[Wolbachc]

Is there anyone who has peripheral neuropathy and prediabetes that has been started of glucose lowering medications like metformin? If so, did this make any difference?

[Sandylyn]

Originally Posted by Wolbachc

Is there anyone who has peripheral neuropathy and prediabetes that has been started of glucose lowering medications like metformin? If so, did this make any difference?

Hi, I've had type two diabetes for about 8 years. I've been on metformin still am. I now have neuropathy and trying to find out what else. The metformin will help but what I have learned way to late is that really its all about diet and exercise.
I wish I had taken care of myself and got off the metformin a long time ago.
My goal is to get off it now.

[Wolbachc]

Originally Posted by Sandylyn

Hi, I've had type two diabetes for about 8 years. I've been on metformin still am. I now have neuropathy and trying to find out what else. The metformin will help but what I have learned way to late is that really its all about diet and exercise.
I wish I had taken care of myself and got off the metformin a long time ago.
My goal is to get off it now.

I agree with you 100%. I am being vigilant about my diet. I have dropped 30 pounds. Exercise is difficulty with the neuropathy. I am having difficulty working with the neuropathy. I just wondered if anyone had any improvement with the Metformin once the neuropathy set in. I am thinking I may have to go on disability. May A1C was 5.7. I believe the hyperglycemia comes after I eat. I have asked for a glucometer to try to get a clearer picture.

[Hopeless]

Yes, you need to start testing yourself and see how meals are affecting your levels. You might also consider posting on the diabetes forum also.

There are plenty of ways to obtain a FREE meter. The expense comes in for the test strips. If you have a prescription and insurance, the strips are not too expensive, especially if you are not testing often.

When I was first diagnosed with diabetes, my doctor did NOT give me a prescription for a meter or test strips but told me I should be testing myself daily. I went to a pharmacy and bought a meter and test strips. (FULL PRICE) I don't remember how long I was purchasing my test strips at full price when another customer told me that if I had a prescription, it would be much cheaper. Even though I had insurance, it was not covered unless I had a prescription for the test strips. I got a prescription. The meter itself is sold pretty cheap even full over the counter price, about $20 depending upon the meter you chose. Some can be pricey. Some can be obtained for free. It all depends on some of the bells and whistles. A basic meter works fine. Many mfgs. offer their meters free so that you will be buying THEIR test strips that fit their meter. That is where the big cost comes in.

In MY (unprofessional) opinion, if you are having diabetic neuropathy symptoms with an hemoglobin A1C of 5.7, you may be having high post prandial spikes that come down quickly to give you an overall lower A1C. It would be very interesting to know what your post prandial readings are running and how long it takes for them to return to a normal range.

Another thing to consider is that your blood sugar levels may NOT be the cause of your neuropathy. Just because someone is either insulin resistant, pre-diabetic, or insulin dependent diabetic does not mean that any and all neuropathies are from diabetes.

Are you under the care of an endocrinologist? Have you seen a neurologist about your neuropathy symptoms? Did a PCP / GP put you on the Metformin? It is a GREAT drug and can be very beneficial in preventing or delaying one from moving from pre-diabetic to full diabetic while they are undertaking a diet and exercise approach to changing matters.

Best wishes to you in your work toward controlling your blood sugar levels.

[Hopeless]

Dear Sandylyn,

Diet and exercise are a first step in controlling blood sugar levels but sometimes diabetes is NOT under our control. It is not quite that simple. There are situations when diet and exercise just don't work alone and medication is necessary. There are people that have never been "out of shape" and develop type 2 diabetes. They have never been overweight. They have always exercised. I used "out of shape" terminology intentionally because some people may be a proper, normal weight but still not be physically fit, or in other words "out of shape". Yes, obesity "can" lead to diabetes but it is not the sole cause of type 2 diabetes. (I am NOT implying that YOU were ever obese. I know nothing about your weight or fitness level) There are a lot of very obese people walking around that do NOT have diabetes and some very thin, fit people, that DO have diabetes. Do not beat yourself up about not taking better care of yourself in the past. You may have developed diabetes no matter what your prior lifestyle.

You are to be commended for your desire to "get off of your Metformin" as that means you are taking all the steps possible to deal with your diabetes and lower the complications. If you are striving to lower your A1C enough to be free of medication in the future, that is a great goal and will keep you diligent in your efforts to control your blood sugar levels. Be proud of yourself. Diabetes is a disease. It is not something one brings upon themselves although the media would have you believe that. Yes, if insulin resistance is caught early, diet and exercise MAY prevent or delay type 2 diabetes but as I have been told by many physicians, a diabetic will always be a diabetic, even if control is obtained after medication is no longer needed. Even if you have NORMAL A1C's with no medication after having been a diabetic, you are still a diabetic,.... just one that has controlled it and no longer need medication. Now, many may argue that, but I am only going by what I have been told by many physicians.

