Treatment induced diabetic neuropathy???

[JJ51]

Debilitating!!! suffering with severe painful feet and numbness from thighs down.
Can I ask, Has anyone had or having symptoms of treatment induced diabetic neuropathy? If so, how did you treat it, meds? How long will this last?

 

[laynecobain]

Im having the same issues with feet. Numbingness and tingling feet all day long. A lot of times also periods with painful feet .
Its frustrating because it never seems to let up.

 

[KennyA]

Hi

I have had neuropathy - it wasn't treatment-induced, just high blood glucose induced. I had it while undiagnosed for about six years. It was pretty bad - burning feet, particularly at night; stabbing pains, pins and needles. I had naproxen etc for the pain which didn't do much, but my docs failed to recognise this and many other symptoms as signs of diabetes.

The neuropathy went very quickly when I brought my BG back to normal - within about four months. Five years on I have a very slight residual tingle, which is probably permanent damage, but I couldn't call it pain.

 

[JJ51]

Hi

I have had neuropathy - it wasn't treatment-induced, just high blood glucose induced. I had it while undiagnosed for about six years. It was pretty bad - burning feet, particularly at night; stabbing pains, pins and needles. I had naproxen etc for the pain which didn't do much, but my docs failed to recognise this and many other symptoms as signs of diabetes.

The neuropathy went very quickly when I brought my BG back to normal - within about four months. Five years on I have a very slight residual tingle, which is probably permanent damage, but I couldn't call it pain.

This numbness in both legs and painful feet has been going on now for 5 months, my BG levels have been good since April but no improvement yet! Struggling with walking, weakness and aches. Would just like some relief so I can get back to work!

 

[KennyA]

This numbness in both legs and painful feet has been going on now for 5 months, my BG levels have been good since April but no improvement yet! Struggling with walking, weakness and aches. Would just like some relief so I can get back to work!

My neuropathy started with a BG of around 43 or 44. My highest BG ever was 51 at diagnosis. There's an assumption sometimes that secondary complications don't appear until BGs are much higher - this just isn't true. There are accounts on these forums of people having marked diabetic symptoms at what are often described as "low" levels, while others don't report any symptoms even with very high BGs.

It takes each of us differently, I suppose.

 

[lovinglife]

Have you spoken to your GP about it? Not everything is down to our diabetes, if not maybe ask for a referral to a specialist consultant.

 

[JJ51]

I dropped my hba1c quite rapidly from 80 (9.5%) to 53 (7%) after 3 months then to 50(6.7%) 3months later. A few weeks after that, these symptoms came on suddenly and are no better now. I'm under my GP and saw a neurologist, loads of tests Inc lumbar puncture/mri/ct many blood tests, all to rule everything out.

 

[ElenaP]

....saw a neurologist, loads of tests Inc lumbar puncture/mri/ct many blood tests, all to rule everything out.

It is wonderful that nothing was found in those myriad of tests. There is a possibility that symptoms will disappear in a few months, if you manage to keep your HbA1c low.

 

[JJ51]

It is wonderful that nothing was found in those myriad of tests. There is a possibility that symptoms will disappear in a few months, if you manage to keep your HbA1c low.

I know! I think they've tested for everything! I'm even having B12 injections ( I've had 3 and 3 more to go) zIm taking pregabalin, Hoping something will help me.

 

[MrsA2]

What medications are you on? Might be worth checking any side effects, particularly if perhaps your dose needed/needs adjustment because of your better control

 

[Grant_Vicat]

Im having the same issues with feet. Numbingness and tingling feet all day long. A lot of times also periods with painful feet .
Its frustrating because it never seems to let up.

Hi @laynecobain Have you spoken to a consultant about this? Would you say your control is generally good? It may be that adjustments can be made. If I get pins-and-needles I drink 500ml of water and it recedes. Numbness and tingling may be a different issue, but definitely worth checking out. Good luck!

 

[ElenaP]

.... taking pregabalin

I understand that Pregabalin can be prescribed to treat nerve pain. Perhaps you will feel a difference after a few weeks taking it.

 

[Caprock94]

Same thing happened to me. Had no symptoms upon diagnosis. Quickly dropped my A1C from 8.3% to 5.6% in about 4 months. Burning pain in my feet came on suddenly. Had it in my hands too to a lesser degree. Was pretty bad for a few months, but slowly got better. Here I am almost 6 years later. A couple of months ago I would have told you I was about 85% back to normal. No issues in my hands. Pain in feet pretty mild and not as frequent. For some reason, it all came back recently. I have no idea why. Blood sugar is 5.5%. It did get up to about 6.3% about 6 months ago, and then I dropped it down to 5.5%. Doesn't seem like enough drop to cause this again, but who knows. It's maddening. Hoping to get some relief soon. Hope you do as well.

