Kathi, I guess I am just confused that the doctor said we would be waisting our time with a neurologist. Wouldn't he be the one that would diagnoss any kind of neurologist problems?

thanks,
Michele

I don't think you would be wasting your time checking out all other possibilities that can cause neuropathy, not all diabetics get neuropathy, it's just that is a very common cause, that's all.
good luck
Brian

If you have a good Neuro, I do she works with my PM,not all do,just
speak up and talk it through. Your Diabetes,if there's a good Climic at your
hospital get a scrip to go.I think you were let down..WE are all scared
but we are also far stronger then we think we are..Perhaps he was
telling you to get the pain under control,we sure have that.Alot of
PM's willl want your family Dr. your Neuro expain what is wrong
so they know how to treat..Sounds hard,I got into a good PM but
he wamted a lot more information from my neuro first..She did a
bunch of tests,put me in rehab for 14 days..I stayed with my neuro,
for the PN and PM. If you must travel far this may be hard,i'm
sure K will explain what she when through..Hugs to all Sue

Michele:

Since you have been diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, you know why you have neuropathy!!!

Now you have to concentrate on keeping your blood sugars at a good number. What meds are you on? Are you overweight for your height??

These are important questions.

If your doctor thought that anything else was causing the neuropathy, he probably would have said 'get this type of blood test, or get a spinal tap".

I gather you have not had a spinal tap?? This would rule out or confirm any auto immune stuff going on.

I have diabetes. I also have neuropathy. I was very foolish and never watched my weight, my numbers, etc. etc. I learned a hard lesson.

But I also take Methyl B-12 which really helped with the burning in my feet. I lost the weight and I think of food as fuel for my body, not self-medicating my mind anymore. I had to learn it the hard way.

If you want to rule out anything, then by all means, go and see a neuro, he'll order the necessary tests, and you can rule out major stuff.

But if you know you have diabetic neuropathy, then concentrate on controlling your blood sugar, keeping a good weight, taking your meds, and taking Methyl B-12 (as well as the other nutrients that Mrs. D mentioned.

Also, you can try using a TENS unit. Many people have found benefits from using this pain management gadget.

Best of luck.

I am with Shiney Sue here. It was my Neurologist that did the battery of tests but it was my PM that worked in conjunction with her and myself to sort out other issues since I have spinal disorders. But since they are saying diabetes I think my next step would be with an Endocrinologist (Diabetes). I am just saying that PM's can REALLY help you to sort things out and can help manage the pain. Neurologists can too. But in my experience it has been my PM that was my savior. He did NOT like the "idiopathic" diagnosis of small fiber PN. Especially after EVERYTHING came back negative. So, he really sat down with me and went through everything. Since then my Neurologist has changed that diagnosis to Central Pain Syndrome. Now, that, he is in agreement with based on spinal issues and severe ongoing pain PRIOR to any surgeries. It makes more sense to me as well. I'll just say for now he detests anything that comes back as idiopathic or a wastebasket diagnosis of Fibromyalgia (his words). As he says...pain happens for a REASON. And if diabetes is the issue, then I would definitely find a Specialist for that.

gotten a lot of different viewpoints as to what you should do. Now, It's up to you to figgure out what YOU SHOULD do?
Be aware, that IF there were some easy solution for PN pain we all would not be here. Shucks, we would all be off having fun and making boodles of money or something!
As you go to see new docs, I know how easy it can be to expect: Some AH-HA! moment and all is explained and take this pill and all will be well! It is never ever that way. It usually consists of some long road of diet, medication, exercise, supplements and, to me most important: ONE DURN GOOD ATTITUDE!
The attitude is what essentially won my current neuro over on my own behalf. Willing to try, to learn, to speak up when things are good or not. And to keep up that silly stupid HOPE! I keep telling myself I'm not nearly as bad as I could be? [Would be BAAD IF I'd kept my first neuro!-still shuddering at that thought!] and knowing that as long as I STRIVE for some, any improvements I'm not losing ground! I count little things, such as being able to walk X more steps than the day before w/o serious pay-back, being able to have an attention span that's greater than a gnat due to meds, and any other positives that I can find.
Exercise does help, stimulates the circulation that in turn helps nerves regrow or recover. Gets that circulation going to help your overal vascular system. That all in turn helps you metabolize foods better and avoid many diabetic issues.
We should expect a lot? But, getting anything useful to help in the dealing with this stuff is often the best we GET. I truly wish it were better and more satisfying tho.
I don't think you are wasting time w/the neuro at all! I do agree with others that a good endocrinologist on the 'team' would definitely be a dynamite pair tho....They come to your problem from different 'angles' and will/can work together to work hard on you for you to get you where you best can be? If I were you, I'd ask your GP and neuro for a reference or three...'Interview' some endos and see which one you'd like as well. That way, you'd be 'watched' from all possible problem areas and could avoid really potential nasties down the road.
SHOULD your neuropathy get worse? YOU are gonna have to prove and document that you have been working and working HARD to get your diabetes issues under control before any doc is gonna try to look further for other potential diabetes or other issues. That is plain common sense.
I can only give you some of these: 's and encouragement for now. As well as a bit of courage - it takes courage to deal with this all. I suspect that you have lots! - j

Melody, yes I know why I have pn and it's because of my diabetes. I have a neuro and really like him. This is my 2nd neuro, the first one was a dud.
My blood sugars are under control and of course I could afford to drop about 50lbs.
I take humalog and lantus for my sugars and cymbalta and lyrica for the pain. However it doesn't take my burning pain away sometimes.
I believe I am still in the grieving process because of the pain and the diagnosis.
Anyways thank you for being their for me and others. It helps to know their are words of wisdom from you and other people out there.

thanks,
Micele

I get the burning also, and the Methyl B-12 helps me tremendously with that.

I take 22 units of Lantus (when I started at Cornell I was on 46 units of Lantus and 2000 of the Metformin.

I also lost a ton of weight. You have no idea how this helps THE WHOLE BODY.

So I wish you much luck in your endeavors.

take care,