Career Prospects for People with Neuropathy

Not even sure I’m doing this right.

Hi Steve @stevemann, Welcome to Connect. I think it's great that you are searching for help and support for your neuropathy in your feet. The more we learn, the better we can advocate for our health. Two of the best sites for learning more about neuropathy that I use regularly are:
-- Neuropathy Common: https://neuropathycommons.org/
-- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/

You might also find the following discussions helpful:
-- Neuropathy 101 - Knowledge is power?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-101-knowledge-is-power/
-- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

Do you mind sharing a little more about your neuropathy symptoms and what bothers you the most?

Hi John,
Best I can remember it started back in 2012 with a diagnosis of Idiopathic poly neuropathy just in my toes on one foot then both. Now it’s small fiber neuropathy. Some days are ok and some days are just horrible. I’ve been on gabapentin (2700mg/day) and it seems to ward off the localized pain but does nothing for pins and needles. It is progressing into my leg muscles constantly aching and nocturnal cramping which bothers me the most (affects sleep).
I’m hoping to learn from others who have this disease how they deal and thing they cope with it. I’ve given up on doctors telling me there is nothing else to be done.
SM

Hi John, after my first knee replacement my legs became unequal in length. I was told it was because I needed the other knee replaced. So I did. Somewhere from the first surgery I developed a numbness in my feet which have gone to both legs up to and including my knees.
I have tried acupuncture, PT, and etc. Nothing has helped so far. Someone suggested low dose of LDN.
What r ur thoughts.
Fran Casale

Hi Fran @sikocesca, I'm sorry to hear you are having numbness in the feet following your 2 knee replacement surgeries. I don't have any experience with low dose naltrexne (LDN) but there are a couple of discussion on LDN which you might want to read through to learn what other members have shared.

-- Success with low dose naltrexone for Autoimmune disorders: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-familiar-with-low-dose-naltrexone/
-- Anyone with experience using Low Dose Naltrexone?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-with-experience-using-low-dose-naltrexone/

You mentioned leg length being different after your first knee replacement. You might like to read a post from one of our mentors @sueinmn in another discussion – https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/635851/. And here is an article on the subject -- Change in Limb Length After Total Knee Arthroplasty – NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4536512/

Have you ever had your gait checked or therapy to fix your gait?

I have tried calling the dr who did the surgery to find an expert in limb length discrepancy to no avail

Hi John, with respect to the temporary relief of Bio Freeze, I find that sometimes it works and sometimes it makes the pain worse. And you never know what you'll get. Anybody else get that reaction too?

I am not young like you but work in the computer industry. I have SFN with mostly pain and a little numbness (weird combination, huh). My discomfort is widespread over my body, including face, scalp, and all limbs. I have very low tolerance to low temperatures and find clothing or any cloth touching me to be quite uncomfortable. I think this is called allodynia. I had to go to two different neurologist before I actually got diagnosed with SFN. My first neuro actually said he had never heard of having neuropathy all over the body. I was very discouraged at this point but eventually went to a different neurologist out of town and within a few minutes of discussion was told it sounded like SFN.

My SFN is most likely my T2 diabetes which I ignored too long. Anyway, I wanted to give you this background and also share what medications I have explored (and there have been many) in hopes that you might be able to identify with some of this and find something relevant and helpful.

I have lost some of my dexterity which makes using a keyboard more difficult. I cannot use the little chiclet keyboard that came with my Mac at home so I replaced it with a dasKeyboard. They are larger and have a significantly increased depth of action in the keys. Much like old school keyboards that I used back in the early 80s when I began in IT. I have replaced my keyboard at work PC with a dasKeyboard as well so the dimensions and action are identical with both.

As far as medications, I have used a lot. I have used, like you, gabapentin and amitriptyline. I did not find these to be very effective and the ami made me far too drowsy. I have used a number of antidepressants like duloxetine and that actually seemed to make my allodynia worse.

The neurologist who performed my skin biopsy and positively diagnosed my SFN, suggested oxcarbazepine and pregabalin (Lyrica). I found these to be more effective than anything i had used in the past. I am going to reluctantly share that I also supplement with tramadol which is one of the lower end opioids. I only use this in the evenings when my symptoms are the worst. I suggest exhausting all other medications as the opiods are a slippery slope.

The other thing that I find extremely helpful is spending time in a hot whirlpool. This is temporary but it is so nice to have at least a period of pleasure. I have a membership to a gym that has a whirlpool. I swim for exercise as I am much less able to do load-bearing exercise. Just being in water and not having to fight gravity is very comforting.

Well, I have rambled on long enough and leave you with my prayer for relief from a very uncomfortable condition that I have found, most people cannot understand, unless they have it as well.

In closing, I am not a doctor and my post is not meant to be medical advice. You should discuss any treatment changes with your doctor. You are your own best advocate: Keep in touch with people and search the internet for information on your condition and potential treatments.

David

There is no one size fits-all answer to this question, as the career prospects for people with nephropathy will vary depending on the severity of their condition and their other skills and qualifications. However, many people with neuropathy are able to find successful careers in a variety of fields, including healthcare, education, and business.

There is no one size fits-all answer to this question, as the career prospects for people with nephropathy will vary depending on the severity of their condition and their other skills and qualifications. However, many people with neuropathy are able to find successful careers in a variety of fields, including healthcare, education, and business. https://jobsrytr.com/