Neuropathy and depression and anxiety

Posted by jordchud62 @jordchud62, Apr 17, 2019

I suffer from neuropathy in my feet and lower legs, and am extremely frustrated as this makes my depression and anxiety worse. Any help is appreciated. Thank You.

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@helenfrances

I am thankful that you wrote.
You give us hope. I especially liked “I am in charge of my brain.”

Ellis wrote that we can overcome our feelings of depression, self-downing, anxiety:
“Control your anxiety before it controls you.”

I am trying and am looking forward to the first appointment with the psychiatrist.

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What works for one of us may not work for another we found what works for you stick with it and God bless you

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@newzbug

I have neuropathy in my feet and legs as well as major depressive disorder and anxiety. I used to take Xanax, but it stopped working so she (my psychiatrist) switched me over to Ativan (lorazepam). I take very small doses and it works great.

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Glad you are getting relief with the lorazepam, @newzbug. Are you experiencing any side effects from the medication?

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I am married, 78 years old and have suffered from peripheral neuropathy for 26 years in my feet and somewhat in my hands in past several years. I am otherwise healthy and upon awakening each morning I regularly take my blood pressure & glucose. BP averages 140-145 over 78 with 'occasional' spikes to over 160, My glucose is usually ranges between 94 to 135 with similar (though unrelated) spikes above 150.
For the past several months I've been upset and anxious about a limited-time-period change our the circumstance of our (my with and me) lives) ... during which the neuropathy in my feet has become increasingly painful (to almost intolerable this past week)..

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AND HOPEHFULLY MIGHT INCLUDE REFERENCES TO STUDIES CONNECTING DOTS BETWEEN NEUROPATHY AND STRESS OR ANXIETY?

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@abhall

I am married, 78 years old and have suffered from peripheral neuropathy for 26 years in my feet and somewhat in my hands in past several years. I am otherwise healthy and upon awakening each morning I regularly take my blood pressure & glucose. BP averages 140-145 over 78 with 'occasional' spikes to over 160, My glucose is usually ranges between 94 to 135 with similar (though unrelated) spikes above 150.
For the past several months I've been upset and anxious about a limited-time-period change our the circumstance of our (my with and me) lives) ... during which the neuropathy in my feet has become increasingly painful (to almost intolerable this past week)..

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AND HOPEHFULLY MIGHT INCLUDE REFERENCES TO STUDIES CONNECTING DOTS BETWEEN NEUROPATHY AND STRESS OR ANXIETY?

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Hi @abhall, Welcome to Connect. I'm also 78 and have been dealing with peripheral neuropathy for over 26 years. I only have numbness and no pain but there is a link between stress and PN. Here's some more information with a link to a study - Stress and Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/stress-and-pn/ The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy site also has some helpful information on how manage and cope with neuropathy here: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/lifestyle/managing-peripheral-neuropathy/

The following article might also provide some helpful suggestions:
-- Coping With Neuropathy Pain, Anxiety, & Depression: https://neuropathyjournal.org/coping-with-neuropathy-1-0-pain-anxiety-and-depression/

Have you heard about or tried mindfulness or meditation to help with the stress?

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