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Pain in the feet!

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Posted 12/3/2007 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello people,

I just registered for this room because I am hopeing to find some one who knows what I am going through.  I am 38 and have had Diabetes for ten years.  It was one year ago that I went from type two to one. Now I have been diacnosed with neouropathy.  Looking for people to talk to that have the same.  Sleep is a thing of the past for me.  Anyone out there?

Woody

Posted 12/3/2007 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi:) I have only been diagnosed with diabetes about 6 weeks ago but also have nerve damage. I was left undiagnosed for so long I almost died in ketoacidosis. My legs, feet, arms and hands hurt all the time. I get awful cramps when I lay down. I sympathize with the no sleep. I nap here and there when I can. The dr wanted to wait and see if it went away but it is getting worse. The dr gave me vicodin and flexeril but I do not like to use them. I know there is a newer pill, Lyrica, that helps some. It made my legs and feet swell too much for me to use. I am hoping walking regularly helps. Has your dr offered anything for pain relief? If not, make an appointment and talk to dr about it. Good luck:)
Posted 12/3/2007 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, it is interesting to here your comments. Yes I am on Vicoten

and tried lyrica, my legs swelled so bad i couldn't wear shoes. The Doc switched me to a different med and although I still have swelling it is not as bad.  I deffinatly found out drinking is a thing of the past.  It makes the symptoms much worse.  Do you have to pee like 4 times a night?  And the night sweats, I have to strip the bed sheets and quilt every morning, whats up with that?

 

Posted 12/3/2007 9:13 PM (GMT 0)

Woody

How high are your blood sugars running? Excessive urination and the night sweats you mention are signs of high blood sugar and large swings in blood glucose levels. I had symptoms like that when my sugars were running in the 400's. As soon as I got my levels down to a more normal range (100 and under), the symptoms stopped altogether.  

Your symptoms might get better if you establish tighter control of your blood sugar levels. Following a lower carb diet and increasing your exercise level are the two best ways to do this. The book by Dr. Bernstein that is referenced frequently here has a whole section about the effects of diet and exercise on neuropathy and other diabetes complications.

sandy

Posted 12/4/2007 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi:)

Right now I am working on keeping the blood sugars down and getting my A1c somewhere near normal. By the time I got to the hospital in ketoacidosis, my bs was 878 and A1c was 15.2. I was on an insulin drip for 11 days. The dr said I probably would have died that weekend without help. I am on prednisone for asthma also and that raises the bs. I get new blood test in January and hope the A1c is better. My diabetes is prednisone induced but don't know if I will be able to get off the lantus shot or Metformin. Don't mind the pills but not too crazy about the shot. I use the prefilled pen though and it does not hurt at all. I don't know how much nerve damage I will end up with yet. The vicodin and flexeril work when I take them but really have to be hurting to use them. Once I get to sleep, nothing wakes me up. Lanie, on this forum, is really a help to me. My body just doesn't like carbs at all. Only thing is I am losing lots of weight with no carbs. I lost another 6.5 pounds this week. I eat just what I have to because I am afraid the prednisone will raise my bs too high. What other pill are you on for the pain? I see my new dr Thursday and will ask about it. This new dr saved my life while my old dr didn't do anything to help me even though I went to see him every week complaining about my symptoms which were very clearly the signs of diabetes for MONTHS. I take diabetes very seriously as my sister died of complication and I have seen what it can do. I get so much help here. I am glad you found this place and hope you find it helpful too:)
Posted 12/4/2007 2:56 PM (GMT 0)

In response to the high bs levels being responsible for the night sweats and urination, yes it seemed like the perfect reason, as a seasoned diabetic I looked there first.  My AC1 is awsome 6.1! Best it has been in 10 years and my daily levels start in the 90's in the am and peak in the low 200's after eating.  No cause for these reactions.

My current Dr. I believe is starting to think I want to take pain pills even though I take only what I need to be able to walk and function.  I have only been on vicoden for 1 1/2 months and take less than the allowed perscription amount.  I think he is going to stop giving me the script and is telling me to take advil. Advil doesn't even touch the pain.  I am a business owner and work 10 to 12 hours a day. I have five kids and need to work to support my family. I am only 38 years old. I don't know what to do. My wife who is in the medical field says some Dr's are very stingy with pain meds and some feel you should have access to what you need. She wants me to changs Dr's. Any thoughts?  Ceebee, I am on neurotin, if I spelled that right, the pharmisist told me that the dose I am on will probably need to be incressed and until I am on the right dose I should not be afraid to use the pain pills. I am just not sure what to do. When I wake in the morning I take 20mil of vicotin and have to lay in bed for 30 min. til it kicks in before I can walk, it feels like my bones are glass and like they are shatering. I am 6'-5" and weigh 265 lbs. that is alot of mass when it feels like you are walking on broken glass.  I just want to feel better, I am afraid that I won't be able to do my job soon. Now I feel like I am complaining to much, but I am loseing hope.  I am glad I found you people, I feel a little less alone in this now.

Woody

Posted 12/5/2007 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Woody:) I found if I wear heavy, warm socks to bed the pain is a lot less in the morning. I put 2 pair on last night and I could walk right when I woke up. It might help you. Maybe keeping the feet and legs warm is the trick. Good Luck:)
Posted 12/6/2007 5:02 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks CEEBEE, I'll give it a try and let you know if it works.

Woody

Posted 12/11/2007 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Woody,
Doctors aren't just trying to be stingy with pain meds. There has been a big crack down on prescription pain med regulation and doctors have to justify every script. Criminals can still get all they need on the street and the real patients have to suffer.

Some of the things I have found to help with my neuropathy and leg cramps are taking a vitamin B complex caplet for nerve health (to preserve the nerves that aren't damaged yet), Malic acid for increased cell oxygenation in the mitochondria (also helps my fibromyalgia), magnesium and calcium for preventing leg cramps, stretches and ankle pumps and rotations in bed before rising to get circulation going. These are very small helps compared to the neurontin but for me every little bit helps.

I also have found that much as it kills me to do it, climbing stairs seems to help my neuropathy. I can actually handle the pain better than the itch under my skin that I can't scratch. THAT drives me insane!!!
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