could diabetes be causing this?
 

Hi folks. I have been endlessly looking for explanations to the problem i have over the last year and a half, mostly i've been looking at Trigeminal Neuralgia and other facial pain conditions but wondered if it might be worth asking here also.

I have numbness on both sides of my face and tongue with some burning sensation at times around my cheeks and also a burning sensation through my nostrils. The symptoms have progressed gradually. I was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia by a GP but then went on to see two different neurologists who felt this was incorrect but couldn't give a cause of the problem or how to fix it. MRI scans were normal.

When i first sought help for this i had a routine blood test that and found out that i was type 2 diabetic with a HBA1C of 7.2. My GP said it was possible that the diabetes was causing the nerve problems in my face but the neuros said that whilst possible it was unlikely as diabetes tends to affect the 'long nerves' so you get problems in your hands and feet , not your face. Just wondered if anyone has heard similar stories or had any thoughts on it.

It is possible. But also possible that you are low in B12 and/or Vit D. Low D can reduce calcium absorption from food, and when that happens there can be paresthesias in the face and around the mouth.

Your B12 should test at 400 or above (US units), and your D should be around 50

Doctors do the testing, but often do not interpret the results properly, or treat effectively. So get the tests, and post here, and I'll look at them.

There are specific supplements that help diabetic neuropathies, but do these two first as they are the most common and often fix things easily and inexpensively.

Thank you very much. I will book a GP appointment and get back to you. Difficult to think i could have a vit deficiency as my diet is so good but i'll definately get it checked out. The only other clear explanation for my problem would be something to do with my neck. I have a mild prolapse disc shown on MRI but the docs said it couldn't affect the nerves in my face and wasn't anything to be concerned about. However the more reading you do on the net the more you see contradictory opinions.

Low Vit D is very very common. Just about every poster who comes here (except for about 10%) turn up very low in D.

Some have had shockingly low results in the single digits!

Here is a thread to read...with medical videos that explain the new Vit D research:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread92116.html

There is a study linking low Vit D to diabetic neuropathy.

As far as B12 goes, there are recommendations for seniors, 50 and over to take this supplement every day. Acid blocking drugs, used for GERD, impair absorption of B12 from food, and autoimmune disease, and low acid from aging called achlorhydria, reduce its absorption. People with gluten intolerance (wheat) develop deficiencies in many nutrients. So anyone can have impairments and not even know it.

Metformin used in type II diabetics depletes this nutrient as well.
This is my B12 thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread85103.html