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Hands Numb, Warm Arms, Chest Pain, Type 2 Diabetes, Metformin. Clogged Artery?
Question: My hands go numb and my arms feel warm often. Even when typing this letter and sometimes i have a mild stapping pain in my chest. Could i have a glogged artery or something? I am a 51 year old woman with Type 2 diabetes, use fast acting insulin and levimer 115 units a day also 4 pills of metformin, 5'6" and 195 lbs.
Hello and thanks for the query.
Your question is a very good one and I will work on providing you with some good information and recommendations regarding what is going on.
Let me start off by telling you that I really do not think that the symptoms you are experiencing are related to any type of vascular problem. I do not think you have any type of clogged artery which could be causing the symptoms. There are two categories I would like to discuss with you however.
The first category which we must not ignore in your case is diabetes. Diabetes is well known to cause changes in the nervous system such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Generally if your blood sugar is well controlled. This is not a problem. However over long periods of time you may develop changes in the nervous system such as those you describe. There are medications which have been used successfully to control this. Your doctor may consider using one of these medications if the symptoms become bothersome.
The other category which can cause numbness and tingling in the arms and legs is anxiety. Sometimes when anxiety becomes more bothersome or if there is some type of exacerbation of anxiety, it may create these types of symptoms. It does not look like you have a significant degree of anxiety for the information you have provided so far, although this is something we can always consider.
I thank you again for submitting your question. I hope my response has served to be informative and helpful as well as reassuring. If you have any additional concerns I would be happy to address them.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert.
Your question is a very good one and I will work on providing you with some good information and recommendations regarding what is going on.
Let me start off by telling you that I really do not think that the symptoms you are experiencing are related to any type of vascular problem. I do not think you have any type of clogged artery which could be causing the symptoms. There are two categories I would like to discuss with you however.
The first category which we must not ignore in your case is diabetes. Diabetes is well known to cause changes in the nervous system such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Generally if your blood sugar is well controlled. This is not a problem. However over long periods of time you may develop changes in the nervous system such as those you describe. There are medications which have been used successfully to control this. Your doctor may consider using one of these medications if the symptoms become bothersome.
The other category which can cause numbness and tingling in the arms and legs is anxiety. Sometimes when anxiety becomes more bothersome or if there is some type of exacerbation of anxiety, it may create these types of symptoms. It does not look like you have a significant degree of anxiety for the information you have provided so far, although this is something we can always consider.
I thank you again for submitting your question. I hope my response has served to be informative and helpful as well as reassuring. If you have any additional concerns I would be happy to address them.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank-you for your response. My diabetes is under fairly good control now but has'nt always been in the past. I had gestational diabetes with my last 2 pregnancy's 20 years ago. I had no control at that time as my doctor missed it both times. Needless to say I did go to another doctor. I don't feel anxiety would be an issue as I am a easy going person.
I have also recently been told that my blood levels are low making me anemic. My Ferritin number is L 16. My doctor is testing me for bowel cancer. Would you be also concerned when getting a blood level of 16. I understand it should be between 25-200 ug/L. Also can taking so much Levemir daily have any long term affects. I know exercise would sure help me. Thanks for your time.
Hello and thanks for the followup.
Regarding Levemir - this is a safe medication and I know of no long term negative consequences of taking this medication.
As for the ferritin this can sometimes be low if your iron intake is not adequate. As physicians we also look to places in the body where a slow loss of blood can occur such as in the stomach or the colon. This can be easily evaluated with a colonscopy or an upper endoscopy. Try and take a XXXXXXX breath, relax as much as possible and remain calm while your phdysicians finish the workup.
I hope this answer serves to be helpful and informative. If you have any additional followup questions I would be happy to address them.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Regarding Levemir - this is a safe medication and I know of no long term negative consequences of taking this medication.
As for the ferritin this can sometimes be low if your iron intake is not adequate. As physicians we also look to places in the body where a slow loss of blood can occur such as in the stomach or the colon. This can be easily evaluated with a colonscopy or an upper endoscopy. Try and take a XXXXXXX breath, relax as much as possible and remain calm while your phdysicians finish the workup.
I hope this answer serves to be helpful and informative. If you have any additional followup questions I would be happy to address them.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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