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Topic: Just needing a little practical advice

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maysied avatar
Subject: Just needing a little practical advice
Date Posted: 10/1/2013 5:26 PM ET
Member Since: 10/20/2012
Posts: 804
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I have diabetic neuropathy in my feet.  It comes in the form a foot cramps.  I have almost cured my legs with bananas and magnesium, but the feet have a mind of their own.

 

Today, it was rather embarrassing when I had to sit on the floor at Dollar General and rub my foot.  Another shopper offered to help.  I explained and thanked her for her concern.  Does anyone have an ideas on how to stave off foot cramps?  Man, my left foot kept me up 2 hrs. last night.  Thanks.

 

Judye / maysied

Suehurst avatar
Date Posted: 10/5/2013 7:42 PM ET
Member Since: 11/13/2006
Posts: 2,346
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I would go to Google and put in something like:

"foot cramps"- you will get a ton of links to go to

Wkiiepedia also has a lot of information

I know that magnesium and potassium are supposed to help- Maybe you could take extrra supplements.

Good luck

miamirn avatar
Limited Member medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 10/22/2013 10:49 PM ET
Member Since: 3/21/2009
Posts: 5,460
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I have some neuropathy in my legs and feet. It's not from Diabetes, but nevertheless it's neuropathy.

I have been prescribed Lyrica. It's worked very well. I use a foot bath with very warm water (Be careful not to burn your feet) and vibration morning and night. If you have time in the afternoon. I use it for 10 minutes with Epson's Salts. (It magnesium in powder form), Most important for circulation is walking, walking walking. You can walk on a treadmill or outside. It's exceptionally good for circulation. Start out walking short distances then increase it weekly, till you get to one mile a day, or longer if you like.  Tai Chi and Chi Gong is great for circulation and it's very well tolerated by people with various medical illnesses. It' increases circulation big time. You can do it as slowly as you want. They learning curve is rather short. It's not very expensive and most phyical therapists recommend it as something to theraputic to do after physical therapy is over. While we are on the subject of physical therapy. Have you tried physical therapy? Your condition should be covered. Just make sure they know your symptoms are something new. Then they will cover it with a doctors prescription. Swimming is excellent or water aerobics. You don't have to be an excellent swimmer to reap the benefits. When my back was really bad and I could hardly walk, I started out walking in the pool. It's very theraputic. If you can get to a jacuzzi at the pool that would be good, too. 

I hope you find some of these ideas helpful. 

Blessings and good luck!smiley

sadielynn avatar
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Date Posted: 2/12/2014 4:26 PM ET
Member Since: 2/2/2008
Posts: 742
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Unfortunately, there is no cure for Neuropathy and with neuropathy comes diabetes. if you have one, you will get the other in time. It runs in my family and at this point out of 7 siblings,( 2 have since passed) I am the only one who has not been diagnosed with diabetes nor Neuropathy. Cancer also runs in my family as does HBP and RA.. I am the only one in my family with Fibromyalgia. Also, my doctor has tried everything, but cannot get my heart rate under 100. Talk about a feeling of vibration? My mother's legs are black from the toes to just about the middle of her legs below the knees. My bother that passed away in 2010 had the same problem with Neuropathy, but. he had diabetes and was on insulin shots 3 x a day. mother takes medicine for diabetes, but isn't on the shots. Also, my 2 brothers that are still living have neuropathy and  are diabetic and my sister just had her thyroid removed yesterday due to cancer, but also was told less than 2 weeks ago that she has both neuropathy and she is diabetic as well. I had a major spine surgery last June 18th due to sciatica, from the left buttock to my left foot, the cramps, pain, the numbness and tingling. I would wish this on NOBODY. I am in remission for the 3rd time, but cancer 4 times. The first was skin cancer which was removed and I had no treatments for that. Can't say the same for the other 3 times. I wish you the very best with your health issue of neuropathy and will keep you in my prayer's. As well as anybody else who has any of these issues, as Sue Ellen said go to Google and look it up. Diabetic Neuropathy is one horrible disease that doesn't stop with just that, but along comes diabetes as well. And with no cure for neuropathy its almost as bad as a life sentence. Matter of fact it is. It sucks the life out of you. I have plenty of family members to say I can understand that.

God bless and I hope you get the help you need

Cyndi


 

Generic Profile avatar
Subject: Compound that works
Date Posted: 2/28/2014 10:21 PM ET
Member Since: 4/7/2010
Posts: 163
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talk to your podiatrist about these foot cramps.  My podiatrist has prescribed a compound for me that works great.  It is in the form of a cream and you rub it on the affected area.  I have neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and severe nerve damage in both legs from my toes to my knees.  I get cramps in my feet and calves sometimes, and I use the compound and it does go away.  If you want to pm me, I will tell you what is in the compound and you can talk to your doctor and see what he thinks about it.

If you are diabetic and on Metformin (glucophage), you should be on extra b vitamins to mitigate some of the damages to your nerve sheaths.  I have been on that therapy for about 6 months, and I notice a difference in the amount of cramping I have.

Hope this has been helpful.

Lucretia

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 6/27/2014 4:07 PM ET
Member Since: 8/30/2009
Posts: 79
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http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-neuropathy/basics/alternative-medicine/con-20033336

miamirn avatar
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Date Posted: 7/21/2014 6:18 AM ET
Member Since: 3/21/2009
Posts: 5,460
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Medicine is the mainstay for diabetic neuropathy, but the fact is it is caused by lack of damage from arteries and veins. If you want to slow down the process you have to exercise, walking, walking in water and swimming, bicycling, etc. Also you can use Icy Hot to stimulate circulation. Also use a warm, not hot food bath twice or three times daily. Use anti-embolism stockings from a medical supply store, wear them during the day take them off and put lighter ones on during the night. Prop your legs up on and off during the stay when sitting. These are all things that can help you. Make sure you get an A1C blood test every three months and combat Diabetes with an Endocrinologist. Don't rely on your general doctor to monitor your diabetes. There are all sorts of things you can do to keep your Diabetes blood sugar in check. There are pumps and other ways to control it. Get serious. And get very serious about being super active during the day at least 1 hour a day. See a nutritionist about losing weight, get a personal trainer instead of cable or something else, SACRIFICE! There are great online programs free out there that help. Tons of them. I use http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/diabetes-diet.asp. But there is also MYFITNESSPAL.com that is good, too. 

Good luck to you and work hard!