Type 2 Diabetes Management

Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment with Type 2 Diabetes Management

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Lu Young RN

Peripheral neuropathy treatment with type 2 diabetes management is a smart idea.  Neuropathy can be painful or alternately have a complete lack of feeling.  Either can result in injury to a foot or leg and later amputation.  Some medications can be used to treat the pain.

Medications
Many types of medications can be used to relieve the pain of peripheral neuropathy, including:

Pain relievers. Mild symptoms may be relieved by over-the-counter pain medications. For more-severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend prescription painkillers. Drugs containing opiates, such as codeine, can lead to dependence, constipation or sedation, so these drugs are generally prescribed only when other treatments fail.

Anti-seizure medications. Drugs such as gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax), pregabalin (Lyrica), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) were originally developed to treat epilepsy. However, doctors often also prescribe them for nerve pain. Side effects may include drowsiness and dizziness.

Capsaicin. A cream containing this naturally occurring substance found in hot peppers can cause modest improvements in peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Like spicy foods, it may take some time and gradual exposure to get used to because of the hot sensation this cream creates. Generally, you have to get used to the heat before you can experience pain relief. Doctors may suggest you use this cream with other treatments.

Lidocaine patch. This patch contains the topical anesthetic lidocaine. You apply it to the area where your pain is most severe, and you can use up to four patches a day to relieve pain. This treatment has almost no side effects except, for some people, a rash at the site of the patch.

Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressant medications, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), were originally developed to treat depression. However, they have been found to help relieve pain by interfering with chemical processes in your brain and spinal cord that cause you to feel pain. The serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor duloxetine (Cymbalta) also has proved effective for peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes. Side effects may include nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, decreased appetite and constipation.

View the source

Above are several peripheral neuropathy treatments with type 2 diabetes management that include medications.  The over the counter medications and the Capsaicin are available without a prescription.  The rest of them require a doctor’s visit.  Only your doctor can decide what medication is right for you.  All of the medications have side effects.  Some you may find tolerable and others not so.  If one medication does not work for you, ask your doctor about trying another one.