Do your own research. Doctors do NOT care. If my doctor said 189 was not high, I would be going to a new doctor, but then, I have already done that. :)

Studies have proven what numbers above 140 can do to the body.

Nobody cares more about you than YOU. Research, research, research.

Might I ask how old you are????

I'm 26.

It basically seems like I'll have to wait until I have trouble walking, which is already happening due to muscle weakness, before anyone takes this seriously. Until then I'll cut out the carbs...

Just cut out the simple carbs. You can eat some of the good carbs. We all need some carbs, just not a large amount. Learn all about it. Hopefully it will help you a lot, but in any case it is good to watch the diet.

Listen, I know it makes you feel better to believe doctors are all knowing and all caring. Don't be disillusioned. You are a paycheck and a number...to MOST doctors.

Are there some out there who genuinely care? YES. But you won't find them easy, and they are not all over the place.

I learned last year after bad experiences with several doctors, that I am responsable to find the best care for ME. I use to believe doctors were like gods, all knowing and all caring, and I stupidly believed everything they said, cuz..well, they are doctor. Now? Heck to the NO.

Now? I am the boss, they work for me, and if I don't believe they have the best interest in ME and not a pharmacutical world, then I fire them and move on to the next dr.

The facts are, that doctors are in a somewhat losing situation, as the medical industry is pharmicutically driven. DRUGS. The money is in DRUGS. And kickback for perscribing drugs is real. You wanna know who makes real money??? Pharmacutical salesmen. Yep, those people who go around giving free drug samples and lunches to all the offices. My sister works for a large hospital off branch doctors office. The things these salesmen do are mind blowing. They throw parties, give food, drug samples, kick backs..ON A WEEKLY BASIS. And the doctors? Well, being human, they do it. More money for them. Every time you see a doctor pull out a perscription pad...you have to wonder...why is he writing it for that specific drug??? How much is he getting for every single RX he writes for that drug????

Sorry, Im on a rant.

You are too young to not fight for your health. You are in a serious situation. If you don't realize that, then you should. Take control. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. Become your own best advocate for YOU. Because do you really wanna lose use of your legs or feet? or live in pain????

Diabetes is serious. If you have it, you best get informed on the REAL facts. And don't just trust what I am saying, or anyone else, RESEARCH IT YOURSELF.

Knowledge is power. You have the world wide web at your fingertips. Use it. And don't just trust 1 person or voice, prove it out.

So, may have found some useful information recently.

Long story short- I had been on an anti-acne topical cream since January. When my neurological symptoms started, I attributed them all to the Anti-Depressant I had just started taking. Meanwhile, I kept taking the acne cream without, and never mentioned it to my doctors. It seems silly, but I just never even considered it could have been a factor. I think my brain just made the assumption that medicine=pills taken orally, which is not true obviously.

So I looked at the drug info for the cream, it's called Aczone. It contains Dapsone, which listed in the fine print, says it can cause PN when ingested, or with other drug interactions I guess? I never ingested it, but I think this is pretty big piece of the puzzle. I have no idea what in the Viibryd would have triggered the symptoms, but just a few days off the Aczone and I see an improvement. What is worrying me now is figuring out how much damage I've done.

I think the high glucose levels were the result of a high does of steroids I was on, although I'm still limiting my carbs and sugars.

Why were you on high doses of steroids? And yes they do cause elevated blood sugars. They can also cause muscle weakness and
impair the immune system.

Is there anything else you haven't told us?

This member has a neuropathy from dapsone:
You might want to read his posts.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...hlight=Dapsone

My Doctor put me on them when I started complaining of muscle weakness. It was about a week and a half ago, but I've cycled off them now. Yesterday was the first day I didn't have any pills. They seemed to help with the weakness, but not much else.

Steroids are paradoxical. If you have inflammation, they may reduce it and improve symptoms.

But they also can cause muscle weakness.
This is more explanation:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/313842-overview

You may have to join to read this article, but it is free, and nice to have the membership...great things on that site.

They have a copyright so we can't post quotes from them.

If you were not on them for a long time, you might miss any muscle weakness, but alot also depends on dose etc.

Thanks for the link, I'll read everything in that thread.

I was under the impression that steroids were a normal treatment for PN, is that not the case?

I was on a low dose for 6 days (starter packet), then was on 100 mg for 3 days, 80 for 3 days, then 20 for 2 days, then yesterday didn't have any. I wanted to see where I stand without using the aczone, and didn't want the steroids confusing the situation.

Steroids also deplete potassium, which causes muscle weakness.

No, steroids are not always given for PN.

They are sometimes tried when a person is suspected of
having GBS ... or a rapidly demyelinating process. Some autoimmune processes may respond to steroids. They are used for example in Myasthenia Gravis.

Most sensory PNs are slowly progressive and steroids are not
typically used.

Ok, I will bring all this info to my neurologist. I'm scheduled to meet with a new Doctor at a teaching hospital in january. My sister actually works there and told me she may be able to speed up the process, which would be great.

Thank you again, Mrs.D, your information has been really helpful. I'll continue checking in and posting any new developments. Just in the few days I've been off the aczone, I've noticed some changes, primarily an increase in sensation and feeling less exhausted... hopefully the trend continues.

@kgc:

Have you also taken Accutane?

If your major complaint is muscle weakness? Then you should
also consider myasthenia gravis. This is an autoimmune disease where
antibodies attack the neuromuscular junction.

Often it is difficult to get a diagnosis of this.
Here is our MG forum, where you can ask about it:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum77.html

High dose steroids are often used to treat this disorder.
You might want to read there and ask some questions.

No, I was never on Accutane.

The Muscle weakness is a fairly new development. Primarily in my forearms, and it's usually one arm at a time. Very odd. I'll check out the link you sent me, thanks!