if a diabetic ends up suffering from say no feeling in his feet etc will it ever return?

Question

Hi in relation to my other question, we are having a bit of a debate in as much as i say, if he is badly controled and smokes and a diabetic and has been for years, then now he is losing feeling in his toes and his eyes have a few problems and he also is suffering from dry orgasams, i say he wont get the majority of these sensations back he says of course he will, can anyone advise thanks

Answer 1

The damage is irrepairable.
If you emailed me, I'm sorry but I accidentally deleted it. Mail again if you like.
It sounds like he is sticking his head in the sand because he wants to carry on and do all the things that he has already been told he can't continue to do.. Some people are stubborn that way.
I've been around the block a few times and my sympathy is badly eroded by folk who refuse to listen. Naffs me off, if I'm honest. You get fed up of ***** footing around folk. If he could ever smell gangrene he might realise that that can happen to him.
Best of luck with him!

Answer 2

I lost feeling in my feet about 4 years ago. That is why I went to the doctor, and found out I was diabetic. I still don't have real feeling in my feet, and have kept my glucose levels good (Hemoglobin H1c 4.8%). I've had trouble with E D and dry orgasms, that fortunately has come back. (no pun intended). I even had a close brush with death last year due to complications associated with diabetes. IT IS NOTHING TO FOOL AROUND WITH. I was a typical man, "this won't affect me", "oh, I'll be all right in time."

Living with diabetes can be pretty normal, just admit you have the disease and take it serious.

Answer 3

No the feeling wont return to his extremities. Diabetic Neuropathy means the nerve endings are dying. He will have to be really careful with this, he wont be able to tell the difference with hot and cold sensations. My hubby lost his feeling in his feet in 1998 and has now had one leg amputated due to gangrene. He has also had a complete penial amputation done and a finger removed. He also suffers from kidney failure and is on dialysis from the diabetes. This disease is nothing to mess around with.

Answer 4

I don't think it can improve significantly but I am not sure. I have a feeling that erectile disfunction is not necessarily permanent, but again I am not sure.

Anyway, below is a passage of text copied from Diabetes UK website;

Nerves (Neuropathy)

Neuropathy causes damage to the nerves that transmit impulses to and from the brain and spinal cord, to the muscles, skin, blood vessels and other organs. This includes erectile disfunction.

What causes neuropathy in people with diabetes?


Despite research, there is still no conclusive proof as to the cause of diabetic neuropathy. However there are factors which are thought to contribute to the condition. Hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose) causes chemical changes in nerves that can impair their ability to transmit signals. Hyperglycaemia can also harm the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.
But neuropathy can also be caused by factors not necessarily associated with diabetes. These include disorders of the immune system, infectious diseases and deficiencies in certain nutrients.


What can you do to reduce the chances of getting neuropathy or prevent it becoming worse?


The best way to cut your risk of developing neuropathy, or prevent it becoming worse, is to control blood glucose levels. This means keeping them between the acceptable limits of 4-6 mmol/l before meals and up to 10mmol/l after meals.

Following a healthy, balanced diet, ensuring your prescribed medication is taken properly and undertaking some form of regular exercise are all important factors that help keep good control of levels.

Answer 5

Hi there It doesn't sound good to me that he's lost feeling in his toes this is poor circulation, and smoking doesn't help in this.
It needs to be checked out as if hes not get proper blood circulation to his toes they will get gangrene and then he will need an amputation.
As for the problem with orgasm this is also quite common and can get to the point where he won't get an erection at all.

I have a family member who's diabetic and has not all ways controlled it properly and he ended up having his leg amputated he was very ill afterwards as well. It takes them longer to recover from operations.
He was taking Viagra for the erection problems.
Please advise your friend to get checked out properly by his Dr and to stop smoking and to try and keep his diabetes controlled.
It's not very nice seeing someone you care about being really Ill and nearly die.
Sorry if this scares you but this is what can happen if its not controlled properly

Answer 6

It probably depends on how bad his diabetes is. My late wife died of diabetes & complications of that.
She never had feeling in her feet for the 25 years we were married. She had two(2) vein bypasses, all to no avail. She also had two(2) toes amputated when gangrene set in from the loss of circulation. My advice would be to give up smoking immediately. Cold turkey? yes. I gave up myself 18 years ago overnight & have never had a cigarette again. Great health since & after 50years puffing away, I couldn't feel better. Life's much better. It's good to smell fresh air. The best things in life are free. Think about it!

Answer 7

I think your guy is in trouble. As far as I know the feeling does not come back once it is completely gone.

Diabetics if they don't care for themselves & you probably already know this - can go blind and can lose their limbs to gangrene. His doctor should be aware of all these things so he can be closely monitored.

Answer 8

Sadly you are right. The nerve damage, diabetic neuropathy is permanent and will not get better. he should see an opthalmologist about his eyes because sometimes laser treatment can prevent deterioration of retinopathy. (not the kind that corrects vision but the kind that treats the blood vessels)

Answer 9

Sorry but untill they get there diabeties under control there is no telling what other sensations will be lost The excess sugar in the system slowly kills off the ends of the nerves Blocks arteries ans restricts healing Life is too wonderful control your food exercise and enjoy life Diabeties can be managed please do so

Answer 10

I found that for some people Tegretol really helped. (Carbamazepine). RN