Hi Shirley:

And thanks for the good wishes.

Well, I've learned to deal with my own diabetic neuropathy by doing my darndest to keep my blood sugar level under tight control. This is a no-brainer. I was addicted to carbs all my life, that's why I ballooned to 300 lbs. That was my coping mechanism. I'll never forget the night that my son moved away to Arizona. He was all of 20. Nothing we could do to stop him. He knew what he wanted. He had money in the bank (from a lawsuit) and he told us "I'll go to Arizona, set up an apartment, get a roomate, come home for Christmas then on January 2, I'm moving out for good". Now imagine your 20 year old "only child" telling you this. He had just graduated college and never worked a day in his life.

The night he flew out to Arizona, I holed up in my bedroom with 3 cupcakes, a ding dong and a big glass of milk. And I was a flaming diabetic back then. Do you think I knew what I was doing to myself??? No, I just self-medicated my brain with sugar. So he comes home, spends Christmas and moves out January 2, 2002.

Haven't seen him since. He started gambling, lost everything. Moved 100 times since then, lost every apartment, went on SSI, got diagnosed with Aspergers and, to put it quite simply, WE HAVE LOST HIM!!!

Now let me tell you something. When you have eaten to cope with stress, gotten diabetes and self-medicated with food for 50 years, IT'S VERY HARD TO OVERCOME BAD EATING HABITS.

I have no idea how I was able to do this (while on the phone with suicide hotlines at 3 a.m. everynight because my son was dialing 911 and telling everybody he was going to commit suicide). You better believe that if I had been an alcohlic, I would have drank myself to death. But I was an eater so I ate myself to death. At least the first year after he left. It was the only way I coped. My diabetes went nuts. Went up to 265. I couldn't care less.
That's probably what aggravated my PN and screwed up my nerves. I'll never know.

All I know is something snapped in my brain, (after all the phone calls to suicide hotlines and case managers and physciatrists, etc) By the way, absolutely everyone said to me "There's nothing wrong with your son, he's a gambler". Almost destroyed us. THEN CAME THE ASPERGERS DIAGNOSIS and then we literally LOST him. He's isolated, perfectly happy to be alone and doesn't care about family whatsoever.

If any of you understand depression and the need to self-medicate with anything, believe me, this could have killed me!!!!

So I guess what I'm trying to say is "if this didn't kill us, and Alan's PN didn't do him in, THEN ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

We've both had to overcome a lot of stress. Stress kills, I really believe this. It also aggravates PN.

And while we will always have stress in our lives, we have found ways to cope that don't necessitate my feeding myself into a sugar coma.

I really think that in many cases, people find the way to get through the PN thing and even if you don't find the cause of it, and you need certain meds to "get through it', like Alan needed to, when he had to be on the fentanyl pain patch, vicodin, elavil, neurontin, lyrica, cymbalta, ultram, requip, etc. etc., you name it, he took it.

Well, in his case, he decided to lose all the extra weight, take up exercise (slow at first because it's not easy at 59 years old to go to the gym when you've never done this before). But things take time.

And with my massages, and, as he put it, "melody, when I exercise my calves, the muscles are working on the nerves on my feet"., Well, I guess he knows what he is talking about. I believe that if he didn't have the foot ulcer problems, he'd be on a treadmill at least an hour a day. Maybe someday he will.

The guy surprises me every day.

Just wanted to let all of you know that THERE JUST MIGHT BE AN END TO THE TUNNEL OF PAIN OUT THERE!!! It did happen for Alan.

I mean, who would ever think a 59 year old man with Idiopathic Polyneuropathy (for 18 years), on every pain med known to man, and who has coronary heart disease, and a stent, would someday become a body builder (even while undergoing IVIG) and would get a part time job???

I never thought this would happen. His neuro told him "if you keep this up and strengthen your muscles, you most likely will never wind up in a wheel chair. You might even overcome whatever caused the PN.

What a great thing to hear from your doctor!!!!

OH BY THE WAY, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT B-12
I have read all about the methylcobalimin of this vitamin, that it's the best one to take. I went to GNC yesterday and they have all the B-12 BUT NONE ARE THE METHYL, they are all the Cyan form.
I just went here: http://www.harvesthealth.com/vibasme50mcg.html

Now is this a good deal? Or is there a better place online where all you guys get your methyl?? Thanks. Mel

Melody

Wow
 

Alan is hot,hot,hot,and you Mel are beautifull and thank goodness:) you still have each other.
I'm 60 with pn in far to many places but i teach at a college part time:) in Columbia,Mo..Also with the stress in my life in my late 40ths i became a food:eek: , junky,but got myself on my feet,fell down couldn't get up to many times..Spent 6 weeks in the hospital almost lost my foot lost 30 lbs in that 6 weeks ,kept my foot went home and lost 50 more:D You have a great sence of humor and i bet you could get a job putting smiles on people's faces,but if you want to work full time my guess is it will have to be India!!:hug: Sue Does anybody got any idea's on a bed that i can lay down on without screaming in 10 mins???? Bless you all:grouphug:

Yes, I can tell exactly what kind of bed to get. And you don't even have to buy the whole bed.

