Sensory neuropathy

[Defren]

I was only diagnosed yesterday, but have had really bad problems with my hands for a long time, two years or more. It is now confirmed (tentatively) as sensory neuropathy caused by my diabetes. Once I get my diabetes under control, and managed, with the SN go away, get better or never get better? Is there a chance it could get worse? What is the long term prognosis for this? It's making life increasingly difficult, as I have no feeling from my wrist all up my little and ring fingers.

Thanks for any insight you can give me.

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi Defren,
Sensory neuropathy comes under the umbrella of peripheral neuropathies. It means that there is a problem with the nerves outside the spinal cord and can affect any part of the body.
If you have peripheral vascular disease then it means a disease of the blood vessels out side of the heart.
Anything termed peripheral means that it is away from the centre.

There are two articles here that are worth reading.
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peri ... opathy.htm

Some people find that as their blood sugars improve the pain gets worse for a while and then the neuropathy improves whilst others find that it does arrest the complaint and it does not progress any further.
Are you on any pain relief?

 

[sterling]

I am seeing the consultant (again) tomorrow at Solihull Hospital. It has been going on now for many months with many tests since I consulted the GP (after some years of the situation worsening). Not arthristis, most probably not carpal tunnel based upon clinical observation.

My hands are a bigger worry to me than the very recent diagnosis of diabetes. Googling has not been a big help.

Presumably, the diabetes and hand problems will be found to be linked.

[1] Apparent joint pain from very top of thumb all the way down the forefinger has reduced considerably through use of ibuprofen gel (as remmended by consultant), as has apparent joint pain in other finger joints.

[2] Usage pain remains (typing, DIY, gardening, lifting shopping (even single items from trolley)).

[3] Constant tissue soreness: thickening skin at finger tips and fingers feel swollen. Fingers are dry. Skin is cracked.

[4] Tissue flair-ups depending on time of day. Burning sensation.

[5] Hands not obedient to brain when dealing intricate tasks. Awkward and dropping things. Cutting myself with knives and tools. I tried some plumbing and ended up with muliple cuts.

[6] Situation has got worst since taking Metforming, Sinvastatin and chaging diet. Expected improvement.

[7] No problems with feet.

Will post again if I get any helpful guidance.

 

[Defren]

Thank you Catherine and Sterling. Yes, I am on painkillers for other conditions. My hands are not painful per se, just either completely numb, or really bad pins and needles (I have pins and needles now). Sometimes it is a blessed relief to have pins and needles as it makes me feel there is something happening, opposed to the numbness where there is no feeling at all.

Sterling, my eyes are also a worry, but I feel like I am so overloaded that if I keep thinking of all these things, I am going to turn into a walking hypercondriac, so trying to take just one issue at a time. I think reading about diabetic complications was a real shock for me, as I wasn't aware there were so many. I know me well enough to know, if I don't keep a tight reign on myself withing a week I will be having a heart attack and kidney failure :lol: One issue at a time is keeping my mind focused and not taking me to an early grave convinced I should be there

 

[sterling]

Hello all

I saw the consultant yesterday. To my surprise my hand condition is not neuropath. The nerve conductive studies dismissed that possibility.

But diabetes is stll almost certainly the the cause of my hand problems.

Now haemochomatotis has been be considered (as being the possible cause of the diabetes) and urates need to be looked into.

Blood glucoes control remains paramount.

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi sterling,

It is nice to know that investigations are under way for you.

You could be something special on the forum as if the hemochromatosis is causing damage to your pancreas then you will be classed as a bronze diabetic. :wink:

A good explanation here.
http://www.isletsofhope.com/diabetes/di ... oad_1.html

Keep us informed and take care.

CC