How do you manage neuropathy and loss of balance and walking ability?

Good morning, @galliganwirth

Perhaps I oversold my message when I express concern over my life narrowing down. While it's true my current social calendar can't compare to one of only a few years ago, I make sure to leave room for PT. I've long since stop believing in magic pills and wonder therapies. I've come to accept that PT (i.e., leg strength and flexibility) is the one and only way I might succeed at checkmating the progression of my wonky balance.

Watch out for those Lilly pads! 🙂
Best wishes,
Ray (@ray666)

@ray666
Good one Ray though not intended to be. I am eighty and one half years old. Not only does PN play tricks on me but so has getting older. I misread your word “terrific therapist” as one terrified therapist and thought how bad can your PN be! Laughing hard here.

I am not able to. My bad balance is keeping me at home at all the time. My neuropathy is the same, not better.
I would like to read the responses to your question.

@cdianeb Yes, I used to be that way too, where I kept the house neat, and clean! Now, with polyneuropathy I can only do household chores for about 15 minutes, at a time, and then sit for a while, and then go back for another 15 minutes, cleaning etc. I try not to dwell on how difficult ordinary, daily tasks have become, over the last few years, because that is non-productive. Instead, I concentrate on finding innovative ways to get stuff done! As an example, I use a ‘grabber’ rod to pick up stuff that has fallen, etc. Since I have also had a stroke that affects my walking, in addition to the polyneuropathy, steps have become a challenge for me, along with walking any more than just about a block away. I have to concentrate on walking at an even pace, lifting my legs high enough, rather than shuffling ( I have had Parkinson’s Disease for 10 years ). Trying to walk in a straight line, without wandering a bit, either way, has become difficult for me. So, I’m always exercising a bit so that I can try and get back, some of what I’ve lost. Good luck to you, as you navigate around trying to get household work done!

Now you have me laughing hard, @galliganwirth! Knowing me, I might just as easily have typed "terrified therapist." I'm notorious for failing to read what I've written before I tap Send. Also, I have no patience with things like A.I. Assist and Grammarly A.I. Typos are fun. Why should I deny myself the fun of making them? 🙂

By the way, I love how you say, "I am eighty and one half years old," the same way a youngster might say, "I'm three and a half years old." I'm going to adopt that. I'm also eighty and a half years old. Or close. I sometimes reckon my age as eighty, and sometimes as eighty-one. It all depends on how carefully I do the math. (Or how honestly!)

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)

“Hey Ray” This is my suggestion for naming your own blog about questions about prognosis, neurosis and osmosis so we can maintain our collective sanity. You might like this. I have a very good friend who was born and educated in Bulgaria, and a pharmacist too. She told me in Bulgaria when you are half way through your birthday year you automatically advance to your next age. Hmmm. I do not possess adequate IQ to address whether or not I will be cheated out of X number of Birthday cakes, ice cream and party hats. But if you want to try I am all ears. Take good care of yourself. Your life is a precious gift to so many.

@gillc

@gillc
I have the same issues,but the pain is sometimes excruciating. I have tried a number of pain meds that did not help at all.I am now trying Medical marijuana, gummy’s
The first batch were only 5 mg and did not help much going to try a higher dose.Medical cannabis does not make you high which I definitely don’t need especially with my balance issues.I will keep you informed on how the higher works.

I like that, @galliganwirth: The Halfway Rule. Anytime you reach the halfway mark, you have permission to declare completion! I'm going to try that. Next time I'm halfway through a PT session and feeling too tired to go on, I'll just announce, "Well, that's it. I'm done for today." Or halfway through a dental visit, hop out of the chair, and say, "That's enough 'open wide' for me. I'm going home." Or (and this happens to me a lot) you find yourself at a boring dinner party, quietly fold your napkin, stand up, and say, "I'm beat. It's been a long day. I'm turning in." Definitely, @galliganwirth, I'm going to try it: The Halfway Rule. (Have a wonderful day, @galliganwirth! –Ray (@ray666) )

Remember you are only required to give your rank and serial number.
And not even what invading country you are from which is also your
privilege. Finally one should never take issue with a raccoon inside a
dumpster having its breakfast. Have a wonderful half day X 2.