I just started the MiniMed Paradigm about 6 months ago. When I started on it, I was already starting to feel better. About 2-3 months ago, I started getting pains in my legs, then my back, then my stomach, then my chest! I don’t understand why I’m feeling worse than I ever have when the pump was supposed to help me feel better and be in better control. Anyone have any ideas or comments??
Symptoms
Nerve pain in legs, feet, stomach, chest, under arms, and fingers (It all started in my legs)
My suggestion? See a doctor. Your symptoms could be indicative of a medical problem that nobody on this board is qualified to treat. It may be related to diabetes or it may be completely unrelated. It certainly isn’t caused by using a pump.
Yes I agree with Jen & Zoe. Go to ur Dr and tell him what’s going on. Like both of them just said we can still have problems not related to diabetes although we’re diabetics.
The thing is, My primary doctor says he doesn’t know either… ive been to 3 endocronologists, a neurologist, and a gastrologist. They all say that they have no idea. I’m tired of getting no answer.
Kristen, after reading your profile, it sounds (for the benefit of others reading this) that the pains are more on the skin, not more of a “pounding” muscle pain.
A few things to consider:
1 - With the pump, are you using the same type of insulin as you were before? The insulin itself might be causing an allergic reaction – some people do have allergies to certain insulins. Fortunately, there are usually two of every kind out there, so if you develop an allergy to Novalog, try Humalog (or vice-versa).
2 - Does the pain start at the infusion site and then spread? If not, it’s not likely to be related
3 - Has anything else changed that might affect the skin? New home, hot-air versus radiator heaters, different kind of bath soap, etc. It’s not necessarily D-related
4 - Vitamin E is said to be good for the skin. I can’t say for sure if it will help, but you may want to try. A quick test might be to take a vitamin E capsule (it’s kind of a gel-capsule thing), poke a hole in it with a needle, and squeeze the vitamin-oily stuff right on an affected area of the skin. If it doesn’t help, taking capsules by mouth likely won’t either. {insert typical disclaimer about recommending medical procedures here. I’m not a doctor}
Overall, I’d say the first step (if you can rule out external factors) is to try a different type of insulin. There are other members here who have allergies to insulin, you may be able to gather some info by searching on TuDiabetes. Also, see a neurologist. I don’t know what types of doctors you’ve already seen, but an endocrinologist or dermatologist may not necessarily be able to tell if there is nerve damage. And if the neurologist sees nothing, that should be an enormous weight off of your shoulders.
Finally, you might want to re-post this message with a more descriptive subject line. Seeing “I’m on the pump” may not attract the people who’ve had the same symptoms as you… describing the symptoms may get you some more hits from members who can help more.
Either way, I wish you luck! You’ve had a difficult run so far, but I’m sure it will get better. I sure hope so!
The pains in your legs may be neuropathy. You have had high blood sugars for two years, high enough to do damage. Some of those pains may only be a symptom of better control. It would be best to check with a doctor.
Thanks Scott. I really appreciate you taking the time to read my profile and comment back with some suggestions. I will try the Vitamin E. I have already seen a neurologist and he said he has no idea. Its good that he doesn’t see anything, but that doesn’t heal my pain. I’ve seen 3 endocronologists, a gastrologist, and a neurologist. Even my primary doctor doen’t know. I don’t wanna be stuck taking 10 pills everyday. I just wish this would get just a little easier for me. At least tolerable.
hmmm… I didn’t know about that. Thanks, I will deff look into that. I have an appointment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, so maybe they will have someone there for that. Well I sure hope so. Thanks for your suggestion :]
Agreed. I recently went to a neurologist and he said it is not neuropathy. But now i question… what is it? Is it my body trying to get used to its new normal?
I don’t think any of us can (or should) diagnose you, we can just give you advice and encouragement. It may simply be your adjustment to normal blood sugars. But it could also be something else. I am struggling right now with some of my own health issues, and I’ve seen a bunch of doctors over a period of months. Sometimes, you just need to stay on top of things, do our best to figure it out and keep our chins up.
The one thing I would tell you NOT to do is raise your blood sugar to “test” whether you feel better at high blood sugars. You should not trust your feelings in this way. High blood sugars are absolutely not good for you.
Yes of course… I’m trying to stay on top of my sugars. It just sucks feeling so crappy. I’m still getting used to this new way of life. I accept that I have this, but I’m not dealing with it very well.
I always try to keep my chin up, but then my depression rolls in and takes over. I consider myself a pretty strong person, but what I’m battling with in my head is outrageous.
I agree with BSC. You have to just keep trying. I went through years of bad back pain and went to see a rehab doctor for something unrelated and happened to mention it and he found the problem! Not 100% better but he was able to do some things for me to help and just knowing was a relief (My PCP at that point said it was all in my head and I needed antidepressants- as you can imagine that was the last visit I had with him).
I also had a difficult time getting the diagnosis for Restless Leg Syndrome. I saw many different docs to figure this one out. I finally saw a neurologist who figured it out and has helped a whole lot.
I know it seems like no one can really help and this whole thing is terribly frustrating but keep trying. It has always worked out for me that I happen to see a doc who can figure it out.
Hi Kristen, sorry things are so tough. My son has diabetes and Even just seeing him go through this I know its very hard/scary.
I hope the rite doctor can help you figure this out soon or even better God will take it away from you. I wish diabetes would dissapear. since that probable wont happen as many people around me seem to be showing up with type 2. I almost lost my son a month ago because we thought he was type 2 diabetes and didnt realize DKA could happen. well now we are told he was probable type 1. I’m on here trying to learn and help him. I wish you better days. Keep smiling and hopfully life gets easier soon. Love n Christ Kimberly
Seeing another post form else where on here, you say you were at 15% a1c when dx’d and have dropped rapidly since, which is a common cause of random issues such as the pain you describe. I was in similar situation when dx’d as well. Had bs numbers in 5-600’s regularly, a1c was nearly 15%, started insulin and it dropped to 10% then down to 9’s, finally hit 6.3 last month after about 6 months on pump. (Our timeline is pretty close, i was dx in mid 2008, started pump 6 months ago). When i had the huge a1c drop though… good grief, that was a tough time! I was trying all sorts of different pills and meds and remedies. Gabapentin (sp?), lyrica, b12 suppliments, etc. Of course it turns out i do have neuropathy (which is mostly in remission now, thank goodness) and i have appt to see new eye doc next week to have my eyes re-checked. I suspect i had eye issues (or still have?) too but the previous eye doctor didn’t catch it correctly. Regarding your pain though, you also mention that you are taking several pills, and without knowing what all you take (and not prying because it’s none of our business) there could exist an issue there as well. Two of the meds i was taking after my initial dx have a known but rarely reported side effect of creating enhanced nerve damage. Stack that on top of neuropathy… life really sucked for several months. The pain however did eventually go away, and I’m not exactly keen to try to figure out what or how, as long as it’s gone. Getting blood sugars down and keeping them down was probably the most important factor. Try doing google search on each of the meds you take and looking for interactions with other drugs. There’s bunches of sites that will check for you too (like http://healthtools.aarp.org/drug-interactions or google for “drug interactions” there’s tons of them) but they mostly seem vague and only list the common stuff. I had to really dig to find info on my particularly case. The package inserts from your meds can be useful too, study those as well. I hope you do get it figured out though, or at least the pain goes away!
wow… we deff do have alot in common. I am currently on Gabapentin for the nerve issue. I recently went to a neurologist and he said I do not have neuropathy. I’m just wondering as to why I am hurting like this? I’m sorry you had to go thru such a hard time. I know how it feels. It’s nice to know that there is someone out there who gets it :]