Alan and I have this old mattress and we couldn't afford to buy a brand new mattress. We always wanted to buy a Temper Pedic. but that's WAY too much money. Now this kind of mattress may or may not be your cup of tea but believe me when I tell you, IT'S OUR CUP OF TEA!!

This is what I did. I had heard that there were MATTRESS TOPPERS. So I went on Overstock.com and did a search for Visco Elastic Foam Mattress Toppers. Now DO NOT BUY ANY 2 INCH because that's absolutely nothing.

Alan and I first bought a 3 inch one and then we purchased a 4 inch one.
So put them together and what do you have??? a 7 inch mattress.
We put these two right on top of our old mattress. We also purchased two Temper pedic like pillows.

WELL, LET ME TELL YOU.When you lay on these mattress toppers, you are on a cloud. There are no pressure points, no springs. You just lie down and go to heaven. Now I had previously bought the egg crate mattress topper thing. DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, Especially if you don't weigh 120 lbs and who on earth today weighs 120 lbs????

I know there are people who don't like these things. They prefer a harder mattress or a different kind of mattress. But for me and Alan, (and we just spoke about this yesterday). The day we save up $500, we'll go to Bob-0-pedic (he's a guy who does commercials and sells the exact same thing as a Temper-pedic but it's called a Bob-o-pedic. We will go there and buy a queen size mattress.

When it gets delivered, we'll throw out our old mattress, we'll take the two mattress toppers that we've been using, ....we'll take them and put them on the box spring, THEN WE'LL PUT THE NEW BOB-O-PEDIC MATTRESS RIGHT ON TOP OF THAT. We'll have a mattress to die for!!!

We've been sleeping on the mattress toppers for about two years now. Sure, they change color and now they are yellow but who on earth cares. PUt some nice sheets on them, a nice warm comforter at night and you're good to go!!! They keep their shape, they conform to your body. Some people don't like to sink into a mattress, they just want to LAY ON TOP OF THE MATTRESS.

These temper-pedic mattresses are a bit different than the mattress toppers.
As a matter of fact, the other day I was at The Sharper Image in NYC. I took my in-laws around the store and there were two different kinds of Temper Pedic Mattresses on display. My sister in law said "my son-in-law bought a temper-pedic and sent it back. So this kind of mattress is not for everybody.

Well, of the two different kinds of temper pedic, there was the regular temper pedic and there was the pillow top temper pedic. I laid down on the Pillow-top one and immediately said "This is the one for me".

So, if I ever get the money, I'll get a Pillow-top (either a temper pedic or a Bob-o-pedic), to me it doesn't matter.

But since I've been using my mattress toppers I have the sleep of an angel at night.

So go and look for yourself. Try and find a mattress store and lay down on the temper-pedics and roll around on them. You'll either fall in love or you'll say "this is not for me".

ALAN AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM.!!!!!

Melody

B12 -- methylcobalamin
 

Many people have purchased methylcobalamin at iherb.com and other places on the web for years. It is possible to find it quite a few places now, but the prices are much higher at physical stores.

I'm sure many are good. Jarrow is one of the good ones. No need to spend huge amounts of money on something some distributer says is "the best," "the only," etc.

The important thing is a good brand and at least 1000 mcg methylcobalamin.

rose

Rose. Thanks so much.

I went to iherb.com and found all the Jarrow B-12 methyl stuff.
I saw 5000 mcg and 1000 mcg.

Which one do you recommend I get. I'm diabetic and I already have neuropathy but nothing compared to what you guys have.

So do you think a more potent form of the methyl is good for me or should i start off with the 1000????

Thanks much.
Melody

Mel.
It may be my resolution but Alan looks a bit "green around the gills".
Have you checked his copper intake.... :)
(He really looks great- wish I was so lucky)

I take Jarrow methyl B12 - 1000 mcgs from iherb 1 or 2 x a day.
http://iherb.stores.yahoo.net/b12.html
(100 to the bottle for $7.77)

Here's the 5000 - your sale price is a bit better, but I trust Jarrow.
http://iherb.stores.yahoo.net/b12big.html
(60 to the bottle)

It's my stupid webcam. I can focus it on anything and it will be clear for on second then it turns grainy and everything has a greenish tinge. At least he's not pink!!!

I do hope you were kidding about Alan needing copper. Where on earth does a person get copper????

