Joanna Szabo  |  April 17, 2020

Category: Diabetes

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About half of people with diabetes are affected by diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy affects about half of those with diabetes, but not all diabetics undergo amputation. So when does diabetic neuropathy necessitate amputation?

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high glucose levels in a diabetic patient lead to nerve damage, and in some cases necessitate amputation. The most common cause of diabetic amputation is peripheral neuropathy, which primarily affects the feet, legs, and arms. Diabetic neuropathy is quite common among diabetics. About half of people with diabetes are affected by diabetic neuropathy. For those who have lived with diabetes longer, that risk increases, according to WebMD.

Diabetic amputation may be more common than one might think. Some 86,000 people in the United States undergo a diabetes-related amputation each year.

So when does diabetic neuropathy necessitate amputation? First, peripheral neuropathy reduces the sensation in the feet. Without this sensation, a person may suffer from small injuries that go unnoticed, which can then become ulcers or even infections. Because having diabetes reduces the blood flow to the feet, and because blood flow helps the body to properly heal, these unnoticed injuries may have difficulty healing properly. Without treatment, the complications can lead to deterioration of the foot or leg tissue, eventually necessitating amputation.

Can Diabetic Neuropathy be Reversed?

Unfortunately, nerve damage from diabetic neuropathy cannot be reversed. However, if caught early, the symptoms can be managed, preventing the damage from worsening and eventually necessitating amputation.

What are Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy?

There are a number of symptoms of diabetic neuropathy to look out for. VeryWellHealth says these symptoms include:

  • Loss of sensation
  • Sensitivity to touch
  • Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
  • Difficulty walking from poor coordination
  • Muscle weakness
  • Bloating and nausea
  • Dizziness when standing up
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Excessive or decreased sweating
  • Bladder issues
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Inability to sense low blood sugar signs
  • Double vision
  • Rapid heart rate

Diabetic patient making sure glucose levels are normal.What Else Causes Diabetic Amputation?

Diabetic amputation is a serious risk for many. In 2016, approximately 130,000 diabetes patients were hospitalized for lower-extremity amputation, or 5.6 per 1,000 adults with diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approximately 34.2 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, though as many as 7.3 million may be undiagnosed.

Diabetic neuropathy and the associated nerve damage is not the only cause of amputation among diabetics.

Significant risk factors for diabetic amputation include:

  • Foot ulcers
  • High blood sugar levels
  • Smoking
  • Nerve damage in the feet
  • Calluses or corns
  • Foot deformities
  • Poor blood circulation to the extremities
  • A history of foot ulcers
  • A past amputation
  • Vision impairment
  • Kidney disease
  • High blood pressure

Another possibility is from certain diabetes medications which have been linked with an increased risk of diabetic amputation.

Jardiance (dapagliflozin) and Farxiga (empagliflzozin) are both sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which are used to lower blood sugar levels in patients. Farxiga is manufactured by AstraZeneca and Jardiance is jointly manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a safety warning in 2017 about a potential link between the use of Invokana (canagliflozin) and an increased risk of lower-limb amputations. Other SGLT2 inhibitors, like Jardiance and Farxiga, may also be linked with an increased risk.

The FDA has also noted that SGLT2 inhibitors are connected with other serious issues, including diabetic ketoacidosis and a flesh-eating infection of the genitals, known as Fournier’s Gangrene.

Can I File a Lawsuit?

A growing number of patients are reporting amputations and other major complications after using SGLT2 inhibitors. According to lawsuits, drug manufacturers either knew or should have known about these potentially severe complications linked with their SGLT2 inhibitors, including the risk of lower limb amputations, but failed to adequately warn patients and the medical community about this risk.

If you or someone you love has needed a lower limb amputation after taking an SGLT2 inhibitor like Farxiga or Jardiance, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by amputation, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially in the wake of major health complications, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

If you or a loved one experienced diabetes amputation after taking Jardiance or Farxiga, you may have a legal claim and may be eligible to seek compensation from the drug maker for your medical and other expenses. Fill out the form on this page now to see if you qualify!

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