Hello, my name is gary, I am a 54 year old male. My wife found this forum for me. I am using NaturallySpeaking as to not to have to use the keyboard.
I've been a diabetic going on 20 years, at least half of that uncontrolled. My neuropathy came down on me like a ton of bricks, in June I was still walking and pretty much pain free, planted a garden and was going pretty much okay.
I then noticed pain in my feet, and my thighs and muscle weakness along with burning and numbness! Over the course of the summer the pain become unbearable.
Seeking medical attention I was told to many things, everything from muscle tension to fibromyalgia. Since then I have seen at least four doctors, I am on pain medicine that's not working, and also the pain patch.
From my waist down to my feet both legs as recently been diagnosed with severe neuropathy!
Many hot showers and cold packs every day, I feel bad for my wife who has stayed up all-night and day tending to me.
The muscles in my legs have become so weak and pain ridden that I cannot walk without a cane or Walker and even so it's very difficult to get around.
I'm not sure all doctors understand neuropathy, and thus you and that going in circles trying to find a way to kill the pain and the numbness. It becomes an every day job just to try and maintain a little normalcy.
I have read some of your post on these forums, and feel better that I am not alone. I look forward to learning and discussing neuropathy with you and along the way may be making a few friends that would be nice!
Gary

Hello Titanium Muskie and WELCOME to Neurotalk!!

I see that you have been roaming around!! That's GREAT!! Please continue to do so!!! The people here are WONDERFUL and share a wealth of knowledge.

Here is the link to a couple of forums that may interest you.

• Peripheral Neuropathy Forum:
  • http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum20.html

• Diabetes/Insulin Resistance/Metabolic Syndrome
  • http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum53.html

I look forward to seeing you around the board!

Abbie

Hello everyone - I am new also - I see many other new people - and I am still trying to figure out how to even post - or reply lol - boy there is so much to check out and read - so right now I have to leave for a little while but I will be back to do more of an Intro - Looks like I came to the right place to find understanding, support help and even friendship.

Morrigan

Gary and Morrigan,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

it means so much to be welcomed into a new Group - I don't think I posted correctely the first time and my post kind of got mixed in as a reply with someone - I apologize for that-

Thank you for the warm welcome - and the pain has kept me down and hardly doing anything - but I will get more involved - those times when things are really bad it is hard to get yourself up and doing anything.

I know that everyone in here has those kind of problems - I also saw all the different Subjects you can post to - like Bi-Polar - which is another "demon" I have to live with - so it is very good to be here -

Morri

Hi Gary. I know exactly how you feel. What you are saying scares me. I have had PN since early 90's. In the past year it's gotten to so much pain, muscle cramps and weakness in my legs and waking up with my arms totally numb. I can't even get down to bottom cabinets. If I get down I can't get up. I can't sleep and it's gotten so it hurts so much to walk I have to try to tiptoe and even that doesn't work. My BF suffered a severe brain injury in 2003. He's come a long way and helps get me off the floor and does so much. I'm in my 50's too. If I end up in a wheelchair I don't think I can deal with it. And no nursing home for me. I will give up first. I used to be so strong and athletic and it makes me angry that I can't do anything. Ugh