@ann78, I'm pretty sure that all of us diagnosed with neuropathy have been there with you and struggling with life's difficulties and changes forced on us by neuropathy and it can be a downer for sure. Like you mentioned we just have to try to be thankful for what we have and take life one day at a time. Not sure if you have seen these discussions but there are a lot of us that feel the same as you do.

-- Peripheral Neuropathy is life changing: How do you accept it?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neuropathy-life-changing/
-- Increasingly Difficult to Accept Peripheral Neuropathy:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nor-accepting/
I keep researching and trying to learn as much as I can about new treatments and new research being done. It's one of the reasons I subscribe to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy email news. Here is a page with their patient stories - https://www.foundationforpn.org/patient-stories/. They also have many webinar videos available on their YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@foundationforperipheralneu4122

Good morning, @ann78 (@ann78)

Many of us have been where you are. That's not consolation in and of itself. I know, because when I was first diagnosed and found my way to Connect, I, too, was assured that I was far from alone in my early-diagnosis depression. I'm 80. Good, steady balance had been critical throughou my life. But with my diagnosis (chronic large-fiber polyneuropathy: no pain, but poor balance), I was an actor who could no longer act (afraid I'd fall on stage) and a long-distance runner who could no longer run). It took me several months (and many conversations here on Connect) before I realized I was still a "whole" person––slightly "modified," that was true, but still "whole." still capable of doing 99% of the things I enjoyed doing. It takes me a little more push-through (especially in the mornings), a little added talking-to-myself (I use journaling as my early-morning coach), but I find that by the time the sun is an inch or two above the horizon, I'm raring to go. You'll reach that wondrous place, too. I know you will. Stick around. Go over to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy's website and watch a few of their webinars [under 'Events'], and try to take some comfort in knowing that your depression will lessen in time. It almost always does.

I wish you the very best!
Ray (@ray666)

@ann78 Hi - I too have PN the same as John and Ray, idiopathic with no pain but numbness and poor balance. I've been dealing with this progressive disease for close to 10 years and I'm now 75. I decided to look at this in two ways. First, I try to concentrate on what I can do and not what I can no longer do. Second, I know there are a lot more things out there way worse than PN. We've all seen it. In the past 10 years, I've made adjustments along the way to deal with PN and safely do what I can. I was active into my mid 60's and you're right, it is a struggle. I agree 100%. But please look at things you can still do, it might help. Be safe, be well. Ed

@ann78 I think it's very normal to struggle with the new limitations placed upon us by this disease. It's extra-frustrating because there is very little in the way of treatment that can help. And depression can easily creep in and make us feel lousy. Of course, it could always be worse. I'm grateful not to be in a wheelchair, and in the very beginning I worried this might be MS or ALS. Thankfully, those were ruled out. So I try to focus on the things I am still able to do. In my case, I can still drive. I can putter in my garden as long as I am careful not to fall. I can't do the strenuous work I used to do, but I can trim my shrubs.... just more slowly.... and seated on a stool. I can use a hand held blower to blow the leaves in my yard.... just a bit more slowly. I am a wanna be artist, and I have plenty of time to paint in retirement... and that I can do easily. I can still travel, but I have learned to take an uber or taxi on occasion rather than trying to walk great distances. I can socialize with friends on occasion.... but I prefer to be seated when possible. None of this is to minimize the impact of your neuropathy in any way. It is REAL... and it IS an adjustment. But life can still be filled with new adventures! I wish you well! Mike