Dose anyone else feel like neuropathy is taking over their life?

You gave me courage. As much pain as I’m in. I talk to my therapist and she says slow and calm. I fall down so much and showers and bath are so painful. I can’t eat anything everything goes through me. I’m trembling because my psychiatrist says it’s stress and anxiety. The trembling is a side effect of the medicine for anxiety and stress. I just want to relax and not hurt anymore.

Love your thoughts! Very inspirational for me

I don't understand the "not treating thyroid because of age". I have been on Thyroid since I was in my 20's. I am still on Thyroid "92". When I am tested, if I am off Thyroid, my count tells them immediately I need it.
Gina5009

I want that too! I’ll be praying for you.

I started using my wheelchair today. I found that it is a great piece of exercise equipment. I get in it and roll it up to the side of the bed where I lay my legs knees locked for a good hamstring stretch. I am finding other isometric exercises I can do while in the wheelchair.

I really don’t want to vent here, but if not with my fellow neuropathians, then who with?

The pain in my feet starts when I wake up, around a 1 or 2. If I do nothing all day (except walk the dog for 15 minutes, some light housework), it goes up to a 4 or 5, which strangely enough is now on the edge of bearable.

If I have to run errands, walk to my car, go to the pharmacy, etc, it goes up to a 7 or 8, which isn’t bearable.

It’s been a year since I had to stop working, and the pain has gotten worse… I’m 59 and healthy in every other way, and I’m worried about how bad it will get as the years go by.

The numbness (which started 7 years ago) has travelled above my ankles, the pain is 3/4 of the way towards my heels.

I don’t dream of traveling, I won’t ever work again, I feel homebound although I can go out…. It just hurts.

So, I prioritize the activities in my life. I know what will cause pain and if it’s important enough I’ll do it, pain be damned. But it’s hard.

Gabapentin 600 mg, 5 times a day, takes the pain down maybe 1 point. The weakest medical marijuana I can find takes it down 2 points, and the mm that works the best, which I can only take at night because I get 90 minutes of blissful, takes 100% of the pain away… it’s like magic, and on a bad day I crave it.

But, I lose all sense of reality and control, and as much as I giggle and say silly things and repeat how great it all feels… I hate it.

Floating on foam pads in our condo’s heated pool also takes all the pain away while I’m in it, but when I get out and gravity hits… it’s so much worse.

So, yes. I feel it absolutely has taken over my life.

Hi Debbie
May I ask what type of disability you are referring to: State, Federal (Social Security) or private.
In my state, disability payments are time limited. I don't have private disability. I have done a little research on SS, and think I have found that PN does not qualify. Do you have different information?.
Thanks in advance.

Hi Jeff - I was referring to Social Security Disability. Like most disabilities, unless you're deemed permanently disabled up front, you are reviewed every so often to determine your medical status to see if you've recovered enough to be employed in your vocation again. I am not sure (or doubt) it's the labeling of the illness or injury that decides whether it qualifies or not, it's the extent of which the handicap prevents you from being able to perform with reasonable accommodation. A lot of my frustration with this Idiopathic Neuropathy and not wanting to accept that the search for my diagnosis and cure is over is the huge financial loss from not being employed. SS Disability, while it helps, is a small fraction of what my earning potential was, and some folks in society make you feel like scum for getting a "handout", though I'm over that. I just wish the medical world could help research this thing & try harder to understand so those of us who need to work can get back to earning money and work on our retirement financial goals. SS Disability ends or transfers to regular SS when you get to the normal retirement age the government defines, but I'd rather get my old income back before then. I don't know all the rules of disability, so I'd contact your local office for an appointment to review if you have questions. I thought it was all the same in the USA as a Federal program, not by individual state. I also am not sure what the rules are if you have private disability.

Hi Debbie💕. How horrible -right ?
I’ve been sick a long time-23 years. Started while I was active duty. My spine went south n my 2nd lumbar surgery I awoke w/ horrible burning. Became spams in a couple months. After my cervical fusion was broken th top half n my head n face went too.
The arthritis and neuropathy can both be nutritionally based. Only a good integrated medicine Dr can give u an edge. I don’t leave my house except fr Drs. Can’t shop or go anywhere. I was told I’m lucky I got 60% way back. Never worked again. I started every vitamin / mineral I had deficiency symptoms for n now my thyroid started working (13 yrs).
Turns out every anti inflammatory interferes with thyroid / nerve health. Prednisone, epidurals, etc.
No Dr would even talk to me n last few yrs it’s worse. No one will even give me a skin punch test let alone try IvIG.
Look at gut health-ADD n all associated have acidic ph levels so absorbing nutrients is difficult at best.
Stay away from Diclofenac pills n motrin too-unbalances th gut. Now I can’t shake yeast imbalance 🤦
Do all u can physically to help blood flow too. It’s helped my pins/needles n even my diabetic husband 🙂
Eat clean, get reverse osmosis water filter to clean water-it slows th arthritis too.
NAC, n whole food vitamins has really helped. Make it easy for the body. Do lots of protein.
Disability is a nightmare even with a lawyer. It’s changed a lot about 5 yrs back.
I lost my almost commission n barely retired at 21. 200,000$ / yr retirement all gone.
Many lose their marriages too😓😥
I wish you luck n many prayers with good wishes. Many in medicine won’t talk straight to you about meds or your symptoms.
Get thyroid checked. It can cause neuropathy too as well as other symptoms.
Do as much living now as you can.

💕🇺🇸🙏🏻

Steve,
I’m so sorry you are having to go through this. I feel your pain. Just focus on those moments you feel good and you are able to enjoy.