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Neurologists Issue New Guideline for Treating Neuropathy
The Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy
A team of neurologists has issued a new set of recommendations for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, including drugs and other treatments that have been found to be the most effective therapies for the condition.
Diabetic neuropathy is damage to nerves, created by inflammation brought on by high blood sugar levels. Side effects can include severe tingling and pain as nerves are slowly destroyed by inflammation. In some cases, loss of nerve sensitivity can endanger limbs as people with diabetes unknowingly injure their legs or feet, unable to feel pain or wounds.
The guideline, published in the April 11, 2011, online issue of Neurology, was developed under the auspices of the American Academy of Neurology, in collaboration with the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
The neurology panel did an extensive review of the best scientific studies to create the guideline and specific drug recommendations. The guideline says that the seizure drug pregabalin is effective in treating diabetic nerve pain and can improve quality of life. However, it notes that pregabalin may not be appropriate for all patients.
The guideline also found that several other treatments show some effectiveness: the seizure drugs gabapentin and valproate; antidepressants such as venlafaxine, duloxetine, and amitriptyline; and painkillers such as opioids and capsaicin. Researchers also concluded that transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, a portable electric device used to stimulate nerves, may be effective in treating diabetic nerve pain.
"Diabetic nerve pain is treatable, and we now have clear guidelines for this disabling condition. Many patients with diabetic neuropathy are receiving inadequate treatment or no treatment at all. This is a significant problem as the number of people with diabetes increases across the United States," says guideline author James Russell, MD, professor of neurology, anatomy, and neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "Diabetic neuropathy is a painful and life-altering condition, so we need to find ways to help people who are suffering with it. These new recommendations provide physicians and patients the latest information, based on sound clinical research, so they can make the best decisions about their care.
Categories: American Academy of Neurology, Amitriptyline, Antidepressants, Blood Sugar, Capsaicin, Complications & Care, Diabetes, Diabetes, Duloxetine, Foot Care, Gabapentin, Health, Health Care, Nerve Care (Neuropathy), Nerve Pain, Opioids, Painkillers, Type 1 Issues, Type 2 Issues, Valproate, Venlafaxine
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Comments
treating pain is one thing, but the neuronton my doctor prescribed me didn't do anyting for the numbness. I purchased a rebuilder 300 on amazon and it has worked great.. almost all of my symptoms are gone and I have hope they will all be gone one day. the nerve issue had even caused me E.D. and much to my wifes amazement--i'm back to normal!
My husband was on neurontin for over 15 years because of the nueropathy pain in both his feet. The pain level was >9. Neurontin is a very powerful medication that can affect the liver and other organs over time.
He went on a low carb diet and exercise and lost 80 pounds, came off of 43 units of insulin and best of all came off of neurontin. The neuropathy in his feet is now minimal. At worst he describes the pain level at
Can they please start with normalizing blood sugar (the cause) and not drugs (masking the symtpoms) such as Neurontin (aka gabapentin) which is an anti-seizure med also used as a nerve block that often causes fatigue and weight gain.
Or the anti-depressants which will likely further mess with weight, lipids, etc.
Again - please treat cause first not symptoms.
To the person who said neurontin did nothing for the numbness - it won't. It's blocks pain. As do most of these meds. Unless, I'm missing something the only thing that is really going to get sensation back is normalization of blood sugar and stimulation of the nerve endings. Please read Dr. Bernstein's book.
Doris J Dickson
Healthcare is focused on treating symptons and not the root causes because when it comes to the causes of an illness, there is far less return-on-investment(ROI). Its far easier to push pills then find cures. Better living thru medication. The person who mentioned weight gain as a side affect of all these drugs, I totally agree you and isn't that a real quandry for the patient that's also being told to lose the weight. Like weight loss is easy regardless. Mind as well walk up a steep hill and for every 5 steps add 20 lbs on their backs and call it a treatment.
I have neuropathy in my hands,feet,most of the left side of my body,it has started going up the side of my face and into my left eye recently.Mine began after chemo for breast cancer 5 years ago and has gotten worse since Diabetes diagnosis a year ago.My toes hurt so bad that I cry.Lyrica saved life.Medicare didn't want to pay for it and had me try Neurontin.I was up to 1800mg with no relief.They approved my Lyrica last week(225 mg 2x day)and after the first pill,the feeling came back in my feet.It makes me gain weight but I will gladly be fat and have the pain control it provides.
I purchased a device called the Rebuilder 2407 and have been using it for the last 2 months. my restless legs have been at ease since the second time i usd it and almost all of the pain and numbness are gone. I've been able to start walking around the development with my wife again and feel better than i have in a decade.
Please provide the info on the Rebuilder. What is it, how does it work, how to find it, cost, comparison with other rebuilder products and similar devices, etc. Thank you so much!
I just did an internet search on the Rebuilder 2407 and it defintely is something to look and do further resesarch on. It is expensive, but can be partially covered by Medicare.
It's interesting to me how little we generally know about diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
As many have said, getting blood sugars as near to normal as possible is the first, and most important, thing to do. After that, it is mostly an issue of reduced blood flow. The body is unable to deliver nutrients to the affected areas, which means they are basically slowly suffocating to death.
All of the medications mentioned in this article don't treat the problem, they simply mask the pain. That is important for many, as the pain is unbearable. But it's also important for people to know that it's not doing anything to help the cause of the pain.
I'm doing some work for the company that makes Metanx, which might be an option for some to consider. It doesn't do anything to mask the pain, but rather works on improving blood flow, mending damaged myelin sheaths, and increasing nerve fiber density. It helps the body create a healthy environment to start healing the problem areas, rather than just treating the pain associated.
It is interesting to read the commemts here. 12 years ago my wife picked up one of those throw away pamphlets at the checkout stands. There was an article about neuropathy and how it I treated in Germany. By prescription you can get in German alpha lipitic acid tablets. No prescription is needed here in the states. At the time I was using a cane to walk my feet hurt so bad. For the first week I took 1,000mg and by the 4th day I was walking and by the end of the week no pain at all. Since that time I have taken twice a day 300mg of slow release and I’ve not had pain in years.
I have had Type 1 diabetes for 45 yeats. There wasn't self monitoring Blood Glucose or A1c for the first 18 years. There wasn't any carb counting either. So my BG was extremely high all the time. By 1984, I was diagnosed with Peripheral and Autonomic Neuropathy. I have had extreme pain in both legs and feet for years. I now am on dialysis, and the doctors will not allow me to take most of the Neuropathy meds. I am using Percocet every 3 to 4 hours. Doesn't help much. PLEASE, check your sugar often everyday. Follow your Doctors diet guidelines. Get an A1c every 4 months. Find out from an Endocrinologist the best insulin to use. Today, we have everything we need (education) to never get Diabetes complications.
Thanks for all the useful information.
What is Neuropathy
Neuropathy is serious and can be very painful. This forum has a wealth of information. Thank you for your efforts.
What is Neuropathy
I have Neuropathy in my feet and my hands go to sleep and tingle all the time.Dr.'s say hands is Carpal Tunnel and want to do surgery but I am not convinced it is CT since I have the other problem. Any thoughts on this?
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