Oh Boy
 

Mel i had to haul what seems like a hundred bags of groceries up the stairs,i was nurse what i thinking when we bought this to big bi-level house:( I have only one really good finger left for the computer,it's going ouch!!!
I did lay on the Temper-O-Pedic's at the mall i did fall in love with it,but there it was that price..Now i have already spent a fortune on a Craftmatic bed which only gets used when my 3 children and there wife's and husband come to visit..They can all sleep on that bed at the same time except 4 my son-in-law he is 6ft6 and all muscle.. Well i have Overstock on my favoites so push oh my gosh there they:D so i order just what you said,i'm happy happy Sue..Now i call my oldest son in Ocity OK. he's a Physical Therapist,massage therapist was a trainer for the Mn. Viking's which he claims never again job..His wife is aPsychiaprist and they live in Ok. because she is doing a 5 yr. study on childrens truma from the bombing's.My son there because he loves the sweetie,he works in the same hospital with burn victim's and ter.ill cancer patient's,he claims there is no green in Ok..They also just opened a health food storealso Vit. and Supp..What was i saying oh now i know i callled them because i'm happy and he answered the phone amazing,so i tell him i'm happy and why..He said cancle your order WHAT NO,yes because we are selling them and i will get them right to you:) in that case can i have a twin for the hosptal stays i'm really happy now what a good boy he is,it had nothing to do with that i helped put him throug school...Also he said he talked to me in Sept. about them Huh well he said you are rght i will love them :) do you sell Bob-o-pedic than got to get to work thing that he does,got a e-mail Bob what:)
So now i call my youngest son who has been sleeping on them 4 two years,he lives in Mpls.Mn with his wife,first teacher now gets Children from 12 to 18 can you believe throw aways run aways he calls them used,abused,and bruised..Well there happy because i'm happy and never listen to them..He got Thyroid cancer when he was 12 that was pretty rare then and still is so he had a battle but he is the 1 who taught us to get on with our life's and live it to the fullest..
Thank you so very much,and i'm sorry you had to go through so much with your son,my brother is going through that now with his 28 yr. old it's hard to watch them,they are just getting sick over it,there son went through college worked in the field he chose,then suicide trys it's been awful for all of them..I told them you got to let him go you did the very best you could,it's heartbreaking..It does effect your heath,he's down in Ocity now with my son and his wife..But you and Alan that (hunk) have gotten stronger,never give up never..I have a lot of the things you have but i have polyneuropathys i'm every nurses nightmare..;)
I will let you know when they get here oh for a goodnight's sleep,I'm about to become a grandmama 1st time my daughter is having a boy at home in Portland,the midwife turned the baby around it was breech,they rented a big tub,ever heard of that and a bunch of freinds will be there to cheer them on,and she's ready...My Grandmother always took b-12 shots when they came out with that no more she told the Dr.i will knock you on your fanny she got them and lived to be in her 90's i quit but back on with shots..:hug: :hug many bessings to you and Alan Sue My finger needs a rest and so do your eyes..Oh my daughters a lawyer she saids because she's afriad were all going to need her someday!!!

Sue:

YOU HAVE GOT TO USE PARAGRAPHS!!! I never laughed so hard in all my life.
My eyes were all over your posting. Next time you write, use paragraphs so it breaks it up. And use periods at the end of the sentences. It makes it easier to read. I love when you write. You sound like a bubbly person. Very nice and compassionate!!!

How nice that you are getting the mattress. You will absolutely love it.

Alan is now leaving for work. I made him a nice hot thermos of tea!!! and two of my blueberry, honey maple, muffins. They are to die for!!!!

So be well and congratulations on becoming a grandma!!!
Take care,

Melody

Mattresses, you either love 'em....
 

or hate 'em.
Topper pad is what we have now, but, at first that danged thing would migrate ALL over during the nite. Tried sheets over it & the mattress, didn't work. Tried separate sheets for each, didn't work. Tried a thin RUG PAD in between, the kind that keep rugs from sliding? Didn't work. Solution? Got to 'overstock' flannel bottom sheets from Land's End catalog...Flannel worked.
BTW: Got our 'topper' at Costco -about $100.

As for mattresses, a friend of mine got a 'pedic' clone - one that had had a very short-lived trial period..on-line, from the MFR, at less than 1/2 price. A very happy camper.

Also, some hotels/motels offer rooms with either Temper types or Sleep Numbers...Yeah you pay $X for the room, but it's way less than 10% for a one nite trial.

For either kind, I've been reading, and getting totally floored by the prices...so, I keep reading, and then more. Seems for each type, you either love them or hate them...usually passionately. "Trying-on" a mattress is like trying on shoes YOU simply don't/won't know for a 'while'. Then, you decide. The kicker is the costs. Those 'trials' come complete with glitches: you have to pay shipping back...and you have to keep your old mattress...just in case you have to send the new one back. Now, who want's to live with another Mattress around any limited space while you 'try' the new one? Sigh?

Melody, I am soo proud of Alan, in that he feels so much better! I'm also proud of YOU, for sticking to your guns. That 'instinct' thing is one heck of a thing, isn't it? - :hug: --But to both you and Alan! - j