Very interesting feedback for a couple reasons:

1. Although my glucose levels and A1c numbers have been normal, I just had a 2-hour glucose intolerance test done since I read about a number of cases where they had "normal" numbers for their everyday tests, but failed a later glucose tolerance test. I find out the results on Monday with my next visit to my neuro. In a strange way, I'm hoping I've failed and can be labeled "pre-diabetic" so that I have something definitive to work on.

2. Your "neck stenosis" suggestion is, again, spot on. Even before the muscle weakness became more noticeable, my neuro and I were talking about getting an MRI done of my neck because.... 5 years ago, I had two discs removed in my neck. During the surgery, he did a lot of a lot of clean-up of arthritis. Based on what I'm experiencing now, if I didn't have the PN feelings in my feet/legs first, I would be immediately guessing that I'm having another issue with my neck.

Keep the suggestions coming.

Ed

Ed, you can have a fasting INSULIN run. It is easier than the GTT. Elevated levels indicate you are insulin resistant.

In some ways this is a more valuable test as it does not require so much interpretation.

My glucose tolerance test was quite normal. My blood sugar levels were well back to normal (80's) in short order after drinking the glucose.

Neck MRI is next, but I'm starting to run out of options and am dangerously approaching permanent joining the "idopathic" camp.

Ed

Ed, when insulin levels are going up on a daily basis, you clear sugar quickly for a while. Then all of a sudden the system fails, and the sugars go up.
Your test does not show elevated sugars YET, but your insulin levels may be high already....and this is what you need to know. Interpretation of GTT can be pretty fuzzy...or outdated.

This link may be helpful for you:
http://lightning.prohosting.com/~hyp...20Hypoglycemia

Many people show reactive hypoglycemia as a prelude to real diabetes.

Ed,

I also have problems with weakness and fatigue. I take Neurontin too. I've heard Neurontin can cause fatigue, but so can PN. Maybe adjusting your dose would help? Also, I know there are several meds available for fatigue..Provigil and Amantadine (older med).

I had luck with an Occupational therapist. She showed me different ways of doing things that conserved energy. I also had some exercises to help strengthen my muscles.

Good luck.

I appreciate your continued dialog on this.

I was not checked for insulin levels, only glucose levels.

If I was hypoglycemic, to some degree, what would the treatment be to prevent it from turning into full diabetes? Would it basically be a lifestyle change -- exercise, avoid high carb foods, etc?

Unfortunately, my test was only 2 hour (and ended at 83) so it doesn't show if there could have been a possible upward swing a bit later. It's probably going to be hard to convince my doctors and my insurance company to repeat the test for 5 hours.

are some metabolic doctors who believe that most if not all
people become somewhat insulin resistant after 40.

The degree of this depends on genetics.

I suspect Ed, that you are beginning to get this.
And when that happens, there are small signs.
One of which is that muscles do not receive enough to run on.

Now besides glucose there are fatty acids that the mitochondria can consume for energy. They can be enabled by acetyl carnitine, lipoic acid and biotin. Some people add CoQ-10 to that.

Dr. Ames, a noted biochemist, believes as we age we lose this ability, all of us. Some more than others, to have good energy derived from our mitochondria, the energy parts of our cells.

Yes, diet and some supplements may help. Smaller meals, with more protein and good fats with lower glycemic carbs. But if you have the diabetic genes this is only partially effective.
Some small quality snacks in between help too.

Make the changes slowly. It is easier that way to make new habits. Check out Dr. Sears' Zone plan, on line. He has had very good success with Metabolic syndrome.

There are some things in our environment that are worrisome.
One is the plastic Bisphenol A. It has been implicated in causing weight gain and hence type II diabetes. Another new issue is the lack of sleep people have. Melatonin loss has recently been shown to affect the pancreas.
You can read about that here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread68433.html

Your muscle weakness may be due to something else, but it could also be a sign of poor glycemic control.
Many doctors don't recognize early signs. So that it is up to the patient to do so. Back in the 70's there was a diagnosis of "hypoglycemia" that was a fad. The Schering corp even made a drug for it called ProGlycem...which was a terrible failure.
Millions were diagnosed with it. And in the end...where did that diagnosis go? We now call it pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, etc.

I have been fighting this fight for 20 yrs. And even now, I seem to be losing it. Diabetes is in my maternal side, each generation, and I guess I am doomed eventually. But I have controlled it this long. My mother was less than 40 when it started for her.

We all do what we can do with what we have.

Another thing for males.... historically speaking thyroid issues are less common in men. But that is changing fast. Some doctors do not test thyroid commonly in men until old age, or only if drastic symptoms are present. But flame retardants in the environment and our water, are implicated in causing hypothyroidism. So if you haven't had yours checked, please do so. That muscle weakness can come from either hyper or hypo
functioning of the thyroid. More and more men are now developing thyroid disease than ever before.