Life with Neuropathy

Hi, my name is John. A nd I have CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy ). Thanks for reading these articles about my journey with neuropathy. You are an encouragement me to me.  Since I started writing this blog in September 2023 I've been honored to have over 5000 visitors come to the site. If you like what you read, please follow this blog and you'll be notified first when a new article is posted.  Resolutions can help push us to make changes and improvements. However, your personal list doesn't have to be anything formal. Each and every morning we have a new opportunity to ask more questions and try to find more answers to the health issues we're facing. And to stand up for ourselves as patients who deserve and need competent care.  CIDP, peripheral neuropathy and related afflictions are cruel diseases that exhaust and overwhelm you as a person. They wear out your body through indescribable, sporadic and extremely variable pain and discomfort.  And

Hi, my name is John. A nd I have CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy ).  How did you feel when you got your Handicap Sticker for your license plate? Or maybe you chose a placard for your rear-view mirror. I got the latter because you can move it easily from vehicle to vehicle.  Honestly, I never thought the day would come.  Although I do remember when I was initially diagnosed with "peripheral neuopathy" -- the idiopathic kind. After a difficult nerve conduction test I was given the terrible news. "You'll just get worse and worse until you need a cane, a walker, and eventually a wheelchair... And there's nothing you can do to prevent it."   No encouragement. No hope. That was a very dark day.  But then I found a neurologist who confirmed after a spinal tap that I had CIDP. And  I learned that there were some options. Which is good. Full disclosure: I'm still waiting to try some of those options but I least I have a sparkle of hope tha

                                 Some call it Turkey Day because of the prominent position played by this succulent juicy bird. Others are thankful for the cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade cranberry jelly, fresh rolls, and green bean casserole. But Thanksgiving is more than fabulous filling food.  Thanksgiving (and EVERY single other day!) is a time to give thanks and show gratitude to the many people who serve as our caregivers. Day in and day out...24-7...and definitely not just on holidays they are there for us. Truly. Even on our most difficult days. They see us when the pain is overwhelming. When we seem to have forgotten how to smile. When hope seems to hide.   And yet they are always there to listen, to help, to encourage and to love us. To simply be present in our anguish, disappointment and hurt. For me, my wife is my pillar, my guide, my dearest friend.  She is the best example I know of someone who comes to the rescue even when she doesn't know ex