Addressing the psychological impacts of neuropathy

Talk about psychological frustration. I’m on Medicare MVP I have to say how ridiculous it is and how stressful it could be every time my doctor submits medication they deny it so what does that mean? It means my doctor sends in the medication I need and then some asinine doctors review it and decide maybe I don’t need it Now. Luckily, I can afford to pay for medicines, but there are many people out there who can’t and struggle with this asinine policy of Medicare and Medicaid you know I can understand how people get upset and do crazy things for one fortunate enough again to be able to pay for my medication And also have underlying medical insurance which for the most part does Jack shit anyway talking about the physical, working its way into the psychological spent hours on the phone today. Don’t understand how anyone would want to work the phone banks to tell people that they’ve been denied one of the medications I take Actually too actually three gabapentin pregabalin and MODAFINIL are addictive you do go through withdrawals why I have to fight with insurance company Medicare Medicaid United healthcare over this is absolutely absurd. We’re the richest country in the world and we have the worst health system. I’m not gonna go into politics anyway just passing it along. You know sharing on this site really is a good thing. I feel much better now a little poorer but expressing myself helps to lower my anxiety level, which for the most heart I usually have in control. Have a great day.

You know what’s frustrating Medicare Medicaid United healthcareMVP. My doctor calls in a prescription one that I’ve been on for a while and now it’s denied and now it has to go for review three of the medication’s. I’m on addictive gabapentin pregabalin, and modafin I am lucky I can afford to pay out-of-pocket, but I can’t imagine what hell it must be for people who can’t now plainly if I did not get my medication I would experience withdrawal symptoms just what I need with my autonomic neuropathy I can imagine the stress and anxiety many people feel who can’t afford to pay out of pocket. I think the medical industry of this country, though the richest in the world has a great deal to be desired. I was on the phone for over 2 1/2 hours today trying to get my prescriptions approved. Needless to say the people I spoke to passed me around and when I finally got some answers, the answers was it was denied and they’re going to refer it back to my doctor and then my doctor’s gonna refer back to them and then they’re gonna refer it back to my doctor, blah blah blah blah blah anyway as I started this post I was pissed off now I’m just disgusted, but my anxiety level is gone, and I am back to living in the moment you know the pain of neuropathy put you in a very dark place the medical industry just put you in a place. A little venting never hurt. I’m gonna go out. Sit in the sun and listen to some music.

Hello,
When we have a condition we know will progress with time, those bright moments become particularly special. In fact, we all really need to live in the current moment we're in especially the good ones as they do become very special and hopefully we gather enough from them to carry us thru the darker moments.
Wishing you more special moments and less dark ones.
gus

I have to agree with everyone here that one of the most difficult parts of neuropathy, for me, has been the psychological impact. I'm 74, and developed neuropathy after back surgery in 2022. I have numbness and tingling, and weakness in my feet and calves, and this affects my mobility, so I walk with a cane or with braces or both. Some days are better than others. In 2021, I felt great. I loved to work in my garden, ,go for walks, swim, etc. Now it's a struggle to do those things, and I've had to adjust to doing "small things".... or just a little each day. I miss being able to work in the yard/garden so much. And I feel so very old, which I am, I realize, but I didn't feel this until the neuropathy. It is definitely a struggle, but I try my best to keep moving everyday. And I have become much more understanding of people with more serious disabilities. Best to all of you! Mike

Sitting in the sun and listening to music is definitely one of the ways that I deal with my chronic pain whenever I can.

Wednesday morning woke up fairly pain-free took my took my meds. Hopefully timing is right. Have a busy day. Busy keeps me sane this time. Thinking about my neuropathy today. I’m thinking about my dog who got T-bone by another dog took a 60 mile drive to an amazing vet clinic, hoping he’ll be fine Hoping they actually have a diagnosis. It’s nice. It’s nice knowing that something can be properly diagnosed and treated anyway on that note about to see the vet. Looking forward to a good day. My head’s in a good place worrying about something else instead of myself.

Wednesday morning woke up feeling OK time my medicines just right. Have a busy day. Busy is good. My dog got T-bones by one of my other dogs can’t put his foot down. I’m off to the vet. Hopefully there’s a diagnosis and treatment. I’m confident there is anyway because I’m busy. I don’t think about my neuropathy so much which is a good thing keeping your mind busy keeping yourself occupied Means less dark moments anyway besides the fact that my dog got hurt having a good day, my head in the right place all the best to everyone

Hello,
I have recently been diagnosed after over one year from initial onset. I see the neurology specialist tomorrow in fact. I am 67 years old and the neuropathy has been progressing very fast. And unfortunately, we all know there is no current cure for it and the concrete causes remain unknown. Indeed, the psychological aspect is really difficult especially in my case as I am dealing with everything all alone even though there's supposedly a family around me.
All I can really suggest is for you to capture the good moments and hold them as special so they can carry you through the dark ones.
Best of luck and take care.

I know it’s hard to make family friends and loved ones really understand how debilitating neuropathy can be it, invade your thoughts, your body, and your soul and I’m beginning to believe that it’s impossible to make people really understand the weight the burden we all suffer at times I believe that’s why these chat rooms are very important. I know it makes me feel less alone and regardless to the façade I put on to all those around me not letting on how uncomfortable my symptoms can be thinking that they will think that I’m just crying wolf bottom line if you don’t have neuropathy and it’s many forms you can’t understand it at least that’s the way I see it

I am 75 and have been dealing with peripheral neuropathy for 8 years and only recently found a neurologist who actually spent time with me from the start. I am currently on Nortripyline and I'm pretty pain free. I have rare days that my feet feel very hot and swollen. On those days I take Tramadol maybe twice on that one day.
For the first 5 years I was an emotional wreck. It seemed like no one understood what I was going through. I felt that even the neurologist I was seeing didn't understand my distress. I tried again couple support groups but was still depressed.
Then I heard something totally unrelated to neuropathy. It focused on taking responsibility for your life. I realized that I am in charge of my life. I had been holding on to lots of stuff both physical and emotional. I started slowly decluttering my house. Sometimes a couple of drawers, I filled bags with clothes that I wasn't wearing some I kept sentimentality. I've been doing this in spurts. I have also taken time to give myself permission to unload some of the stuff I've been holding on to emotionally. I've forgiven myself for stuff I had been beating myself up for. I have made peace with the people in my past that I can't contact.
I didn't do all this alone. I have a psychiatrist that I finally started really talking to.
Now my neuropathy is a very small part of my daily life. I do live one day at a time.