More than 25 years battling with diabetes mellitus, I have reached this level of (irreparable?) damage to the nerves in my feet, legs, hands and arms, and on one side of my body from my right foot up to my thigh, hip and buttocks. My neurologists and diabetologists described my condition after thorough check-ups in June, 2009, as peripheral neuropathy- a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes of longer duration and of advanced age that affects the lower limbs and hands.
The sharp pains at one side of my body affecting my right foot, going up my leg, thigh, hip is called proximal neuropathy, also known as lumbrosacral plexus neuropathy, or femoral neuropathy or diabetic amyotrophy. This last type manifested when I was infected with Herpes Zoster, or shingles. My lumbrosacral x-ray revealed that my vertebrate is suffering from the narrowing of bones. To cope, small bone outgrowths are causing this seeming chronic pain. I was told to tone down my activities. I was not supposed to even mop my floor or carry pails of water to water my plants. I'm a health risk as a whole under my conditions. It is stressful to think, but I can't do otherwise than fight off my own depression in many other ways. Blogging is a friendly alternative!
The sharp pains at one side of my body affecting my right foot, going up my leg, thigh, hip is called proximal neuropathy, also known as lumbrosacral plexus neuropathy, or femoral neuropathy or diabetic amyotrophy. This last type manifested when I was infected with Herpes Zoster, or shingles. My lumbrosacral x-ray revealed that my vertebrate is suffering from the narrowing of bones. To cope, small bone outgrowths are causing this seeming chronic pain. I was told to tone down my activities. I was not supposed to even mop my floor or carry pails of water to water my plants. I'm a health risk as a whole under my conditions. It is stressful to think, but I can't do otherwise than fight off my own depression in many other ways. Blogging is a friendly alternative!
Before it was clearly known to me, one year ago today, I consulted several medical authorities because I could no longer tolerate my restless legs showing combined disturbing tingling, burning sensation in my feet; sharp pains due to leg muscle cramps that attack even in my sleep; sensitivity to soft touch of the skin in my lower limbs; occasional blisters in the soles of my feet; numbness at the tips of my toes, etc. That's quite a disturbance that didn't come overnight. They came by, one after another, until I could no longer bear the pain. After the nth of opinions- I gathered that I was suffering from diabetic peripheral neuropathy and proximal neuropathy. My eldest daughter, Pot, came home to live with me while under heavy medication.
Immediately, my neurologist, (I thought I would be in good hands if it were a doctor expert in nerve damage who will look after my condition), put me into medication. He gave me Lyrica, alternated with Neurontin- but I maintained the former because of its good effect on me. For my pain, he gave me Arcoxia, a better alternative than Tramadol (Ultram), so I preferred the former, too- All these medications were taken by me for several months, on top of my regular daily insulin shots and other medicines to keep my blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and blood pressure close to normal. I'd been spending a fortune on medication alone!
Today, I'm settled with my diabetologist who, I'm confident, is smart - one I am comfortable with. He keeps records of my monthly check-up results in a chart- which speaks more than words, and which I can understand fairly well by just a glance. Our tandem works well. A status that works miracles on me whenever things seem not right. Recently, I weaned myself from Arcoxia. I'm now taking a milder pain reliever, Celebrex , only when necessary or if the pain becomes unbearable. I'm in the process of weaning on trial from Lyrica, (having lessened my doses). Although I feel the inconveniences coming back, I have to find out if I can manage my pain to the minimum for obvious reasons. What is important is, Pot is relieved from her caregiver status. I begged of her to let go of me and accept a job offer in the city- but on her one strict condition- I'll live with her and her sister Kit. Arrangements are underway- on trial. I feel like a fish being plucked from the ocean to live in an aquarium. But, we'll see.
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic Neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes. About 60-70% of people with diabetes, can over time, develop nerve damage throughout the body. It can occur in every organ system like the digestive tract, heart, and sex organs. It may develop anytime and the risks rise with age. Neuropathy appears under these major risks: longer duration of high blood glucose, high levels of blood fat, blood pressure, and being overweight. Neuropathy can lead to sensory loss and damage to the limbs. It is also a major cause of impotence in diabetic men.Diabetic foot disease, due to damage in blood vessels and nerves, often leads to ulcers and subsequent limb amputation. It is one of the most costly complications of diabetes, which may be prevented by regular inspection and good care of the feet.
What are the Causes of Diabetic Neuropathy?
The causes are probably different for different types. Such types are: peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, proximal neuropathy, and focal neuropathy. Diabetic nerve damage is likely due to a combination of factors such as the following:
1. Metabolic Factors- high blood glucose, long duration of diabetes, abnormal blood fat levels, low levels of insulin
2. Monovascular factors- factors leading to damage to the blood vessels that carryoxygen and nutrients to the nerves
3. Autoimmunic factors- factors that cause inflammation of nerves
4. Mechanical injury to nerves
5. Inherited traits that increase susceptibility to nerve disease
6. Lifestyle factors- smoking or alcohol use
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
This type is also called distal sensorymetric neuropathy where the nerves of the feet and legs are likely to be affected first before the hands and arms This is often akin to the restless leg syndrome. The doctor may note the condition earlier even if diabetics don't feel the symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
1. numbness or insensitivity to pain or temperature in the feet, legs, hands, and arms
2. tingling, burning, or prickling sensation
3. sharp pains or cramps
4. extreme sensitivity to light touch of the skin along these areas
5. loss of balance and coordination of legwork
6. symptoms are worst at night at bedtime
7. muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, especially at the ankle leading to changes in the way a person walks
8. foot deformities such as hammertoes and the collapse of the midfoot
9. blisters, sores may appear in the numb areas of the foot because of extreme pressure that is often unnoticed
How Can Doctors Diagnose Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Doctors diagnose neuropathy on the bases of their symptoms and through a thorough physical examination. During the exams, he may check the person's blood pressure, heart rate, muscle strength, reflexes, sensitivity to position changes, vibration, temperature or light touch.
