[Troy Tucker]

Hi my name is Troy. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about thirteen years ago. I found out that I have diabetic neuropathy about six months ago. It started with my feet hurting and the pain just keeps getting worse. I am living on percocet and it makes me feel sick, itchy, and tired and only helps the pain for a short time. I have had a neurologist and a podiatrist tell me that there's nothing more they can do and that the nerve damage can't be reversed. My wife has researched it online and has found people who say that it can be reversed with good control of blood sugars for about a year. I lost my job ten months ago and the pain has become excruciating. I don't think I'll be able to work again unless things improve drastically. I would like to know of anyone who has been able to reverse their nerve damage.

 

[Shanny]

Welcome, Troy. How is your control? What was your last A1c? Do you have an endocrinologist who helps you manage your diabetes?

We have members who work really hard to control neuropathy, but yes, sometimes it goes so far it can't be reversed. It's one of the more serious complications of uncontrolled diabetes.

Tell us more about what's going on here.

 

[Richard157]

I had neuropathy in my feet a few years ago. It kept me awake for a few hours on many nights. Getting up and walking around was the only way I found relief. Then I started using an insulin pump for my Type 1 diabetes. After a few months of no longer having so much high blood sugar, my neuropathy symptoms disappeared. They have returned only when I have run higher than usual blood sugar for a few days. When my control returns to normal the symptoms are gone again.

I want to point out that I have had an A1c below 6.0 for several years, even when I was having the neuropathy. I had highs and lows back then that compensated for each other and resulted in a good BS average and A1c's. The trauma to the body caused by the changing from high to low repeatedly, many times, can cause diabetes complications even though the A1c's are very good.

To reverse neuropathy you need good A1c's and stable BS levels with very few highs and lows. That is very difficult to do, but it may be your only solution. I know several Type 2 diabetics who have excellent control because they are using insulin and an insulin pump. That is not at all unusual in the USA now.

Richard

 

[breezeonby]

Hi my name is Troy. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about thirteen years ago. I found out that I have diabetic neuropathy about six months ago. It started with my feet hurting and the pain just keeps getting worse. I am living on percocet and it makes me feel sick, itchy, and tired and only helps the pain for a short time. I have had a neurologist and a podiatrist tell me that there's nothing more they can do and that the nerve damage can't be reversed. My wife has researched it online and has found people who say that it can be reversed with good control of blood sugars for about a year. I lost my job ten months ago and the pain has become excruciating. I don't think I'll be able to work again unless things improve drastically. I would like to know of anyone who has been able to reverse their nerve damage.

Hi Troy and welcome to the forum. I have several types of neuropathy.
I went several years without treating or testing my blood glucose and when I finally got health insurance and got back to treating my diabetes, I discovered that I had peripheral neuropathy. Last September, I went to a podiatrist who diagnosed the neuropathy in my feet. My A1C has been between 4.4-5.7 for about 10 months and I still have pain in my feet along with burning & tingling. I am currently taking Neurontin (Gabapentin) to help with the pain. I also have neuropathy in my left hand. My podiatrist said that you can't reverse nerve damage but you can treat the pain. I know some people have been able to get rid of the neuropathy but it hasn't happened to me yet. I keep hoping that with good glucose control that it will go away or at least some of the pain will go away. Right now, my hand is giving me more problems then my feet. If it does not get better, I plan on seeing a neurologist. There are a few medications that can help with the nerve pain. Neurontin and Lyrica are the most commonly prescribed. I was tapering my dose of Neurontin to get ready to start taking Lyrica, but I don't think I want to take Lyrica. Lyrica has some side effects that I prefer to do without. There are a few other medications that might work, Cymbalta and a few tricyclic anti-depressants have helped some. I already take a tricyclic antidepressant but I don't think it has helped. My podiatrist said there is surgery that can be done on your feet. It is called triple nerve release. You can visit Dellon.com Pain Relief for Neuropathy Pain, Groin & joint Pain, foot drop - HOME and read all about it. It is something that I would consider in the future. I have a prescription for hydrocodone but it is a short acting pain killer and doesn't help with the pain unless you take it on a regular basis and I don't want to become dependent on it. My pain is worse at night and it wakes me up. You might want to ask your doctor about Neurontin. I haven't given up hope that the neuropathy will get better. I wish you luck and hope that you can find something to help with the pain.

 

[Troy Tucker]

I have taken Lyrica and am currently taking Neurontin. Neither one has helped the pain at all. I decided to try accupuncture and am hoping to find some relief with that. I've only had one session and they say it takes six sessions to see results.

