There are nor should there be any 'contests' on pain.
 

Why? Because HOW YOU feel your pain is likely quite different than how others feel theirs...
Some folks feel that they have to shout out about their pain. Here? Just speak it and try to do it quietly and with compassion for others.
Some here suffer compounding insults as a result of whatever started the neuropathy[ies] and are far less mobile than the majority here.
I for one, am simply grateful that once I go to sleep? I don't feel the pain. That I can do this? IS A GIFT.
I do mourn what I COULD do 'before'? But I've learned to accept where I AM 'now'.
What has helped me, and others has been the kindness of many here. They taught me how to learn about PN and all it entails [and, some PN's can be deadly serious] and how to 'keep' myself better physically and nutritionally to at least, keep 'things' from getting worse.
Like those w/MS or PD? We too have to go thru a sort of 'mourning period', as we ARE changed. Then, slog on. Hopefully fighting, biting, kicking and screaming every step of the way!
We must get smart, then smarter in the self-advocacy quarter and speak up often in forums we'd never imagined being in. Medically, socially and other venues.
Lastly? We must be ALERT! In my case, it's all hindsight, but a simple autoimmune issue cascaded into one expensive set of other immune issues! Avoid that at ALL COSTS! READ! LEARN! GET SMART! BE POSITIVELY ASSERTIVE! You've got the cup-whether it's half full or empty? The CUP of knowledge is in your hands to gather what you need to get by.
When I'd first gotten my neuropathy, I was in PAIN 24/7, I cried often, screamed at the walls often. And surrendered as it did no good, nor did anyone understand [still don't]. And I got my revenge by learning and getting treated for my PN PROPERLY. And....that was before I'd found these great folks here!
My heart goes out to you, I truly hope you can find your way to some sort of sunshine.. Complain, but ask questions in the process, so folks here can help you w/some of those pesky aspects of it all...from shoes to socks to lotions/potions and vitamins... We're here and we can be good shoulders too.
:hug::hug:'s - j

Beautifully Put Dahlek.......
 

Everything you said was perfect. I myself can relate personally to a few points you made, I too just said the other day how grateful I am that my pains stop when I sleep, I never thought before this happened that I would be grateful just to be able to sleep, so many things I took for granted. Yes, I have gone through a mourning period, the body I once took for granted is gone, I am in the process of learning to live with this new body.

I too have cried just about everyday for a year and a half and have yelled at walls and punched pillows. There is no one in my life that understands this to this day except the people on this site, another reason to be grateful.

I am still looking for a cause for mine, I am not chalking it up to idiopathic too fast, if there is a cause that can be controlled it will slow the progression of the neuropathy. We must be our own advocates, Dr's only go so far, when we become less cost effective for them, they stop searching for a cause and just keep increasing the meds (that is where I am now.)

Thank you for your post, it was very inspiring and at the same time very realistic.

If you are gluten intolerant as you mentioned before, that very likely is your cause. Gluten causes us to malabsorp vitamins and minerals, in turn causing deficiencies, which in turn will cause nerves to die. If you go gluten free, and that means, totally gluten free, then the progression should slow if not stop. It may not go away...some epople whom go gluten free will see neuropathy symptoms gone, that didn't happen to me.

I also had to start taking Vit B12, which I have been taking for nearly 6 yrs. If I miss even 3 days of B12, symptoms will begin..my ataxia comes back, I have vibrations in my feet, drop foot returns..a number of symptoms.

Have your doctors run vitamin levels, and get a copy, don't rely on them to tell you where you are low. I find most doctors only look at what a lab highlights, and even if your level is just 1 point inside a "normal range" they do not highlight it. I found my Vit D to be low, and my ferritin..I started taking B12 on my own long before a doctor mentioned it to me.

We do have to be our own advocates. I fight taking meds, my neuro knows this. As of now, I am only on vitamin and minerals, no meds...I do have a lot of pain I deal with nearly daily in my neck/shoulders and headaches, but it's still livable so I just deal.