Welcome @fredamm, to Connect. I think I walk iin your shoes. I will be 80 soon and have SFN, small fiber neuropathy. I can identify with your frustration with the neuropathy cards you have been dealt. it seems like you have experienced both the burning and the tingle-tangles, (my words for pins and needles.

i agree with your assessment of trying to cook with neuropathy. I need evidence to keep me out of the kitchen. I think we share some other life elements. It is cold here in MN also. And with low barometric pressure, I deal with what I call "heavy pain". Oh....and I am very jealous of your little terrier. I have had three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels........my.real joy in life.

Are you satisfied with your medication? I also have bursitis in my hip. An injection of cortisone seems
to help every six months or so.

I also agree with your goal at this time. Let's just live the best life with the least amount of pain. A few years ago, I decided to not get caught up in opioids for pain. I used compounded topicals until they began to let me down. With the help of a nurse friend, I was introduced to medical cannabis. At this time I use topicals and tinctures for pain control.

I am sort of wondering if you have enough to keep you busy after being a teacher. (Just teasing) What grade or specialty did you teach? Have you taken a look at Mindfulness and Meditation? They help me so much.

What questions do you have? We have so many helpful members.

Chris

Hello @fredamm, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @artscaping and others. Having a mostly positive attitude is a good thing when you have neuropathy. Truth be known, it's a good thing even if you don't have neuropathy 🙂 The cold weather makes my symptoms worse also but mine are mostly numbness and the cold hands and feet. I wear compression socks also to control the swelling in my legs from lymphedema. Pets are great to keep us cheered up. I shared my neuropathy story in another discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/. I'm not sure if you have seen the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy website but they have some good tips on living well with neuropathy that you might find helpful.

-- Living Well: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/

One of the things that I think helps me is to eat healthier and doing some mild exercises every day. Do you have any activities you enjoy doing that takes your mind off of some of your symptoms for a little relief?

I had the same problem with standing still due to neuropathic pain in my feet. I purchased cushioned mats from Kohls.com and placed one in the kitchen and one in front of the bathroom mirror. These mats are similar to those used by cashiers. There are many styles and colors.

I get laser treatments , vibration treatments. Decompression treatments. I also get massages and acupuncture every week. I have a foot and leg massager. I also have a foot spa that heard and bubbles the water . I use a balm of magnesium lotion and Mary jands salve. It is a combination of 70 % thc and 30 % cbd . It all helps.