http://myinsulinlog.com/could-diabetic-neuropathy-be-misaken-for-rheumatoid-arthritis Keep Track of Your Insulin Log. Diabetic Help Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:49:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://myinsulinlog.com/could-diabetic-neuropathy-be-misaken-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1#comment-1388 love&los Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:57:24 +0000 http://myinsulinlog.com/could-diabetic-neuropathy-be-misaken-for-rheumatoid-arthritis#comment-1388 Not likely. Your RH Factor test was positive. Do you have Type 1 (autoimmune) diabetes? Since RA is also an autoimmune disease, Type 1 diabetics are at a higher risk to develop RA over the general population. It is not uncommon for autoimmune diseases to cluster in one patient because of the shared genetic tendency. Note that "diabetes" in and of itself does NOT "cause" RA. The reason why *Type 1* diabetics (only) are at a higher risk is due to shared genetic tendency. Do you have fatigue, joint pain, joint swelling, etc? These are all symptoms of RA. People with (peripheral) neuropathy tend to have shooting pains in their limbs, stabbing sensations, numbness, etc. Although these symptoms can be confused sometimes with Multiple Sclerosis (another autoimmune disease), it would be less likely to confuse DN with RA. That said, other tests can be done. Some doctors will look at your SED rate, which is a marker of inflammation elevated in RA. However, it can be elevated in any number of health conditions (including other autoimmune diseases), and with a positive RA factor, that pretty much points to RA. Having a normal SED rate (which I think would be unlikely in your case) wouldn't cancel out the other test. You can also have tests done to help diagnose diabetic neuropathy. Don't forget that you could also have BOTH conditions. One doesn't make you immune from the other. I think you should work with your doctor from here. Don't forget that you can always get a second opinion. I am sorry to hear that you may have RA, but do know that progress has been made and treatments are better today then ever. The key is to get treatment *early*, before permanent damage has set in. I advise you to speak with your doctor right away about your next step. Best wishes! Not likely. Your RH Factor test was positive. Do you have Type 1 (autoimmune) diabetes? Since RA is also an autoimmune disease, Type 1 diabetics are at a higher risk to develop RA over the general population. It is not uncommon for autoimmune diseases to cluster in one patient because of the shared genetic tendency. Note that “diabetes” in and of itself does NOT “cause” RA. The reason why *Type 1* diabetics (only) are at a higher risk is due to shared genetic tendency.
Do you have fatigue, joint pain, joint swelling, etc? These are all symptoms of RA. People with (peripheral) neuropathy tend to have shooting pains in their limbs, stabbing sensations, numbness, etc. Although these symptoms can be confused sometimes with Multiple Sclerosis (another autoimmune disease), it would be less likely to confuse DN with RA.
That said, other tests can be done. Some doctors will look at your SED rate, which is a marker of inflammation elevated in RA. However, it can be elevated in any number of health conditions (including other autoimmune diseases), and with a positive RA factor, that pretty much points to RA. Having a normal SED rate (which I think would be unlikely in your case) wouldn’t cancel out the other test.
You can also have tests done to help diagnose diabetic neuropathy. Don’t forget that you could also have BOTH conditions. One doesn’t make you immune from the other.
I think you should work with your doctor from here. Don’t forget that you can always get a second opinion. I am sorry to hear that you may have RA, but do know that progress has been made and treatments are better today then ever. The key is to get treatment *early*, before permanent damage has set in. I advise you to speak with your doctor right away about your next step.
Best wishes!

]]> http://myinsulinlog.com/could-diabetic-neuropathy-be-misaken-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1#comment-1390 cat19585 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:47:19 +0000 http://myinsulinlog.com/could-diabetic-neuropathy-be-misaken-for-rheumatoid-arthritis#comment-1390 Diabetes can cause RA, check your blood sugar. Diabetes can cause RA, check your blood sugar.

]]> http://myinsulinlog.com/could-diabetic-neuropathy-be-misaken-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1#comment-1389 reginach Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:09:59 +0000 http://myinsulinlog.com/could-diabetic-neuropathy-be-misaken-for-rheumatoid-arthritis#comment-1389 Neuropathy is related to having nerve damage from being Diabetic. With Neuropathy there is pain but also numbness and tingling in the legs, feet, hands. With RA there is stiffness, pain. I am speaking from personal experience and I hope this helps you. The medications for RA and for Neuropathy are going to be different. But to make sure and to ease your mind, call your doctor and ask him/her. I say this because everyone who suffers from neuropathy and RA are different. Take care. Neuropathy is related to having nerve damage from being Diabetic. With Neuropathy there is pain but also numbness and tingling in the legs, feet, hands. With RA there is stiffness, pain. I am speaking from personal experience and I hope this helps you. The medications for RA and for Neuropathy are going to be different. But to make sure and to ease your mind, call your doctor and ask him/her. I say this because everyone who suffers from neuropathy and RA are different. Take care.

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