Hi Guys
I've got a J Pouch / Diabetes Type 2.
I think the numbness / balance issues could be to do with vit D deficiency. My blood test showed the level was 22, should be between 50 - 75. I'm on Vit D tabs. I fell over the other day. I feel really tired.
Has anyone encountered those symptoms?
Thanks in advance.
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Rebel, I don’t think the low vitamin D is likely to have caused you to fall, and probably not your fatigue, either. Are you well hydrated? Your urine should be light colored, with a few bladder emptying per day. Are you on any other medications? Is your diabetes well controlled?
I agree that you need to look at something else than vitamin D. Peripheral neuropathy is not uncommon with diabetes, so looking at your diabetes control makes sense.
Jan 
Scott F posted:Rebel, I don’t think the low vitamin D is likely to have caused you to fall, and probably not your fatigue, either. Are you well hydrated? Your urine should be light colored, with a few bladder emptying per day. Are you on any other medications? Is your diabetes well controlled?
I don’t think the low vitamin D is likely to have caused you to fall,and probably not your fatigue, either.- Numbness / balance / fatigue can be caused by low Vit D - I'll be able to eliminate that as the cause in 12 weeks, if the Vit D tabs prescribed don't work. Lack of Vit D stops the absorption of calcium.
Are you well hydrated?- I drink loads of tea 3/4 cups a day.
Your urine should be light colored, with a few bladder emptying per day. Are you on any other medications?- Urine output is hit and miss, mostly miss (very little).
Is your diabetes well controlled? - Had a blood test in October (had numbness in September) - HbA 1c level was 52, fasting glucose was 7.3, best it's been. Doctor was pleased.
Drink water as well for better hydration..
Rebel, your low/inconsistent urine output suggests that you probably are a bit dehydrated. You’re likely to feel much, much better if you start treating fluids as essential to your well being. Until you are peeing much more it’s simply not enough.
Update:
1) Two more weeks of Vit D supplements to complete - will get a blood test to check Vit D levels after 12 week course of supplements.
2) Had MRI done on back, issues with some de-generation, de-hydration (all lower spine) but nothing that might lead to the weakness and numbness in the legs - seeing a neurologist on 5th April.
3) Spoke to the Diabetes Nurse, she does not think it's related to Diabetes because the blood test results were good in October. I've got to have a blood test to check diabetic management. I know 100% it's Proximal diabetic neuropathy, the symptoms are an exact match for the condition - seeing a neurologist on 5th April. So Scott was right.
4) I also intend on losing a stone - like, as soon as possible.
Rebel,
Have you checked your leg and ankle joints?
I feel down quite a few times in recent history and my PT specialist has me now doing ankle strengthening exercises as well as balance exercises...Apparently, my ankle is now weak since I had a slip and fall 2yrs ago...my right leg got weak because I couldn't lift it and I stopped walking as much, was dragging it a bit too so I would bump stuff with my foot and fall...it became a vicious circle.
I wasn't practicing my balance exercises either (yes, you need to practice!).
I am now exercising and strengthening my ankles, standing on 1 foot like a stork (yes, I look silly) and going up and down on my toes. It is harder than it looks but it works.
I also use something very interesting for my feet. I use a Tens machine (the elector stimulation machines) that attaches to what looks like a pair of sandals that have little bumps on them...they send electro-vibrations up my feet and have helped me with the pain on the soles of my feet when waking up...sort of like walking on pointy eggshells!
Not sure if this helps or not...
Sharon
