Hurray! I have Diabetic Neuropathy!

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

First, let me state that I am a diabetic, and I am under a doctor’s supervision for that. Due to some laxity in my own personal vigilance, my A1C has gone up by point two points according to my last testing in May. But my readings are currently doing well. I plan to try harder to make sure they are better next time.

The thing is, I have noticed that my walking gait is getting slower with shorter strides. I feel unsteady on my feet on uneven ground, and walking is becoming more difficult and unnerving. I purposely plan my routes to involve less walking. Even so, in April, I took a tumble, and faceplanted on the sidewalk. I needed three stitches for my split lip.

But since I have noticed these changes, I have been quietly terrified. Today, I read on a medical website that diabetes can cause these exact symptoms that I am experiencing…

…and I am vastly relieved to have this walking thing of mine a result of my diabetes.

Strange, why relieved? Because of all the studies linking slow walking as a sign of the onset of dementia being splashed all over the news.

Okay, I’m not thrilled to have diabetic neuropathy. I like my limbs intact. But the thought of amputation doesn’t terrify me like the thought of impending dementia. I would rather lose my legs than my marbles.

And for the last, I dunno, six months or so, my slowing gait has put me in a walking nightmare, thinking that this is dementia coming on.

So, yay! I have diabetic neuropathy. Thank whatever passes for god.

(And yes, I know diabetes can cause dementia. But one thing at a time.)

2

FWIW when I was first diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy I freaked out in my podiatrist’s office, suddenly convinced that I was going to lose my legs to gangrene. Like, full-blown panic attack. The doc assured me that neuropathy doesn’t affect blood flow, so any circulation problems that may arise are not related to neuropathy. One apparently doesn’t affect the other. And while I deal with a lot of pain in my legs and feet my circulation is so far fine.

3

So sorry.

Get that glucose under control.
There are things they can do to help your feet.
If you haven’t done it, see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

Stay safe and walk carefully. Get a cane.

4

I’ve had it since around 2000 and it does gradually get worse. Even when the blood sugar is well-controlled. My A1C has been around 5.5 to 6% the whole time. I used to walk 4 miles to my office 4 days a week. Now I cannot walk 4 blocks and have trouble on uneven ground. Even so, it hurts when the podiatric nurse is clipping my toe nails.

5

Thanks for posting that story. It is even more comforting to know that neuropathy and circulation problems are mutually exclusive. Perhaps I can look forward to keeping all my limbs.

6

Not so fast, diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy are two different things. If you have diabetes your feet will always be suspect.
Get a good diagnosis, from your doctor. Get you diabetes under control as best you can.
Then get to the podiatrist.

7

I developed symptoms years before I fell into the T2DM category - noticed that my big toes felt a bit numb, after a long car ride, and then got better. I thought it was due to some problem with sitting for so long, or something.

I had nerve conduction / electromyelogram tests done, and the neurologist says that he sees a LOT of patients develop early-stage neuropathy several years before they are diagnosed with diabetes (and I was being tested in the interim, it’s not like I was an undiagnosed diabetic).

The numbness gradually progressed to take over much of the feet.

I have NOT found that my walking is slowed much by this, fortunately. I’m careful about walking anyway for other reasons (life-threatening clumsiness) and get nervous if I am doing any heavy-duty ambulation without my trek pole. That uneven ground is pretty tough for me. Stairs aren’t great either - ours have tried to kill me on numerous occasions.

Oh and yeah, the feet DO feel pain. I loathe pedicures. And when I broke my foot 2 years ago, and my toe the year before that, oh yeah they both hurt like hell.

While neuropathy and circulation issues do NOT go hand in hand, wounds may heal more slowly - and if you don’t feel pain, a foot wound can go unnoticed, become infected, with pretty nasty results.

8

I’ve had idiopathic peripheral neuropathy for close to 30 years. Practically overnight I went for walking normally to having unbearable pain in my feet after walking a bock. Nothing in dozens of tests has either revealed a cause or found a way to relieve the pain.

Slow walking is a sign of the onset of dementia? My onset must be the slowest in history. Three decades of onset!

Of course the thought of diabetes runs through my head and my glucose has been elevated for 20 years. My A1C is also between 5.5 and 6.2. But my doctor keeps a close check on me and never has said that I’m in danger of slipping over into diabetes.

I’m chock full of idiopathies. Apparently my DNA isn’t part neanderthal but proof that aliens visited Earth in the past.

9

I also have neuropathy in my feet due to type 2 diabetes. Are there any treatments or supplements that help (in addition to BG control)? I didn’t think there were, but a friend has neuropathy in her feet and legs due to other causes, and one of her docs gives her B12 shots. Any use?

10

I know a person where B12 works for them. She injects her self, once a week.
I think it’s hard to get a doctor of the right mind to avail you of the script.

I’ve heard Magnesium, Willow bark, Biotin, And Cannabis.

11

Do you drink?

You also may be nearer to diabetes that you or your doctor thinks. Sometimes if things just stay the same, as in your numbers, the doctor may not wanna rock the boat.

Where the harm to body parts and organs goes bad is the silence that is the scary part of diabetes.
Things can be already gone before it’s discovered.

I would ask for a full blood work up.

Your feet won’t come back, I’m afraid. There are meds that can help with discomfort. But there’s no cure. There are some “scrambling” treatments. I personally think it’s snake oil. I guess it’s worth a try. I’m pretty sure Medicare covers it by the ads I see on TV.

My friend says her doc told her sciatica was the root cause. Not sure I believe that either.

12

Best of luck managing this. With no intent of making light of your challenges, I was reminded of a bit in a delightful short story I just read:

“She still had all of her marbles, though every one of them was a bit odd and rolled asymmetrically.”

13

Yeah, but my marbles were always like that. :wink:

14

I don’t drink. I’ve also had, by count, 14 different blood tests so far this year, including a lipid panel and a comprehensive metabolic panel. There are blood donors who’ve had less blood withdrawn.

15

I know how you feel.

I’m glad you know. I was afraid you were ignoring things. Has the doctor offered any help with the neuropathy?

Be careful on those feet.