1. < Neuropathy

Have you considered adopting a pet?

Posted by ohkay2 @ohkay2, 1 day ago

Hi, I was diagnosed with PN in 2019 as the result of spinal compressions in L1 through S1. PN affects both my legs from my feet to my knees. I can only walk with a walker and can no longer drive. I, like many, have had a hard time adjusting to this new reality.

I grew up with dogs and cats most of my life but haven't had one for quite a few years.

I decided to adopt two sibling kittens. I chose cats because I did not want to deprive a dog from being able to get the exercise it would require.

It has been wonderful choice for me. They give me a greater sense of purpose. They make sure I wake up every morning to feed them. No excuses to stay in bed are allowed! Haha. Pets are also therapeutic in so many ways.

I tell my friends that we saved each other. They found a loving home and I found two furry friends that bring me happiness and purpose every day.
I highly recommend adopting a pet if you are up to it.
God bless!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | 1 day ago

Hello @ohkay2, Welcome to Connect. I can still walk and drive but the walking is not very easy and I can't walk very far. I don't think it's my neuropathy for me but my lower back and having to walk leaning forward. I've had dogs in my younger days but my daughter introduced me to cats by getting one and then growing up and leaving the cat when she moved out and couldn't take care of it. Now she has 2 large dogs and I have the neighbors cat that I adopted after they found out their son was allergic to cats.

I too get that 5am wakeup call from the cat that it's time to feed me 🙃. They do bring a lot of joy and some laughter along the way. She had a litter that she would always bring to my window and I fed them all but mom ate first. Wished I could have had one of her kittens but they were all spoken for. I did get to help the neighbor catch them though. The neighbor could never get close to them and I told her I could get them so when they came to the window, I coaxed them into the house one at at time feeding them and when they were all inside eating I closed the window. I had setup a cat carrier and left it open with a warm towel inside then I closed the door to the room and left for awhile. When I returned all 4 kittens were snuggled up in the cat carrier and I just had to close the latch and carry them next door.

You mentioned spinal compression as causing your neuropathy. Do you have pain with your neuropathy or is it just the numbness?
REPLY
2 replies
ohkay2 | @ohkay2 | 1 day ago
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @ohkay2, Welcome to Connect. I can still walk and drive but the walking is not..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @ohkay2, Welcome to Connect. I can still walk and drive but the walking is not very easy and I can't walk very far. I don't think it's my neuropathy for me but my lower back and having to walk leaning forward. I've had dogs in my younger days but my daughter introduced me to cats by getting one and then growing up and leaving the cat when she moved out and couldn't take care of it. Now she has 2 large dogs and I have the neighbors cat that I adopted after they found out their son was allergic to cats.

I too get that 5am wakeup call from the cat that it's time to feed me 🙃. They do bring a lot of joy and some laughter along the way. She had a litter that she would always bring to my window and I fed them all but mom ate first. Wished I could have had one of her kittens but they were all spoken for. I did get to help the neighbor catch them though. The neighbor could never get close to them and I told her I could get them so when they came to the window, I coaxed them into the house one at at time feeding them and when they were all inside eating I closed the window. I had setup a cat carrier and left it open with a warm towel inside then I closed the door to the room and left for awhile. When I returned all 4 kittens were snuggled up in the cat carrier and I just had to close the latch and carry them next door.

You mentioned spinal compression as causing your neuropathy. Do you have pain with your neuropathy or is it just the numbness?

Jump to this post

Hi, thanks for sharing! The pictures are adorable.
Well, I do have some pain in my feet but it seems to respond well to 300mg of gabapentin three times per day. My feet are most numb at the toes and balls of my feet.

I have severe stenosis of L5- S1 from herniated discs. Moderate in L1-L5. Back surgeon is treating me with epidural shots at L4-L5, L5-S1, and physical therapy. Therapy helps my back pain very well but severe sciatic pain in my left leg down to my toes is not responding well.

I have a neurologist and a back surgeon each with different takes on the cause of my nerve damage.
I'm trying to get them to collaborate more.

I know what you mean about stress on your back from bending over. Using a rollator has the same effect and I'm sure it doesn't help our situations.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | 1 day ago
In reply to @ohkay2 "Hi, thanks for sharing! The pictures are adorable. Well, I do have some pain in my..." + (show)
@ohkay2

Hi, thanks for sharing! The pictures are adorable.
Well, I do have some pain in my feet but it seems to respond well to 300mg of gabapentin three times per day. My feet are most numb at the toes and balls of my feet.

I have severe stenosis of L5- S1 from herniated discs. Moderate in L1-L5. Back surgeon is treating me with epidural shots at L4-L5, L5-S1, and physical therapy. Therapy helps my back pain very well but severe sciatic pain in my left leg down to my toes is not responding well.

I have a neurologist and a back surgeon each with different takes on the cause of my nerve damage.
I'm trying to get them to collaborate more.

I know what you mean about stress on your back from bending over. Using a rollator has the same effect and I'm sure it doesn't help our situations.

Jump to this post

You mentioned that therapy has helped your back pain. There is another discussion that quite a few members with spine related pain and neuropathy have found helpful if you haven't already seen it.
-- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

REPLY
1 reply
lasttry | @lasttry | 22 hours ago
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @ohkay2, Welcome to Connect. I can still walk and drive but the walking is not..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @ohkay2, Welcome to Connect. I can still walk and drive but the walking is not very easy and I can't walk very far. I don't think it's my neuropathy for me but my lower back and having to walk leaning forward. I've had dogs in my younger days but my daughter introduced me to cats by getting one and then growing up and leaving the cat when she moved out and couldn't take care of it. Now she has 2 large dogs and I have the neighbors cat that I adopted after they found out their son was allergic to cats.

I too get that 5am wakeup call from the cat that it's time to feed me 🙃. They do bring a lot of joy and some laughter along the way. She had a litter that she would always bring to my window and I fed them all but mom ate first. Wished I could have had one of her kittens but they were all spoken for. I did get to help the neighbor catch them though. The neighbor could never get close to them and I told her I could get them so when they came to the window, I coaxed them into the house one at at time feeding them and when they were all inside eating I closed the window. I had setup a cat carrier and left it open with a warm towel inside then I closed the door to the room and left for awhile. When I returned all 4 kittens were snuggled up in the cat carrier and I just had to close the latch and carry them next door.

You mentioned spinal compression as causing your neuropathy. Do you have pain with your neuropathy or is it just the numbness?

Jump to this post

You're a cat whisperer! Some of the plaques I have in my house say, "Only my cat understands", "A home without a cat, is just a house," "After the cat Honey, of course you're #1," "People who don't like cats, may have been mice in another life."

REPLY
ohkay2 | @ohkay2 | 16 hours ago
In reply to @johnbishop "You mentioned that therapy has helped your back pain. There is another discussion that quite a..." + (show)
@johnbishop

You mentioned that therapy has helped your back pain. There is another discussion that quite a few members with spine related pain and neuropathy have found helpful if you haven't already seen it.
-- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Jump to this post

Hi John.
I actually saw this discussion the other day. I am very open to trying it. I found a person in my area I might contact.

Even though I don't experience a lot of pain in my foot, I'm a little worried how it will feel when she applies pressure. Sometimes that can be painful.

I will connect with the group you attached. I'm sure I can learn from their experiences.

REPLY
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