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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living with diabetic neuropathy can be difficult and frustrating because there are often no outward signs, making it hard for people to understand your condition. If you find yourself getting down, it may help to talk to a counselor or therapist. Or, some people find that support groups — either in person or online — are helpful because you're talking to others who truly understand what you're going through. In addition, members of support groups can offer you encouragement, as well as advice about living with diabetic neuropathy. Ask your doctor if there are any support groups in your area, or for a referral to a therapist. The American Diabetes Association offers online support through its Web site.

References
  1. Diabetic neuropathies: The nerve damage of diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/neuropathies.pdf. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
  2. Feldman EL, et al. Treatment of diabetic neuropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
  3. Aring AM, et al. Evaluation and prevention of diabetic neuropathy. American Family Physician. 2005;71:2123.
  4. Chaudhry V. Peripheral neuropathy. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2907120. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
  5. Tesfaye S. Advances in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care. 2009;3:136.
  6. Standards of medical care in diabetes, 2009. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2009;32(suppl):13.
  7. Masharani U, et al. Pancreatic hormones and diabetes mellitus. In: Gardner DG, et al. Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2633151. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
  8. Veves A. Painful diabetic neuropathy: Epidemiology, natural history, early diagnosis, and treatment options. Pain Medicine. 2008;9:660.
  9. Diabetic neuropathies. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2005;28:956.
  10. Robertson CB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 10, 2009.
  11. ACCORD study group. Effects of intensive blood-pressure control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa1001286. Accessed March 15, 2010.
DS01045 March 17, 2010

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