Warning signs of diabetic neuropathy in my feet?

JenniferW said:

I've never taken pain meds for this and reading up on it recently noticed they weren't recommended because they don't work for this type of pain.

Click to expand...

I have heard that meds don't work that great for numbness, but can help with pain. I don't really want to be on meds either, but it could be worth a visit with your doctor.

I have had several episodes of really painful feet - the tortures of Hell - so I am probably doing far more than I need to to avoid them, but I have noticed that my feet are in much better condition than many people my age, even if they do not have diabetes.
When I shower I massage my legs - all over, using my knowledge of anatomy to encourage the blood down arteries and up veins, I use cold and then hot water and get my lower legs to flush pink - it has meant that my toe nails grow more rapidly these days, which is a good sign I think.

I rub legs and feet with the towel rather than allow the skin to dry of naturally, then moisturise my lower legs and feet. I only ever cut my toe nails after a shower, and I rub on an antiseptic cream both before and after cutting - not had any major problems since doing that, for which I am most thankful.
During one episode I put three layers of foam innersoles in my sandals, then I found some lambskin and made innersoles out of that - it is so warm and cushioning that I cut out several sets and use them all the time now.
We have also bought a mattress topper, a microfiber one, and it has made the bed a lot warmer. My husband tended to drag the covers off my feet, so having warm feet all the time now is great.

JenniferW said:

MY

UK NHS GP experiences with this ever since it started have been 101% negative, I'm afraid! Recently i booked an appointment just to talk about it with a GP (as recommended by the podiatrist I see regularly) and was told I'd have to make a separate appointment for that - to come back another time!

But I suspect as a side effect of a blood pressure medication, my HbA1c results have come back higher than ever, and so I suspect that could well be why this is worse than ever. I'm now off that medication and will really focus on diet for the next 3-months before HbA1c re-testing and see how it goes.

Posting in this forum's really helped - you're the only people who seem to understand!

Click to expand...

Hang in there Jennifer! Hoping this gets better for you soon.

JenniferW said:

Thank you! Posting here (which I've not done for ages) has really helped me get my head around this. It makes such a difference to be in contact with people who understand what you're talking about.

Click to expand...

I agree!

Pain meds do work for nerve pain my neurologist has prescribed lots, on trial for me. At present I am on pregabalin with paracetamol, tramadol and duloxetine. (I posted about p and p in February), but for me p and p definitely work as we went on holiday, in Wales, taking the latest bag from the pharmacy, but not knowing that the pregabalin had been left out. This resulted in agony for me and my husband having to go home to get my spares, as, out of area, you cannot get controlled drugs very easily, unless from a pharmacy with which you are registered back home.

I am type 2 and easily, still pass the tuning fork and pricking tests, yet have irreparable damage to the nerve to my great toe, causing loss of hot/cold sensation, pain and very odd sensations otherwise also costing control of most of my foot/ loss of mobility, due to too late surgery for lumbar stenosis. Foot problems can be serious, yet not caused by diabetes, so need investigation.

Teddysmum said:

At present I am on pregabalin with paracetamol, tramadol and duloxetine. (I posted about p and p in February), but for me p and p definitely work

Click to expand...

That's really interesting @Teddysmum
I'm on Tramadol and Lyrica, and know I can take paracetamol as well, but haven't taken it regularly so far.