 

[JJ51]

Has anyone taken pregabalin for numbness in legs/feet? It's pretty disabling and has been for last 5 months. I am open to any medication that will help!

 

[JJ51]

What medications are you on? Might be worth checking any side effects, particularly if perhaps your dose needed/needs adjustment because of your better control

I'm on metformin, unsulin and empagliflozin. I was given lingaliptin and atorvastatin but stopped those recently. My insulin dosages have reduced by more than half as was having a lot of low readings.

 

[JJ51]

Same thing happened to me. Had no symptoms upon diagnosis. Quickly dropped my A1C from 8.3% to 5.6% in about 4 months. Burning pain in my feet came on suddenly. Had it in my hands too to a lesser degree. Was pretty bad for a few months, but slowly got better. Here I am almost 6 years later. A couple of months ago I would have told you I was about 85% back to normal. No issues in my hands. Pain in feet pretty mild and not as frequent. For some reason, it all came back recently. I have no idea why. Blood sugar is 5.5%. It did get up to about 6.3% about 6 months ago, and then I dropped it down to 5.5%. Doesn't seem like enough drop to cause this again, but who knows. It's maddening. Hoping to get some relief soon. Hope you do as well.

Sorry to hear its come back again, I've read that can happen. I also had tingling, pins and needles in my feet quite a few years back that went away after a while on its own. Nothing as bad as this time tho! Im struggling with balance, walking and as im not in work due to this, my general quality of life! but I'm blaming lowering my hba1c so quickly for this! Hope you get some relief soon

 

[Prancy]

I’m still not sure what caused my paraesthesia in my feet. One Neurologist said not neuropathy, one said it was likely B12 deficiency. Or, possibly post covid syndrome. Anyway, after getting B12 injections and reducing my BG substantially, the numbness in my feet has drastically reduced. Now 6.7%. I don’t usually think about it anymore. I never had pain there. I do still get intermittent night awakening with numbness in either hand. I wonder if that’s BG or spine related. I hope all the numb sensation will leave my feet. Perhaps, I’m being too optimistic.

At a recent podiatrist visit the doctor tested my sensation and said it was good. He was astounded. He said it’s rare for long time type ones to not have foot issues. Mine was minimal. So, for that I’m grateful.

 

[Caprock94]

Sorry to hear its come back again, I've read that can happen. I also had tingling, pins and needles in my feet quite a few years back that went away after a while on its own. Nothing as bad as this time tho! Im struggling with balance, walking and as im not in work due to this, my general quality of life! but I'm blaming lowering my hba1c so quickly for this! Hope you get some relief soon

Have you tried keeping your blood sugar down by going low carb and dropping medications? It may or may not make a difference, but just curious. Hopefully even though this came back again, it will fade to a very low level again. Anyone tried red light laser therapy? I haven't tried any of the drugs like pregabalin. Hoping to avoid that, but not completely opposed to it.

 

[JJ51]

Have you tried keeping your blood sugar down by going low carb and dropping medications? It may or may not make a difference, but just curious. Hopefully even though this came back again, it will fade to a very low level again. Anyone tried red light laser therapy? I haven't tried any of the drugs like pregabalin. Hoping to avoid that, but not completely opposed to it.

Yes, my blood sugar has been low as I've not been eating much anyway since this started in September (worry and anxiety) . I've dropped meds and my insulin has been reduced dramatically as I was having low sugar readings a lot. Still got 3 more B12 injections next week and hoping pregabalin at 400mg a day will help/kick in soon! I'll try anything.

 

[JJ51]

I’m still not sure what caused my paraesthesia in my feet. One Neurologist said not neuropathy, one said it was likely B12 deficiency. Or, possibly post covid syndrome. Anyway, after getting B12 injections and reducing my BG substantially, the numbness in my feet has drastically reduced. Now 6.7%. I don’t usually think about it anymore. I never had pain there. I do still get intermittent night awakening with numbness in either hand. I wonder if that’s BG or spine related. I hope all the numb sensation will leave my feet. Perhaps, I’m being too optimistic.

At a recent podiatrist visit the doctor tested my sensation and said it was good. He was astounded. He said it’s rare for long time type ones to not have foot issues. Mine was minimal. So, for that I’m grateful.

There is so much uncertainty about neuropathy, I think my neurologist and GP did so many different tests to rule things out, that after all came back OK it is a case of, have Vit B12 injections and take pregabalin and let's see!! How long did you have your symptoms for? Was it just B12 injections and lowering your glucose that helped this?