So my question that so far no doctor has been able to answer is: I know that my peripheral neuropathy (in my feet and partially in my legs) is bad when my blood sugars are high, but since being put on the pump in October 2011, my sugars are 100% better. We are talking in the 70 to 110 range. So the question is why do I still have severe symptoms at the 70 to 110 range sometimes worse than when my blood sugar does spike over 110? At times it seems like its worse when its in the normal range.
I was gifted 3 kinds of neuropathy almost overnight in 2007 as a result of an autoimmune thing. Also ended up with T2 diabetes. Since then, my A1C has been below 5.4, and I never have highs. Nevertheless, the peripheral neuropathy has gotten steadily worse. The amytrophic neuropathy had me in a wheelchair for a while, and on a walker. Along with that, the muscles in my legs atrophied. I worked the muscles back, but the nerves don't work great. I can walk. Or let's be more accurate and say I can do an inelegant waddle. The third type, autonomic neuropathy, mostly affects my heart rate, digestion, blood pressure, and ability to sweat (I don't). It has never gotten any worse, I'd almost say it's better except I think really I've just learned to live with it. Once your nerves are screwed up, they seem to be gone. It's not all bad news, though. If you keep moving as much as you can, you learn to compensate.
I have read that you can have diabetes related complications, even when your A1c is very good. That is sometimes caused by having too many highs and lows. When your BG does a roller coaster kind of thing, the highs and lows can compensate for each other, and your A1c is good. But the constant chane from high to low to high......is a shock to your body, and too much of that can lead to complications. Except for a couple of 6.1's I have had A1c's below 6.0 for almost 10 years, but I had neuropathy and retinopathy diagnosed shortly after the year 2000. It continued until I cracked down and started having fewer highs and lows, I still have them, but not nearly as many now. The eye problem has completely disappeared. The neuropathy is still there, but I rarely feel it now. To avoid complications we need to have both a low A1c and stable control, with few highs and lows. I am a type 1 with IR (insulin resistance). I am using Metformin for my IR. It has been a very good med for me, but I have lost some of my stability. I am having too many highs and lows, but the A1c is good. Now I am concerned that the retinopathy and neuropathy pain may return.
I have had lots of floaters in one eye for a very long time. My ophthalmologist says they are not diabetes related.
My story is similar to yours. Medication helps, and the doctor says I have to take the time to rest more often with my feet elevated. A recliner is helpful there. I see the specialist again next week, and hopefully will have some better information then.
I also have autonomic neuropathy but the only thing it did to me was screw with my heart rate to the point, I had tachycardia and had to have surgery twice to fix it though because of that surgery I might end up with a pacemaker if I ever go too low. I'm on an 8 day holter monitor right now to watch it to see if its doing anything like that. We have noticed by home monitoring that it has done it a few times and we noticed it when I was in the ER for something other than my diabetes (IUD decided to go out of place.).
I gotta tell ya, Cherise, I am right there with ya on that question. I'm pretty sure the answer isn't (all) that "the damage is already done."
My Mom and I have done a lot of on-line research about neuropathy. Guess what? It doesn't always follow "The Rules."
Someone else wrote that a Dr. had told them it was "too soon" for them to HAVE neuropathy symptoms.
Sure - tell my (our) neuropathy that!
I also recently read an article that said as your nerves heal, the pain can get worse before it gets better. Sadly, it also said that as far as the study had gone, the "healing" only went so far and then seemed to stop.
But hey! New studies are coming out all of the time. Nerves are tough!
Have I been helpful - probably not.
