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Diabetic Neuropathy. Long Acting medication to help regulate sugar…
The neurologist today told me I have neuropathy and possible SFN during visit. I’ve been under the impression I had it, then didn’t, back again to having it. It’s sort of ridiculous. Going over my issues. Focusing on blood sugar. I could not understand why with consistent HbA1C at 6.7-6.9 my neuropathy symptoms are out of control.
While I know that is not a great HbA1C, I know it could be much worse.
My neurologist suggested I take glucose readings throughout the day, that it could be spiking.
Well, I’ve thought about it. I take 2000 mg (short acting due now to difficulty swallowing the horse pills - I grind them) Medication. The short acting (mentally just made the connection) Metformin not effective at managing spikes throughout the day. It may not be metabolized properly by my injured liver??? Thinking out loud, I digress. So, what I’m wondering is since I developed the swallowing problem in 11/21, I also fell and six months later developed what I can say now has been neuropathy all along.
I did not think for a second the original long acting Metformin I’ve taken since diagnosed with diabetes having been changed in 11/21 to short acting. Ive been on the short acting since that time and the neuropathy symptoms increased exponentially.
To my point (yes I have one lol), should I ask the endocrinologist I see in May (or maybe ask the pcp to get the ball rolling sooner) if someone would want to see if a different diabetic medication, a smaller pill easy to take - EFFECTIVE at regulating the glucose readings to be in line with what readings should fall under??
It can’t be a coincidence that neuropathy pains shot up since 2021 while being on the short acting which may have poorly controlled my numbers after meals. So, I am trying to nip it in the proverbial bud.
I am not a candy eater. My sweets are typically fruit. Most definitely consume plenty there and berries. I have sweets occasionally. No more. I have thought Ive controlled my sugars according to my fasting numbers. Well, ignorance is not bliss. Does anyone have any ideas about this?
🙏🏻
Ps: I’ve taken only a handful of readings over the course of being diabetic throughout the day, has primarily been fasting numbers have been around 115, throughout the day I’ve had them 180, over 200 thats all I remember.
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@nemo1 an endocrinologist is your best provider for diabetes questions / care (also for thyroid concerns). It is good you will be seeing one in May. Perhaps you can ask to be on a call list if any openings become available sooner?
This is the provider to speak to regarding medications (oral, injectable or actual insulin). Be sure to mention your difficulty swallowing pills. You can also inquire about about higher tech devices such as continual glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin delivery systems (AKA insulin pumps). I personally don’t think you’re there yet.
It sounds like you need some more help with the basics such as diet, meds, testing & recording blood sugar. Do you have a dietician/nutritionist well versed in diabetes? Do you have a reliable glucometer and a tracking system that you can use to share records with the new endocrinologist? That will be beneficial when your provider is considering the best meds to recommend.
Dreaded neuropathy (diabetic neuropathy). This can creep up on you gradually when you think you are doing fairly well (just ok blood sugars now and then and an A1C that is barely adequate). When this happens it can be miserable! Your neuropathy symptoms are an indication that something is wrong. Can you be sure to describe this to your new endocrinologist?
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3 Reactions@nemo1 you can check the glycemic index for low carb foods.
Is this your first endocrinology appointment? You can also ask for a dietician.
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2 ReactionsNo, not my first visit. My third but first with the new doctor.
I need to read up on what the glycemic index is. I’m embarrassed to say.
I just saw a registered dietician. She spent an hour with me and gave me tips. I told her what I needed. She proceeded to provide me with what she planned on. Not what I asked for. I know what I need. This is frustrating. It should be easy for them. Just looking for exact and specific foods that or okay for *all* of my conditions. She didn’t. I don’t mean to complain. Its just everything seems like an unnecessary struggle 🙁
At next visit, I will give her another shot, to help me. If she doesn’t Im not wasting my precious insurances time. I only get 3hours for diabetes. Might get more for the other health issues. So, thats that!
The diabetic neuropathy has been a relentless nagging agony. I’m hoping the new medication regimen will reign in the pain, making functioning possible.
I will have the glucometer with me so the endocrinologist can assess recordings along with my log of blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, other pertinent notes.
I honestly don’t understand how this pain has manifested since 5/21…in such a short period of time.
Yesterday my neurologist explained radiology exams findings. So three issues are causing my problems. She said she doesn’t see me in a wheel chair. She didn’t see me in February!
I need updated radiology exams, hopefully they will be done in the summer.
Thank you!
It is unusual for a dietician not to mention the glycemic index to a person with diabetes!
Too many sites to list!
https://www.bing.com/search?q=glycemic+index&form=ANNTH1&refig=22a518f02a834b41a21c26a98224f5b9&pc=ACTS
She did go over the nutrician label. I will ask her about the glycemic index. And read up on it here. I’m now annoyed at that missed opportunity.
Maybe she has plans to next meeting. I will ask her if she was going to teach me about that.
She ignored my objectives (meal planning such as which Fruits have less sugar, I mean more info that is on google). My request was targeted and very specific.
She had a plan she was following and didn’t acknowledge what I said. I am going to request it again. If she doesn’t I will tell her she should. I’m not a mouse lol.
She had a packet for me at the end of session one. It had on heading carbohydrate totals in grams (this should be fun) but not what you mentioned. It had a weeks worth of meal plan samples. Not tailored to my specific problems. Diabetic, I suppose, but I have more issues. I told her that with specifics. She has *her* plan. Do I have to go to the liver dietician for this. Its bologna.
I was turned off by her.
I had not looked at the packet until now. If she does not warm up I might say something. I was smiling and had a sense of humor but she was like an ice cube. Maybe she is all business.
I am not happy with someone ignoring me, the patients specific food item request by body organ trouble! I did notice on the portal, she just had diabetes listed, not liver! I will need to ask her if she can combine diet meal plans and Taylor them for me. It does not make sense to focus on one when another organ is having trouble. I really need the direction and COOPERATION.
I gather my time is up even though I made the request as soon as I sat down. I have pressing issues. The liver is not in splendid shape. I have a genetic disease causing it problems, she can’t ignore this.
She was not friendly. If she does not warm up maybe I should try someone else…It wasn’t easy getting an appointment. They only have one nutritionist at this location. I don't think I can wait another month for details such as this. She said i could contact her on the patient portal (if that is back to operating). I will ask her on the portal, bring up liver and pancreas! Need specific meal plan taylaroed to them both. Ugg!
I’m sorry. I’m venting. It’s just frustrating. I wait so long for this appointment to be ignored.
I get it!
Advice we received was to mix high glycemic foods (think white rice, ripe banana)with protein and/or fat. For example cheese in the rice, peanut butter with the banana. But with liver issues not sure what you would do. Hope you get some good advice!
Fruit in the morning tends to raise blood sugars more than fruit later on, for many people. Maybe you are different!
Wow! Thank you for that knowledge!
Me too! I’m on the case lol
That is so interesting. I will have to eat with intension to find out what fruits and other foods trigger an increase and bring the numbers in line.
My glucose numbers fasting yesterday: 99
2 hours post lunch: 120
2 hours post dinner: 126
Fasting today: 100
So, go figure why neuropathy is going nuts. I will continue taking numbers throughout the day.
The nutritionist did say pain will increase blood sugars.
The muscle relaxer is easing pain! When it wears off (starts to) I feel it. I take 4 doses a day. Although, as I begin to have break through pain (forget to take it), I’m seeing more and more I need to take it every 5 hours.
I appreciate it…
Thank you again! 🙏🏻
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2 ReactionsJust read up on this….
Wow! Low Glycemic “Diet” also benefits LIVER!
Now I know how to direct the nutritionist!
So, I will ask her to provide low sugar, low GI & low glycemic load. So I should be good to go.
Does that sound like the Mediterranean Diet to you?
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2 ReactionsI think you should go ahead and get a new nutritionist. This one is a dud. Don't waste your time. Your health is number ONE.