Hopeless and Discouraged, again! Seeking any advice.

Posted by annregister @annregister, Apr 26, 2023

I was diagnosed with sensorimotor Polyneuropathy and small fiber neuropathy. I have tried everything, with really bad side affects. Just today….I went to pain management (1st time) and I was told that it looks like I’ve tried all the “go to” medications. What they suggested was to lose weight, exercise, get my diabetes under control. Well….my primary Dr. took me off of my diabetic meds because he said I had my A1C under control and I would love to get back to my life….walking three miles a day, chasing and teaching first graders, and driving. So now what????? I am out on disability through work but that only last a year. I’m so stressed out. I’m in extreme pain 24/7, in my hands and feet. I don’t know where to go to from here. Why won’t drs. listen instead of making us feel like it’s our fault that we’re sick and in pain? Any advice???? I will listen and try just about anything at this point.

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@annregister

I’m not good with acronyms. What’s DBT?

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Google DBT Therapy…you’ll be able to read about it…
Best wishes

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It'a Dialectical Behavior Therapy - sounds like it's for crazy people, right? That name + the fact that you see a counselor to learn it, scared the heck out of me until a friend did it & explained it to me. Usually, people begin it when they're suffering from a problem dealing with a personal issue but actually anyone can benefit. It teaches you something about how to approach problems. And it's very applicable to the huge problem of living with chronic pain. I know.
I'm 72, a total feet on the ground, practical person. If you knew me you'd like to have a cup of coffee with me. The kind of person who votes, goes to church most Sundays, etc - not a cult-sort of person!
DBT has been around for years but I didn't know about it til my friend started going.

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I'm not good w/ acronyms either. But it didn't matter when I called a PT office to see if they had someone who knew how to do it.
Also, I may have confused you w/my DBT encouragement. They're 2 separate things - I think there's 3 initials to this neuro PT & one of them might be a K. I had to change the date, so my 1st appt isn't til 6/5. I'll fill you in after I try it. My Dr. seems to think it'll help.

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@annregister

I’m not good with acronyms. What’s DBT?

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Here's a good description from Cleveland Clinic.

--- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22838-dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt

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I don't agree w/Cleveland Clinic's description. DBT isn't just for Borderlines. That's the way it used to be viewed.
That's changed. It's no longer recommended just for those with mental illness, it's been found that literally anyone can benefit. Actors & politicians use it. Why shouldn't we trust it enough to go for it. All I'm saying is that it works for me it's far better than the helpless hopeless way I used to feel, helps me feel some degree of control over both my life & my pain & guess what - my sense of personal dignity if you know what I mean. Maybe it's not for everyone but you can't know if you haven't tried it and what the heck, there's nothing to lose.

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