Hi

I have not introduced myself yet...

My name is Micheal..I live in Maine along the Canadian border. Diabetes runs in my family big time. My father's Mother was type 1 his father was type 2...also my mother's mother was type 2...what chance did I have. I got cousins who are both insulin dependent and non insulin dependent.

I am now insulin dependent. I never abused alcohol or drugs so my PN is not the results of "bad choices" or excessives.

 

The first signs something was wrong came in 94 I had a bladder infection of unknown reasons (nobody checked my blood). Then later that year I went into the Beth Israel Hospital of Boston complaining on numbness pain, burning and tingling in my right torso in 94 was told I was having "anxiety attack". I said "BUT Doc I don't feel anxious!" He said just go home it will be fine. Its amazing how little understanding and knowledge there is of this disease!

 

In 97 at Mass General I was treated for what was called "Saturday Night Palsy" in my left arm..YET another chance for modern medicine to check my blood sugar yet it never happened despite a man in his mid 40's (at that time) who presents in ER unable to use his left arm with no obvious reason...

 

I have had a lot of major accidents including shattering my left shoulder , shattering my left leg (different accident) and a neck fusion so when this burning tingling pain started in my neck upper arms and face I thought it was due to one of those injuries.

 

Two years ago I broke my left hand while shearing my sheep so when it healed with yet more  burning tingling pain I thought it was due to the fractured bone. Then it began in my right hand of which there is NO preceding incident or accident

 

I was only diagnosed as type 2 Diabetes in 2000 saw my doc regularly had a1c's drawn every 3 months for 6 years. I complained often of the  burning tingling pain but was told it was TOO soon for neuropathy. My Doc now believes I have had untreated Diabetes most of my adult life. It just got missed by poor medical practices and lack of screening.

 

Last October I had to give up a business I had run successfully for 17 years because I just kept getting sicker and sicker..nobody seemed to know what was wrong with me.

I moved out of Boston area so I could buy a house outright no mortgage as I knew Disability was coming.

When I got up here I ended up seeing some quack Nurse Practitioner who even went so far as to take me off glybruide while she was looking directly at classic DPN.

Then it started down my right leg thigh both feet I ended up walking  (if you can call it that) on a cane.

 

FINALLY a new doctor moved to town moved right next door to me..he saw me trying to take my walk..asked me what was wrong with me and I said "I just do not know only that I am diabetic!" He had me make an appointment with him next day...looked me over and said "you have a text book case of classic Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy." He was surprised nobody had "noticed" it.

 

Now I am on insulin only before meals and I use a slow acting insulin for bedtime. I am also on cymbalta by Lilly which I take once daily..it works INCREDIBLY. I was on twice daily but became TOO jittery. I nearly chewed through my mouth! I have not known a pain free life in years!!!

 

Now mind you folks I AM a Nurse worked Pediatrics' in cardiovascular care and then oncology for my whole life. I of course know about diabetes..I had asked a few times if I was suffering from Neuropathy and was told "NO!".

 

Until I found my new Doctor who is young, just up here from NYC and actually LISTENS to his PT's (novel idea!). I had no idea what was causing me to be so sick!

I have read everything there is on the National Institute of Health (reading this web site was like reading about my life!) as well as a few other qualified Diabetic Sites. There seems to be a lot of new age bs on line about this as well from weird diets etc..not for me!

 

I was suffering for many years without meds..it is so much better now with the Cymbalta!!!!

The pain affects my right side of my head, face. both arms lower arms, wrists, hands, right buttocks, right thigh, right lower leg, both feet. It also affects my whole right chest and torso as well as the left side of my chest (Doc says I may not be able to tell if I am having a heart attack now) also the pain is in both ears right into my ear canals and throat. I have over 75% of my body affected. I also have Gastrophresis (Diabetic Gut) which they knew 5 years ago.

 

I LOVE insulin as it allows me more food choices :) and if someone tried to take my cymbalta away I kill them lol

I joined this list cause I wanted to hear what others were doing trying etc...and to speak of my own success. I am feeling a whole lot better..still can't walk very far without pain though.

 

One good thing is I am now guaranteed my Social Security Disability FINALLY!

They of course are NOT happy..like I gave up my  business that was paying me anywhere from $2000 to $4000 each week for the $1300 I'll get from SSA because $1300 is SO exciting LOL

 

Anyway now that I wrote a novel I'll sign off..looking forward to getting to know everyone. I am sure you all have your own horror stories!

 

Micheal