Have you considered adopting a pet?

I am a big cat fan. I have three. I'm a psychotherapist with a home office who specializes in working with people with chronic pain and also a chronic pain survivor myself. My cats are very therapeutic for me and also really help my clients. Here's an article I wrote about pet therapy for chronic pain: https://www.paintreatmentdirectory.com/posts/pet-therapy-for-chronic-pain. Here's another article I wrote about the best supplements for peripheral neuropathy: https://www.paintreatmentdirectory.com/posts/the-six-best-supplements-for-peripheral-neuropathy.

Thanks for sharing. I will definitely check out your links.

Have you written any articles regarding fear of falling? I have it bad! I made a lot of progress with physical therapy until insurance cut me off again. I progressed from always using a rollator to sometimes just walking with a cane in the house. But I can't get past the debilitating fear.

It may sound silly but I've actually been considering practicing falling techniques if I can get a PT. who would work with me. I have some judo tutorials that teach it but initially you need a spotter to assist.

Pt's have taught me how to get up if I fall but none are willing to teach me how to fall down.
Lol! 🤣

p.s.
I have had neuropathy for about 5 years and never fallen. Too scared.

Plese see this 10 minute video about a technique that you can do yourself that is very helpful for phobias: https://www.paintreatmentdirectory.com/articles-videos/do-this-to-quickly-reduce-stress-and-pain-naturally. Do it while focusing on your fear of falling. Don't be surprised if your fear is gone in just a few minutes.

I had my dogs before I got my neuropathy and CRPS. My dogs are such a big help, physically, mentally and my health overall. I can't just lay around in the house feeling sorry for myself. I own enough land so I can take them out without a leash. They let me know when it's time to go out and walk a little bit. If I'm having a bad day atleast one of them will walk right along my side. Usually I have one on either side while I throw a ball for the other two. I think I would be in worse shape without them. Plus the love and attention I get from them and give to them helps keep my spirits up.

Hi, thanks for sharing! The pictures are adorable.
Well, I do have some pain in my feet but it seems to respond well to 300mg of gabapentin three times per day. My feet are most numb at the toes and balls of my feet.

I have severe stenosis of L5- S1 from herniated discs. Moderate in L1-L5. Back surgeon is treating me with epidural shots at L4-L5, L5-S1, and physical therapy. Therapy helps my back pain very well but severe sciatic pain in my left leg down to my toes is not responding well.

I have a neurologist and a back surgeon each with different takes on the cause of my nerve damage.
I'm trying to get them to collaborate more.

I know what you mean about stress on your back from bending over. Using a rollator has the same effect and I'm sure it doesn't help our situations.