 

[breezeonby]

I have taken Lyrica and am currently taking Neurontin. Neither one has helped the pain at all. I decided to try accupuncture and am hoping to find some relief with that. I've only had one session and they say it takes six sessions to see results.

I hope the acupuncture helps. I am also looking at TENS and therapy gloves. Last night, I woke up three times with my hand in pain. I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my left hand and it only helped the pain for about 2 weeks. I currently doing research on neuropathy, just trying to get educated.

 

[jmitter]

Hi my name is Troy. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about thirteen years ago. I found out that I have diabetic neuropathy about six months ago. It started with my feet hurting and the pain just keeps getting worse. I am living on percocet and it makes me feel sick, itchy, and tired and only helps the pain for a short time. I have had a neurologist and a podiatrist tell me that there's nothing more they can do and that the nerve damage can't be reversed. My wife has researched it online and has found people who say that it can be reversed with good control of blood sugars for about a year. I lost my job ten months ago and the pain has become excruciating. I don't think I'll be able to work again unless things improve drastically. I would like to know of anyone who has been able to reverse their nerve damage.

Troy; I just had this surgery done on 7/6/2010 to my left foot and I'm am scheduled to have the right foot done 8/10/2010, so far so good. I would be happy to keep you up to date on my progress. Contact me jmitter @suite 224. net take out the spaces, it was the only way I could get around the sights rules.

 

[BucKster]

Newbe

Well first off I was just DX with Diabetes 2 on March 13 2011 and on March 25 2011 was also DX with gastritis. Its very difficult to manage both but am trying. My Question is this.. I think I have Diabetic Neuropathy (lots of pain,numbness and tingling in my feet) but was told (by a podiatrist) that Diabetic Neuropathy only occurs at night when you sleep. Mine is ALL the time. I do not have Medical Ins. so going to the doctor is (when I have the money to do so). Was told by another doctor (a friend's daughter is a dermatologist) that that was just not true. Any opinions ?

 

[Richard157]

Hello Buckster. Neuropathy pain is usually much worse during the night, but it can definitely occur during the waking hours too. The worst cases can be a problem 24/7. There are medications that my neurologist offered to prescribe. When I stopped having so many highs and lows, and my blood sugar stabilized, my neuropathy symptoms disappeared. I hope you neuropathy will improve in the near future.

 

[onlymep]

welcome Troy I don't have experience with neuropathy... well other than nerve pain from side effects of medication and a back problems. I've been type 2 for about as long as you have. I'm now on full time insulin. I'm sure you will find lots of support and info here. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

 

[skyangl55]

neuropathy

: This diabetic neuropathy hurts so bad I want to cry.I take 1 80 mg pain killer 3x a day and 1 15 mg in between and I still can't walk,this rots.I think when I first was diagnosed as being diabetic my dr had me mixing 45 units of humalin n and 15 r which I think did morre harm than good.That was 15 yrs ago and now I see a different dr and he took me off injections almost 3 yrs ago and I only take metformin 2x a day.What was that dr trying to do kill me? I had told him about the pain and numbness but all he ever did was increase my insulin intake.I have very good days but today is one of the really bad ones because it's supposed to start raining.Does anybody have any suggestions??

 

[Darbro]

I hope the acupuncture helps. I am also looking at TENS and therapy gloves. Last night, I woke up three times with my hand in pain. I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my left hand and it only helped the pain for about 2 weeks. I currently doing research on neuropathy, just trying to get educated.

I'm very sorry to hear of your troubles, but am very interested to find out whether the TENS works. Are you going to use it for your foot pain? (rather than the hand), and where will they place the electrodes?

Best of luck to you!

 

[silvertiger]

When I was diagnosed I think I had the very beginnings of neuropathy, my big toes were burning and tingling at night. That's gone away now, although if I have a "bad day" and my BG spikes high, I will get shooting pains in my toes. So I would be optimistic! Good luck!

 

[hunter]

Hi troy,
if you are on any Cholesterol Medication (Statin Drugs) and you are prescribed, over 30mg, per day.
Ask your cardiologist to reduce your cholesterol medicatio in half, for a few weeks, stop your pain medication, in order to monitor any changes.Your leg pain may go away. and if your leg pain does go away, It is caused by your Cholesterol medication, and the damage done is permanent, and irrevirsible,
The pain was caused by the medication, shredding the muscle fibre, and placing it in the blood stream, whuich is filtered by the kidneys, and creates kidney damage as well. put your Cholesterol medication name, and class action behind it in your search engine.