What to do when you have type 2 diabetes and your leg hurts ?

by James
(Florida)

QUESTION: My leg has been hurting for some while now i have type two diabetes and i was wondering what can i do to stop the pain and also can there possibly be no blood circulating in my leg?


ANSWER: Hi there,

First of all, I have to tell you that the pain is not a symptom indicating that there is no blood circulating in your leg.

You don’t have to worry, because when you are able to move your leg and when you are feeling pain, or touch, everything is ok with your circulation.

Besides this, the lack of blood in your leg is going to be presented with changes in the leg’s color (appearing in the skin).

With regards to the pain in your leg, you can take a pain killer like aspirin, ibuprofen or diclophenac.

Next, I will ask you to visit your doctor, because sometimes the pain in the leg is typical for diabetic neuropathy. This condition is not something terrible, but it has to be confirmed by a doctor.

In addition, I have to tell you that there is a treatment of this condition - alpha-lipoic acid. However, only your doctor is able to put you on this treatment, which means that you have to speak with him.

Other thing, which I have to tell you, is that if it is a matter of diabetic neuropathy, you are not controlling your diabetes well. So, speak with your doctor about therapy adjustments, diet, exercises and herbs usage.

On the other hand, the pain in the leg is not only a symptom of diabetic neuropathy. Sometimes, severe trauma of your leg in the past can cause a pain in the present.

Besides this, if you are not wearing comfortable shoes, you will feel pain again. So, in purpose to understand what is causing the pain in the leg, speak with your doctor.

Tell him/her when start the pain, is the pain harder when you are working and if the pain is forcing you to stop walking for a while. The answers of those questions are going to show him the possible diagnose.

Hope it helped!

Dr.Alba