I firmly believe that there is help available through pain management for neuropathy sufferers. It may take some trial and error but some combination of medication and lifestyle changes will reduce pain to levels which allow you to concentrate on other activities for most or all of each day. If your need for pain management is not being taken seriously, keep insisting.
Many of us with the most severe cases, like Debi, are on serious pain medication. I am on time release morphine, MS Contin, 30 mg x3, along with gabapentin, baclofen, oxycodone for breakthrough pain, and Valium for severe muscle spasms. It sounds like a lot of medication but I have noticed few if any cognitive effects. I am able to care for my family, cook, do some shopping, drive a little, go for short walks. It is not everything I would like to do or used to do, but it is a fine quality of life.
There are times when I have to talk myself into going on, when the burning gets out of control or I feel especially useless, but this problem is more related to my state of mind than my physical condition. Even if I enjoyed perfect health I would have feelings of worthlessness, I always have struggled with them, since early childhood.
I am sorry that you find the forum depressing. I have always found it inspiring, many people here are doing very well despite neuropathy. It is natural that newly diagnosed people are frightened but many of us have learned to live with our pain and disability without letting it define us as Debi said.
Many neuropathies do not progress or progress very slowly. Please insist on the help you need.