PN and penmanship …

My posts are always about my husband. Just fyi.
His handwriting used to be beautiful and slowly got worse. He started to not be able to read some of his own writing at work. Like taking long notes during phone calls. He hasn’t worked in two years. Now he can only sign his name in the morning, limit to two times and it ends up being his first initial only. He had a tremor most of his adult life but the polyneuropathy has made it worse.
I wish you many more years of writing.

Hi, @dbeshears1, @njed, @sueinm, @luffing, @christmastime. I hope you are having a good weekend. Not terribly hot, is it, where you are? Here in Colorado, we're teasing the mid-90s, but of course, with minimal humidity.

When I created this topic, it had crossed my mind what a two-sided topic it is. On one side, we've all shared good-natured jokes about doctors' handwriting. And, speaking as someone who used to drink too much and too heavily, I remember trying to read notes I'd left for myself the night before and thinking: "Mmm? I wonder what I was trying to tell myself?" Even then, with a pounding head, I'd find humor in poor handwriting.

But today, now that I know I have PN and have been told that my deteriorating handwriting may indicate my PN is getting worse, I'm finding less humor in the topic.

However, in retrospect, what still makes me laugh is thinking back to how I would answer my neurologist when he'd ask (and he always would) if I'd noticed any changes in my handwriting. "No!" I'd answer quickly, waving my hand to indicate I thought his question was silly. Then the following morning, I'd be writing in my journal, only to pause and say honestly: "I can't read that. My handwriting IS getting worse!"

The other day I seriously considered stopping online banking and going back to paying my bills using paper checks. (My bank has introduced a new online banking platform that I find impossible.) I remember how years ago (before online banking), it would take me 30-40 minutes to pay my monthly bills, including writing the checks and addressing the envelopes. Suddenly I saw myself – if I were to return to using paper checks – sitting at my dining room table for HOURS scribbling check after check, crumpling two-thirds of the checks and brushing them onto the floor, finally sitting back and feeling pleased with myself – only then to remember: Oh, no, the ENVELOPES! Add another hour's worth of scribbling and crumpling … 😀

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)

I had not associated my horrible handwriting with my idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, until I read your comments. I had just put it down to my increasing use of a keyboard, even though I had attributed my 'fumble fingers' when doing up buttons and putting on earings to PN.

My PN was diagnosed around 15 years ago. The condition has advanced a lot- the most difficult symptom is my rapidly worsening sense of balance. Despite taking up Tai Chi 2 days a week, I don't seem to be slowing the progress. My whole musculature seems to be rapidly weakening. I have no pain, just weakness in neck and limbs.
Is there anything to be gained by seeing the neurologist again? I hate wasting money. I can no longer walk any distance without a helping arm or stick and if the light is dim, I might as well crawl on hands and knees.

@ray666 - I am a believer in the saying.....if you don't use it, you lose it. And I guess that applies to writing as well. I do struggle to a degree, started about 6 years ago, just figured age related until one of the 5 neuro docs I've seen mentioned I have a slight degree of PN in the hands. I might need to shred a check or two but if I take my time, it helps. Numbers are the biggest problem, not sure why. Ed

@ray666 well, here’s a different, difficult situation. I have just recently been diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. It’s a rare condition, a “cousin” to MS.
Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed that the fingers of my left hand are moving in different directions!
I’m assuming it’s because the muscles in my left arm are being weakened by the polyneuropathy. I’m glad I’m not a lefty! 😳