oh my feet hurt

nide44 · 09-25-2009, 07:22 AM

I'd suggest getting a skin punch biopsy
(not a sural biopsy) done by a
reserch center neurology dept.

Westie · 09-25-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenntaj

Firstly, even blood sugar readings that would not be considered in the range of frank diabetes, but would just be considered "impaired glucose tolerance", such as those in the range of around 100-125, have been associated with peripheral neuropathy, particularly those of the small fibers, which tends to be burning, lancating, and electrical in symptoms, and not necessarily the stereotypical "numb". There's been a lot of research coming out about this in the last few years; I keep a list of papaers and studies on this that includes:

http://intl.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/60/1/108

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/c...TRY=1&SRETRY=0

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q..._uids=16448668

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/c...07929/ABSTRACT

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...d_AbstractPlus

There are a lot more, but you get the idea.

Certainly, a long glucose tolerance test is called for; I have mine done for at least four hours with glucose and insulin levels taken at baseline and then every half-hour through at least three hours. Often, it's the pattern of ups and downs of the glucose and its interaction with the insulin response that's most revealing.

Second, neuropathy of the smaller, unmyelinated fibers that subsume the sensations of pain and temperature will not be ascertained by nerve conduction studies or EMG studies; the technology is insuffiicently advanced and those can (as of yet) only measure the activity of the larger, myelinated nerves that handle vibratory and mechanical touch, positional sense, and motor functions. It's perfectly possible to have absolutely normal NCV/EMG studies and have a severe small-fiber neuropathy with nasty symptoms (as I certainly have had).

You really need a neurologist who is versed in the many ways neuropathy can manifest; admittedly, they're not easy to find, and often work at teaching hospitals or specialty centers that have a major research function in addition to clinical practice.

For me this is an interesting thread. I've got PN, the main symptom is burning feet. The diagnosis of cause was "probably" excess alcohol consumption, based upon some high LFT results. This may well be right and I don't drink at all now, but this hasn't yet made any difference to my symptoms.

Although I've been to a neurologist and had some bloods, EMG, etc. I have never had a glucose test. My blood tests, don't seem to suggest actual diabetes or pre-diabetes, but is a glucose test something that should be done to eliminate this as an issue ? Like most people I would be happier if I had a more certain diagnosis.

nide44 · 09-26-2009, 08:05 AM

Yes Westie,
A 2,3,or 4 hr glucose test (the longer, the better)
then interpreted by someone
specifically looking for glucose intolerance
or a pre-diabetic condition.
its pretty painless, just a blood draw every 1/2 hr
after the baseline, before you drink the sugary cola
(or cherry or whatever you choose).
Take a book, or music player

mrsD · 09-26-2009, 08:43 AM

Your HbA1c can also predict daily glucose levels over time.

It is a one draw test, and if it is elevated is very predictive.
Having a fasting INSULIN done at the same time shows if you are making MORE insulin in response to a challenge. The higher this reading, the more insulin resistant you are becoming.

Not all insulin resistance shows up clearly on glucose tolerance tests.

The only thing the GTT can show in early or pre-diabetics is a hypoglycemic dip at the 3 to 4 hr mark. The other two tests are actually more useful, IMO.

andrew99 · 10-15-2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelodyL

Hi there:

Welcome to Neurotalks.

Have you been tested for diabetes? Do you know your numbers?

We need a bit more information. We have lots of learned folks here who can help you.

Take care,
Melody

Melody, do you know anything about the link between copper deficiency and peripheral neuropathy?

MelodyL · 10-15-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew99

Melody, do you know anything about the link between copper deficiency and peripheral neuropathy?

Andrew:

Just found this link for you. Take a look.

http://www.docguide.com/news/content...25717F00465C52

Melody

jarrett622 · 10-21-2009, 07:24 AM

[QUOTE=butterfly00199;446532]

Quote:

i am not sure if i am typing in the correct place here... but hello again if i am... sure i would like more info on the B-12... yes please... and yes i am a little overweight... uhhhhhhhh... i had lost like 50 lbs. last year... i have gained back a good 30... ( i quit smoking again ) ughhh ... and yes... type 1 ... that i am... poor control... i hate doctors... sorry... and i was diagnosed w/ PN ... lets see 12 years ago... but it was mild and i had no symptoms... then 4 years ago they said it was moderate... with on of those little shock tests... now i just know it is way worse... and i am so crabby sometimes... i hate pills ... and i love food... toooooooooooooo much... and let's see what else... i dunno... how crazy am i??? i just try to ignore the pain... but it is getting to the point where i can't... especially at night... and sometimes if i am sitting with my leg bent... or even at the computer... my foot/feet turn slightly bluish... i can move around and make the color come back... but that scares me... does that have to do with vasculitis??? i spelled that wrong... but the foot doc said i had that... anyways yes... i need to get my blood work done... i keep putting it off... and the pain??? how long??? a couple years... but not like this... only my feet... not my legs... but i have decreased feeling in my legs too...

Good for you! Quitting smoking is good for both your diabetes and your PN. I quit a year and a half ago.

Sounds like you need to talk to your doc about your PN pain. It's apparently not being managed as well as it could be. As someone further up said, it's usually a couple of meds or more to manage the pain. My combo is Tramadol and Mirapex when needed. It's nice to be able to sleep again.

Oddly enough, not all meds work for all of us the same way. I can't take Gabapentin. It makes me suicidal. And because of that my doc won't give me Lyrica either because they're related. The side effect of becoming suicidal seems to be rare but of course is a major side if it should occur. I discovered the Tramadol quite by accident and then discovered here that it's a quite common drug for PN pain control. The best I can describe it is that it "mutes" the burning and the pain.

And my doc is quite comfortable with giving me the Tramadol thank goodness. If not I don't know what I would have done.

Welcome to the board and I hope you're able to find some relief. This place was a lifesaver for me.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PN & red hot feet	Snikerdudl	Peripheral Neuropathy	12	01-15-2009 06:59 AM
my feet hurt so bad!!!!	mommywms	Multiple Sclerosis	10	01-23-2008 05:03 AM
It's going to still hurt	befuddled2	Caregivers Support	5	08-30-2007 08:34 PM
My feet hurt	Doody	Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue	10	08-30-2007 02:48 AM
Feet Again	possumtrot	Peripheral Neuropathy	15	07-18-2007 02:36 PM

Site Navigation

NeuroTalk Online Support Groups

oh my feet hurt

NeuroTalk Forums