pain with diabetes

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-2003
pain with diabetes
17
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 10:56am
I am 24 years old and have been a diabetic for three years now. Recently I have been having severe pain in my body(neck,hands,legs, arms). Just a few days ago my fingers started to get really painful around the knuckle area, and now they are swollen and turning white. I have been told that this could be neuropathy.I really dont know much about this or if this is what it sounds like so if anyone can help i would greatly appreciate it, I made an appointment with my doctor, but i cant get in for over a week. I really dont know if i can wait that long, and really dont know if i should. If anyone has any suggestions on easing the discomfort of this i would also welcome that. Thank you.

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Avatar for magpo
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2003
Sun, 10-10-2004 - 1:22pm
Hi Carlie! I am new to this board but it was recommended by someone on the RA board. I also have had type I diabetes for a long time and severe RA for about 15 yrs., and a lot of other problems stemming from those two. I also have a grown son who has been diabtetic almost his whole life (since 15 mos old) and am hoping he won't have the same problems.

I hope you don't mind if I ask a few questions on how you cope with these two conditions. Do you have trouble with the treatments for the 2 fighting each other? Like Prednisone vs. insulin? Or TNF blockers? And do you have other concerns that crop up? I also have high blood pressure and epilepsy, and have had 2 strokes. Also severe Osteoporosis resulting in LOTS of broken bones including 3 vertebrae and a herniated disk. It seems like the treatment for one problems causes more problems or more trouble with the others. I have several very good doctors including an excellent rhuematologist and equally excellent endocrinologist. They both agree that the arthritis needs to be under control first but everything that works (none of it very well) causes huge problems. A lot of systemic infections etc. I have spent the last 4 winters very sick, usually with pneumonia and other infections and I am tired of it!! I have gone back to MTX and prednisone for the RA and have cut the dose in half for the winter. I also got a flu shot so I am hoping for success but nothing I have tried so far has worked.

So I am wondering if you have had similar problems and what you have done to overcome them? I have just been getting worse and worse and my doctors don't seem to be able to help. I have had several PCP's that have all been useless. They always do a HgA1c and then chew me out because they are usually around 10, which I consider fairly good with all the prednisone and infections from the DMARD's. But they can't understand that I have not been able to do any better and still get out of bed. On the plus side I have almost no diabetic damage at all, but a lot of RA & bone damage. My rhematologist told me one time that I had the worst case of RA he had ever seen, and he frequently sees 50 patients a day in 3 offices. I live in the Norther Virginia area. My work asked me to go on disability because they couldn't count on me to be there. They were patient for years but by last winter I was in bed for 5 months! So I had to leave. I had been there for 17 years.

I am sorry to run on like this but I was wondering what you might have done differently or if you are having the same problems. Thanks for listening!

Maggie

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 10-10-2004 - 9:58pm

Maggie,


This is Mary Frances and I just wanted to post my two cents worth. I am really sorry that you are having such a difficult time. I really worry about the nerve damanage that you are getting from having such high A1C's. I don't have any suggestions to offer but I certainly understand your concerns and I am glad that you were referred to this board. Have the doctor's tried the new RA drugs that are given by injection? I suddenly can't remember the name but one of the women at my church got it and it was miracle for her.


We give gentle hugs all the time! I am glad that you were able to get your flu shot. I now have bronchitis and flu vaccine here in California is being severely rationed and so I double I will be able to get one this year. Since I am currently sick it is contraindicated for me now.


I do hope that you are feeling better real soon and will continue to join us.

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2004
Mon, 10-11-2004 - 3:34pm
I've been type 1 diabetic for 17 years. You first need to check your blood sugars. If they are above 280, then you may have to go to the emergency room, or you may have to do a sliding scale with your insulin. That might be the reason why you ach. You might be going into ketoacidosis. continue checking your bood sugar 4-6 times a day (Only until the pain stops) keep a log of how much insulin you take(as well as you blood sugars) if you do a sliding scale, and give it to your doctor. The ER is the next best thing. I hope you feel better

Jill

Avatar for magpo
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2003
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 9:33pm
Thanks for the good advice, Mary Frances. Yes, I am worried about diabetic damage too since I have never had any before. Neuropathy is also very painful I hear so I would like to avoid it. I have a very good rheumatologist and he has tried everything, including the new drugs which are called TNF (tumor necrosis factor - ???) blockers or inhibitors. They have all been a disaster causing massive infections that lasted for months from my suppressed immune system. He wanted to to start another one called Humira but I put my foot down at that point. I am sick of being sick.

Ooh sorry to hear about your brochitis. I hope you are over it in time to be able to get a flu shot. I read today that they are trying to recall non-essential shots from agencies so that high risk people will have a better chance at them.

Well thanks again for all the support!

Maggie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-21-2003
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 10:55am
Hi (((((Maggie))))):

Welcome...it's very nice to meet you. I'm happy

this Board was recommended to you. Many Swell Ladies

here with good info, links and hugs. The Gals at the

RA Board are wonderful and very helpful also.

Sorry I couldn't answer sooner but we just got back

from our Thanksgiving Extra-long Week-end Holiday.

My heart goes out to you Girl. You sure haven't had

much sunshine for sometime. I've been through some bad things

and times also but Osteoporosis sounds awful. Did you recover

any from the strokes? Fortunately some improve. How long have

you had Diabetes? It will be 43 yrs. with D for me on Dec 18.

How long have you been on Prednisone? I know you know

it elevates your b/s and puts your diabetes out of whack and also

causes Osteo and other stuff. My Rheumy only put me on Pred for

2 or 3 weeks in 1983 and in 1999 when I had 69 joints flaring.

He wanted me to go in the hospital the next day. I said,"Sorry,

we promised my parents we were going down to their place for the

week-end. Just give me a prescription". He said I had remarkable

stamina. I've run out of drugs for RA except for the Azathioprine

which causes liver damage and cancer since it's an anti-rejection

drug that suppresses your immune system. I was also on Vioxx for

over 2 yrs. until Merck withdrew it since it causes strokes and heart

attacks. That was a slap in the face since it was supposed to be so

Great. My Rheumy called me that day, told me to stop the Vioxx and

he phoned in a prescription for Indomethacin. Back on that again.

I had some pains in my heart the last 3 months which I never had before.

I hope it didn't do any damage.

I have no intention of going on Remicade, Enbrel or Humira since

they can cause Lymphoma(sp), infections, etc. I'm actually thinking of

acupuncture. Chemical drugs are not good for the body. I hate them.

Just a bad bandaid.

I'm sorry to hear your boy has Diabetes. But at least he is young

and has better equipment to help control it. And a chance of a cure.

That stem cell research sounds interesting if they let it go through.

I eat 4 or 5 small meals a day. I usually do not eat dessert(however I

will occasionally have a treat). I check my b/s usually 6 to 8 times a

day. It bothers me if I do not know how much I am. I keep my mind

occupied with things that interest me. I do my exercises for RA daily

plus the treadmill, fast dance, walk around the block plus housework

and shopping 4 0r 5 times a week. I do not stress out about most

problems that come up. We have always had animals which we enjoy.

Nothing like hugging a fuzzy animal or trying to catch a runaway

turtle(they can be surprisingly quick LOL),(except for hugging a sweet

child of course). I usually drink my 8 glasses of water a day. I take

a 81mg. aspirin e/day, cod liver oil capsule e/dayand muli-vitamin e/other

day. We have good family relationships and supportwhich is very important.

That is all I can think of for now.

I am so happy that you do not have complications due to Diabetes. Good

job. I do not know if I helped any through all this yapping or if I answered

all your questions. If not feel free to post anything you need. Hope

to hear from you again. A Gentle Hug and Prayers sent to you. Take

Care....***Carlie*** :)














Edited 10/14/2004 4:19 pm ET ET by carlie2024


Edited 10/14/2004 6:37 pm ET ET by carlie2024

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-2003
Wed, 12-29-2004 - 8:52pm

sorry it has taken me so long to respond, I have been real busy going to doctors quite often. When I went to the doctor for the rheumatoid, they did find out that is what the problem was. They also found out the problem with my hands and circulation was a severe case of Raynauds. They currently have me on a a calcium channel blocker, which helps very much. The only signs I really have of that right at the moment is a wound on one of my fingers that seems to also be healing well. Now to the shocking news In the midst of all this we also found out I am expecting. I am due on June 7th and things seem to be going good, for being a high risk pregnancy. They have me off work till after the baby is born. My husband and I are very excited to be having our first child. I also have PCOS and so we were always told we may have difficulties concieving. Thank you all so much for your suggestions and comments I greatly appreciate it!!

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 12-29-2004 - 11:00pm

Hi Kendra,


What wonderful news! We all love being cyber aunties around here. I am glad that the doctors have figured out what is going on with you and are able to treat it. I am sure everyone is going to be very diligent during your pregnancy. Please keep us informed about how you and the little one to be are doing.


A Very Happy New Year!

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


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