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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 7 hours ago | Replies (6882)Comment receiving replies
Hello Anne. I was wondering if you ever found a support group for young adults. My chronic pain journey has been very similar to your sons but only recently have I looked for support from others like me my age. I’m 20 this year but my pain started when I was 14. I was diagnosed with SFN in 2020 but recently my pain has been worse and it feels like I am starting all over again. My neurologist and I talk in two days to discuss more options but it’s difficult to be optimistic after all this time. It’s exhausting trying to keep up with my body and it’s demands.
Replies to "Hello Anne. I was wondering if you ever found a support group for young adults. My..."
Hello @11993scorpions2, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @rwinney and other members. I'm sorry to hear you have joined the neuropathy club at such a young age. You are right. It can be difficult to be optimistic but hope can keep you going and trying to keep a positive outlook is definitely a plus when you have SFN or any chronic condition. I think one of the best things you can do is learn as much as you can about your condition so that it's easier to communicate any questions you might have with your doctor or neurologist and hopefully find a treatment that brings you some relief.
You mentioned you were looking for a support group for young adults. I think COVID may have taught a lot of us the value of online support groups, Zoom and other methods of communication. No guarantees but the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy does have a list of support groups you might find helpful locating one close to you if one is available -- https://www.foundationforpn.org/support/support-groups/
I think it's good that you have an upcoming appointment with your neurologist to discuss more options. I also think it would be helpful for other members if they knew a little more about your neuropathy journey, symptoms and when/how you were diagnosed if you don't mind sharing what you are comfortable sharing. I shared my story in the discussion Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours? here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/
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@11993scorpions2 Hey there, welcome! Thanks for joining the conversation. I know your message was to Anne, @duxbury, and I'm hoping she replies, but I wanted to let you know that she has not posted in over a year. I'm hoping she is out there and gets back to you, or someone else jumps in with experience similar to yours.
I know you came specifically seeking peer support so I'd like to invite my friend John @johnbishop who mentors in the SFN group. He might have a suggestion, or another member in mind to help you.
I am very sorry you have been experiencing chronic symptoms since age 14. I can relate to the exhaustion of trying to keep up with a challenging body and it's demands. I can also relate to the difficulty of finding optimism. Things get heavy, confusing, and frustrating. My weird "stuff" began in childhood and annoyingly stayed with me up until later in life (early 40's, I know that's wicked old to you) when I started being diagnosed with multiple conditions like SFN, and others, causing chronic pain.
You mention meeting with your neurologist soon to discuss more options. Are you comfortable sharing what has transpired thus far in your health journey regarding chronic pain and SFN?