Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Hi Peggy! I'm glad to hear that you get a few hours of relief when you focus on something else. That is the goal indeed. What type of things do you like to focus on for distraction?

My toes hurt with or without socks. It feels like every nail is ingrown

When I'm with people, I'm okay, so I have breakfast with my friends often, and we have been meeting via zoom almost every day during covid to help each other stay sane (by the way - there are a lot of crazy people out there who have been alone, breathing their own carbon dioxide for 1 1/2 years, and some of them have gone nuts), I run on the beach every day no matter what the weather (I have amassed gear for all kinds), I pet doggies out there and compliment their owners, I smile and wave at everyone who looks at me (I've gotten a range of reactions, some of them hilarious), and I play a couple games of cribbage with hubby every night. Before covid, I had girlfriends over to play games at least once a month. I have bumper pool, indoor/outdoor croquet, indoor mini golf, indoor and outdoor badminton, air hockey and a dozen more. I like to play poker and trivia games but haven't found anyone to play those with me. Does that give you some ideas? Peggy

What do the rest of you do to cope? What distracts you?
I relate to constant ingrown toenails - my feet feel constant burning, like they have athletes foot all over or I'm standing in a bonfire. Peggy

I have peripheral neuropathy . I had a MRI & it shows I have disk herniation & spondylolisthesis.
In the neck I have spondylolisthesis of c-4 &5. Do you think if I have surgery it will help with the terrible chronic pain I am experiencing?

Hi @tigreyes2004, I don't think anyone on Connect can really answer your question since we are not doctors or medical professionals and can only share our experiences. Does your doctor or surgeon think surgery will help with the chronic pain you are experiencing?

Have you ever looked into Myofascial Release Therapy to see if that might offer some relief for the pain? There is another discussion and a really good video that explains it at the top of the discussion here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/247117/

Hi John
All I wanted to know was if anyone ever did surgery & felt better. My Neuropathy dr. has recommended me to a Neurosurgeon & I don't see him till the end of Nov. I'm trying to get opinions. I will look into the Myofasial Release Therapy.
Thank you
tigreyes

Wondering if anyone has tried or had any positive results taking turmeric powder?

@bcool123
My mother went to the Orthopedic doctor complaining of knee pain and he suggested she take turmeric.
It got rid of her pain completely.
Jake

I had a ruptured disk at L4/5 and spondylolisthesis at L3/4. I had one surgery to address both and have had a marked reduction in pain and improved function, but there are plenty of people with different experiences.
Once I decided to go ahead with the surgery, I told myself to prepare for it by getting in the best personal physical and mental shape (for me) that I could. I asked my PCP for a PT referral, worked with the PT ( 2x wk for 6 wks), asked the PT for a Home Exercise Program (and still do it daily). I had a BMI over 25, so I laser-focused on losing weight safely, took awhile, but I got there.
As far as mental preparation, I am a person of faith, so I prayed daily, it helped me feel calm and centered. At hospital intake the morning of surgery, I asked for the Protestant chaplain to visit me in recovery, my sister-in-law was with me for pre-op, I asked her to pray with me before they took me. All of it helped me stay calm and centered. I had difficulties during/after the surgery that I was taken to the ICU and spent 3 days there. The chaplain’s visits and my SIL visits with prayer really helped again to keep me calm and centered.
Once I decided to go ahead with surgery, I was determined to give myself the best possible chance for the most successful recovery I could reach. I figured the surgeon would do his part, and I would try hard to do my part too. Now, I’m at about 70% of function, with intermittent but manageable pain, I’m happy and grateful for that.