[wheelst]

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with idiopathic PN about 18 months ago. My mother has had this condition for the past 20 years and spent the last 10 going back and forth between the Mayo Clinic and the University of Hartford Medical center attempting to nail it down. They were never able to find the exact cause. Given this, once the common causes were ruled out for me, I have not perused finding the cause. However my mothers neuropathy and mine have taken two very different courses. Where it took hers years to become a serious issue, (she had numbness with very little pain) the pain in my toes has spread and is very intense, the pain is extreme and constant and has passed my heels and up to my ankles. Hers also started when she was 62 and spread slowly mine started at 53 and has been rapidly getting worse. I am now at the point where going on disability is almost inevitable and finding a cause is paramount.

I am a Programmer/Analyst, which requires a great deal of concentration and attention to detail very difficult to pay attention to anything but my feet these days.

It's odd how life plays out, back in 2001, I was managing a remote computer center for a large corporation, my goal was go obtain my teaching credentials and retire at 55, then start a second career as a high school teacher. The Dot Com bust put an end to that dream and also my 23 years of service. However I did get into education, as a programmer at a college. Less pay but also a much less stress, eight hour days and not 14. Life has has been good the past 10 years also six months as a substitute teacher soured me on teaching as a profession.

I am also a Skeptic, I formed a local skeptical society which as of last count has 60 some members. Our group has interests ranging from paranormal research to medical quackery.
we have Doctors. lawyers, along with artists and laborers. At our last meeting I got into a conversation with a PHD candidate form MIT who is currently doing Oceanographic modeling. The discussion was about the changing face of India and the skeptical movement there, also which local brewery makes the best beer. I mention this affiliation because I have been lurking here for a while, I expect that my skeptical view on some much discussed "alternative nostrums" will ruffle some feathers. But I am not here to be a nay-sayer and do extensive research before I post. Keeping in mind, as I do, if something is helping someone feel better that really is all they need/want know.

[Abbie]

Hello Wheelst
and
WELCOME to Neurotalk!

Here is the link to our Peripheral Neuropathy Forum

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

Please feel free to roam around and join in anywhere.
I look forward to seeing you around the board.

Abbie

[Darlene]

Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. There are great and caring friends here to assist you. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene