New here and overwhelmed
 

Hi All

Just found this forum and just skimming it I feel better in some ways, but still very concerned. A couple of other forums were so full of heartbreak (and very old posts - not much activity) I just wanted to shoot myself. I see some hope here.

At 57 I ignored initial signs of PN several years ago, and signs of type 2 diabetes. I thought I would have many years to deal with this but that has changed. In just the past 6 months my PN symptoms have gone from tolerable to distracting - and painful burning feet. My feet either seem to be too hot or too cold. I have lost 25lbs and worked with my PCP to get new meds this week and along with diet and exercise I just recorded my first blood sugars under 100. Still much much much to learn about my diet and diabetes.

My feet seem a bit better (today) but I know every day is a crap-shoot. I am taking some benoftiamine daily which seems to help. I have many questions about the other supplements such as Lipoic acid - L-Carnitine.

I am scheduled to see a neurologist in 3 weeks (seems like 3 months) and have no idea what he is like. One question I have is should I start a supplement program now or try to wait ? I hope to have a positive relationship with this guy, but I see (and have seen) a lot of comments that mainstream docs may not be helpful.

Thanks for any comments and help.

Thought I would add two things. First, at 57 I'm still a working geek doing tech support at a large high school. Lots of ground to cover and just being on my feet. So this is for me a huge concern. I now feel like an old man (really old man) going to work with a bag with different shoes - socks - sandals just trying to keep my feet feeling cool.

Second I want to respect those who have (or are) going through a hell worse than mine. I thank you for all that you have learned and share here.

Some neurologists know about lipoic acid and carnitine, but many don't. Don't be surprised if you get blank looks.

Diabetics also lose magnesium thru the urine. So try soaking in
epsom salts daily, and see if you improve. Don't use really hot water, as heat overstimulates the nerves. Lukewarm is fine.

6-8 oz in a bathtub or 2-3 oz in a foot sized tub. You don't need really large amounts because too much is like "salt" and if you have skin that is not intact it will sting like salt does.

Yes, so sad. I am glad I have integrative MD's. My other reg. docs are clueless indeed. That is not helpful. Thankfully there are more integrative doctors now.

Thank you for your replies. This is all still new to me.

I have experienced some good news in just the past 48hrs. Being that in the past 48hrs my blood sugar has come down to the normal range of 95 to 110. Thanks to the new oral diabetes med. Prior to that I was swinging between 107 to 190.

The best part of the news is that my neuropathy decreased markedly today. I was able to work without major discomfort and wear my shoes all day. A big change over the past month of burning feet. I know this is a small step and I have thousands more to go, but it feels like there is hope. So I will continue to be on a struck diet - exercise - and loose another 15lbs. In my mind this puts a direct link between high blood sugars and pain.

Will watch this closely over the next week. And yes MrsD soaking my feet is part of this as I'm also on them a lot and this diabetes will no doubt keep affecting them.