Diabetes - Foot Problems

A bit more context is needed to figure out what may be going on. For instance, what kind of diabetes do you have, and what other treatment regimes are you on?

However, it is easy to assume that this is diabetic peripheral neuropathy, when there are several things that can cause this. B12 deficiency is one example, there are others. So I'd be concerned about your overall nutritional status, and I'd suggest getting to see a qualified nutritional therapist for a complete shake-down. This can make a huge difference to diabetes and its various effects - there are even claims of cure - but it's easy for any of us to end up nutritionally below par very easily without noticing it creeping up.

Don't forget dehydration as well.

The gabapentin is an intresting factor - I presume for epilepsy or chronic pain? This can cause swelling in the legs and strain to the liver, all of which could amount to toxins being stored in the periphery and be a factor in the cramps. Also, cramping can be a further indicator of nutritional problems. But importantly, this drug has an intended neurological effect, in other words at some level it must be neurotoxic. So this could be a big part of the problem.

So I would;
1) start by drinking a lot more water and go on a basic supplementation regime for vitamins and minerals.
2) get a diet makeover, and get checked for relevant specific deficiencies (eg vit D, B12, iron...)
3) go through your drugs list, check for pointers there. Really get to know the meds, the pros and cons of taking them, and discuss anything interesting points that crop up with the prescribing GP. You should aim to be on as few meds as possible.
4) seek to deal with the underlying causes of your problems always

Excellent advice kvdp.

I reiterate please see a qualified [url]nutritional therapist[/url] near you, who will try and get to the bottom of this for you and help you sort it out. And yes, the neuropathy may well be tied up with the drug, as may some 48 other recorded side effects of Gabapentin.

Thanks for the reply - I have type 2 (diet controlled) diabetes but this is a complicated one as I also have a condition called APS Type 1 (Auto-immune Polyendocrineopathy Syndrome) for which I take many meds. I was originally prescribed Gabapentin as my feet were really painful - even before I got out of bed in the morning - but this has helped. I also had a Kenalog injection into my back on Friday because of severe inflammation caused by Ankylosing Spondilitis.

I guess I'm a lost cause! Maybe it will settle in a couple of days but I've not slept for four nights now and I'm getting very grumpy. Going to make an appointment with GP today (hopefully).

I was quite interested in seeing a nutritional therapist though, however there appear to be none in Tyne and Wear.

Thanks both for taking the time reply.

The main sign of a chronic illness is the patient describing their chances of recovery as nil. The body will always try to recover, that's how come you're still alive.

If it doesn't, it means it isn't getting a chance for some reason, there is an obstacle, and that's what illness is in the first place. All those symptoms and manifestations are part of one multifactorial problem - the presence of obstacles to recovery.

Medication works by small amounts of poison, and you are already aware that all of those substances don't cure you of a single thing - the only thing that can do that is you. But it is clearly a bit of a cul-de-sac, and backing out of it is an artform in itself. Please DO NOT just dump all your medication.

But you may have reached the stage where each new med causes more problems that it relieves. At this stage, I find getting people off a few things is the best thing we can do. Failing to do so is to misunderstand the situation.

It's not possible to take the lid off all of this by internet, or safe. But as said before, getting to know your meds, researching the issues surrounding them and asking your GP what you can afford to come off can reap big rewards.

For example, aspirin for heart disease is an out of date theory, it makes arthritic problems worse, and given the NNT (or 'number needed to treat') to save one life, it probably won't save yours, but coming off it might. Statins are another controversial one, again whether they really help anybody live longer is a moot point, the NNT is quite high, and they do cause a great strain for the liver. So if stepping back from the picture means seeing that overmedication is now part of your problem, then there is probably much greater benefit in being off statins than on them.

If you are on, say, diuretics, research these, and sooner or later you may find out information that says some people on diuretics are actually already chronically dehydrated - they need MORE water, not less!

As for nutritional support, it would be worth the travel for one or two visits, after that it's mostly self-help at home and support by email or phone (that right CarolineN?). People go much further for less.

Finally, some links, from Mike Adams:

How language helps disease become part of your identity (not helpful, in fact we structure a world around our diseases, we have to dismantle it again when we recover);

Diabetes is a process, not a disease, there may be aspects that can be changed. I'm not saying this will cure you, I'm saying challenge the accepted wisdom, always:

Hope that helps

Hello Shelly

There are 3 nutritional therapists in Newcastle - [url]see here[/url], and yes kvdp it is possible to do a consultation over the phone if the client has filled in all the paperwork first.

I continue to be amazed at how well the right nutrition, supplements, lifestyle and guidance can help a person recover from chronic illness. It may cost a bit but the results often speak for themselves!

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I'm not going to "dump my meds" - this cocktail is keeping me alive so this is not possible. I've had this "condition" for over 40 and I "live with it" rather than "suffer from it". I go through periods where things get a bit out of sync and I feel sorry for myself but this soon passes. Once the night cramps settle and I can sleep again then I will be less grumpy.

I will certainly look at nutrional therapy to see if this helps.

Thanks