Peripheral Neuropathy
 

Hi to you all - Looking for some advice and help. Based in UK.
My husband has been suffering with increasing, intermittent numbness in hands and feet, and has had to use a stick now for a couple of years.

He is 70 with type 2 diab., but this is well in control as the dr. has taken him off Metformin. He is not overweight and eats a healthy diet.

He has been for scans etc but essentially the NHS have not offered any possible help - is there any?

In anticipation angusannie

I know from a friend that things are different in terms of care in the UK but has he seen a neurologist? What types of scans has he had? How long ago was he dx with diabetes and how long has he been doing better in terms of that? Welcome to the boards

Long term use of metformin leads to low B12 in the body. One sign of low B12 is neuropathy.

So it would be a good idea to get tested and get your results to see what they are. Don't accept "normal" as ranges are reported normal that are really low.

Methylcobalamin is the best form to take if low. Online sales from iherb, ship to UK.

Hi Angusannie
I am based in Scotland and didnt have much help from anyone until I was referred to the Pain Management Clinic and the Consultant was fabulous - is your husband in any pain?
Ironically my Neurologist is now back on board(she has just returned from an 18month Maternity leave) and things are looking promising with her also - you need to get referred to the specialists.
Best Wishes

Thanks to you that have replied
 

I thought I would do a general reply covering the questions raised.
Despite what I thought he has not had scans for pn, but 2 mri scans for severe lower back pain - diag. osteoarthritus - only advised to take paracet.
Back pain is now less severe except after heavy lifting!

He describes chronic numbness in hands and feet, but naturally very worried about that in feet as balance is affected. Occasional shooting pains in feet.

Ceased taking metformin 18 months ago after 6 years.

Dr told him that only control of diabetes 2 keeps np at current levels - ie no cure.

So I think that we should go down the Pain Management route and see what a Consultant feels - let's get past the GP!

Last has a blood test a few months ago, so is going to check if they tested for B12.

Again thank you and will keep you all in the loop with any news/further opinions.

Best angusanne

It seems that either his blood sugar is not actually adequately controlled, or something else is causing the neuropathy to progress. No offense, but my guess is the former. According to what I have read, type 2 diabetes can be controlled very well and even reversed with diet, exercise, stress management, and connection to others. Dr. Dean Ornish describes this well in his book The Spectrum. Although not specific to diabetes, he describes his program at his website www.pmri.org (Preventive Medicine Research Institute). Click on SPECTRUM PROGRAM, then on the headings at the time. Lots of info on nutrition.

This program inspired me to drastically change my diet and start exercising, which has reversed some of my neuropathy symptoms over a period of several months.

Dr. Ornish developed his program in order to reverse heart disease, and has shown through clinical studies that this actually occurs. He is finding that it can reverse other diseases as well.
Electron

Thanks again and to you Electron.

Will be looking into Spectrum as recommended.

Have nudged him into going to the gp again to ask more questions of a confrontational nature too.

Difficult being a fit much younger lady!

Still have taken first steps - why didn't I do this sooner eh! Ho Hum.

Best

Many of the guidelines around optimal blood glucose levels do not agree with one another. Many people with Type2 Diabetes suffer nerve damage, even when keeping blood glucose below many of the guidelines.
This the goal is to keep the blood glucose readings low and steady (in the lower range) and not up near the highest figure given in any guideline format.
(For example if a chart tells you a glucose level of 200 is acceptable, keep your glucose levels much lower than the 200 mark.) Realizing people continue to sustain nerve damage when staying within certain guidelines, many people have opted to stay much lower than the "accepted high" blood glucose value.

As you realize, other factors may also be playing a part in this.
Please let us know how things are going?:winky:
Take care!
~DejaVu