Has anyone tried treatment for diabetic neuropathy?

I actually found more info about what I believe happened to me, and great detail on how this cluster of symptoms related to rapid A1C reduction differs from the PN typically associated with diabetes.

An article titled 'Treatment-induced neuropathy of diabetes: an acute, iatrogenic complication of diabetes' was a good starting point as it also references other studies and sources with further detail.

Here is a link for the curious: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285188/

I found some hope in that there may be considerable chances of reversing some of the symptoms, based on my (perhaps optimistically biased) reading of the data.

yowchies (@yowchies),

Excellent! There's plenty of good information out there. It's the finding of it that can be tricky.

Much success to you!

Ray (@ray666)

Well hopefully it or all of the above will work for him especially when it comes to sleep. I have tried all above and unfortunately nothing worked for me. Good luck though!

I posted this upcoming webinar in another discussion but thought I would share it here also in case anyone is interested.
————————————
FPN webinar: a holistic approach to diabetic neuropathy

Please join us on Friday, January 26, at 12pm CT, as we welcome experts from the fields of neurology, integrative medicine, and physical therapy to discuss a holistic approach to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. A live Q&A will follow to conclude the program.
We encourage all PN patients, regardless of cause, to consider attending this program.

Register now – https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5060872138588045405
————————–

Hi Celia @celia16, Thank you for the private message. I hope you don't mind but I thought I would respond to your private message question in this discussion so that others with your symptoms and type 1 diabetes may also be able to share their experience with you. To answer your first question, I am doing fairly well with my neuropathy as it has not progressed and I have some feeling returned to my feet. I posted my neuropathy journey story in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/.

You mentioned you have type I diabetes and a little numbness in your feet and you have good sensation and circulation. Your neurologist says it’s not neuropathy and you were asking how my neuropathy was diagnosed. My Mayo neurologist scheduled some lab tests including an MRI, nerve conduction test and a physical exam and diagnosed me with idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy which he thought was probably genetic. From what I've read the gold standard for diagnosing neuropathy is a skin punch biopsy which I didn't have for the diagnosis. This short video by Matthew B Jensen Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Wisconsin that gives a good explanation of how the different neuropathies are diagnosed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FrQ7Glvgok.

Another key to my puzzle could have a connection to your symptoms. Until recently I have always been labeled pre-diabetic due to not having my blood sugar under control and also being quite a bit overweight. I started working on that a couple of years ago and have been able to improve my numbers and weight issue quite a bit through intermittent fasting and lowering the amount of carbs I eat. There is another discussion on that you might find helpful here:
--- Low-carb healthy fat living. Intermittent fasting. What’s your why?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-carb-healthy-fat-living-intermittent-fasting-whats-your-why/

I'm glad to hear that you don't have any pain with your neuropathy symptoms. You might be interested in viewing the upcoming webinar on a holistic approach to diabetic neuropathy from the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy that I posted earlier here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/996895/.

I appreciate that thoughtful and informative response, John. So glad your symptoms have improved.

My neurologist did an exam and ordered extensive blood tests, MRI and EMG. He was also evaluating me for fasciculations throughout my body and intermittent tingling in my hands during the night. And, smell and taste disorder. I had just been diagnosed with Post Covid Syndrome. So, it’s possible most of my symptoms are due to LC.

I’ve had good blood sugar control for most of my 24 years with type I. Some periods not as good as others, but never very high BG. At the time of my numbness, I had just brought my A1c down quite a bit and lost a lot of weight with healthy diet and exercise. I’ve lost even more since then and my A1C is in good range and my Endo is pleased. I have discussed the situation with my Endo.

I’d welcome any responses from any others who have had similar experiences. I will say that my numbness and tingling has improved. Will my tight diet, exercise and good time in range matter with this? Idk. I’ve seen 3 podiatrists with 2 who say it’s not neuropathy and one who says it is……lol.

Thanks for the update. I am glad to hear you are doing well controlling your blood sugar and it sounds like you also made some lifestyle changes to help your health. I had never heard about the metabolic syndrome and had always pooh poohed my primary care doc's telling me I was pre-diabetic. Then I started doing a little research which changed my mind and helped me decide on the need to make some changes. Here are a couple of references if you are interested in learning more.

--- The Metabolic Syndrome and Neuropathy: Therapeutic Challenges and Opportunities: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3881591/
--- Metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for neurological disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21997383/

Oh, I failed to mention that about the time of the onset of symptoms, I was diagnosed with Vitamin B12 deficiency. I started injections and got my levels up quickly. Still….I wonder if that was the culprit. I’m keeping an open mind.

What do I do? My fiance is type 2 Diabetic And also has neuropathy in the legs and feet And his pain is is excruciating. Does it help to go to a podiatrist He is on gabapentin Lyrica and that does not help With the pain. Any suggestions On what he could ask his doctor for ? Does anyone know what triggers The pain to come on ? His blood sugar is more normal than it is high. What food should he eat and what should he stay away from? We are lost in this whole life changing diagnosis. Anyone's quality of life changed drastically? Also, he's on Medicaid what does that cover for him? Anything that will help? At what age can he add medicare? Any help for us is appreciated.

I am not diabetic, but have a disease called Adhesive Arachnoiditis. I suffer with neuropathy in my feet and take Alpha Lipoic Acid and wear compression socks. I still get some pain, but it is considerably less.