peripheral neuropathy?

Question

i have peripheral neuropathy from diabetis i was a warehouse worker driving trucks forklift ect i am currently on temp disability will i be able to do the same job or will i qualify for permanment disability and be retrain for another occupation?

Answer 1

If you have peripheral neuropathy and you are a diabetic it is likely that the diabetes led to the peripheral neuropathy BUT remember that peripheral neuropathies develop in non-diabetics as well. It is not possible to 'cure' a peripheral neuropathy but neuropathies in most cases may be improved with treatment. Indeed - the goal is to make it possible to live with the neuropathy rather than letting the neuropathy 'control' your life or 'restrict' your activities. In the vast majority of cases, the neuropathy should respond to treatment to the extent that you are able to return to work - in your case as a forklift driver. For a diabetic treatment of the neuropathy begins by strictly controlling your glucose. Ideally your glucose should not vary outside a range of 70 to 150 mg/dL (3.9 to 8.3 mmol/L) daily - irrespective of what and when you eat. Treatment always involves more than 1 type of medication and the types of medications used depends upon the symptoms: pain, unusual sensations, and numbness may occur in any combination and to any degree. Some of the most commonly prescribed medications include anti-inflammatory drugs and medications which work more directly on the nerves themselves. The latter fall into 2 general categories - drugs that began their use as or are also used as anti-depressants and those which began their use as or are also used as seizure medications. Obviously anti-depessants and seizure medications work on nerves - although by different mechanisms. For individuals with pain rest deprivation is common and sedative-hypnotic drugs may be necessary as well. Commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs include naproxen and piroxicam (the latter is on Wal-Mart's $4 per month drug list). Anti-depressants include amitriptyline (also on Wal-Mart's list), nortriptyline (the metabolite of amitriptyline), imipramine, and desipramine (the metabolite of imipramine). Seizure medications include carbamazepine (and this is also on Wal-Mart's list). I avoid duloxetine/Cymbalta and pregabalin/Lyrica as they are more expensive than other choices but not more effective. I am sorry that you have developed neuropathy but take heart as it should be treatable without sacrificing your career. If you would like more specific information on treatment or why diabetes leads to neuropathy please let me know. I wish you the best of health and may God bless.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your illness, I too, have diabetes but am not plaqued with peripheral neuropathy YET. Your question is a really good one but unfortunately there is only one person that can truly answer that question and maybe not even yet, that is your doctor that is treating you, Having a medical background I can tell you that it may not be a return to work scenario only because peripheral neuropathy does not get better- what every degree you have right now - it will be that way if not worse, until the day you die-- there is no cure-- so, if it keeps you from driving a forklift- it may also be too painful for you to sit 8 hours at a desk---and you might have experienced this already being home-- how many hours can you sit without getting the shooting pains in your legs?

Please see your doctor and discuss your concerns. I hope you are seen a neurologist- because this is a neurological deficit problem along with seeing a specialist in diabetes. As I list in all my answers, please make sure you are seeing the BEST doctor for your condition- even if that means driving to a bigger city to see one- even if it is for a second opinion. Doctors are human and they make mistakes- you wouldn't have your car's motor replaced if Jiffy Lube told you the block was cracked would you? You would take it to the dealership or someone you can trust who is a good mechanic---the same holds true for doctors--and the best doctors are in the big cities where they see cases like yours ALL DAY LONG, not one or two cases a month or a year---the more they see the better they are at diagnosing and curing---and dont worry about your second opinion ruining your disability-- they do not need to know about it---your insurance, even if it's medicare, will not be released to disability or will they even KNOW about the visit without you telling them..............go see the best.....this is the rest of your life you're talking about..........good luck to you.

Answer 3

I have Nursed many patients over my forty years of Nursing. I have seen many approaches to treatment of Neuropathy. Neurontin still had the greatest effect on chronic Neuropathy. I have seen and participated in many newer approaches and yet found that our patients did not benefit long term from any of them. Neurontin is not without its own side effects as well. It is one ot the most painful of processes so I am hoping that you will find answers that can help. I have been retired for over a year so there may be treatments that are more helpful today. Good question and great information for all to know.

Answer 4

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RE:
peripheral neuropathy?
i have peripheral neuropathy from diabetis i was a warehouse worker driving trucks forklift ect i am currently on temp disability will i be able to do the same job or will i qualify for permanment disability and be retrain for another occupation?

Answer 5

I have found that taking extra B vitamins helps a little with some of the neuropathy. It also helps some with the weakness in the legs.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

It is a permanent problem. Since it is a sensory disturbance, you can do a lot of things. I am surprised they gave you disability.