Ask An Expert: Peripheral Neuropathy Pain

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Ask An Expert: Peripheral Neuropathy Pain

Question:

Does the pain from peripheral neuropathy due to type 2 diabetes mellitus come and go during the course of the day?

Answer:

Peripheral neuropathy is a common problem in people with diabetes. Pain from peripheral neuropathy is felt in the feet and lower legs, and this pain can come and go.

Some people notice neuropathy symptoms (tingling, numbness, pain, or a combination of these symptoms) most strongly during the night. Symptoms at night may be more obvious because you are resting, so there is less activity in your legs to distract you. Symptoms also may be more noticeable because fluid ("edema") can collect in the legs during the day, putting added pressure against your nerves by the time you get into bed.

Maintaining tight blood sugar control as soon as diabetes is diagnosed decreases the risk of neuropathy occurring. Once neuropathy has developed, many people find that the symptoms are worse when their blood sugar levels rise. Tight control of blood sugar clearly reduces the severity of neuropathy, even after neuropathy has been diagnosed.

Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.

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Last updated:	January 24, 2007

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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