He may conduct a comprehensive foot exams that assess the skin, muscles, bones, blood circulation, and sensation of the feet. He may assess the foot's protective sensation or feeling by touching the foot with monofilament- similar to a bristle on a hairbrush attached to a wand or by pricking the foot with a pin. He may also use a tuning fork which is more sensitive to touch pressure to assess vibration perception.
Other tests may include electromyography or nerve condition studies, a check of heart rate variability, and ultrasound.
People who cannot sense pressure from pinprick or monofilament may have lost their protective sensation and are at risk for developing foot sores that may not heal properly. My diabetologist recommends my wearing of white socks and preferably rubber shoes. White socks can visibly show blood stains when wounds aren't noticed in the soles of the feet due to loss of sensation. The rubber sole of the rubber shoes protects the feet from getting hurt, too. I can walk around with blisters in the soles of my feet without knowing I have them. Once, my daughter found a staple wire stuck deep in one side of my right foot when she offered to massage it.
How Can We Treat Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
4. Mechanical injury to nerves
5. Inherited traits that increase susceptibility to nerve disease
6. Lifestyle factors- smoking or alcohol use
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
This type is also called distal sensorymetric neuropathy where the nerves of the feet and legs are likely to be affected first before the hands and arms This is often akin to the restless leg syndrome. The doctor may note the condition earlier even if diabetics don't feel the symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
1. numbness or insensitivity to pain or temperature in the feet, legs, hands, and arms
2. tingling, burning, or prickling sensation
3. sharp pains or cramps
4. extreme sensitivity to light touch of the skin along these areas
5. loss of balance and coordination of legwork
6. symptoms are worst at night at bedtime
7. muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, especially at the ankle leading to changes in the way a person walks
8. foot deformities such as hammertoes and the collapse of the midfoot
9. blisters, sores may appear in the numb areas of the foot because of extreme pressure that is often unnoticed
How Can Doctors Diagnose Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Doctors diagnose neuropathy on the bases of their symptoms and through a thorough physical examination. During the exams, he may check the person's blood pressure, heart rate, muscle strength, reflexes, sensitivity to position changes, vibration, temperature or light touch.
He may conduct a comprehensive foot exams that assess the skin, muscles, bones, blood circulation, and sensation of the feet. He may assess the foot's protective sensation or feeling by touching the foot with monofilament- similar to a bristle on a hairbrush attached to a wand or by pricking the foot with a pin. He may also use a tuning fork which is more sensitive to touch pressure to assess vibration perception.
Other tests may include electromyography or nerve condition studies, a check of heart rate variability, and ultrasound.
People who cannot sense pressure from pinprick or monofilament may have lost their protective sensation and are at risk for developing foot sores that may not heal properly. My diabetologist recommends my wearing of white socks and preferably rubber shoes. White socks can visibly show blood stains when wounds aren't noticed in the soles of the feet due to loss of sensation. The rubber sole of the rubber shoes protects the feet from getting hurt, too. I can walk around with blisters in the soles of my feet without knowing I have them. Once, my daughter found a staple wire stuck deep in one side of my right foot when she offered to massage it.
How Can We Treat Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Doctors usually treat painful diabetic neuropathy with a combination of oral medication or treatments.
Medications
1.tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, imipramine, desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane)
2. other types of depressant, such as duloxitine (Cymbalta), venlafarine, bupropion (Wellbutin), paroxetine (Paxil), cetalopram (Celexa)
3. anticonvulsants such as pregabalin (Lerica), gabapentin (Gabarone, Neurontin) carbamazepine, lamotrigine (Lamictal)
4. opioids and opioid-like drugs such as oxycodine, tramadol (Ultram)
4. opioids and opioid-like drugs such as oxycodine, tramadol (Ultram)
5. duloxetine and pregabalin are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically for treating painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Treatments
You don't have to be depressed in search for antidepressants that can help relieve your nerve pain. All medications have side effects and some are not recommended for use in older adults and those with heart problems. Over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may not work for treating most nerve pains and can have serious side effects. Therefore, it must be important to consult with your doctor before any treatment or medication is made. Self-medication is equally dangerous to your health.
However, treatments applied to the skin, topically to the feet, may include capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches (Lidoderm, Lidopain). Nitrate sprays or patches for the feet may relieve pain. Alpha-lipoic acid and evening primrose oil can help relieve symptoms and improve nerve functions. A good hand massage eases away the pain especially to give a feeling of volume to a collapsed midfoot. This explains why I appreciate very much a soft massage from my daughters since it is cumbersome for me to curl up with my ailing vertebrate.
Seriously, diabetic neuropathy problems can be controlled, prevented, and reversed if they are caught and treated in time. To do this, keep your blood glucose level close to the normal range. Maintaining safe blood glucose level protects nerves throughout the body.
As of date, I'm hopeful for my recovery, since I manage quite well with slowly weaning away from pain reliever. It's been a year ago now since I was struck with this nerve damage. No matter how long my recovery period will take, I'm lucky to be able to stand and do some small brisk walk when I deem it necessary and lavish myself with short precious time working on my laptop- again!
As of date, I'm hopeful for my recovery, since I manage quite well with slowly weaning away from pain reliever. It's been a year ago now since I was struck with this nerve damage. No matter how long my recovery period will take, I'm lucky to be able to stand and do some small brisk walk when I deem it necessary and lavish myself with short precious time working on my laptop- again!
Sources:
1. Google - National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes
2. Outsmart Diabetes, Take Control (My Daily Guide in Managing My Diabetes), Abbot Nutrition
