Suggest Treatment For Nerve Damage And Balancing Problem

Posted on Mon, 22 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 Answered on

Mon, 20 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : hello I'm a 65 year diabetic not under control yesterday when I tried to get out of bed my right leg and foot felt like I was standing on a sponge I do have nerve damage what made my balance off and pain?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Diabetes

Detailed Answer:
Usually when nerves are damaged from diabetes they tend to affect the limbs symmetrically. This means that typically both legs would be affected. However, it can sometimes present in one leg.
As you have correctly surmised, controlling diabetes is key but it would be important to ensure you do not have deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate. These vitamin deficiencies can also impact nerve function.
Further since this has preferentially affected your right leg, it would be prudent to have this systematically examined in person by a Neurologist who may consider other tests

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar