Psychological effects of living with neuropathy

HELPS ME WITH STOOL SOFTENERS.
I HAVE A QUESTION, I READ THE SMALL FIBER NEUROPATHY CAN BE CAUSED BY CHEMO. I HAD STAGE 1 IN 1995

Hi, @penn. So sorry to hear of all you have suffered through. I had the same laminectomy, L2 to S1, no fusion, just like you. Thankfully, the surgery helped the pain in legs that was preventing me from walking. The surgeon has said that IF he were to go back in and fuse L4, L5, S1 that "MIGHT" relieve the neuropathy in my feet. But there is no guarantee and I'm not ready to jump back up on the OR table. I do see a therapist regularly, and I take meds for depression and anxiety that have been with me all my life. Bette Davis was right when she said "getting old is not for sissies." Take good care, and I hope the port will be successful and a help to you. Mike

Yes, @penn, from what I understand, chemotherapy can sometimes cause neuropathy.

I HAVE NUROPATHY IN ANKLES IN TOP OF FOOT. IN BOTH FEET. I HAVE TO HOLD ONTO A SHOPPING CART WHICH FOLDS, OR WALKER AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE NO HUSBAND OR CHILDREN TO TAKE ME OUT OF MY JAIL HOME. IF SO, I HAVE TO PAY. I MUST DRIVE AGAIN. LUCKY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A HUSBAND, IF HE DRIVES.

How was the nerve conduction been beneficial?? Tell us how it helped I do go to a pain specialist who tried 2 different brands of SCS’s which did not work and an epidural which did not do anything for the pain. Am taking Tramadol but always trying to find something else that will help! Thanks

Physical therapy! Tell them that your goal is to drive again. I’ve seen great progress with a good PT.

I guess it’s just my nature, but I just cannot allow myself to sink into depression. It tries to sneak in, but I just can not go there. I am on two antipressents - Lexapro for years, and now Effexor to help with neuropathy. Along with my seizure medicine, Tegretol (for neuropathy pain) I am able to maintain a pretty level, if boring, frame of mind. The list of things I’ve given up is long, and getting longer. I live alone. I’ve learned to “ save up” some tasks that I need help with, and ask for help from a friend. I am a gardener, and have always kept my yard tidy. This weekend I managed to mulch and bag TWO bags of leaves. It took me hours, and I had to do the following: take Percocet and Aleve, stop numerous times, go inside and sit for a while,etc. My lower back felt like someone was stabbing me, and my upper back and shoulders were screaming. Two lousy bags of leaves. I felt frustrated and sad about all the rest that needed bagging, but I just shoved those feelings aside.
This is how I get through it. Wallowing isn’t allowed.

My license was suspended because I placed over three claims with my insurance company in ove 24 months time considered a surchargale event. Long stories after that. Nothing to do with the neuropathy. Best not to judge. No PT can do anything about that. I do my own PT evert morning for two hours and other things. I am out of town at my cottage down the Cape. Two steps down. Need someone to bring walker down for me..... I have to get back to my PT now.

Hey.. I’m with you.
Had my neuropathy diagnosed in my mid-40s. Just hit 50. No surgeries on my spine to account for it. Have tried raising 2 disabled sons as a single mom. Who cares for a caregiver? Who can understand these hidden injuries? My poor kids had it bad enough. But the kicker, I joined the Navy at 16, did Boot Camp and Active Duty at 18.
Where did all that go?
I have foot drop in my right foot. The usual pain up the legs. Have walked with a cane for 8 years. Everyone thought I was crazy for investing in one of those wheelie-carts(off of Craigslist). But after a couple of years my mom made me sell it. Was getting in the way in my lower floor apartment.
My Autistic son & I finally got into a “livable space”. But it has stairs. A lot of them. I have a twin bed in the dining room & just got a little dresser to stick in the corner. My bedroom upstairs stands empty.
What next, I don’t know..
My grandmother lived until 94, her mother 96. My mother is 71. But they were all independent until they passed. Yes, they’d moved to the first floor. Not a surprise. But to see I may have half my life stuck this way. Gets a little overwhelming. PT is overwhelming. Can’t even do massage therapy. Counseling outside of our home problematic because I don’t and haven’t wanted to endanger anyone on the road.
At this point I walk with arch support insoles backwards in my shoes. Counter pressure seems to help the walking on the outside of my foot & foot drop. Craziest thing, I’m literally wearing my grandmother’s shoes. Since I don’t get out & the shoes were pretty new, my mother gave them to me after she passed.
New shoes are really expensive. And uncomfortable.
Ugh, enough kvetching. Depression is a legitimate result of our grief for our lost anticipation for what we expected to have. Went through that when the Boys were diagnosed. So, I too am trying to find acceptance. At least a little. Navy training won’t allow full acceptance or defeat. So, my suggestion: make use of any free transportation when you least expect it. Spontaneous trips help, especially when you borrow a wheelie cart at a store and drive the tires off. But always.. always remember. They have horns in them sometimes. 😊

I mentioned this in another spot here recently. I've had neuropathy for several years since having chemo for breast cancer.I had to stop driving. I accidentally stopped taking my blood pressure drug, Atenolol ,a couple of weeks ago and my neuropathy has iimproved. I looked it up and neuropathy is a side effect of atenolol. Check out all the side affects of your meds. I've been on Atenolol for years. I'm going to see a neurologist I had an appointment with already beefore my neuropathy improved ,and see what he has to say and what drug I should replace the atenolol with.