For Those Who Know About Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy...I have a question...

Hello Kari

I am very sorry to hear about your father. I also have Type 2 Diabetes and Polyneuropathy. I have had the neuropathy for about a year and a half. My neuropathy effects both my hands and wrists & feet and calves. I have sensation's of pins & needles, crawling sensations of my legs, burning pain in both heels, and also numbness in different area's. I don't have much balance and have had falls due to this and my weak ankles. Sometimes at night I awake in so much pain and I do get many charlie horses in my toes, feet and calves. I do know exactly what your father is going through. I also have pitting edema once again in both legs and feet. This has been diagnosed by my primary doctor. He doesn't believe that it is water retention as I have had this before. I have to change my diet and limit my intake of salt as this can also cause the swelling. I also wear compression stocking's and this helps to bring down the swelling. I realize that you said that your father feet don't look swollen to you. He should still have a doctor check him. You can also tell if it is pitting edema by pressing a finger into his foot and then releasing it. If your finger mark stays into his skin for several seconds, this would be pitting edema. Also with neuropathy we also feel strange sensation's, if we feel at all. So it is very possible, like you said that his feet are not swollen.

I have not been able to try Cymbalta as my health insurance would not cover this. This often happens with new meds. I have heard great things about this med. Hopefully someone will come along and share their experience with this med. I have tried Neurontin, then Topamax. The Neurontin stopped working for me. Then their was a problem with my blood work and I had to come off Topamax. Now I am taking Trileptal, and it seems to be helping my neuropathy.

I can't stress the importance of your father keeping control of his blood glucose. This could very well be the reason as to why his neuropathy is getting worse. As of right now I am having difficulty keeping a good average on my blood glucose with my diet and med's. I think that I may also have to start to take insulin very soon. Although I am not happy with this, I really don't want any other complication's with my health. I will keep both you and your father in my prayer's.

Jeanne