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Suggest Remedies For Weakness In Legs Caused By Diabetic Neuropathy

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Posted on Wed, 8 Jun 2016
Question: my dad keeps falling due to diabetic neuropathy. dad uses a zimmer frame but his legs still give way. how can we stop him from falling and can he get any mobility back?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Need more information

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
however, I need more information.
Does he have trembling of hands?
Does he walk slowly?
Does he seem to have memory issues?
Please do not assume age related changes. Medically speaking there is no age related slowing that's normal.
I would like to help you find the best solution for your problem. Best of luck. Dr Mittal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (5 hours later)
Dad has no trembling of hands. Dad cannot walk without a zimmer frame and walks slowly with it. He has no memory issues. It all started with weakness and feeling like knee give way then falls. He has pins and needles and pain in his legs. He has wasting of the quadriceps muscle and now his right leg is weak feeling like his legs wont hold him up. It is just dads legs the problem and everwhere else is fine. I am so worried whats wrong and worry that he will have a nasty fall one day. What can we do to stop the falls. He has seen physio but they wont do anything until assessed by Neurologist and we are awaiting the appointment. Dad has type 2 diabetes insulin controlled. Last year and for a few years he has had high blood sugars but now they be stable and good for 6 months. Dad blood pressure sometimes goes very low and he gets dizzy. What is wrong please I am crying as I write this as I am so scared and worried
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Suggestions

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I have read your response.
Thank you for your consideration.
Unfortunately, there are multiple possibilities that come up with the information.
I will try my best to explain them to you.
First possibility is diabetic neuropathy. This is possibly the strongest possibility with the information given. Second close possibility is another type of neuropathy called CIDP. You will need to get him tested for NCS and nerve biopsy.
The other 2 possibilities are a cerebellar infarct and spinal cord. But I don't think that those are the possible causes till the neuropathy is ruled out .
You can meanwhile try giving a good control of sugars.
Please let me know if you would like any detailed information.
Best of luck. Dr Mittal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (3 minutes later)
Will dad ever stop falling its really upsetting him and can he gain any mobility back he was a normal working man up until 8 weeks ago

I worried it something like mnd

What type of neuropathy could it be please
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
specific responses

Detailed Answer:
Hi
You need to consider the following.
Our nerves conduct all sensation to the brain.
That includes the sense of balance and joint position.
Neuropathy is causing the loss of the sensation.
Thereby suggesting the cause of fall.
In most diabetics the neuropathy eventually always develops.
The exact cause of neuropathy can be stated only by biopsy.
Assuming its diabetic neuropathy, the 2 things you can do right now (till neurological evaluation) is control of sugars with diabetes medicines, diet restriction and moderate physical exercise as tolerated.
The other step you can take is vitamin B12 supplementation.
I cannot comment on MND without a complete examination, I regret that I therefore cannot give you an accurate response to that.
Please feel free to contact us for more information.
Best of luck, Dr Mittal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (10 minutes later)
Can it be treated to stop falls
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
If the nerves stabilize, there may yet be improvement.

Detailed Answer:
If the nerves stabilize, there may yet be improvement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (1 hour later)
If it is neuropathy how do you stabalise the nerves? I am sure that is what it is as dad has had osteomyelitis a complication of diabetes 10 years ago
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Suggestions

Detailed Answer:
dear XXXXXXX
As I have already said, assuming it's diabetic neuropathy, the best solution is to strictly control the sugars.
As of now , I am unaware of his sugar status. A target of sugars as close to Normal as possible should be selected.
The options are medicines and insulin.
Secondly , a good diET control.
And finally, exercises. Here I understand that he is not able to walk too much. You will need exercises that don't need standing or balancing eg exercise bikes.
Of course if biopsy shows another cause of neuropathy selected medicines may be chosen. But that depends on biopsy.
Finally , I am hoping his kidney function are normal. If not tested it would be better to test them.
Best of luck. Please feel free to contact us for more information. Best of luck. Dr Mittal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (2 minutes later)
Dads fasting glucose last time and the time before were 6.3. Kidney function dad has stage 3 ckd.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Check creatinine too

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your response.
Check creatinine too.
That itself can be a cause of fall if there is associated swelling of the feet.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (1 minute later)
No swelling in feet they are normal

I dont know if it is relevant or not but dad does have varicose eczema quite severe on his left leg
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Unrelated

Detailed Answer:
I don't think that it's significant.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Saumya Mittal

Diabetologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2897 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Weakness In Legs Caused By Diabetic Neuropathy

Brief Answer: Need more information Detailed Answer: Hi, I am Dr Mittal. I have read your message. I think I can help you. however, I need more information. Does he have trembling of hands? Does he walk slowly? Does he seem to have memory issues? Please do not assume age related changes. Medically speaking there is no age related slowing that's normal. I would like to help you find the best solution for your problem. Best of luck. Dr Mittal