HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Neuropathy getting worse

Support Forums
>
Diabetes
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/2/2008 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

I just wanted to post a question to those of you with a grasp on diabetic neuropathy. I have talked about this in past comments and have not posted in awhile.  I have not posted because for a short time I was starting to feel better and thought I was on the road to recovery.  My symptoms were slowly going away and I could function fairly well again.  In the past two weeks I have been getting worse by the day confused .  I am doing all the right things, good BS and taking my meds, but the pain is getting unbearable. This morning I had to ask my wife to open my pill bottle for me because my hands hurt so bad and were so asleep I could not feel anything in my finger tips, but my lower hands hurt so bad my hands were curled up. The night sweats are back, my legs swell to the point were I look like fred flintstone and I can bearly get out of bed because it hurts to much to walk. For those of you who have not commented to me before I am only 38 years old and in good shape, I am active as I can be and need to work long days.  My wife was reading somewhere that Neuropathy sometimes gets worse before it gets better. Any one out there experience the same? If this does not start to change I don't know what I will do. I have young children that need me to get on the floor and play with them, and just alot of life to live. I just don't know what to do. I need help. And yes I am talking to my doctor, but she is just slowly incressing my Neurotin. Its not working. Any advice?

Woody

Posted 1/3/2008 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Woody,
My neuropathy is very mild and I am a type 2 so I can't really help you much. I do question the leg swelling, though. Sounds to me like you might be having some kidney involvement and it's time for a kidney workup. My internist is located in a Nephrolgist's office so I have a urine screen for albumen and stuff at each visit. Leg swelling can be indicative of heart problems as well. I'd get into the office, pronto.
Posted 1/3/2008 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Woody:) I get the cramps in finger and hands and legs and feet but they are much better on the low carb diet. Still, they are not gone. They are better when I take vitamins with magnesium and potassium(low readings on these can cause the cramps). Has your doctor checked to see if you are low on these? I know your pain and it can be very painful. It put me out of commission when they were bad. The doctor said when my A1c is lowered(test again in a month), it should stop. My A1c was 15.2 when I was diagnosed. We will see. Are you taking pain meds or muscle relaxants? Hope you feel better soon:)
Posted 1/3/2008 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
CeeBee, I am taking Vicotine for pain and slowly increasing my neurotin. I am now at 3600 mg. per day. And take about 80mg. of vic as I need it. It takes 20 to 30mg to get me out of bed. I am on alot of heart meds for Hyper tension and I think this may cause the leg swelling, my Dr. keeps telling me it will get better but the swelling has gone on for about five months now. The kidney thing scares me, I

drank alcohol pretty regular at night when I got home from work for the past few years, not alot, but one or two drinks every night. I quit all alcohol when I was diacnosed with neuropathy as I read that it makes it worse. That was about four months ago. Six months ago I had a kidney function done and it was normal. Do you think I should ask for another test? 

Posted 1/3/2008 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Woody,

I would go to the doctor if my legs were swollen for more than a couple days. I am on prednisone for asthma and my legs can swell from that a lot. When they do, my toes look like little sausages! They haven't swollen for a while now though. I really cut down on sodium in my diet. Are you on a diuretic with your blood pressure pills? Everyone I know is on one plus potassium pills with hbp pills. At least call and talk to your doctor. I have vicodin but hardy ever use it. I take as little meds as I can. Pain makes it hard to function. I have had pain that lasted so long that it took all my energy just to live with it and that is all I could do. Not a good way to be living. I find most doctors(unless they have suffered from chronic severe pain) do not know what you are suffering. I just learned to live with it and keep on going. Pain meds just mask the pain not help it so I seldom use any. Were you undiagnosed for a long time? That is where my neuropathy came in. How long a diabetic? Feel better soon:)
Posted 1/21/2008 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
hi
how about doing accupressure for neuropathy? I tave tried it and found that the pain that bothered my arms esp during sleep is slowly disappearing. Just locate all the painful points on your forearm and undersides. You can press these points for about 30 sec or alternatively press the painful spot firmly and count two, then release. Repeat this for as many times as you wish!

The horse stance is quite helpful for the feet, legs and it is a very simple exercise from Chinese qigong. Start with ten minutes and work your way up to about twenty minutes or more. You will need to get somebody who knows to show you how to do for the first time !!

If you can locate the painful spots on the liver meridian between the big toe and first toe and do accupressure, you will be amazed at how it immediately brings relief to your entire leg - I do have get sleep if I do that at night.

I read in some diabetic news that at one university, researchers have succeeded in reversing neuropathy. All it takes is one injection and similar clinical trials have been duplicated in the US. It's anyone's guess when this marvel will be available to the public.

Kindest regards
Cjuan
Posted 1/27/2008 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
My husband uses a tens unit on his feet and this has cut the pain in half. The electric stimulus on the bottom of his feet has helped so much. Not cured but helped. Also he keeps hands and feet warm. That seems to help. Look on line andI am sure that there are special stimulation machines for neuropathy. Hope this helps because I know how painful it can be.


Becky
ivy's mom
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply