numbing etc

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Permalink Reply by Steve Bulger on October 29, 2009 at 1:32pm

Odie, I'm new to this group and to diabetes, but I have experienced numbness in my feet for two years and fingertips for the past year. I was in End Stage Renal Disease for four years and on peritoneal dialysis for all that time. It involved putting two liters of dextrose solution in my belly (peritoneum) which drew impurities from my blood. After several hours, I would drain it and replace it with fresh solution. I explain this because no one ever told me that the dextrose also went back into my blood stream causing my pancreas to overwork to keep up with the sugar. One of the side effects of this dextrose was a condition known as renal neuropathy. Many diabetics experience neuropathy for similar reasons - too much sugar, which seems to attack the long, axial nerves in the extremities. This may be what you're experiencing, so talk to your endo. There are medications that can relieve the effects.

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Permalink Reply by David Wheeler on November 4, 2009 at 4:49pm

I, too, work at a computer all day. My fingers have been problematic for a few years. Next week I am scheduled for bowfinger surgery on 2 fingers of my right hand. While I was being examined for this procedure I had an electric nerve test. This is a series of electric shocks to test nerve responses. It is somewhat uncomfortable but bearable with out suffering. This revealed considerable nerve damage in both hands - neuropathic and autonomic - and doubtlessly includes the other extremities. I suggest you look into having your fingers and hands tested for nerve damage. The autonomic tests were harmless and not invasive - just strange. I went to the Dept of Neurology at Beth Israel in Boston.

What do they call a person that works at a computer all day?
A numb ass.

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Permalink Reply by Sally T. Pian on November 4, 2009 at 5:06pm

Definitely let your doctor know. Take frequent break when using computer - every hour or more frequent - do some finger & wrist exercise.

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