Diabetic nerve pain can be absolutely crippling. Known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage and pain, tingling, numbness, and more are common symptoms of diabetes.
Research is working full steam ahead to try and combat debilitating diabetic nerve pain. While there are some natural remedies that will help with blood sugar levels, there are a few medications that do the trick as well.
In terms of things you can do at home, the best remedy is maintaining a healthy body weight.
When it comes to mild diabetic peripheral neuropathy, you can try over-the-counter medications, like naproxen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.
However, when your pain takes over your life, it’s time to take medication more in tune with your needs. Surprisingly, a lot of indirect drugs can help cut back diabetic nerve symptoms by improving blood sugar levels.
John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore reviewed 106 studies regarding diabetic neuropathy. The researchers discovered antidepressant duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) can help cut back on diabetic nerve pain.
Other researchers have found that some medications to use seizure disorders (like epilepsy) can help reduce nerve pain. The American Diabetes Association actually recommends pregabalin, also known as Lyrica.
A few other seizure disorder medications that can help with diabetic nerve pain include gabapentin (which are Gralise and Neurontin) and carbamazepine (also known as Tegretol and Carbatrol).
While these can certainly help with your pain, you may find other side effects come along with it. Some users have reported dizziness, swelling, and drowsiness. However, if the diabetic pain is overtaking your life, those side effects may be well worth it.
As mentioned earlier, anti-depressants can reduce the painful effects of neuropathy brought about by diabetes. Because anti-depressants disrupt the chemical processes going on your brain—the processes that tell you you’re in pain—they have been known to help with pain relief.
Good news is, you don’t need to suffer from depression in order to get anti-depressants. In fact, there are two classes of anti-depressants that are used for neuropathy treatments.
For medium to moderate symptoms, you can try tricyclics, which include desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), and amitriptyline. However, the side effects can be more drastic with these medications than they offer relief. Side effects include weight gain, sweating, constipation, dizziness, and dry mouth.
You can also try serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (also known as SNRIs). As a first initial treatment, the American Diabetes Association suggests duloxetine (Cymbalta, same as the study above). You can also try venlafaxine (Effexor XR). When it comes to SNRIs, you may experience a few side effects. These include sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, decreased appetite, and constipation.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a combine of an anti-depressant and either an anti-seizure drug or even a pain-relieving medication. It depends on your individual needs.
Of course, if you’re suffering from serious nerve pain that leaves you feeling crippled and in constant agony, your doctor may give you painkillers. Several studies have found that painkillers are just as effective as anti-convulsants and anti-depressants.
And one major leg up is that they work a lot faster. However, opioid painkillers can cause an upset stomach, constipation, and sedation. Plus, there’s always the risk of addiction and abuse.
If you’re looking to go a safer route, you may want to try a topical treatment. There are a few painkilling gels and lidocaine patches that have been known to be effective in treating diabetic nerve pain. You simply apply the gel or patches to the area that hurts.
Generally, this is the solution for smaller or more localized areas of pain. However, there are hardly ever any negative side effects. The worst side effect you’ll likely get is some minor skin irritation at the site of the gel or patch. If your pain is severe, this option may not be enough for you.
These types of medications can be difficult and tough on your system. In some cases, people have found that they cause more trouble than they are worth, as the side effects can be equally uncomfortable.
If you’re looking for a more natural approach that you can stick with long-term, Nerve Renew may be your best choice.
Research has found that a lot of neuropathy supplements have a type of vitamin B1 called Thiamine. However, this isn’t going to help you much when it comes to your pain, as thiamine is very difficult for your body to absorb. So, when you take vitamin B1, your body can’t get all the beneficial nutrients it needs to overcome the pain.
Nerve Renew (Neuropathy Support Formula) uses vitamin B1; however, it uses the form called benfotiamine. The powerful combination of nutrients is exactly what your body needs to fight the pain and also help damaged cells regenerate themselves.
The proprietary blends of vitamins and herbal extracts include vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D, fever few extracts, oat straw extract, passion flower, and skullcap extract. All of these work together in order to help you fight your symptoms.
As an FDA-approved supplement, the potency and purity of this product could be exactly the treatment you have been searching for all this time.
Regardless of what medication you decide to go with, it’s important to always put your health first. Your first step should always be getting your diabetes under control. From there, your pain will likely get better.
Until then, continue to work with your doctor to reduce your pain. You shouldn’t have to live in your life suffering and uncomfortable, especially with so many medications and treatment options available. It’s time to take control of your diabetes and your diabetic nerve pain once and for all.
