Type 2 Scared of different stages of neuropathy and where I am now

[Zammo]

5 weeks ago I started to get awful nerve pain in my feet, burning, pins and needles, all that sort of thing. My diabetes has been out of control for 6 years even though I am on medication and insulin, insulin doesn't seem to do anything for me. I have been addicted to bad food. I am guessing I now have diabetic neuropathy. I read there are 5 stages of it, and I think I am on stage 3. My bloods are still high but lower than they were. I used to get in to the 20's mmol/L most days. I stupidly thought you had to have diabetes for 10 years before it became a problem, yet I know prior to 2018 I was okay and not diabetic. 2021 is where it was 60 ha1bc.

I have failed the vibration and pin on toes test. When someone touches my toes I can't feel them touching them unless they get to the middle of the toe and lower. I can't feel much temperature on my feet, and if a fan is pointed at my feet then I can't feel anything unless on full blast. My hands seem slightly weak, although I can't tell if that is related or not. In my feet it is mainly prickling and burning that annoys me the most.

If I start Stimpod treatment right now is there a chance of reversal ? If bloods are between 5 and 14 mmol/l most days how fast is it likely to progress to stage 4? My last HA1BC was 84 so I have a long way to go before my bodies blood sugar is under 40.

I am terrified and not sure what is going on. Doctors haven't been much help. I take insulin but it doesn't do anything, I can give myself a dose of rapid insulin, 40 units, and it doesn't change anything when viewing on a Dexcom meter. I can be 14 mmol/l, take 40 units, not eat anything and still a hour later it is 14mmol. This is on top of 125 units of slow release insulin and metformin.

Help !!

 

[Lakeslover]

Hi @Zammo,

I’m sorry you are still worrying about neuropathy. I remember from your earlier post that your doctor thought your pain was due to a back problem. Did the exercises he gave you help at all?

If not have you been back to see them?

Who do you see to monitor your diabetes? Can you get an appointment with them to discuss your insulin regime?

 

[grantg]

can only add very little to lakeslover reply.

not too sure if you've been to pain management clinic/specialist if not worth looking into. they should be able to prescribe something to help at least take the edge off.

how do you find exercising in general? likes of a short walk if too difficult maybe try in swimming pool. The water will take some of the weight which should make that a little more comfortable and perhaps a little more manageable to do.

interested in stimpod info.

 

[Antje77]

I take insulin but it doesn't do anything, I can give myself a dose of rapid insulin, 40 units, and it doesn't change anything when viewing on a Dexcom meter. I can be 14 mmol/l, take 40 units, not eat anything and still a hour later it is 14mmol.

I can't tell you anything about neuropathy, but for me it definitely takes more than an hour to see effect from a correction dose or even a prebolus, especially if my numbers were on the higher side to start with.
On top of that, a Dexcom is often slower to notice a drop than a fingerprick, making it seem that the dose takes longer to act than it does.

I would start with looking at your basal dose. Does it keep you level when not eating?

With your last hba1c being 84, your average blood glucose has likely been around 13, higher than you want it to be.
Have you had any guidance on adjusting insulin doses? Any reason why you are not on any other T2 medications than metformin apart from insulin?