I've become suspicious that my neuropathy at least in part, (large and small fiber) is due to being pre diabetic for many years. Anyway so I'm checking my blood sugar at morning fast and two hours after meals. I'm just getting up to speed on the learning curve here.

Anyway that's just background. I have noticed something pretty big I'm thinking. Twice now I got into an unpleasant conversation that caused me stress etc. Both times were at about the two hour mark so when I tested my blood sugar it was about 30 points higher both times.

I'm guessing this has been discussed here. What's important for me to realize is due to a very abusive childhood and high stress and anxiety life since then due to that damage. So this has been eating me up forever.

I've started a meditation and deep relaxation program as a major part of my work towards relief. And I was thinking about some of the posts I've read here where poor suffering souls can be almost 100% stressed, angry, scared, etc. I know tackling this kind of thing can be the hardest of all but it does provide hope toward betterment of the pain etc. In fact I think/suspect it can be the major player in some neuropathies and definitely can make it impossible to heal with that much stress and anxiety.

If one person can benefit from this then it's all worth the post. It's not a pleasant subject but then so few here are. I think personally that stress is involved, past/present in all my health concerns and if I can address it however imperfectly I'll be greatly greatly greatly enhancing my odds of eventual success. Maybe it can work for you.

I have the perfect meditation for calming the nervous system. It's a Qi Gong practice and it's good. PM me if you want to know more but please be patient as I can't yet find where I check for mail.

thank you for sharing
you are heard and needed
again
thank you
me

Let me know if I can help. I've been through this and have collected a lot of information.

Hi icelander

The fact that you're asking yourself questions and searching for answers shows you are on the path to healing and recovery. Many with similar stresses and experiences would not have the strength or awareness to know how or where to begin to look. The meditation and relaxation work you're doing towards relief can only be beneficial. I hope you get good results from them. I've never tried Qi Gong but used to do Tai Chi and found it great. Have read elsewhere that both are excellent forms of both mental and physical therapy.

As you probably know the causes of neuropathy are as numerous as the varying types. That you have a definite diagnosis of both small and large fibre means there could be a single cause or more than one. The pre-clinical diabetes is a place to start as it can be managed. As for stress itself being the cause - so far I haven't come across any info that states stress alone can cause neuropathy but as with any chronic condition stress can certainly aggravate it and prolong symptoms. Stress causes the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol - a hormone that plays a major part in many functions of the body. The adrenal glands are part of the HPA axis (Hypothalmus, Pituitry, Adrenal). These glands message each other in response to body needs and functions and work in balance. Too much of one chemical messenger can throw the system out of whack.

Hope this makes some sense - trying to explain simply a complex process can get tricky. Please feel free to ask any questions. I'm not a medical professional but have personal experience with PN (probably autoimmune) and a 'whacky' HPA axis.

yes meditation is amazing i suggest everybody learn how to meditate because ever since I have started I have improved my life drastically. I have an overall sense of peace with myself and the world and have never been happier. My stress levels have gone to an all time low and It even helps me with my anxiety and panic attacks.

*edit*

On a similar tract, I took out a few memoirs of people who have lived/are living with chronic illness.

Richard M. Cohen, blindsided.

Yes, he has MS, but if you have been to your local library and it is like mine, you may have four books at your disposal. One sent me to this book. I am enchanted.

I plan on reading his other two books as well. He makes mention of his negative emotions ( a veritible pn emotion version of lions, tigers and bears oh my) and how he realized he was channeling these emotions into his job to cope with his decreasing lack of control in his body.

I had a "hmmm" moment.

I also plan on reading Meredith Veiera's take on this (Richard is her husband). He has been dealing with his MS for 42 years. I found his story bouying.

Thank you for your reply and support, all of you, I have the benefit of having worked in the Natural Foods Industry as a supplement buyer for 19 years so you might say doing this research is right up my alley. Much of what is known here I have discovered on my own but there are also many new ideas I've come across here. But what I'm so grateful for also is the community and support. I have very little here. Two friends who support me in any decision. My family and any other friends have shown that they would hinder rather than facilitate any recovery so I've let them go. I've learned a ton about fear from this and a lot I didn't know about myself. I hope it's worth it. I'm terrified with occasional boughts of acceptance and calm. (usually when symptoms abate)

I'm now beginning to have organ issues too. Heart and bladder. I feel like one of those old transistor radios that's been used to long and nothing works or works right. Or like this old computer that keeps making more and more errors and running slower and slower.

That's certainly encouraging. If this is your first post here then welcome. I'm so glad you found this place.

There is certainly a potential for following a good diet to improve things.

But you did mention you teach MARTIAL ARTS? That means you have done them long enough to become an instructor?

I'd say that would put a terrible strain on your feet over time and the rest of your body.

Are you having equal problems with your hands too?

I'd get a really evaluation from a sports doctor, or orthopedic doctor to see if there is damage somewhere causing your pain.
While it is always a good idea to follow a diet to quell diabetes potential, you may have some real damage somewhere that is the basis for your discomforts.

I have pain in many places (burning) hands and feet is where it started. I've spent plenty of time with doctors and frankly I'm sick of them. I use them very sparingly now. I have almost no faith in them unfortunately.