I do have peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel, but it is considered mild and is probably caused by the Sjogren's syndrome. I think also the fibromyalgia makes it hurt much worse than it ought to. I had the EMG (the nerve conduction test, is that the right abbreviation?) which was positive, but so far, luckily, there has not been a need for a biopsy or anything.

The long term disability insurance company took one look at the fibromyalgia diagnosis, ignored all the other ones, and hired a shrink to declare that all that was wrong with me was somatoform disorder. This particular company does it ALL THE TIME because there is a two year benefit limitation for mental illness. Therefore, they want to declare as many claimants mentally ill as possible to save them money, even if it means they are lying and even if it means they will be sued for it.

Back on the subject of neuropathy and wheelchairs, I'm sure there is a great deal of variation in the severity of the neuropathy from person to person and whether or not the person can continue walking in such pain. If you find you can actually do more with a wheelchair than going without, then by all means use one. Also, some people aren't in much pain but have such weakness or numbness that it would cause them bodily harm to walk, in which case it would be a matter of safety for them to use a wheelchair.

fanfaire,
who would have a sig a mile long if she listed all her diagnoses