Diabetic nerve pain and pain management, to help solve painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a diabetes-related condition.  Individuals who live with diabetes can have elevated blood sugar levels.  These elevated blood sugar levels over time, can cause permanent nerve damage in the feet and hands. This type of nerve damage causes a distinct type of chronic pain called diabetic nerve pain.

The Symptoms of Diabetic Nerve Pain

Diabetic nerve pain is not the same as arthritis pain, a headache, or a sport’s injury. Often with diabetic nerve pain, individuals experience shooting pains, pins and needles, burning, stabbing pains, stinging, numbness, tingling, radiating pain, throbbing pains, electric shock-like pains, sensitive to touch, or any combination of symptoms. Most often, diabetic nerve pain is felt in the hands and the feet.  The pain can come and go or be felt all of the time.  The damage causing nerve pain is permanent; although, the pain varies greatly from patient to patient.

Diabetic nerve pain and pain management

Any type of physical pain in your body should be a priority. If you think that you may have symptoms of diabetic nerve pain, communicate with your pain management doctor at your next appointment. Keep a log of the types of symptoms that you are experiencing, the time of day and how often. Be very specific about the type of pain you are experiencing. The clearer that you are, the easier it will be for your pain management doctor to understand your problem. A good diagnosis is the best way to get pain relief.

Partner with Your Pain Management Doctor to Find a Solution

Over-the-counter pain relievers will not help with this type of pain. When a patient has nerve pain in the hands and feet, there are medications such as Gabapentin and Lyrica, to name a few, that are designed to help with this type of nerve pain. When it comes to diabetic nerve pain and pain management, the best solution is to work with your pain management doctor for pain relief and the best results.