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Life with Neuropathy: Please Listen Before Commenting


Life with Neuropathy:
Please Listen Before Commenting

Hi, my name is John and I have severe Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy (IDP). So I'm used to having pain. I don't like it but I live with it. It makes me very tired. Just like yours probably does. Please read here to learn more about my worsening symptoms. It can even hurt to stand.

If only my pain would get tired of trying to hurt me! How I wish. But that's not the way it works. I have constant daily pain that stabs at me and makes everything I do or try to do more difficult. Maybe one day that pain will go away, but that doesn't seem too likely. 

I know I'm not alone in being concerned about pain and other maladies. In fact, there are plenty of pretenders trumpeting miraculous recoveries who attach themselves like a lazy remora to my Life with Neuropathy articles. I don't appreciate it. One such sucker printed their identical pitch to the comment sections of over 20 of my articles. Identical. Thanks for nothing, friend.

Truth is I don't appreciate these uninvited add-ons. No one does. Who likes having someone ignore what you're saying even as they plough into their "solutions" for your problems without taking the time to hear you? Not me. People who don't listen to my words promise amazing relief from pain and sickness. At least that's their generic repetitive pitch. 

Here's my response: Stop trying to sell a quick-fix. No thanks. Go away. You don't care about my pain or exhaustion or suffering. You don't even take the time to listen to my concerns or hear the pain in my voice...so please stop offering false hope to others.  

I wish for, want and pray for a miraculous change in my condition. A break from the constant exausting pain. I seek it, long for it. And if I don't receive it this side of Heaven then that's my answer. And I'm OK with that. 

Exhaustion and pain are two sides of a shiny coin. You know, that slippery coin you keep dropping and can't bend down quite far enough to pick up. The coin stuck in your shoe that causes you to feel slightly wobbly and off-balance. The coin waiting on the tile to jab your foot like a lump of Legos. 

Please know that I hear you. I understand how hard it is to deal with peripheral neuropathy each and every day. I can relate to the pain and exhaustion you're feeling. 

As always, I have so much to be grateful for: my precious wife and family and friends who support and encourage me. I lean on my faith in the Lord and continue to pray for healing and the opportunity to better serve others. And a good night's sleep with a little less pain...that would be a welcome blessing too!  

Thank for listening. 

John 

P.S. The death of a child can also add to the stress of neuropathy. Read my story here. 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!    

P.P.S. Thanks, Road Trip with Raj, for the perfect picture. Photo by https://unsplash.com/@RoadTripWithRaj. 

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Comments

  1. sgardnerJune 2, 2024 at 3:07 PM

    Damned straight. I can't tell you how many people tell me that you can just fix neuropathy in the back by just "exercise, your back muscles will get stronger". Great honey, it's not a "strength or weakness issue". Neuropathy pain isn't because I'm a fricken wimp, or being lazy. They don't even know what neuropathy is, but everyone thinks they are an expert at solving it.
    I am so glad when I find someone who isn't so fast to just try to "fix me".

    ReplyDelete
  2. pavanneurocenterMay 9, 2025 at 6:39 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. pavanneurocenterMay 9, 2025 at 6:40 AM

    Thank you for sharing such an honest and important perspective on living with neuropathy. It’s crucial to raise awareness and encourage empathy before judgment. We’ve shared similar insights at https://www.pavanneurocenter.com/neurological-health-matters.html
    , where neurological health truly matters.

    ReplyDelete

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