I do not know what type of PN I have. I read many messages where people list the type of PN they have. Does knowing the type have any influence in eliminating the pain or discomfort?

I do go to a Neurologist and he has confirmed that I have PN. My blood work has shown no problem. My GP classifies me as pre-diabetic based on the fact that my A1C and glucose is at the high end of the acceptable range and diabetes runs in my family. I have been at the high end for more than 20 years (95-115).

I have had numbness in the front half of my feet for more than 5 years. It is mostly a discomfort rather than any sharp pain.

at times, but more importantly, understanding what is going on in your body and how it causes the PN is MORE useful. Knowing the causes, in your case pre-diabetic, you can possibly keep things from getting worse, and maybe even improve it over time....
This site if it connects properly should give you a thorough sketch about it all:
http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/nother/diabetes.htm
It is seeming as if you have had some of the basic preliminary testing done for PN's, most importantly, blood work to eliminate many of the other issues some of us suffer from/with.
I don't have diabetes but I am sure others here will be able to give you more concrete information about that and pre-diabetes approaches to help you deal with it all.
Key to it tho [I live with a type II] is balancing any medications, diet and exercise to get optimal numbers - which equal optimal POTENTIAL results. It's not all a guarantee tho, by any means.
Other than that? Pain is pain, it's obvious that the medical world can't develop a uniform description for pain in general...let along what our PN pain causes, feels like and all.. We are all here for you! Hugs and good thoughts! - j

I'm in the hospital and not feeling very well, so escuse. On what
tests has lead your neuro to believe you have PN.I'm not to be rude but
he has to have done many tests before saying you have PN. I would get a
second opion..Your blood sugar level to a lot of GP would now a days you
would called a diabetes 2 others pre. diabetic. Do you monitor you sugar levels everyday,if so your doing fine but you wouldn't want to go much over that..Are you overweigh,

PN has all types of feeling a numb feeling, burning, pain so bad you can't walk,
keeps you up all night,hurts so bad you can't stand the pain of a very light blanket over you. I may hurt in your legs,thights,hands up tp elbows.across your neck and in some people your spine is involved.That fact that diabetes is in the family,it's good to know but many Drs. hear that and that's what you become..Please speak up to the Neuro make him show you the tests he
did and go over them thoroughly..And have you monitored you surgar for
20 years..I'm tired but there are b12 problems and others will help you. Hugs to all Sue

The neuro determined that I have no feeling in my toes by using a pin prick and a tuning fork and testing whether I can tell whether he moves a toe up or down. He does this every 6 months

He has run a test which involves the time an electric shock travels from my leg to my foot. He does this about every year or two.

I generaly avoid eating items which diabetics avoid. I am a few pound overweigh but an not fat.

I am pretty sure I have periperral neuropathy. I do not take any pain mrdication. I take all the vitamins and supplements that have been mentioned on this Board. They do not seem to make any difference except maybe slowing down the progression of neuropathy.

Hi Herb, have you had a 3 -5 hour glucose tolerance test yet ?
I was told my sugars levels were fine after a gp tested it in her office but my neuro sent me for a GT test and they were not fine, i was prediabetic, a well known cause of nerve damage to doctors that know about PN these days.
If you haven't had a GT test i would definitely ask for one and also ask for your insulin levels to be drawn at the same time.
I think that the A1c tests are ok for average blood sugars over a 3 monthly period but there could have been occasional high spikes that don't get picked up, only if they are constantly high they will show up on those A1c tests.
Besides supporting the nerves with B12 and other vitamins B's, i would really think about using alpha lipioc acid supplements, i believe the R-lipioc is much more potent than the original ALA, it does help to lower blood sugars and has other good qualities as well and if you can do a half an hour walk every day, it can make a real difference to blood sugars as well.
best of luck anyway,
Brian

Brian, I have not had a GT test. I do take B12 and ALA.

Even if the GT idicates that I am pre-diabetic, I do not think it would matter. I already conduct myself as a pre-diabetic.

Herb, that glucose tolerance test is a glucose challenge to see how your system reacts to a very high sugary drink, blood levels are taken at fasting stage then 1 hour after the drink, then the second hour and so on, i mentioned insulin as well because it's good to know how much of the hormone your pancreas is releasing when under a real hard challenge as well.
Normal fasting glucose tests do not show how your system reacts when under pressure only what it has come back to over night.
It's great your treating yourself like a prediabetic, possibly saving yourself from further nerve damage, has the good diet and ALA brought your levels back to normal levels again ?

Brian

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Hi Herb:

Just a quick question (and I know you take B-12). What is your B-12 level?

Take care,

Melody

Melody, my last B12 reading was 855. I take 1G two times a day. My B12 was never low, but decided to take the supplement based on what I read on this site.

It looks like I have been pre-diabetic for more than 20 years.

Could it possibly be said that everyone who is not diabetic is pre-diabetic??? Just wondering.