Will my neuropathy get worse? - Anonymous Question

It's hard to say whether it will get worse or not, we are not doctors so I am speaking as a T2 diabetic witha bit of knowledge.

If BGs are controlled at a good lowish level neuropathy can be halted and even improved over time.

If BGs are running high and continue to do so then it will probably get worse.

You will note the use of "can" "probably" and so on. We all vary, some diabetics get it (neuropathy) and others don't even with well controlled BGs some people still get it.

If you get your BGs under control there is a good chance things will get better and stay that way.

H

Hi. I am a student at university studying podiatry/chiropody but my mother has T2 diabetes and neuropathy so this is a natural interest of mine. While neuropathy is considered irreversable, the progress can be halted a number of ways. Firstly, stabilising your blood sugar will be most beneficial. Secondly exercise plays a huge role. Walking will do! The chief Medical Officer of the US Diabetic Society after a big study said that just 30 mins of walking at least 5 times a week would go a long way to staving off neuropathy.

I make an example of my Mum though, who (largely due to stress I believe living in Zimbabwe and much goings on) has terribly controlled blood sugar (between 4 and 19 sometimes; really awful!) and her feet are in pretty good shape! Why? She has a young dog who yips and yaps from about 4pm each day to be taken for a walk. So my mum walks for about an hour each day with her doggy Yes she has neuropathy and they can be sore, but I really expected them to be in way worse shape when I saw her and they are great, under the circumstances. Walking is not easy for her as one knee has quite limited range of movement but nevertheless she ambles on. She's a trouper I'm proud of!

Another thing, I'm not into alternative medicine, but for my own osteoarthritis (I'm only 39) I found one tablet of ginger and 1 tablet of tumeric taken at breakfast and dinner have helped enormously (They are natural anti-inflammatories). So my mum tried them for her neuropathy and her aches and pains in her feet have improved dramatically. Improvement was found within 1 week, and by 2 there was a huge difference. (Tablets from Holland and Barrett but sure you could try any health shop).

I would not be doing my job if I don't mention you should see a podiatrist/chiropodist (they are the same thing) as soon as possible for advice and have at least a yearly check up. Some Boroughs offer this service on the NHS but its another lottery ticket area. Please do heed their advice, neuropathy if unchecked has scary consequences I shudder to think of.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Will neuropathy get worse? unfortunately Yes.
As a type 1 diagnosed 30 years ago, I suffer daily, due to diabetics being poorly managed by diabetic consultant and team for 20 years, by the time I reached my new team it was to late, now I m on DAFNE my hba1 7.2,
I take Pregabalin 600mg, Amatriptalin 90mg, Tramadol 200mg, and 8 Co-dydramol everyday, for motor neuropathy, sensory neuropathy and neuropathy both feet, neuropathy both hands, neuropathy to stomach, and now awaiting tests to see if its now in my throat, yes I am in a wheelchair.
I say demand you are put on a DAFNE course and hope you can slow the spread of neuropathy.
Good luck

muffy1948 said:

Will neuropathy get worse? unfortunately Yes.
As a type 1 diagnosed 30 years ago, I suffer daily, due to diabetics being poorly managed by diabetic consultant and team for 20 years, by the time I reached my new team it was to late, now I m on DAFNE my hba1 7.2,
I take Pregabalin 600mg, Amatriptalin 90mg, Tramadol 200mg, and 8 Co-dydramol everyday, for motor neuropathy, sensory neuropathy and neuropathy both feet, neuropathy both hands, neuropathy to stomach, and now awaiting tests to see if its now in my throat, yes I am in a wheelchair.
I say demand you are put on a DAFNE course and hope you can slow the spread of neuropathy.
Good luck

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Not true. Neuropathy doesn't have to get worse. With good controlled BG you can halt the progression. When I was diagnosed I had dreadful pins and needles and pain in the ring and little fingers on both hands. I got my BG under control and the pain and pins and needles has gone. When I first registered here, that was one of my first questions. The advice I was given worked, get your BG under control you will get the neuropathy under control, and that's exactly what happened.

It doesn't have to.
The condition can be held in check with the addition of other drugs. It is also imperative to control blood glucose properly - without glucose control, the rest is not going to work and your neuropathy will only get worse.
It is good that your GP has prescribed Pregabalin early in your treatment. It works well by opening blood vessels and allowing better flow.
Perhaps it could be a good idea to talk to your GP about additional treatment.
I have had peripheral neuropathy for about six yearsi,in both my legs and hands.
My GP prescribed a drug called Nafidrofuryl wjch together with Pregabalin has held the neuropathy in check for all of that time.
As drugs affect people in different ways, you would need to discuss this with your GP but, it has worked for me.
Good Luck

Hello,

I am 38. I am a type 2 for 4 years. I have a strong family history of type 2 .

About 3 months ago I started getting very annoying pricking,itching, biting sensations all over the body . I used to wake up getting such sensations. Life was horrible. My diabetologist or GP didn't believe I had neuropathy because they said my diabetes control was alright (HBA1C 6 to 6.5) and I hadn't had Diabetes for long.

I saw a neurologist privately. He suggested loads of tests. Got all tests done through my GP to look for a cause for neuropathy- B12, Thyroid, auto-antibodies and lots many. Was found to be B12 deficient ( cause could be Metformin which has a side efect of B12 deficiency or my vegetarian diet.) Anyway, B12 was replaced by 8 injections. Also, last summer had Vit D deficiency which was replaced by tablets. Diabetes, B12 deficiency , Vit D deficiency...all these can cause neuropathy.

I also started regular 30 min exercise everyday, cut my diet to half and lost weight. Also started taking Benfotiamine. My neuropathy has gradually got better. The horrible biting, pricking sensations have 90% gone. What remains is a patch of relative numbness in my palm and my little finger. I don't know whether that will get better. Anyhow, life is much better now. One good thing happened because of the neuropathy---I started taking my diabetes seriously. My latest HBA1c is 5.6. Cholesterol profile is all normal.

Its surprising how after time things improve without you realising. My hands were very painful, and my shoulders, my thumb i couldnt stretch out in a morning without great pain. Its been nearly 2 years since my diagnosis and these have all gone- ive just had my latest fasting blood test and looking forward to the results (hopefully better) and will be hugely disappointed if not improved because I have really tried hard. I read damage can be reversed so good luck with yours - read Bernstein.