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Is There A Way To Reverse Or Slow Down Peripheral Neuropathy?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
September 26
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A DiabetesTeam Member

Complex question because depending on the individual it may be possible to reverse it "somewhat" but most often the best that can be achieved is to halt or drastically slow the progression

Only a vascular specialist working with the specific patient could give a definitive answer

In general however there would be one absolute mandatory condition

The (patient) would have to gain complete control of their blood sugar maintaining Normal Non-Diabetic levels essentially for the rest of their life

As in - maintain blood sugar levels below 7.8 mmols or 140 points for in excess of 18 hours a day every day - that essentially equates to Never having an A1C higher than 6.0% but to address damage that has already started, maintaining an A1C below 5.7% "forever" would likely be required

Peripheral Neuropathy is "the most common diabetic complication" effecting 1 in 2 diabetics over the course of the disease

It is the result of damage to small blood vessels in the extremities, most often starting with the feet

Blood Sugar levels higher than 7.8/140 damage these blood vessels which result in the damage and eventually death of nerves in the extremities

If the damage is in the early stages the nerves may be saved, but once advanced there is no rolling back the damage

If a patient is already seeing symptoms then significant damage is likely already done - you don't feel it until it's past the tipping point

These are general statements which is why the individual needs a full vascular work up to determine the (state) of the vessels and then a treatment plan can be developed

So can it be done?

Maybe - can you keep your A1C below 5.7%?????

September 26
A DiabetesTeam Member

Peripheral Neuropathy is usually the first sign of the Macro Vascular Damage (that already exists) that was caused by elevated blood sugar over a number of years

The vascular damage at this point may not be extending to the Micro Vascular System which would include the intestines, so in early stages of vascular failure (sounds harsh but is accurate) it's not super likely that the two are related

Most intestinal issues are either auto-immune or viral - one you don't see coming and the other is almost always "something" you stuck in your mouth or picked up on your hands and touched your face (the reason we all get the flu)

So the "more common causes" of either of the conditions is not the same for both of them. Not impossible, but unlikely related unless the neuropathy was at the "we need to amputate" stage while you were experiencing later stage kidney disease - significant "micro-vascular" damage for it to effect the intestines in any (physical) way

December 10
A DiabetesTeam Member

Are peripheral neuropathy and your intestine health related?

December 10
A DiabetesTeam Member

I also have peripheral neuropathy, but I think mine is congenital. Supposedly nerves can return if there's blood flow to the area. I found a pair of therapeutic leg wraps on Amazon for about $100 which squeeze the legs and then release tension when i strapped him onto my legs for about an hour every other day and let them work while I do other things. What I had nerve testing done last summer, there was no nerve response to my legs and feet and I should be tested again in January to know, for sure, if this is actually doing any good, but it feels like it. The therapeutic leg wraps are from China, and you can get them on Amazon for about a hundred bucks. As a boy, I never had nerve muscular control against flatulence nor having regular daily ball movements. After several months of using these wraps every other day. I seem to be having some progress in my bowel frequency. (If you take a series of deep breaths, you can consciously push the air pressure down through intestines that help with the bowel movement.(I don't know if everyone can do it, but I trained myself how.) (

Like about a third of the people with periphery property. I have not had serious pain in my feet or legs. I'm not happy to have avoided that.)

November 12
A DiabetesTeam Member

Peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes, cannot be fully reversed. However, there are ways to slow its progression and manage symptoms:

Slowing Disease Progression
- Manage Blood Sugar Levels: Work with your doctor to keep your blood glucose levels in check.
- Lifestyle Changes:
- Keep blood pressure Show Full Answer

Peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes, cannot be fully reversed. However, there are ways to slow its progression and manage symptoms:

Slowing Disease Progression:
- Manage Blood Sugar Levels: Work with your doctor to keep your blood glucose levels in check.
- Lifestyle Changes:
- Keep blood pressure under control.
- Stay physically active.
- Take breaks from sitting by walking around every 30 minutes.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator if possible.
- Lose weight if overweight.
- Eat a balanced and healthy diet.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Quit smoking.
- Take all medications as prescribed by your doctor.

Managing Symptoms:
- Pain Relief:
- Common medications include tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs.
- Opioids and topical creams may be added if needed.

Treating Complications:
- Regular Monitoring: Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor and manage complications.

By following these steps, you can help prevent further nerve damage and manage the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy effectively.

September 26

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