please answer if you know

[justwanttoknownow]

I'm wondering if I lose weight and get my diabetes under control with this stop the neuropathy in my feet and legs I can also feel it in my hands?  its mild now but I don't want it getting better I hear stories all the time about people losing there life and legs to this disease.

I have been looking over the internet and today got a lot of organic veggies in R-lipoic Acid that I see is given in Europe but not in usa I guess because they cant patent vitamins here. I will start working out tomorrow as my muscle tone has decreased especially in my legs. I want to try and to do the most I can, not to just avoid the pain but to regenerate the bad nerves if possible.

I had bells palsy once and those nerves that had once paralyzed my face got corrected I'm hoping this will also do the trick especially if I lose weight now at 367. what do you think about this

[Hoosierdaddy15]

I had pain full neuropathy in my feet while on Metformin and when my doctor took me off the needle like pain disappeared. Can't say this will work for everyone.

[Super_sally888]

You can get the book Diabetes Solutions by Dr. Richard Bernstein.  He has personally reversed diabetic neuropathy and also helped in many of his patients.  Not just neuropathy, many other complications of diabetes (though not all) can be reversed by normalizing blood sugars.  Normal is 70 - 120 range.

I am also on a patient to patient forum called **********.  They also have many people who managed to reverse neuropathy by truly normalizing blood sugars.

You have nothing to lose, if it works (except your neuropathy and risks of other complications). It will take effort though.  You will have to learn more about managing diabetes and how to control your blood sugars and then you will need to be consistent.  

Hope this helps.

[justwanttoknownow]

super sally ive been reading through the post and I see you believe. why do you say this "Neuropathy is reversible with normalization of blood sugars". I want to believe believe also but everything I read says once it starts there is no reversing could you explain why you think this is true so I can have a better understanding.

I bought r-lipotic acid which made my vision blurry and supplements called tangy tangerine after the supplement I think my nerves got worse first time I felt pain as before that they were only hypersensitive and omega 3 do you think there is something else I should be doing or could be doing?

[Super_sally888]

Hello,

Metformin can deplete B vitamins.  B vitamins are essential to nerve health.  So if you are taking metformin, then you should consider supplementing with B Vitamins.

However, there is a confounding factor in that many people who are taking metformin are still walking around with very  high blood sugars.  Very high blood sugars cause serious damage to nerves.  So what do you blame?  The metformin, or the high blood sugars?

Neuropathy is reversible with normalization of blood sugars.  Normal blood sugars should be in the range of 70-120 for the vast majority of the time.

If you cannot achieve normal blood sugars with diet (low carb, moderate protein, high healthy fats), and exercise, and oral meds, then one should drop the oral meds and use insulin to achieve excellent control.

Recovery from neuropathy even with normal blood sugars takes a long time.  Nerves grow very slowly.  Recovery time is 6 - 18 months of consistent excellent control.  Also during the recovery period the pain may initially get worse (due to the pain of the regrowing nerves).  I have read some accounts of people who did recover from neuropathy and they all said they noticed a really difference at 6 - 9 months.

Hope this helps.

[diabetes86]

I will look into that

[justwanttoknownow]

These findings were reported at the American Diabetes Association's 69th Annual Scientific Sessions in June, 2009." they pointed out that metformin decreased the efficiency of vitamins in the body which lead to damaged nerves and aided in the development I guess that's why 60 to 70 percent of people taking this pill gets nerve damage it wasted my muscles in my legs away to being almost non existent. im just looking for a way to decrease this damage done to me and go back to a normal life where my feet aren't on fire and im not living with thoughts of getting my legs chopped off.

[diabetes86]

where did you get that met causes damage to nerves? Ive never heard that.

[justwanttoknownow]

also if metformin causes damage to nerves should I be taking it as it will further progress the pain in my feet.

[justwanttoknownow]

I took R-lipoic Acid and later that day I heard a pop in my eye and later my vision became blurry I went to the emergency room 2 times but thank god when they had me come back I had about 10 doctors looking at my eyes and the right one that had the problem cleared up by the second day im not sure if it came from that but after doing more research I see it causes blurry vision im debating trying it again as I paid 40 bucks for it but could use the benefits of it.

Im surprised that you can cut your self and have nerves grow back why cant they grow back in this situation I just got out of bed now because my feet are on fire its started this week and the pain this week is very bad now at night there has to be something else I can do about it.

[diabetes86]

MAny people find ALA helps Neropathy and  the pain from it.  Many also find that good BG control helps neropathy too.   Its Carbohydrates that raise BG.  even "organic" carbs will raise your BG.  Many find LCHF diet help them to control there BG and diabetes.

[RobbieNP]

Neuropathy is damage done, I'm afraid. With that said, don't let that dissuade you from losing weight, keeping on top of your blood sugar all the time, and exercising as much as possible; because whilst there may be some damage done from prior poor control, you still have the power to stop further damage.