Tony,

I don't think that there is such a thing as one person suffering more than another. The purpose of the posting is that all individuals posting, realize what PN encompases for some people. How greatly diverse the condition is.

Painful feet and inability to ambulate is suffering, no less or no greater then, gastroparesis or loss of hand function. This disease is cruel, unpredictable, and life altering for every one, but for some it is life threatening, and that realization is difficult. It makes heroes out of most folks who get it, sooner or later, whether they intend for it to happen or not.

I think we all get our share of suffering in life, and when we feel we have had enough, life generously awards us more. You don't sound bitter, and I don't regard you as giving up, not at all. With all challenging chronic disease with limited options for treatment and no real cure, I would be dishonest if I said, that your exact thoughts have never crossed my mind. They crossed my mind several times today.

I would not be honest to say, I was never angry. Some days alternate between acceptance and anger, and I think that is the normal course coping with a disease that so alters what one is able to do on a daily basis.

Because the diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy is 'new' to you, there are a few things, that many docs may not know. I first really realized I had AN, when I had a client with it. He didn't know he had it, and I sent him to the cardiologist with his exercise printouts, and the questions to ask, and he came back to me and told me that he was diagnosed with the disease. I knew at that time, something similar was going on with me. Eighteen months later I found out I had it.

You can attain pain control and I wil PM you. First of all, oxycontin is time released, and in a malfunctioning bowel, it will not be in the small intestine at or for the proper period of time. Fast acting medications, such as hydro or oxycodone, taken every 4 to 6 hours are the better choice. Also because you have to control your autonomic functions, a medication that has a short half life, affords you the ability to control things much better. My neuro, who I think is quite good, actually told me I had a point, and agrees this is the best way to deal with pain in AN'rs. So your pain may be better controlled with other, previously unthought of medications and I will PM you on what works for me, as it has been uncharted territory for many docs. It is based in logic and could provide you with pain relief, which is key to having as 'normal' of a life as one can have with this disease.

Finding the cause, is so very frustrating, and in your country, I don't know what they have offered you. I will PM you on what I have had tested, to make sure you are aware of options if you want them. Knowing what in your autonomic system is not performing helps you to anticipate and prevent some problems and misery.

There are a few autonomic neuropathies that are treatable.

Apparently my kind of PN isn't.

AN should not be a hit and miss diagnosis and I hope that the autonomic battery that was available to me has been available to you as well.

If you should feel you sound bitter, stop that thought, as it is OK and normal to be angry...but bitter? That does not desribe you at all. I don't think you are capable of that, at least how I view bitter.

Disappointed, angry, fearful, yes, all normal emotions. Knowing you have had idiopathic PN for 15, it is likely you have suffered from AN for almost that long. I would certainly consider your experience equal to mine and to many other people on this forum. I wonder how many people have AN and have no idea what their suffering stems from.

There are medications and other interventions that do work to control blood pressure issues, and heart rate issues.

There are medications and other interventions that do work to control gastric and bowel issues.

There are some surgeries that treat some of the esophageal issues.

There are adaptive and assistive devices to allow us to live more normal lives. Orthotics to help with pain and mobility.

There are medications for a lot of the misery of AN, and a lot of tips I have found that is my body telling me in a not so obvious way that it has a 'need' that it can't do anymore on its own....now that I have learned the language it now speaks, I can handle many of these issues. Again, I will PM you on the nuances of AN.

You have probably read my posts that 42% of idiopathic PN is hereditary, and most of that is not treatable, so there is no option but to accept the disease and try to make the most of your life, as is.

Everything that is out there to treat AN, has pretty much been brought to my attention or I have found on my own, and I will PM you to share with you what has worked for me, and may, perhaps, assist you in coping with this condition. Honestly, I am not being treated for any PN, only being treated smyptomatically, which also involves managing the autonomic neuropathy as well as the sensory neuropathy. I will make sure you get the benefit of my experience and any wisdom that my specialists have to offer.

It is late here tonight and I took my Ambien and lest I ramble on incoherently for several hours, I will end here and PM you tomorrow.

I respect your eloquent and wise posts, your long and courageous battle with this disease and appreciate your willingness to honestly share how difficult this time is for you. I hope we can be equally as eloquent and wise in our responses.