[am_can]

Hi everyone,

I have had very mild "pins and needles" on top of my feet for a long time now, however, in the last 30 days, the pain have become so unbearable that it is keeping me up all night--the right foot is significantly worse than the left because it was operated on when I had a heart bypass.

Pain killers (for arthritis) and massage therapies have provided very short term relief, and the pain is now 24/7.

I am worried that the pain is due to diabetic neuropathy. My family doc thinks it's rheumatism; my son thinks it may be both. Since my doc is reluctant to refer me to an endocrinologist, can someone please shed some light on what may be happening? Can nerves deteriorate in a matter of months?

Thanks.

70 years old, diagnosed with T2 diabetes May 2010.
Fasting sugar (with med.) 7.1-7.5

 

[Shanny]

Hello, am_can, and welcome. You're recently diagnosed, and you don't say how you're managing your diabetes or how high your sugars were at the time of diagnosis. All of this can shed light on what's happening with your feet, but the first thing you need is a competent medical team.

My question is, if your family doc doesn't want you seeing an endocrinologist, is he equally negative about podiatrists? Somebody needs to take this seriously; it sounds to me like your doc is being a little territorial, and that results in poor patient care. Diabetes wreaks all kinds of havoc, and peripheral neuropathy is a biggie. Get to a endo or a podiatrist, and if your doc refuses to give a referral, then get a new doc. I know this sounds harsh, but there's no excuse for a family physician to balk at referring to a specialist.

 

[RobertIA]

I totally agree with Shanny. Doctors that feel that way are the only people you need end up doing you more damage than good. I would also check with a neurologist as that is who diagnosed my neuropathy before diabetes.

If you become serious in getting other doctors, if you have insurance, give them a call and find out who they recommend and if you need a referral.

While I am not a doctor, I do have my doubts about rheumatism, but you need to get a definitive diagnosis by a specialist.

 

[Richard157]

I used to lose sleep with some pain like that in my feet. A saw a neurologist, got me neuropathy diagnosed and started getting better control of my blood sugar levels. I cut my carb intake to 130 per day, walked one hour on the local roads each day (treadmill in cold weather), lost weight and stopped having so many high blood sugar tests. Having a lot of high blood sugar is what causes diabetes related complications, but it usually takes awhile. You may have had diabetes for quite some time before you were diagnosed.

What medications are you using for control? How often do you test each day? Keep giving us information, I hope we can help.

Richard

 

[ColaJim]

By The Way:

i have found that when using "magnesium oil" {magnesium chloride dissolved in water } as a transdermal {rubbing it into the skin} supplement it often relieves the pain in the area that it is applied to {my feet and legs}.
This is just a passing observation but i used this as part of my eliminating neuropathy in my feet and legs {but my neuropathy was brought on by excessive use of nicotine products [constricting the the blood vessels] }. i also used Alpha Lipoic Acid in conjunction with this and i use about 20 supplements.


And yeah, find yourself a competent doctor, yours' sounds like the FDA that would rather that millions die than to admit to any mistake or ignorance on their part, remember doctors just bury their mistakes!!!

Hi everyone,

I have had very mild "pins and needles" on top of my feet for a long time now, however, in the last 30 days, the pain have become so unbearable that it is keeping me up all night--the right foot is significantly worse than the left because it was operated on when I had a heart bypass.

Pain killers (for arthritis) and massage therapies have provided very short term relief, and the pain is now 24/7.

I am worried that the pain is due to diabetic neuropathy. My family doc thinks it's rheumatism; my son thinks it may be both. Since my doc is reluctant to refer me to an endocrinologist, can someone please shed some light on what may be happening? Can nerves deteriorate in a matter of months?

Thanks.

70 years old, diagnosed with T2 diabetes May 2010.
Fasting sugar (with med.) 7.1-7.5

 

[am_can]

Thank you...

Hi Everyone:

I can't say thank you enough for everybody's feedback. Your generosity is overwhelming. I didn't known that I could get diabetes before it is diagnosed. My doctor said that I had been pre-diabetic for 2 years.