The only analogy I can think of is an alcoholic. Just because an alcoholic has not had a drink in 30 years does not mean he is NOT an alcoholic. It means he has his alcoholism under control.

Well, that is how it was explained to me. Keep up the good work and maybe you will reach the day you can be free of diabetes medication. It matters not how or why, what matters is what we do now. The past is behind us. Best wishes to you.

[uglogirl]

Originally Posted by Wolbachc

Is there anyone who has peripheral neuropathy and prediabetes that has been started of glucose lowering medications like metformin? If so, did this make any difference?

I have Peripheral Neuropathy and am a diabetic 2. I have been on Neurotin for about 6 yrs and was told my AIC was fine by my Dr. In 2012, I was sick and took steroids for Bronchitis at that time my sugar went up and I could not get it to come down.

My diabetes was not caused by me I am not Obese. At first I blamed my Dr. thought he didn't know what he was talking about because if my A!C readings were fine why do I have this CURSE.

He told me you can get neuropathy even though your sugar is controlled. I finally decided I am going to find out from an expert what is what did I do this to myself.

The second doctor I went to when I told him my story about being told my A1C was fine told me that YES, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE HIGH AIC TO HAVE NEUROPATHY.

I thanked him for the consultation.

Metformin is going to help you keep your glucose reading down. You probably should inquire about Nutritional Diabetic Education.

I do what I am supposed and with exercise and the treadmill I do the best I can.

It is important to have your sugar controlled at all lengths. My mother was a diabetic so was my grandmother.

I had a predisposition for getting Diabetes and Neuropathy came along all I do is try my best to take care of myself spiritually and physically.

I go to physical therapy to keep the strength in my limbs and feet. My neuropathy is just below my knee to the tips of my toes. My feet get numb, burn and hurt.

They feel better once I get going in the morning. If they are really bad and have a bad flare day I do very little. I may just pick up around the house, and feed the birds and squirrels and just lay back most of the day. It does not last then it quietly goes away until the next thunderous flare up like a 20 foot wave.
uglogirl

[Hopeless]

Just for clarification of my prior post on this thread...........

There are many different types and causes of PN. When the cause is unknown, it is termed idiopathic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is only ONE of many PN conditions. This is when the neuropathy is a result of diabetes. However, just because someone has diabetes does not mean they will have symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. And, just because someone has neuropathy does not mean it was caused by diabetes.

If someone has neuropathy AND diabetes, it is common to classify the neuropathy as "diabetic neuropathy", but that may not be the case.

I had PN for 30 plus years before I became a diabetic. Since becoming a diabetic, docs want to blame my PN on my diabetes and it makes me livid. When I ask them to explain how my diabetes caused PN 30 years before I developed diabetes, then they concede that my symptomatic PN is NOT related to my diabetes. When I finally have their attention, then they finally listen to the origin of my PN. I will concede that my diabetes may be affecting my peripheral nervous system NOW, but if it is, I am not symptomatic. My PN pain remains the same as it has been for decades.

Now to address A1C levels and true "diabetic" neuropathy. Simply put, an A1C level measures the average levels over the last 6 weeks. It does not indicate any spikes or drops. Blood sugar levels are constantly changing throughout the day for ALL people, not just diabetics, just like blood pressure changes and when BP is measured, it is just one point in time. When you consider the AVERAGE that an A1C indicates, it does not mean that damage is not occurring on various body systems, including the nerves. Yes, you can have a good A1C and still have damage to the nerves. A good A1C does not mean you are not having post prandial spikes, it simply means your AVERAGE is good.

Based on the Wolbachc post (originator of this thread) and the limited information listed, PRE-diabetes and PN, personally, I would NOT jump to the conclusion that the PN is definitely related to diabetes. There could be another reason for the PN symptoms. The poster may not have "diabetic neuropathy" but actually have another cause for the symptoms.

I am having a great deal of trouble trying to express myself for some reason but my point is that I do not think it is proper to JUMP to a conclusion of diabetic neuropathy in an individual that is pre-diabetic. It may be common, but common is not always correct.

Based on the limited information provided by Wolbachc, I would try to delve further into the possibility that the neuropathy symptoms could have a cause other than diabetes.

It would also be helpful to know how long this person has been pre-diabetic. A person that has been routinely screened for diabetes and has just recently been found pre-diabetic but having neuropathy for some time may likely have another cause of PN.

One last comment,.... Metformin does not "treat" PN, it only aids in controlling blood sugar levels, and that in itself, will lower the risk of diabetic neuropathy. But Metformin does NOT alleviate the symptoms of PN.

Sorry, my brain is having so much trouble expressing myself. Hope readers can make some sense of my post.