[gb1286]

Hello, I am new to this forum. I have had Type 2 Diabetes for 5 years now, and have had pain in my feet for 4 years. I have recently developed pain in my spine and both rotator cuffs. After several visits to my PCP I finally rec'd a referal to a Orthopedic dr. who did an MRI on the lumbar. He found 2 bulging discs and have prescribed steroid injection, which I had a few weeks ago. The relief was only 5 days long. I cannot get very much information from any of my doctors as to precisely what is going on with my body. It is very frustrating because I am told I have arthritis but when I ask specific questions all I get is very general and vague answers. I have told my PCP about my pains and he just tells me to do the best I can and seems to not care. I have had to have my meds adjusted several times after struggling with this condition. I currently take 1000mg Metformin twice a day, and 10mg Glipizide twice a day. After a recent hospital stay for chest pain and high glucose levels I was also prescribed Pravastatin 40mg once at night, and Lisinopril 5mg once at night.

 

[Shanny]

Welcome aboard, gb. Sounds like you need an endocrinologist as well as that orthopedist. Sometimes our PCPs don't have a good understanding of diabetes, there are so many disorders/diseases they try to stay up on.

Tell us what your BG levels have been like. I would think the steroid injection could have caused high readings - steroids sometimes have that effect. How do you manage your diabetes besides metformin & glipizide; what is your diet like?

You must be frustrated with getting a runaround when you question the ones who should know.

Thank you for joining our support community -

take care,

 

[breezeonby]

Hello, I am new to this forum. I have had Type 2 Diabetes for 5 years now, and have had pain in my feet for 4 years. I have recently developed pain in my spine and both rotator cuffs. After several visits to my PCP I finally rec'd a referal to a Orthopedic dr. who did an MRI on the lumbar. He found 2 bulging discs and have prescribed steroid injection, which I had a few weeks ago. The relief was only 5 days long. I cannot get very much information from any of my doctors as to precisely what is going on with my body. It is very frustrating because I am told I have arthritis but when I ask specific questions all I get is very general and vague answers. I have told my PCP about my pains and he just tells me to do the best I can and seems to not care. I have had to have my meds adjusted several times after struggling with this condition. I currently take 1000mg Metformin twice a day, and 10mg Glipizide twice a day. After a recent hospital stay for chest pain and high glucose levels I was also prescribed Pravastatin 40mg once at night, and Lisinopril 5mg once at night.

:welcome: Sometimes a doctor doesn't know. I have asked my doctor several questions without getting an answer. I just brushed it off. The problems that you are having are severe. I would go to an endo and seek a second opinion from another ortho. The steroid injection probably elevated your blood sugar some. Those shots don't last very long, I have had steroid injections in my knee and just like you said, it lasts about 5 days. If you are in pain, there are medications that your doctor can prescribe. Every doctor that I have ever seen has always taken an interest when I described pain. If a doctor isn't interested, then I would think it is time to see another doctor. You are paying the doctor! If you have pain in your feet, you could have neuropathy. Neuropathy can be quite severe. I go to a podiatrist who has prescribed meds for the pain and burning in my feet. There are several things that can be done for foot pain. Pain from neuropathy can travel up the leg and lower back. When the pain is in the legs and lower back, usually you will need to see a neurologist. I hope you are able to get some relief soon.

 

[gb1286]

Hi, Thanks for asking. My A1C was 9 last six months and my PCP just said "do the best you can" and he knew my triglycerides were as he put it "extremely high". I reminded him about it but he doesn't seem to care. I was already seeing him for Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy in my knees when I first found out I was diabetic (my glucose was over 600 and I had just returned from a road trip to Dallas) and this was April 2005. Since then it has been a rollercoaster ride. Up and Down. The blurred vision and ultimately Neuropathy in my feet and toes, and now I fear that I have a nerve condition in my spine since noone will tell me what is wrong with me I have to deduce this for myself. I was very stupid as to my knowledge of this disease diabetes. I automatically relied on my PCP to take care of my needs but now that I have gotten to this point and researched things for myself I see now how I wasn't treated to fairly. I never even saw a nutritionist nor did I know I needed to. Anyway my biggest complaint now is these pains I have and I will probably be switching doctors now.

 

[wish]

welcome, gb!

 

[Shanny]

The pravastatin will do a good number on your tryglicerides, if it's anything like my lovastatin. And you can start adjusting your diet to bring your bg numbers down. It ain't easy, but it works! And as soon as your bg starts dropping, some of these other symptoms may subside quite a bit. The blurry vision, the peripheral neuropathy . . . these things often diminish when blood sugars begin the stabilize at lower levels. There's definitely cause for hope, gb, with things you can do yourself without doctor's or dietitian's orders. If you do go doc-shopping, see about an endocrinologist - that's the best choice for us with diabetes.

If you aren't testing regularly, it would be a good thing to get the meter going & start checking what foods cause your bg to elevate. Since you're five years into this, you may already be doing these things, but for new diabetics, we often suggest that they avoid eating fast-acting carbohydrates like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice & anything made with white flour and/or white sugar. Avoid juices, sugary drinks & sweets. Start filling up on eggs, cheese, meat, poultry, fish, nuts, avocados, olives, leafy greens, etc. Get all the fiber you can. Some diabetic patients can tolerate beans - the darker the better. I can eat small portions of black beans & red beans without too much disturbance to my bg.

btw, we drive right past you every time we go visit our kids in Piedmont. Usually come into Tulsa on 412 & jump off onto 66.

 

[gb1286]

Thanks to eceryone

Thanks to everyone. This forum is a great thing to have. I really appreciate the concern and input. I have an appt. with a new PCP. I will see how that goes, endocrinologist....hmmm I will have to google that since I have never heard of that before.

I wonder how arthritis is linked to diabetes?? I have pain in all my joints. My rotator cuffs, knees, wrists, and even the very top of my neck "pops" when I move. There is pain up and down the legs.

I have applied for disability with Social Security since I can hardly function. I have always worked but anticipate a denial since everyone I have talked to on this says that is the norm. I really don't want to take this route but I don't know what else to do.

Anyway I really appreciate all you guys out there!!

 

[gb1286]

Shanny....Piedmont...where is that in OK?

 

[Shanny]

Piedmont is straight west of Edmond . . . we come in on 66, drive through Edmond & wind up right in downtown Piedmont.

Regional map

 

[gb1286]

Cool....ole rt 66

Old rt 66 we traveled that hwy many times when we were young and traveling with our Dad. I lived in Shawnee for 18 years so I am amazed that I never heard of Piedmont......good to know though.:flame: