Just fire away all you want to here, Bob. It is so frustrating to drop things over and over like that. And, I don't know about you, but for me, bending down to pick them up hurts... That sometimes results in a few choice words here...

This week, I dropped and broke a new $50.00 bottle of compounded medication for my little sick Yorkie. Refilled it, came home and dropped the old bottle and broke it too... (My angel was shocked at the outburst, no doubt.)

Cathie

That is the cutest little dog!

I used to work the front desk at a guest ranch here in Santa Fe, Tesuque, actually.

I got to check in Gregory Peck... and I begged the wait staff to let me take his dinner to him in his casita... and he and his wife had Yorkies.

--has a need to rail at the fates about this condition, I think.

My only advice is to try to do it at something inanimate--I tend to smack pillows. One should try to avoid misdirected enmity, if one can.

I do think that a major part of the problem here is that for many of us this is a "no-see um" condition. I've noticed, on my forays into Cornell Weill, that those with major motor components to their neuropathies, who may be using canes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc., seem to get much more immediate empathy from visitors (even sometimes from staff, who one would figure would know better). It's something other people can see, tangible evidence that something there's amiss. (Sort of correlatees wtih Liza Jane's observation that she's gotten more empathy for her spinal problems than peripheral neuropathic ones.) But for those of us whose symptoms are primarily sensory, there's no immediate visual cue for others to see, and their natural empathies don't engage (assuming they have natural empathies--for some observers, the sight of such equipment makes them run for the hills).

Too many of us have had those conversations that go:

"How are you?"

"Not so good, I'm in a lot of pain."

"Really, but you look so good."

Or some variation to that effect.

Some people will just never get it--at least until they experience some sort of neural pain. (The way diabetes/impaired glucose metabolism is going, and given the possibility of spinal problems for many, that may be an eventual probability for a lot of people, sadly.) I've sometimes said something to the effect of "imagine you've gotten sun poisoning all over your body and then someone rubbed it with steel wool", but apparently not enough people have that vivid an imagination--and the fact that I can say that makes people think that I am lucid enough that I can't be in that much pain.

In some situations, you can't win. That's why we have these boards.

I tried that little "Thanks" button fot the first time.... boy, is that a nonsense nuisance. I knew y'all had similar experiences. And 1/2 of mine.... IS bending over. to pick things up. I'm overweight and have a sciatic back. Need I say more? It just is helpful at times to say :.................................... @^*?>$@? .......AARRGHHHH !!

Good thread, Nide!!!!

I'm finding it a little easier to bend to pick things up, in terms of weight... I have been trying so hard not to get so stressed that I can't walk in a circle around my garden... just a couple minutes doing that has contributed to me losing 10 inches around my waist.

But the other problem with bending over, is the nerve pain that can strike... it's so sharp and ... boy it's hard to explain pain... but when it hits if I'm just bending, I feel as if it's going to knock me over... It's like a sciatic pain, which you mentioned. Only just a burst of it, maybe like being stabbed and shocked at the same time.

Well, thank you for starting this thread... (((((((Nide)))))))
(I think years ago you were the first person who told me about fish oil, and I've always remembered that with warmth for you when I see your avatar.)

Pick up something and ya keep on going? Then you are stiff in the back of your legs from just trying to bend over? Ya gotta Stretch and flex in the Shower...Drop that soap [tho not on yer foot..mite break sumthing] and pick it up..under that moist soothing heat! Scrub the tub while in the shower tho...not using stuff that mite dissolve skin off your feet? Got those Tees!
I am thinking that you are probably doing about 20-30 times more bending and picking up while you move your shop...am I rite? For that, I can only recommend a moist-heat...heating pad. ON LOW and very damp..rotated every 15 minutes around all that is sore [probably your whole body?]
In the interim, creak and complain away!
I suspect my turn will come soon about such things...We do tend to feel far older than we are with this stuff! I for one do not like the reality...I prefer to pretend it's not happening...
Good thoughts and such to you good person! - j

I have to say I get totally miffed when my sister says to me "Gees why are you taking all those meds?? I wouldn't take all that crap!" Welllllll She doesn't have PN, IC, or IBS! and I do! I get so tired of hearing her say that to me. Now when we go to Nebraska to visit family I don't even set my pills out so she can see them and I won't answer any questions she has about them! I've figured out that if she's 'acting' like she's interested in my medication.....it's just so she can say something rude about later!
It's the old saying......"you can pick your friends.....but not your relatives!" LOL

Another thread I totally understand. The other day, I was getting a drink from a water bottle, I brought my hand around with the cap and it went flying across the room. My daughter just looked at me and then she broke out laughing. It did seem very funny, but honestly, I never felt that cap leave my hand and where did the force come from that made it fly like that? I too drop, then drop again, and again, then again, and some days, I slam my fist down on the counter, only to be sorry I did that too. The frustration can sometimes be more than we want to handle.

Turning in the shower with my eyes closed nope!!!!! Just the other day I did that and I guess I should be thankful my apartment only has a shower without a tub, when my head connected with the shower door, I didn't fall. Considering I am recovering from surgery, it's a good thing I didn't fall.

A few weeks ago, we had a nasty storm go through this area and our power went out. Our office has no back up lighting, bless my boss' heart, he doesn't think we need it! Well, my part of the office was totally black. The ins person and I were standing at my desk discussing a patient when the power went out--now I know what happens to me in total darkness. I was totally disoriented, totally off-balance, I could feel myself swaying--thank God my desk was right in front of me! The ins person grabbed my arm and led me out to the front doors and light, by this time, my claustrophobia had kicked in and I could hardly breathe. When they finally got me settled back down, the doc I work for asked exactly what I felt and then he says, "You tell your neuro exactly what happened, he needs to know this!"

I am never in total darkness. I do know I can't close my eyes and stand steady, yet this was a true test of what happens to me in the dark!!!! Not the way I would prefer to be tested, but I guess now I know!!!!!

I'm single and I give both the suffer and the spouse credit. Its a hard situation to be in. Sometimes I gets so anxious little things just bother me so much. I can't imagine living with someone. For the other its hard to know what to say and I often feel if people would just listen rather then speak it would be better. Sometimes there is no right words. I know for me and my mom we worked on ways she can help me.She is amazing though but we did family therapy and I know I suggest therapy a lot but encourage all too. I know in my ed recovery people always say the wrong thing so using my voice and reminding myself that people mean well and just don't understand. Its impossible but trying to say they care. Also for me not stepping into the fire I call it. I know not to get myself into certain situations or battles. Also for me to allow myself to feel. A lot of times my family would say you shouldn't feel that way but a feeling is a feeling and we all have the right to them. No rights or wrong there. Hugs to all.

Well, Bob. After my surgery, I will invite you to come down to Texas, if you would like. I will make you some brownies (no, not the funny ones), you can prepare a salad, hubby will grill and you and I can see who can out swear who while we are fixing dinner and dropping it all over the floor...

Cathie