Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Nerve Pain

Appointments are short. Bring this list, mark the questions that matter to you, and write down the answers.

Before your visit

• Write down your symptoms: where they are, what they feel like (burning, tingling, numb, stabbing), when they are worse, and how they affect sleep and walking.
• Rate your pain on a 0 to 10 scale on a typical day and a bad day.
• Bring a list of every medicine, vitamin and supplement you take, with doses.
• Bring your most recent A1C and blood pressure numbers if you have them.

About diagnosis

• Do I have diabetic neuropathy, and what type?
• Which tests did you do on my feet today, and what did they show? (A monofilament test and a tuning-fork vibration test are standard.)
• Could anything else be causing or adding to my symptoms, such as low vitamin B12, thyroid problems, kidney disease, alcohol, or a medicine I take?
• If I take metformin, should my B12 level be checked?
• Do I need nerve conduction studies or a referral to a neurologist?

About my risk

• Is my foot at low, moderate or high risk for ulcers?
• How is my circulation? Should I have an ankle-brachial index test?
• Do I need to see a podiatrist, and how often?
• Do I qualify for therapeutic shoes or inserts?

About slowing it down

• What A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol targets are right for me?
• Would changes in my diabetes medicines help?
• What kind of exercise is safe for my feet?
• Can you help me quit smoking or cut back on alcohol?

About treating pain

Several prescription medicines are recommended for painful diabetic neuropathy, including certain antidepressants (such as duloxetine or amitriptyline), certain anticonvulsants (such as pregabalin or gabapentin), and sodium-channel blockers. A high-strength capsaicin skin patch and spinal cord stimulation are options for some people. Guidelines advise against opioids as a routine treatment. Good questions:

• Which treatment do you recommend for me first, and why?
• What side effects should I watch for, and how will this interact with my other medicines?
• How long until I know whether it is working? What counts as success?
• If it does not work, what is the next step?
• Will this treatment heal my nerves, or only ease the pain? (Current medicines treat pain; they do not repair nerves.)

About supplements

• I am taking or considering a supplement for neuropathy. Is there good evidence for it, and is it safe with my medicines?
• Could it affect my blood sugar, kidneys or liver?

Always tell your doctor about supplements. “Natural” does not mean safe, and some products interact with prescription drugs.

Before you leave

• What is the single most important thing I should do before my next visit?
• When should I come back, and what symptoms mean I should call sooner?

Medical disclaimer: The information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider about any medical condition or before starting any new treatment or supplement.