[Terrie]

Along with the thread about Diabetes Foot Complications and Care I've already posted, this thread/site I believe is also beneficial to us since it includes so much information and foot problems/symptoms are sometimes confusing, scary and so far, continuingl.

I believe I mentioned aleady that 1999 was a crazy year for my Family and myself so I had put Diabetes on the back burner for much of that year. Then one day as I was walking downstairs I noticed a definite numbness in my middle toe of my left foot. That scared me. My dr. confirmed Neuropathy. So I got back and the bandwagon and resumed putting Diabetes in the forefront where it has mainly remained. I thankfully got the feeling back in my toe after many months.

Another problem that many People have complained about through the years specifically are their burning feet. When someone tells me this I automatically tell them to get tested for Diabetes since that can be a later symptom of it.

Burning Foot & Burning Feet - complete information from ePodiatry

eMJA: Campbell et al, The lower limb in people with diabetes

 

[Sweety]

I have a really bad problem with burning feet. At night I have to be utterly exhausted to sleep because the burning keeps me awake. I also have numbness in my toes and in the bottom of my feet. Walking is becoming more difficult. The thing is, the sensation feels like burning but it is actually cold that makes it burn. I liken it to the burning of frostbite. If there is a breeze on my feet it hurts so much worse. Lately I have found putting heat rub on my toes helps. I'm using ben-gay.

My doctor said the neuropathy was irreversible and that only more damage could be stopped. Is that true do you think?

 

[Terrie]

Sorry, I missed this post Sweety. Of course, I was gone for some of Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You should have yelled at me anyways.

That's a shame that your feet are so sore but if the Neuropathy is only in your feet, I don't believe that it can't be reversed. If it is higher up like around the calf area then probably it can't be reversed.

Sure, I only had Neuropathy in one toe and a bit on the sole but when I realized what was going on, I got to work getting rid of it. And I did. No, it wasn't the whole foot but certainy the same area. If it was the whole foot then I would have just had to have worked harder at getting a Good level of sugar and trying to keep it there. It wouldn't have been perfect(no ones is all the time)but it would have been Good or near Good most of the time, as it should be anyways. Plus exercising....or at least the legs and feet to try to help the circulation.

I certainly wouldn't throw in the towel just because someone said it's hopeless and I hope that you don't give up either Sweety. It took time for your feet to get numb and sore so like-wise it will take time to get rid of at lest most of the numbness. You've gotta try. You know it's gonna get a lot worse. It's NOT too late. This is important!! Sorry, for speaking loudly.

These my help some:

Doxepin, Zostrix topical creams, etc. There is another cream for the burning pain that was supposed to be finished in trials by April 2008, I think. I don't know the name for it is yet though. So far it's named lMX.150 sponsered by Procris Pharmaceuticals. Also
Neurontin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and others.

Pain in Your Feet? Try These Proven Techniques for Soothing Them - Diabetes Health

 

[Sweety]

Thanks Terri for you reply although I wasnt expecting it. Yes I'm still trying to keep my sugar levels down. I will ask the doctor about those creams when I visit him next. Thanks!

 

[mattman]

Hi i have noticed brown spots on my feet and ankles, i read that metformin is a cause for it.
Is it true?
Can I do anything about it other than stop the met?

 

[Sweety]

Hi mattman, I had the brown spots long before I started taking metformin. I don't believe the cause is metformin, but the diabetes one takes the metformin for. From what I've gleaned they might be caused by low blood flow to the lower legs and feet, which might be connected to neuropathy.

I'm just guessing tho I can't prove this and I need more information.

 

[Luke Paton]

HI , i have simular problems with feet temp caused by neuropathy . In my opion it will only get worse as i look after my diabetes and my pain has increased up my legs as well. Try using a foot and calf massage machine , one that has rollers and vibrations on the underneath of the feet , and sides that move in and out . On bad nights sometime that is all that will make me drift off to sleep .
I have never been able to find a medication that will help with the neuropathy so i am stuck on pain killers . I can recommend Tramadol .I take the maxium medication allowed and have done for a few years . although it doesnt give me total relieve , it certainly helps .
I once tried a health product called Kenko ( i think that was its name ) . it claims to help with blood circulation ( the cause of the coldness ) . Health shops will know this product .
I was also told that if u still have hairs growing on your toes and feet , then this is a good sign of blood still circulating well in that area and it isnt to late for you

 

[Richard157]

I had neuropathy diagnosed by a neurologist several years ago. She use an EMG test to detect the neuropathy. It was in my feet and lower ankles at that time. More recently I have started pumping insulin. Now that I have very few highs and lows I rarely have any neuropathy symptoms. If I run a few highs during the day I can have a little bit of neuropathy that night. If I have no more than 2 or 3 hours of BG above 130 during the day I have no neuropathy that day. Good control has almost eliminated my neuropathy.

 

[Luke Paton]

buring feet solution

I have a really bad problem with burning feet. At night I have to be utterly exhausted to sleep because the burning keeps me awake. I also have numbness in my toes and in the bottom of my feet. Walking is becoming more difficult. The thing is, the sensation feels like burning but it is actually cold that makes it burn. I liken it to the burning of frostbite. If there is a breeze on my feet it hurts so much worse. Lately I have found putting heat rub on my toes helps. I'm using ben-gay.

My doctor said the neuropathy was irreversible and that only more damage could be stopped. Is that true do you think?

HI , I also suffer from burning/cold feet caused from diabetic neropathy and recently purchased a machine called a circulation booster . It has greatly improved my feet and now have very little problems with burning or cold feeling feet . ( see my other posts for more info )

 

[Jaye_Marno]

Hi "Sweety" (I don't want my wife to see me call someone else Sweety!).

I don't see you posting your sugars or your weight. Good (as in VERY good) control of both of these could help ease or even reverse some of your neuropathy. Check your BMI (you can google it) and get your BMI down to 25 or lower if you can. Get your sugars down to the 90-140 mg/dl range. The ADA's 180 is ridiculous.

Rub your feet nightly. Don't use the Ben-Gay. It may give some topical relief but it is only masking the pain, and risks infection. Use a little foot powder and either wear loose-fitting socks or keep a blanket on them.

The tighter control of sugars and weight should be your focus.

And definitely make sure your doctor is aware of the severity of your foot pain and your concerns.

Jaye Marno

** Know Your Goals and How To Achieve Them. Measure Your Progress Along the Way. **

I have a really bad problem with burning feet. At night I have to be utterly exhausted to sleep because the burning keeps me awake. I also have numbness in my toes and in the bottom of my feet. Walking is becoming more difficult. The thing is, the sensation feels like burning but it is actually cold that makes it burn. I liken it to the burning of frostbite. If there is a breeze on my feet it hurts so much worse. Lately I have found putting heat rub on my toes helps. I'm using ben-gay.

My doctor said the neuropathy was irreversible and that only more damage could be stopped. Is that true do you think?

 

[sumncguy]

Im a new guy .. just diagnosed 3 months ago.

What are the common ways to avoid this issue. Going piece by piece is my biggest fear ... rather just have the massive heart attack

Would any physical excercise that helps circulation keep these conditions at bay .. stretching, yoga maybe ... I love foot massages .. ahhhhhh !!! ooooo !!!!!

 

[Luke Paton]

Im a new guy .. just diagnosed 3 months ago.

What are the common ways to avoid this issue. Going piece by piece is my biggest fear ... rather just have the massive heart attack

Would any physical excercise that helps circulation keep these conditions at bay .. stretching, yoga maybe ... I love foot massages .. ahhhhhh !!! ooooo !!!!!

HI ,

I have had continuable pain ( read my previous posts) and i excerise by stretching , exercise bike and a step machine . It hasnt greatly improved my situation but the main thing is it hasnt made it any worse . Sugar levels being under control is the most important factor .
Exercise is a very import part of diabetic treatment , especially if you are overweight