My Diabetes, new to this forum

I was originally diagnosed with Diabetes almost exactly 3 years ago. I had sought out my doctor because of very bad foot pain. It resulted in a diagnosis of Diabetes and neuropathy. My doctor believed that I had had diabetes for quite some time without it being diagnosed and therefore neuropathy was quietly developing in my feet.

My body is also blessed to have SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) partially managed through a beta blocker, high blood pressure which is under control with the help of medication, IBS (irritable bowel Syndrome) and high cholesterol which is also controlled through medication and diet.

These all present their own unique challenges. My greatest obstacles are the pain from the neuropathy and the danger of the SVT.

I have altered my diet so as to include the once loathed diet sodas and various "sugar free" items. Gone are the sweets of the past. Hello to the bland of the now.

My wife and I have looked into some diabetic recipes. I'm lucky that she is involved in keeping me healthy. She administers my once a day shot of insulin (lantus) and makes sure I am eating properly. She also watches out for sudden spikes or drops in my blood sugar.

The biggest issue I am currently grappling with is the pain in my feet. It is at times excruciating. When not medicated, the pain keeps me from sleeping or getting any meaningful rest. It also affects my daily life. It can turn a day of christmas shopping at the mall into misery. I have, more than once, ruined a day out with my family because my feet just can't take it anymore.

Right now, my doctor has me taking 300 mg of lyrica at bedtime as well as lortab (hydrocodone) as needed for pain. I also take ibuprofen for the swelling in my feet. The lyrica alone is not enough to control the pain. I was previously on Neurontin at a very high dose before I began taking lyrica. My doctor also mentioned the possibility of taking ultram with the lortab, if needed.

A major concern for me is the long term pain medication usage. I don't want to become addicted/dependent on pain meds to lead a normal life. But without the medication, I can't sleep or perform normal every day tasks. Which leaves me between a rock and a hard place.

I'm also worried about my body becoming tolerant to the pain medications, which would then require me to go up to higher doses. I don't drink, but I do already know that my body already has a high tolerance level to drugs. A single pill that might make one person loopy or tired, has little affect on me.

It is a sometimes bleak thought when I think of the upcoming years and the neuropathy. Will controlled sugars make it go away? The answer seems to be maybe, but not a definite. Will I be in less pain in 6 months? A year? Five years? I don't know. But I hope so. My latest A1C was 7.3%, it needs to be better. And it is a constant battle to keep my sugars to a low and controlled point.

This is the first time I have sought out any type of support group or forum. I wanted mostly to read the experiences others are going through and what did or didn't work for them. Which medications to avoid, and what works best.

I love my life, and the people in it, but I hope for more and better things in the future.

Thanks for reading.

Hi! & Welcome!

In my case, I watch the "sugar-free" stuff as much as anything else (carbs, of course . They're all chemicals (sugar alcohol), with the exception of natural stevia. In limited amounts, I find I can tolerate it it but, say, half a diet coke? My knees start to ache and I personally notice a change in my blood sugars. My body knows how to handle the real stuff much better (honey, cane sugar, fruit sugar). My body doesn't like chemicals (medications, processed foods) so, we eat a very natural diet and find that helps both my Diabetes and Hubby's IBS. Everyone's situation differs, though. It's through glucose meter testing on a regular basis, that lets us know how our food choices and meds affect us.

Low carb bland? No way, doesn't have to be at all. I don't know much about the meds you're on and what limitations to those you might have but, spices and vinegars and peppers and all kinds of things like that can really kick it up without any/much carb count. Check out some of our past posts to see what we're talking about

Overweight? A bit, I'm about 20 pounds from my ideal weight. I seemed to put on the weight when i went on some of these drugs. I've gained that 20 pounds since being diagnosed diabetic. Previously I was at my ideal weight. (Currently I'm on Lantus insulin and Metformin for my diabetes)

I'm sure losing those 20 pounds will help my overall health, but probably not with the foot pain. I've had the footpain at every weight. My proper weight to now.


The bland food I find is a result of both my diabetes and IBS. Diabetes immediately limits certain foods I can eat. And IBS affects a great portion of the menu. I can't eat something too spicy for instance. I have to watch out for dairy. Certain cheeses will trigger IBS. etc.

Talk to your doctor about adding Cymbalta in addition to the Lyrica.

I have a pretty severe case of nueropathy in my feet and all I take is Cymbalta, 90 mg once a day, and for me it works well. I occasionally have some foot pain but 99% of the time I just have the numbness.

The better your control over you blood sugars the better the pain will get too.

I have major problems keeping my blood sugar under tight control, but when they do run good I notice fewer flair ups and my nueropathy meds seems to work better. They probably do since my nerves are not being attacked by the high blood sugars.