Hi folks -

I just joined the forum, though I have had diabetic polyneuropathy for several years. Last summer I had heart bypass surgery (probably a result of poor diabetic control) and immediately got RIGOROUS about my sugar control. Within a couple of months I began developing diabetic amyotrophy - possibly because of the sudden improvement in control according to my neurologist. How's that for irony?

It is my left leg that is primarily affected but now I wear braces on both legs and cannot walk a step without a walker. I have had to quit my job, am on COBRA insurance and have filed for and received SS disability (with only a 2 1/2 month wait )

I am trying to figure out how to live and pay for COBRA on what the disability will be - and that does not kick in until December. I have to find a smaller, cheaper, accessible apartment & somehow continue caring for my mom who is in an assisted living facility. My days and nights are long. I deal with guilt (the poor sugar control) and fear.

And I will do my best to be responsive, supportive and POSITIVE on this board. Just some blues tonight.

Thanks for listenin'

Linda

Hi Linda, we cant do anything about yesterday only live the best we can from now. As far as fear we are all afraid at one time or another with PN. It is scary. We all had symptoms without knowing what they were at first and then after finding out what it was worried about how we would wind up. Learning about it and talking to people here and other places about it and doing the best you can for your health will lessen that fear. You dont have to be positive here all the time, feel free to vent and question. WElcome

....WELL, you are in a good place with a lot of smart folks who have been through the hoops. I am sure you will get some good info and support. You will talk to people with some heavy burdens to bear and yet somehow manage to keep on keepin' on. And then there are others such as myself, who feel fortunate to be be dealing with the smaller day to day matters of pn. By the way, I got rapid euglycemia after diagnosis of diabetes and subsequent pn in just a matter of days too !

H Linda:

My name is Melody, I am a diabetic, and I have neuropathy.

I take one shot a day of Lantus. I started at 46, and am now down to 30. My a1cis now 6.0 A big difference from 9.0 when I first entered a diabetic control group at a hospital in NYC.

I've been diabetic for 20 years.

I am 60 this year.

I finally lost weight, got my sugar under control, and most important, I take a supplement called Methylcobalimin. I take 5000 in one losenge under my tongue in the morning upon arising. It is best to take on an empty stomach. You obviously know how to get around on the internet. Do a google search on Methyl B-12 and nerve repair. This little pill changed my life.

I had pins and needles, burning, and buzzing in my feet.

I am very lucky, the Methyl b-12 worked almost immediately on my symptoms. But then again, I am absolutely rigorous in what I put into my mouth. It's not easy to do what I do, but I got scared enought to make drastic changes. For me, it was a good call.

Do you mind sharing what meds you are on and if you have ever taken any form of B-12 and do you know your B-12 level.

You have lots of new buddies here. We all have various types of neuropathies, caused by different stuff, but neuropathy is a pain in the behind, and some of us have better days than others.

My husband has had neuropathy for over 15 years, and he is not a diabetic. It's a complicated process.

Have you had the emg's and all the crazy testing?? I assume that you have.

Have you taken any thing for your neuropathic pain?

My husband used the fentanyl pain many years ago, but made some changes in his lifestyle and no longer needs any meds.

So keep posting, and tell us what's happening, okay??

All the best,

Melody

Hi Linda and welcome to the forum, i can't add much to what has already been said but just be yourself like everyone else here, there's lots of great friendly people here and quite a few experts as well, with a mountain of combined knowledge, if you have a look in the " Stickies " you will see what i mean, [ stickies are on the front page right up top ] even help with Social Security.
all the best
Brian

Hi Linda - welcome to the group, from a new member as well. While no one has all the answers, what a great source of information, a wealth of compassion and just a great place to share with people who understand!

There are many of us here who have gone through the hoops and are "still" going through the hoops. I just lost my job last month, I am 48, I have not been "approved" for Soc. Sec. yet, and my lease is up in one month, my daughters have moved out, I can not afford my home on my own, I just bought a new car before I got "let go" and I don't know who is going to rent to an unemployed woman with PN and no proof of income.

We all come here to vent, support each other, talk about our aches and pains, and give and get support medically and emotionally. You have found a good home and some really good people!

Oh, we occasionally brag about stuff too!

Welcome!

I appreciate all of the responses and feel much less alone - solitude is great but loneliness is difficult.
I am taking Lyrica, Cymbalta, a B-12 medication prescribed by my podiatrist - and Oxycodone to sleep at night.
I am seeing a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic and have done all the tests (even though I am EMG phobic.)
I know things somehow work out - getting the SS disability so quickly was a miracle - but friends help - and, again, thank you!

Welcome to our little corner or the world, Linda. I hope you will be able to find some helpful suggestions here. This is a really wonderful group of people, always ready to support and provide help where they can...

Cathie

Welcome to the family, Linda. I'm so sorry for your troubles but you have found a really supportive group here with lots of combined knowledge.

Glad you found us, just sorry you have to be looking for us. Vent, brag and cry anytime you want to. Someone will listen.

Billye