Welcome to Life with Neuropathy. My name's John and I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. Today let's talk about changes. Before my neuropathy kicked in, I used to be able to easily get up from a chair and go where I wanted to. Whenever I wanted to. No issues, nothing to consider. Things weren't difficult. I could move, walk or exercise, and didn't have to worry that my feet would get numb when I went for a long drive. Read more at Let's Talk about Saying "Owww!"
Now it seems like I'm walking with hard towels balled up under my feet. Balance is sometimes a problem. There’s tingling, needle-pricks and other strange sensations. I’m sure you know what I mean. I never quite feel like I have full contact with the ground. I frequently worry about falling. I have constant excruciating pain in my hands all the time now.
I also find that because of the balance issues I'm more hesitant to carry things, especially heavy things, because I might drop them or tip over. Helping around the house isn't nearly as easy as it used to be. Read more at Let's Talk about Mobility.
I have to be more thoughtful
about what I want to accomplish. I can't cross off nearly as many things from my checklist as I used to. I’m forced to sort tasks and prioritize my time. That's not all bad, but
it is definitely another big change for me.
Relationships have changed as
well. It's much harder for me to want to participate in fun family events or office get-togethers because I have to think about how long the drive is, the discomfort of the car,
the number of stairs I might encounter, whether or not there will be room for
my walker, and so on. For more details about my neuropathy journey please visit Let Me Introduce Myself.
And how will people look at me, a
guy who can’t just go, walk, and move anyway he wants? At least not without help. What will they be
thinking? What questions will they have? I know I shouldn't care and should
trust others to be tactful, to be there for me even though things have changed. But sometimes it's all a bit overwhelming.
Honestly, though, the worst part is remembering how it used to be. To wake up from a dream where I was walking or running or dancing and then have to clutch the bed to get to my walker is a hard, in-your-face reality.
Thanks for taking the time to read my Life with Neuropathy articles. Here's to new options, more strength, and greater healing for all of us. And thanks for listening.
John
P.S. To follow my Life with Neuropathy blog, visit lifewithneuropathy.blogspot.com. Find the three lines next to the search button in the upper right hand corner and click "Follow." You'll be notified of my future blogs. Would love to have you on my core team of readers!
P.P.S. For further thoughts visit Giving Mom a Break About her Meds, Let's Talk about Mobility, Let's Talk about Speed, Let's Talk about Changes, or Let's Talk about Giving Thanks. You can also read about Using a Handicap Placard, Walker Envy, Saying "Owww" when it hurts, Calluses and dealing with Pain, or the Humor of finding out your personal walker was a star on the TV show Monk! Here are a few thoughts on Exhaustion. If you have to grab a grab bar click here. Finally, if you ever find yourself dropping things like I do, please read this and its sequel about the difference between Tossing Something and Dropping It!
Thanks, Thomas, for the perfect picture. Photo by https://unsplash.com/@thomasbennie.
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