To answer some of the questions. I'm taking 1 tablet of metformin a day at the lowest dosage. According to the doctor: tablet may lower the sugar reading by 0.1; I am effectively controlling diabetes through what I eat. Last month's blood sugar test readings for fasting sugar was 7.6 and for CI 7.1. Blood sugar test is repeated once a month, which is a relief as I am not fond of needles. I'm sure most of you will share my sentiment.

Richard157, good for you if you are counting what you eat. Unfortunately, at my age, I lack the energy or willingness to be as diligent as you. By the way, did you see a neurologist after you saw an endocrinologist? Did the latter's treatment prove ineffective against your feet pain?

One final note, my doctor claims that nerve damage caused by this disease is irreparable so there is nothing an endocrinologist can do? What is the consensus on his claim?

If I missed anyone's questions, I'm sorry. I will try and do better next time.

 

[Shanny]

As I understand your latest post, am_can, your blood sugar is being tested only once a month in the doctor's office . . . you are not testing yourself every day at home? That can't be good.

And your doc thinks a fasting bg of 7.6 (136) is effective control? Forgive me for doubting your doctor, but our standards are tighter than that. A fasting of 7.6 is NOT pre-diabetic, if you please. Not by anybody's standard. If you are using diet to control, then please tell us what your diet consists of.

You now have foot pain that keeps you awake all night. Pain meds & massage have been ineffective, yet your doc says it is irreparable damage, so just live with it, eh? Your doc thinks the lowest dose of metformin is adequate coverage, eh? Mr. am_can . . . you are only 70 years old. You're the same age as our Richard157, and you're five years younger than my own husband who still does hard physical labor. Your doctor is allowing needless deterioration in your own health. He apparently doesn't know or refuses to accept responsibility. You can step up to the plate and take responsibility by replacing this inadequate doctor with someone who knows their way around the treatment of diabetes.

As I said before, you need a competent medical team and you need it now. Get to an endocrinologist AND a neurologist for guidance, and start truly controlling your diabetes. There are other treatments for neuropathy besides pain meds, and several of our members can testify to the efficacy of these other meds.

We are not at the mercy of these complications - regardless what your doctor thinks. Please consider getting other opinions from doctors who specialize, because you are enduring unnecessary pain and sleepness nights, all because your doctor can't or won't prescribe adequate treatment, and he refuses to give a referral.

 

[RobertIA]

May I apologize before I post?

Your diabetes loves you and your doctor. It has been given the green light to do all types of damage. It is now in your feet and next you will have sores that don't heal and that will be followed by amputation. Your kidneys are probably already beginning to lose they ability to filter out toxic substances and do their job. Dialysis will be next.

Are you starting to have problems with you eyesight? Don't worry, it won't be much longer.

Like I said in my first post - your doctor is doing you more harm. Even the American Diabetes Associstion want A1c's of less than 7.0%so where you doctor thinks 7.6 is okay really make me wonder.

I have to wonder what cereal box your doctor's medical degree came in. Or is he one of the progressive doctors that believes in humane euthanasia as his attitude will kill you.

You are in the same age group as several of us. You say you lack the willingness to be diligent. I sorry for you that you are so sure that you can just ignore your diabetes and your poor medical care.

Since I am not a moderator, I do not have to be as polite, but I would encourage you to stop being the poster person for poor diabetes care and remove your current doctor form the picture as well.

 

[RobertIA]

am-can,

I must sincerely apologize for the cheap shot. When I get to venting, I have a nasty habit of writing before engaging brain.

 

[Shanny]

Took me awhile to get back here, but I wanted to find Jenny Ruhl's blurb on the studies of deteriorating type 2s. It just ain't so. When the standards are tight, there is no certainly of complications for diabetics. Do People with Type 2 Always Deteriorate?

And while I was there, I grabbed another of Jenny's essays: Do You Have a Good Doctor?