pins and needles in hands

Hello Bev. The condition you describe sounds like neuropathy and isn't uncommon in diabetics both T1 and T2. It is caused by long time high BG's and damages the small nerves in the body. It can be damned painful too as well as causing those nasty pins and needles. The good news is that it can be reversed somewhat although in my own experience I am pretty sure it doesn't go away completely because when I go overboard sometimes and have a carby day or give in to sugar, those pesky symptoms still come back although never so bad as they used to be. Extremely bad neuropathy that has done a lot of damage is a whole other ball game and needs to be taken to the GP and discussed properly. I don't know what stage you are at with this - just annoying or so painful you can't function. Only you know that.

I lowish carb as do many on this forum. I find it helps with the blood glucose levels which in turn lessens the symptoms of neuropathy. I am wondering which type of diabetic you are, how long you have been diagnosed and which path you are taking to improve your health.

This thread may help a bit: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/neuropathy.57518/#post-534806.

Don't worry too much Bev, it isn't the end of the world although it may seem like it. If you are careful with your diet, and if you are a Type 2 you will have to be, then it ought to be okay. It will take some work and some research but if you weren't prepared to do that you wouldn't have joined here would you?

I know that if I have got any of this wrong, someone will be along to add to this but I am pretty sure I have the basics down pat.

Good Luck Bev

Could be carpal tunnel syndrome. I had this in both my right and left hands. I needed an operation to release the trapped nerve.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...YHUutQY3GbUcH7g&bvm=bv.68911936,d.ZGU&cad=rja

scotty57 said:

Could be carpal tunnel syndrome. I had this in both my right and left hands. I needed an operation to release the trapped nerve.

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You have two of each?

scotty57 said:

Could be carpal tunnel syndrome. I had this in both my right and left hands. I needed an operation to release the trapped nerve.

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Yep that's quite right too. I had this some years ago and had both hands done at once. It was pretty awkward as well, looked like I had boxing gloves on! Thanks for reminding me of that.

I did think of neuropathy first though as it's commonly associated with diabetes and is worth looking into although carpal tunnel could also be a possibility.

Sounds like it might be carpal tunnel alright. I've had it for years in both wrists, but it was worse in my right.
I've had an operation on the right one, it's stopped the whole dead/cold arm feeling at night and reduced the pain. But I also have reduced mobility in that wrist now and 8 months on still quite an obvious scar. That wrist still aches when typing lots etc. I also wear wrist splints at night which help a lot; and at times when they are particularly achy.

I got nerve conduction tests to confirm it was carpal tunnel before the operation.

Bev18 said:

Hi everyone, locum gp thinks it's carpel tunnel, he pressed on my wrist and it made fingers even more numb. My work colleague said my hands were a different colour to my arms as well.

So has put me on naproxen and follow up appointment in 3 weeks. Then maybe referral to orthopaedic' s.

He thought it could be to do with diabetes, but I also have underactive thyroid as well, plus having used typewriters (remember them lol) and keyboards for over 30 years most likely doesn't help either.

But why start now in both hands, I'm falling apart lol.

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Does you hand go white if you hold it above your head for a few seconds?

Bev18 said:

Hi everyone, locum gp thinks it's carpel tunnel, he pressed on my wrist and it made fingers even more numb. My work colleague said my hands were a different colour to my arms as well.

So has put me on naproxen and follow up appointment in 3 weeks. Then maybe referral to orthopaedic' s.

He thought it could be to do with diabetes, but I also have underactive thyroid as well, plus having used typewriters (remember them lol) and keyboards for over 30 years most likely doesn't help either.

But why start now in both hands, I'm falling apart lol.

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If the GP has diagnosed CT then go to a chemist and buy yourself some wrist splints. They do help!

Bev18 said:

Hi yes it did got hubby to check the colour before and after and my fingers tingled a bit more as well.

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Mine does that. wrists are fine though. If I hold my hand above my head for five seconds and then hold my hands together, they are totally different colours.

Carpal tunnel is also a diabetes relared issue - Dr Bernstein?

are you taking statins?

gfmoore said:

Carpal tunnel is also a diabetes relared issue - Dr Bernstein?

are you taking statins?

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Me?
no.

Interesting link on CT:
http://diabeteshealth.com/read/2007/06/29/5276/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-a-common-cohort-of-diabetes/

I'm in a similar position, I work at a computer all day and do a lot of sewing when not at work and along with type 1 diabetes a thyroid test a couple of months ago came back borderline hypothyroid (awaiting results of repeat test) and my GP thinks my wrist pain and tingling/pins and needles is most likely carpal tunnel, she has said to see what happens with results of thyroid tests as if I am hypothyroid and that is treated it may help it, and I'm also doing splints and have wrist rests at work but if still a problem in a few weeks to go back and see about trying a steroid injection.

Sounds like carpel tunnel syndrome to me I've been having the same symptoms was put on naproxen which helped but had to come off them due to stomach problems so my symptoms have come back I'm being referred to a specialist! I'm type 1 been for 16 yrs they said carpel tunnel syndrome is common in diabetics! Xx


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TBH, I was on Naproxen for arthritis for some of the time I had CTS and didn't notice it making any difference to it.