Diabetic Neuropathy are you sure?

[hellotreena]

Hello, I am desperately trying to find out what is going on with my health. For the past year I have been suffering with the following symptoms.. Burning and tingling all over my body specially in my head...also have pressure all over my body but specially in my shoulders and between my shoulder blades also in my tummy almost like constant muscle tightness that never relax I mean every muscle in my body is always tight it's very hard to live your life when you have so much muscle tightness in your body. I have seen several doctors and received several diagnosis...so I am very confused about what is going on with me.. The doctor I am seeing now says it's all Diabetic Neuropathy but why would it be all over me neuropathy is usually in the hands and feet not your head...I am hoping and praying that a doctor will respond to this or maybe someone who is suffering like I am..I need some answers....

[hellotreena]

Thank you your name seems familiar so I think you have written to me before...you are so right there is nothing more frustrating then not knowing what is wrong with you.. I have also been told it could be Fibromyalgia, Oseoarthritis it's so scary not knowing what is causing all these crazy symptoms somtimes I think it could be MS. I know it attacks the nerves and muscles in my body because my muscles stay tight all the time....to the point that it feels like something is crushing me....I will keep you posted and let you know if i found anything different...

Treena

[Tuckamore]

Hello Treena,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. There are no physicians on this forum. Some of us have a medical background but we are far from experts.

You are correct, Diabetic Neuropathy is more prominent in extremities. However and unfortunately Diabetic Neuropathy may effect any of our Peripheral Nerves. This includes the nerves in the skull (cranial nerves) or nerves from the spinal column and their branches. Why this occurs in some individuals and not others when most everything is equal is still a debate. We do know that ppl with higher or uncontrolled levels of sugar in your blood steam are much more apt to develop Diabetic Neuropathy... as are ppl that have have had diabetes for years.

What I hear you most frustrated with is the actual diagnosis....you are not convinced that this is the reason behind your symptoms. We know our bodies better then anyone else. If you are dissatisfied with the diagnosis then seek another opinion....and another...until you are comfortable with the diagnosis.

Obviously no one on the internet can offer you a better diagnosis then a physician who is examining you and has all the test results at hand, including your history. We do have Physician lead forums. If you click on the word forum in the blue banner on the top, left hand side of this page you will be able to select from a number of other forums.

I wish you the very best and hope you will find better answers. We know how very frustrating it is to search for a diagnosis. My heart goes out to you. Please let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates.

Take Care,
~Tuck