Originally Posted by Susanne C.

If you are working now without too much difficulty you can probably continue for a long time. A lot depends on what type of work you do and how far you have to drive. Are you definitely getting AFO's? I do not have them yet, I am getting some type of brace, not those exactly, not sure yet about driving but my doctors are horrified that I drive as it is, but I only go in about a four mile radius, no highways. My reflexes are too slow for that.
I was a stay at home mom, taught English for a year three years ago, did fine but wasn't on much medication then. It really tired me out and could get very painful. The cold was the worst of it. I am 53 and this condition has slowly worsened throughout my life.
What type do you have, if they didn't give you a type is it myelin or axons? What are your symptoms now? It moves slowly but in my experience there can be big drop offs then a leveling off.
Physical therapy has helped with with the big drops- loss of strength in hands due to a flare up, arthritis in the spine, sprained ankle, etc. it is generally not considered to be very helpful in the long run for muscle atrophy which is inevitable, but I think it can delay things a bit. I have never regained normal function from it, but I have improved a little. It is important to have a therapist who understands even a little about CMT and doesn't push too hard or too long. Mine knows when to quit, and it isn't when they normally would. I stop regaining strength much sooner than without CMT.
You are right, it could be worse.