[nide44]

I have a gripe.

It amazes me, when reading these posts, that so many newbies are desperate for answers to their questions, woes, problems, etc.
When a very knowledgeable member responds with sage advice, the person immediately says 'but that's not my case, I'm different"
Taking the advice asked for, is probably worse than hearing a diagnoses.
The person almost always refuses to accept the fact that the advice
is 'spot on' and they have to be the exception to the rule.
"That's not me because I........." seems to be their rule.

I think that it is a matter of acceptance.
While refusing to let PN get the better of us,, and not taking anything lying down, is part of how we have to think....... acceptance of the fact that we have this condition and have to modify our lives to some degree, and live around the problem -is paramount. Then we can get on with our lives knowing what we have to do, to make our lives bearable and 'normal'.
Until then, a sufferer is beating his head against the proverbial wall.
Having to be the different one, serves no practical purpose.
Accepting the advice they asked for, is to their best interest.
Live with it, and then...... get on with your life.

[drswami]

they are probably still in the process of learning to accept reality

[echoes long ago]

excellant post......spot on.....except of course that it doesnt apply to me, im different!

[dahlek]

The 'different-ness', tho? Is what makes all the neuropathies sooo hard to diagnose.
Not to mention there are no consistent ways to describe pain levels nor clear cut causes and on and on and on...

Learning about neuropathies is first step to getting to a final step of accepting IT!
It's mostly chemistry and dna, with a slew of other vagaries thown into the mix just to make life messier than it already is.
There are soo many ways neuropathies get us both in onset and timing. Then living with it? With acceptance come coping mechanisms.
The vagaries are what make us different? Yet the results are the same.
What we do with the results if up to US!

Good hope to all! 's - j

[daniella]

I think sometimes we can be so different yet so alike if that makes sense?Regardless of age,how the neuropathy happened,or where it is the feedback from members here in terms of meds,supplements,coping skills,etc has been so helpful to me. I often feel I benefit more here then at my doctors apt.
I felt a lot of what Bob is saying when I was new here so to the new members you are not alone. I hope you can benefit though from the boards like myself and others have.

[JB63]

Originally Posted by dahlek

The 'different-ness', tho? Is what makes all the neuropathies sooo hard to diagnose.
Not to mention there are no consistent ways to describe pain levels nor clear cut causes and on and on and on...

Learning about neuropathies is first step to getting to a final step of accepting IT!
It's mostly chemistry and dna, with a slew of other vagaries thown into the mix just to make life messier than it already is.
There are soo many ways neuropathies get us both in onset and timing. Then living with it? With acceptance come coping mechanisms.
The vagaries are what make us different? Yet the results are the same.
What we do with the results if up to US!

Good hope to all! 's - j

As a new member, I was relieved to see that I was not alone, that I had people and situations to relate and associate with. Yes, we are all a bit different, but not alone. I find that reaching acceptance and coping is the main goal. Most of us reach this point, do great, then, for some the old cliche, a spanner is thown into the works. Coping mechanisms need a tune up
and then we go on with our lives. The challenge is to not get knocked back to square 1. That is why this forum is so very important.

[nide44]

Originally Posted by JB63

......I find that reaching acceptance and coping is the main goal. ....., a spanner is thown into the works. Coping mechanisms need a tune up and then we go on with our lives.

If only the people begging for answers
would believe the answers they get
(from the old 'sages'), and accept the fact
that they must make changes to cope.

Acceptance is the key here,
and 'listening to your 'elders' advice.

[glenntaj]

--the learning curve is quite long; the symptoms can be caused by so many etiologies.

People often come here with baffling symptoms and want simple, direct answers, when there may not be such things. Many of us are mysterious, multifactorial, and under-informed, at least at the start, and, unless we are very lucky, our doctor's don't typically help much. It takes time to transform into a proactive, searching, discriminating consumer of medical info and to parse the possibilities as more or less likely, and to eventually become a critical evaluator able to drive the investigatory and therapeutic protocol.

[mrsD]

I remember back when my feet started so painfully. I thought it was due to my job on them for 14 hr days!

So I tend to be patient with newbies.

What I do not like, is when data, and facts are withheld during the early postings...which really affects how posters here can respond. When this happens now, I do not respond right away to them, and wait for more info.

Also some seem very very resistant to learning on their own.
We have over 4 yrs worth of experience and data collected here and the new members just have to do some homework in this area. We cannot act as substitute doctors for people visiting here. They have to accept that they have to be responsible for their own bodies and making decisions for themselves, whether it be to learn about testing and how to get tests, or whatever may exist to help them feel better or reduce pain/progression.

[hoibie@comcast.net]

It think it is wise to not automatically accept advice a person receives from a doctor or from a member of this forum. Yes, you should do your own research and make your own decision.

Many people who do not have neuropathy have the same symptoms that are reported on this forum. There is a tendancy to blame neuropathy for all ailments that are reported.