I have an ailment that essentially mimics type 2 diabetes.
For the past few weeks, my left hand and foot have been numb, my foot occasionally getting sharp joint pains, and my hand getting that tingly feeling you get from sitting on it.
Someone told me it could be due to high bloodsugar, but that it could also be a sign of neuropathy.
Should I get it checked out, or will it go away on its own eventually?
Is there any way to tell if I just need to balance my bloodsugar better, or if it’s something more serious?
And if it’s neuropathy, is it reversible?
And is there any way I can avoid having to take metformin (and thus, being rendered useless for two weeks while my stomach learns to forgive me for taking it)
I don’t have diabetes but I am a nurse. Definitely see a doctor about it.
You can actually check your own blood sugar if you are worried. They sell glucometers and test strips at most pharmacies like cvs for example. (Warning they are a bit expensive) I would recommend testing it first thing in the morning before you eat anything. If your blood sugar is over 100, you could be diabetic. However diabetic neuropathy tends to only happen after years of untreated diabetes.
If it is neuropathy (whether diabetic or not), no it does not tend to just go away, it is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. It can be treated with medications such as Gabapentin. That is the med I see most commonly used to treat it at my hospital, and I believe my granddad is on that for neuropathy as well.