Referrals to Neurologist when Feet get Numb.

Posted by davidpn @davidpn, Jul 16, 2023

I told my primary doctor that my feet were numb and he said it was due to diabetes. He made no big deal about it and so I didn’t either. Granted this was before I was tuned into doing my own research. If I had I would’ve asked “so what can we do about it”?

It wasn’t till three years later with sore legs from walking some that I finally got a referral to a neurologist. Then diagnosed with PN and recently changed to diabetic poly neuropathy. I’ve always wondered if a referral came from the beginning if my feet would be as numb as they are today and if overall I’d be in better shape (less dead nerves ?).

Appreciate any input on this. Thanks.

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Jul 16, 2023

@davidpn hi David, I guess your doctor should have been more understanding and helpful. I don’t know how your insurance plan works. If a referral is required your primary care physician dropped the ball.

Anyway, PN is progressive and there’s no cure so I don’t know if the time lost has made a difference. I guess there’s no going back now but it is an interesting question.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 17, 2023

Hi David, Your story is similar to mine. I lived with the numbness in my toes, then feet, then ankles and legs until I finally decided to get a referral to a neurologist and having some tests done for a diagnosis. I discussed it with my different primary care doctors over the years but decided not to do anything because they all told me there isn't anything they can do for the numbness as the medications are all for addressing the pain. After 20+ years and some progression I decided to see a neurologist and was diagnosed with idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy. Yup, was told again there is no treatment to help with the numbness which brought me here to Connect in 2016.

One thing that may be common with your symptoms is that both of my sisters and mother had diabetes and had trouble with their feet. I've always been in the prediabetes category and fit into the metabolic syndrome which is related set of conditions that if left untreated can develop into diabetes. I've learned that can be a connection but like @SusanEllen66 and others have mentioned, there really is no cure at this time and treating the symptoms is the one thing that can help if you can find something that works for you. Here's a reference I found on the connection.
--- Metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for neurological disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21997383/.
Maybe had I initially sought a referral to a neurologist I might have known my diagnosis sooner and been able to learn more but in retrospect, probably not for me because the Internet was not a super highway yet, just a crummy old dirt road between government locations and some educational institutions. There are many things you can do to live better with your condition. In case you haven't seen this site, it has a lot of resources for learning about neuropathy and available treatments.
--- https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/