Can diabetes cause stiffness and burning in the legs?

Question

Hi doctor,

My father's age is 62 years. He is suffering from diabetes mellitus and hypertension for more than 25 years. He had a right-sided mild paralysis stroke (PPA) and is suffering from stiffness and burning sensation in his legs and feet. The recent investigations showed fasting blood sugar level- 90 mg/dL, PLBS- 216 mg/dL, HbA1c- 8.5 percent. Lipid profile and urine examination results were normal. He is now using Human Mixtard 40 IU/mL (morning 25 units, evening 20 units), along with Ecosprin Gold, Nurokind-Plus, GABA powder, Telma H 40 mg, Starpress (one per day), and Eliwel 25 mg (when needed). Please advise the treatment and medication. And any further investigations he needs to undergo. He recently had retinopathy in both eyes.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for posting your query. The stiffness and burning sensation are due to nerve damage (neuropathy) caused due to uncontrolled diabetes. HbA1c of 8.5 percent means your father's diabetes is very poorly controlled and needs some changes in the dosage. I suggest that he take Human Mixtard (30/70), 32 units in the morning and 20 units at night. Also, I suggest you stop GABA powder and start tablet Pregaba- M 150 mg twice daily. Please do podiatry (foot testing) to know the extent of nerve damage. Repeat his FBS (fasting blood sugar), PPBS (postprandial blood sugar) after a week, and revert with reports. Rest other medications he can continue.