropathy" (not peripheral neuropathy) and there on wikipedia were all the symptoms I had been suffering from and at last I could start the journey to improving my health. No easy thing as they don't seem to have a clue other than diet.

Hi,
Me too, I had the beginning of neuropathy before I was diagnosed. I'm, now on 1200mg of Gabapetin , 2 codeine phosphate, and 2 paracetamols 3 times a day, and still I have pain
Davyburns

 

[phicam]

I am type 2 diabetic. Diagnosed when I was 50 ish. I also had similar problems to all of the above. It turned out that I had CMT ( Charcot-Marie-Tooth ) disease ( also called hereditary motor sensory neuropathy ). This was discovered about 5 years later. CMT causes lots of neuropathy etc and seems virtually unheard of in the medical profession. It is the most common (?) hereditary disease affecting approx 1 in 2500 ( some say 1 in 10000). Neuropathy and associated muscle weakness are pretty much the main symptoms.
This might be the cause of your problem(s). Bad news is that there is no treatment for CMT.

 

[phicam]

metformin has a fairly rare side effect of lowering vitamin b12.
Low b12 levels can cause neuropathy problems.

 

[Mishmash]

I am a recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetic. I initially went to the GP with tingling in my fingers and toes, but none of the other initial signs of diabetes. This has now worsened to more numbness in my feet and difficulty with walking and balance. I feel like I am wearing lead boots and walking (or staggering) as if I am drunk!

I was tested 3 years ago and showed no signs of diabetes, so can't understand how I have peripheral neuropathy which I understand is normally associated with long term diabetes? I have changed my diet and lost 10kg since diagnosis.

I also drink between 0 - 3 units of alcohol per week, so it is unlikely to be alcohol related? - although I have considered introducing a regular glass of red wine - as I have read that it lowers blood sugar?

Has anybody else had similar experiences and can anybody suggest anything else I may be able to do to help?

Hello Izz,
your story is very similar to mine. I was diagnosed as a Type 2 in 2005, but I reckon with the gift of hindsight, I was suffering with slight indications long before this - maybe 2-3 years.

I always had to eat a breakfast whether the kids did or not; or I would feel funny before lunchtime. Also my feet began to hurt and like you was staggering around like a drunk. In fact it was my painful feet that brought me to the GP and a diagnosis. I still suffer with, at times, very painful neuropathy but my diabetes is now under control. I have lost weight also. Alcohol abuse can cause or aggravate neuropathy as well as diabetes, but since I do not drink now, that cannot be contributing to the condition. I find that peripheral neuropathy is quite the worst symptom of diabetes and it is progressing to my fingers and hands now. Driving is difficult as I cant feel my feet and have special controls on the car. There is no way I would be able to dance! As balance is now an issue I find crossing the road and looking round a particular burden as moving my head causes me to wobble!!

But I still manage and the neuropathy does not keep me awake at night like it does for some people. And I still have all my limbs. I do flight exercises whenever sitting to keep the blood flowing.
There are various meds for neuropathy hopefully you can find one or two that suit you and relieve you of any pain.

All the best
Mishmash

 

[Izz33]

Thank you all for your replies.

I've been back to my GP this week for test results from some nerve conduction tests and also my latest HbA1c.

The nerve conduction tests are inconclusive, so I need further tests and to see a neurology consultant following the tests, but it is really worrying, as at the initial tests I was asked if anybody in my family had suffered from nerve disorders, or ended up in a wheelchair whilst quite young! There is no family history of either, but still very concerning.

My latest HbA1c result was 44 and the GP I saw this time didn't think that the nerve problems were associated with the diabetes as my initial result was only 55 and she felt this wasn't high enough to cause diabetic complications. My vitamin B levels were tested initially and I was told that they were OK but I have been taking a vitamin B complex since reading initially that this could be a problem.

I'm already taking Gabapentin and Tramadol for a spinal disc bulge, which is causing sciatica, and awaiting a further procedure. I wondered whether this may have some impact on the numbness and tingling in my feet, but this wouldn't explain the tingling in my hands.

I used to dance 2-3 times a week, go to the gym and walk quite a lot. This has all turned me into a couch potato that tries to get out and stagger around for about 30 minutes when I have the motivation, as I need the exercise to impact on my blood glucose levels.
I'm just hoping that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel?