Recently diagnosed with diabetes and mild foot neuropathy

When I skip too many meals it would run high to the point where they also tested me for type 1.

 

That sounds bad, but you do not actually have type 1 right? Gluconeogenesis is something that happens when you do not consume enough sugar, but it does it only to a certain point usually to maintain the minimum amount of glucose needed to keep stable. But your body seemed to be overdoing it. Was your blood sugar level getting dangerously high when you skipped meals?

Well, good to hear you are stable now.

 

Not dangerous high like it was just high. My A1C1 when first diagnosed was 12

 

You went quite a long ways to get down from 12. I was never diabetic myself, but I was getting there. It was the moment I started waking several times every night gasping for breath that finally motivated me to change my lifestyle. It is such a good feeling knowing you are back in control of your health.

 

You don’t need a waiver for type 2. Keep losing weight, stay away from carbs. Take ozempic if you have to in order to lose the weight. A1C will come down. Lots of people have nerve neuropathy for a variety of reasons. DOT physical may include a test. Running their finger down bottom of each foot. If you can’t feel it, you have a big problem. Other Occupations May be a healthier alternative. But your condition won’t keep you out of a Truck. Look around any Truckstop. I’m basically in the same situation, started 15 yrs ago. I try my best, that’s all anyone can do. Welcome to the 40% of all Americans club.

 

Out-of-control diabetes affects almost all the extremities, NOT just the feet. It affects the heart as well. Now let's talk about the eyes. There is some medical research that suggests macular degeneration is tied to diabetes. My concern is not your CDL or dreams of driving a CMV. My concern is your health. If you have family that loves you, take care of yourself for them.

I can sum up the FMCSA position on diabetes simply. As long as you can keep your A1Cs under 7 WITHOUT using insulin, you are clear to drive. If you let your blood sugar get much over 140 mg/dl, protein will start spilling in your urine. This can be detected by a reagent dipped in your urine.

Get as much exercise as you can. Eat right. Your doctor should have a diet plan for you. In the meantime, I suspect your doctor will give you a prescription for a drug like Metformin. This drug can have a rather nasty side effect. Loose stool.

Here is the results of my last (NON VA) Labs. Keeping those A1C's under 7 can be done. I am living proof.

 

Good point; has he been diagnosed with neuropathy? FWIW, being 100 lbs overweight puts a LOT of strain on your feet. If it's just the soles of your feet that are numb, that's probably plantar fasciitis, and THAT will be reduced with weight loss and arch supports...

 

Another issue when it comes to neuropathy is a Vitamin B-12 deficiency. The way it was explained to me was that the human body needs B-12 to maintain the protection around the nerves. Medications such as Metformin can cause a Vitamin B-12 deficiency. (Page 17, this LINK)

Anybody reading this comment who is also taking Metformin should be getting regular lab workups to make sure that they are within the guidelines. You can also take a B-12 supplement. I asked my Doctor about this with a multivitamin. I was told it was better to take a B-12 supplement.