Boy. There are a lot of us!
Been type II for almost/about 30 years-certainly 25+. Controlled it through weight control and exercise. Then went the oral meds and, at the first of this year, I went on insulin.
Peripheral issues have been compounded by:
(1) old broken thumb from high school. This has led to bone spurs and arthritis. Also, inflammation of the nerve along the elbow. Thought that was neuropathy at first (similar to carpal tunnel but it is the tunnel where the nerve passes through the elbow joint.
(2) Broke both ankles at the same time (Didn't know it=walked on one of them for 18 months until surgery found the crack). It has now turned arthritic and developed a bone spur.
All of these issues (insulin, ankle and thumb) have pretty much come to a head since January.
What has this to do with neropathy?
Well, I was "diagnosed" has having neropathy in my right leg at about age 40 (20+) years ago. I remembered my dad had much the same problem. He was a truck driver (milk delivery). Turned out to sciatica from his order book pressing on the nerve (sorta a long, thick wallet). I switched my wallet from right jeans pocket to left and......voila! Pain all gone in a day or so.
Moral: Some Dr.s will diagnose neuropathy before considering other possible causes. This is understandable as there is a tenant from med school: "If you hear hoofbeats, look for horses, not zebras". In other words, the most likely cause will usually be the cause. For this reason, I carry a "organ donor reject card"==a notice issued by my agency that, because of the nature of my work, I may be exposed to diseases not normally encountered by the average ER staff.
As a side note, since going on insulin, my weight has dropped 12-15 pounds (11 at last weigh-in) and my blood sugars have been 100 or below for the last 2 weeks. We're adjusting the dose still, so I still get an occasional higher reading.
Good luck to all of you!
BTW: I feel better than I have for several years except for back strain from overdoing landscaping!
