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What Causes Numbness In The Feet And High BP?

Posted on Mon, 27 Mar 2017

Question: I am having numbness in my feet and impaired balance issues along with sharp stinging impulses in my feet at a frequency of at least daily and often multiple times per day. This has been noticeable (numbness in my feet) for 2-3 years. My family doctor did a brief pin-prick test a few years ago and at that time did not think it was anything to follow up with. Now, a few years later, I have been diagnosed with diabetes (type 2 adult onset) treated with medications for blood sugar along with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am amazed at how quickly this progressive damage to the peripheral nerves in my feet has occurred. I am interested in stopping the progression and if possible, reversing the damage. The sharp stinging ("zingers") are not severe enough yet to cause me to want to take more medications but I want to know what is the best course to take. I am especially concerned about falling and the impact that this is having on my mobility as my legs feel weak and heavy.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Strict control of blood sugar/Antineuralgic medicines.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist, here to answer your query.

The symptoms which you have mentioned are classical for peripheral neuropathy, likely to be Diabetic neuropathy, in setting of Diabetes. Nerve conduction studies can confirm the diagnosis.

Strict control of Diabetes is the most important thing which can prevent the progression of Diabetic neuropathy. Further, its hard to reverse the existing damage but antineuropathic medicines can keep symptoms under control.

Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up else please close the thread,rate it and write a review.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (24 hours later)

Thanks for the response. I was told that standard neurological medicine would likely only be able to offer a program that would address prevention of further deterioration or progression of the damage to the peripheral nerves and controlling the symptoms. I was hoping that standard neurological medicine had some protocol for reversing the damage.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Damage is hard to reverse.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Of course, that's the truth. Antineuralgic medicines can control the symptoms but don't reverse the existing pathology in Diabetic neuropathy. The best that can be done is to prevent future damage with a good sugar control.

Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up else please close the thread,rate it and write a review.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj