Are you a diabetic who experiences uncomfortable symptoms such as numbness, burning, or tingling in your feet? Then you are not alone! According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately half of diabetics suffer from this type of discomfort. It is called Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (DPNP) or diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage due to poorly controlled or long-standing diabetes mellitus. It can occur in multiple areas of the body but is most noticed in the legs and feet. It is often experienced by individuals who have had diabetes for many years as it is the chronically abnormal blood sugar levels that contribute to this type of damage.
What Symptoms Should I Look Out For?
Symptoms are often described as numbness, tingling, burning, and/or the sensation of wearing socks or stockings even when barefoot. This alteration in sensation to the feet, if left untreated, could lead to skin breakdown, infections, and in severe cases can lead to amputation. The reason skin breakdown typically occurs is because the diabetic patient cannot feel an irritation, cut, or repetitive trauma to the affected foot which could result in blisters or open wounds. Daily foot inspection, especially in between toes, is essential to identify changes to the affected skin before it becomes problematic.
How is DPNP Diagnosed?
Neuropathy can be diagnosed by your medical provider. Diagnosis typically includes collecting medical history, reviewing symptoms, and performing a neurological examination in the office. There are in office diagnostic tools, including a monofilament test, which could be used to identify the presence and severity of the condition. Nerve conduction studies can also be performed by specialists if further testing is needed.
Can I Prevent Diabetic Neuropathy?
In short, yes. Keeping good control of your blood sugars is the first step toward preventing neuropathy. Following a lower carbohydrate diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting adequate physical exercise are also effective strategies to stabilize blood sugar. It is recommended to monitor your blood sugar levels using a glucose monitor to get a better idea of your regular blood sugar levels. If your glucose levels remain uncontrolled, you may require glucose-lowering medication.
What if I Already Have DPNP?
If you have already been diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, it is still important to manage your glucose levels to prevent worsening of the damage, as it can be progressive and is not reversible. The pain from neuropathy can be treated with specific pain medication that targets the nerves. Medications such as Gabapentin (Neurontin®) or Pregabalin (Lyrica®) are commonly prescribed medications; however, these medications have been associated with sedation and dependence if misused. At Chase Medical Research we are enrolling subjects in clinical research trials investigating alternative pain medications for relieving neuropathic pain. These newer compounds may offer effective pain relief without the habit-forming, sedative qualities of what is currently on the market.
Clinical Trials
If you have neuropathic pain and are interested in investigational treatment alternatives, contact us at (203) 419-4404 to see if you would qualify for one of these trials. In addition to pain relief trials, we have been at the forefront of investigating effective glucose lowering medications for many years. If you are interested in improving your glucose control, contact us at (203) 419-4404 to see if you are eligible for a diabetes management clinical trial.
References:
- American Diabetes Association. Understanding Neuropathy and Your Diabetes. Accessed APR2025. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications/neuropathy
