READING? or the inability to really do so...
 

BobB [Nide44], Echoes and Darlin Deb all brought up a 'feature' of PN that I too have, and have had since my onset. I used to think that it was the 'meds', or at least could blame that for my inabilities of concentration.

I have been learning more and more that I CANNOT read the printed word on the printed page anymore! As said best by others, short articles in the newspaper is a stretch at best, and only in snippets. I used to inhale a book before breakfast daily! And, that was while working full-time. Now, all I can do is either 'skim' quickly and maybe asorb 10% of the text or just stare at pages. I do think this IS a symptom of many neuropathies, as many of us have this issue. It is not recorded as one though. More is the pity.

Strangely tho, and with a lot of effort, I CAN read the computer page....tho I sorely miss the whole 'experience' of holding a book and turning the pages [this last part is very difficult w/little feeling in the fingertips], it is like losing a part of your life really-all sensual and emotional truly.

How many of all of you have this 'deficit' or handicap as well? IF enough of us 'report' it, maybe it will become a diagnostic aspect or feature!

OR, just report how you can no longer reach for those keys in your pocket and 'get' the right one you need, at least not without taking them out and LOOKING at them! Or, buttoning buttons, zipping zippers... you get the idea.

Seemingly small things, but things most others take for granted that we no longer can do. I for one, miss these small things. A lot! Hope others will speak up here as well. Maybe IF enough of us speak about it here? It mite just come to the attention of some astute medical lurker...well, can always hope?

Hugs and hope to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - j :hug::hug::hug:

When I had my major
 

seasonal affective disorder attack ...I could not read anymore.

In fact I read every night normally. I read many books on vacation this year too. But when depressed...it was a big fat ZERO. My reading has returned to normal now. I missed it alot.

And I don't take major pain drugs at all. It just happened. Now I use the light visor during the shorter days of the year, and my
"depression" is no longer an issue.

I have always thought this was a problem for me. I hate the days shortening, coming home from work in the dark at 5. Here on the east coast, the sun sets early in the summer, I have never gotten used to the difference between here and Michigan, in that respect.

As for what Dahlek is thinking, I follow that too. Things get taken away from us, like walking in the dark, without dizziness. If I forget to turn on my porch light, I have a terrible time unlocking my door...that never was a problem for me...the disorientation makes me crazy sometimes. I actually do not have much pain, which I am grateful for. The days of weakness get to me though. Like trying to turn the keys in the ignition, or unlocking the car door (I don't have a keychain button for mine), opening bottles, like shampoo, conditioners, liquid soaps...water bottles, you name it.

Reading is something I really miss too. I still try, but I read the same page over and over, and it seems like I get bored so easily. I used to read a book, watch tv, and deal with my 5 kids all at once. I never thought about this being a symptom either.

I think it is primarily due to meds and not the neurological system in our bodies.
It may be that because of discomfort, all the aches and pains become so distracting that it makes it difficult to concentrate, as well.
But I can not see any correlation between neuropathy of the limbs and mental concentration. The neurons mis-firing to our brains from feet or hands, are not related to mental acuity. Drugs may affect it. Distraction, maybe at a subconscious level - constantly ignoring pain, may take over and make it difficult to read.
I find that I constantly fidget, unable to get comfortable and read the same paragraph a zillion times..

I am not on any meds Bob...nothing but vitamins.

I too have trouble reading. For some strange reason I keep either buying books or checking them out at the library thinking I will read them quickly. . . only to discover that my eyes can't stay focused on the page, or my mind on the words, or my brain on the concept. I do a lot of reading online, and magazines I can read . . . but even then, I break up my reading over several periods that alternate with doing art, housework, or watching a good film. Part of my issue is with the pain, which is so distracting raw, and still muffled distraction when I find the right combination of meds to make it duller.

And I would love to write. I love to write. I started a blog, but now I don't write in it like I thought I would. I could write a book here, but when I sit down to just write in my blog, it just won't come.

However, I am grateful that I am painting again. As frustrating as it is not being able to finish a book, not being able to finish a painting or start a new one is even more frustrating. And I have found the only time I believe I truly have good pain blockage is when I am deep into a painting. Of course, I also forget to eat, take breaks, or attend to other things on my schedule.

I think for me some has to do with my concentration. I have very little. I can sit and do random things but to really stay focused is hard. My mind wonders. I had tried to take a chrochet class and I got so flustered. I had a bad eye day that day but then the other day I just went to paint pottery and finished, I realized that it was because I didn't have to think or listen I just did. Does this make sense? It is the same with a movie. I like ones that I don't have to think so to speak. Sometimes I even notice when people speak I get distracted. It is not from meds just thinking of my pain and worries.
I do agree about things that seem small taking for granted. Even if I got well tomorrow I would never do that again.

In reading these post I hear depression, inability to concentrate and focus is a classical symptom of depression. depression is a disease and like PN the symptoms can't be seen but they are just as real. For example: disturbed sleep, anxiety, hopelessness, trouble with word finding, memory problems, not being able to focus on metal tasks (reading) , trouble concentrating, loss of motivation, feeling overwhelmed, etc.
That said many of the medications used to treat PN cause similar symptoms especially brain fog.
Some people are using a low dose ritalin or provigal to improve concentration and social interactions.

Hello ( New here - sort of )

I've had this since all my Neuropathy woes started back in 99 and have similiar experinces of , loss of focus , boredoom as others here experince.

I personally dont feel it has anythign to with being depressed , at least for me , and find that big part of the problem for me seems to be down to vizualisation and association .

This isnt just restricted to reading - it can happen in films and esp audio tapes as well depending on the readers voice.

Maybe this isnt the same for other here but for me I noticed a direct connection since my ability to visualize / meditate vanished , ironically at the same time I started becoming aware of my neuropathy.

Interesting ...... upon reflection, I think that my creative juices either stopped flowing, or were lessened considerably since my Dx of PN.
Thinking about what I used to do, and what I do now- has cause for examination more closely.
I don't think l have the same drive, or motivation. I know I don't have the same ability for concentration or memorization. But I no longer think creatively or get excited about new ideas and concepts. I really do not get very excited about anything, anymore. More like a flat-line in the enthusiasm dept.
Hmmmm..... I was blaming it on the meds & maybe it is the meds.
But I would like to examine how it possibly could be a Sx of neurological disease. I don't see any connection between pins & needles in my feet and lack of enthusiasm in my outlook, but nothing's impossible.

I find it very hard to focus. I sit down and start reading my attention immediatly goes to my legs and all their weird sensations. Maybe this is just psychological because i can actually read, no problems in the activity itself, the problems are on focusing. I find it easier to read while in the bath. For some reason the sensation of the water surrounding my legs makes my pain more tolerable. This is one of the reasons i hate PN. I used to be an active reader…. I was planning to get a master’s before all this came- Now i think it is almost imposible for me to do it. BUt again i think this may be no more than a psycological barrier i have put myself. I wonder how i could break it and sit comfortable on my favorite armchair and read for hours as I used to do it before all ths pn.

Well--
 

--it seems fairly evident that having a condition that casues pain and disability can put a damper on one's creativity, and it can certainly impact one's ability to focus and concentrate.

I suspect, though, that reports of flattened affect and motivational difficulties are more likely to be the result of many of the meds we take, especially of the anti-seizure variety. Their tendency to make us dizzy, fatigued, and made more lethargic in our interests (and crave carbohydrates, as if we're going into hibernation) are well-documented.

One of the good side-effects of taking B-complex, and especially B12, is that (at least for me and some others I've spoken with) they help to balance and counteract this tendency.

Ok but......
 

I now rarely take pain meds [guess I've gotten 'used' to it?] and have not been on seizure-type meds for almost a year. I find little or no difference in the overall pain levels nor in the attention-span/reading issues..... Simply cannot be done!
Ironically this SHOULD have been happening at the severe sudden onset on my neuropathy and it was not. It started after I was on seizure meds and such and now that I am off of them I was hoping that the short-attention-span issue would end as well? Well, it's NOT.
I do believe I have much more empathy for stroke victims now, and I do KNOW that that aspect has really and truly been checked OFF the lists!
The disconnect is there, and it IS real. It's not med related as the other meds I am on I have been on for several years. Two of the three decades prior to neuropathy and the third since. I am also on B-vite supplements and others as well-to little avail with this issue.
It could be a symptom of something relating to neuropathies tho, that should be documented and included in the diagnostic listings tho.
It is truly frustrating to pick up any magazine in a doctors office and try and READ it tho. I seem to be trying on too many occasions! Hugs to all! - j

Hello
 

Having same problem as many above,been on 3600 mg. of Neurontin for far
to many years..I'm thinking of talking to Neuro about weaking myself off with
great care..I just don't feel right on it anymore..

Been in the hospital for the last 5 weeks,well off and on,hope you are are doing well,bless you all. Tonight on th news Nerurotin is in a large lawsuit
for saying it was for more then just seizures,The way I understood it seizures is what it is for. Many hugs to all,,,:) Sue

Yes, Sue - it was originally, primarily developed for epileptics -
and is in the anti-seizure category.

I was able to read very well and with concentration the first 5 years of my PN, it is only the last 2 where i have lost that concentration. Nothing has changed medicinally for me to account for this. The area and degree of numbness has increased greatly but the level of pain has actually decreased. It makes no sense at all.

In recent years, reading difficulties has become a very weird and almost frightening situation for me as well. It contributes to sadness, since reading is a "balm" of sorts for me and I'm lost when this coping mechanism is tampered with.

I have bouts of very bad blurry vision. There are times that I wear my reading classes on top of my contacts.

I have problems with headaches, and when things are particularly bad with them, reading is limited. I have some very strange aches and pains in my arms and legs and I'm going to pay attention to any possible correlation.

BTW, I too have noticed this weird situation where I can read much better on the computer than the written page. It is curious.

Depression certainly can play a role and if the topic is of great interest to me, of course I can read with better comprehension. One of the reasons I like non-fiction so much is that I can skip chapters that bore me. Probably not the most "mature" thing in the world to do, but it does make reading more enjoyable, esp. when trying to deal with all sorts of dilemmas.

Reading or Not
 

Like most of us - my reading has suffered greatly (and typing - it really didnt used to be this bad).. I used to devour books and could lie motionless and read something I liked cover to cover (was a nice change after a hectic day or week of regular life) as others have said too - since I got sick all the other feelings of discomfort disturb my concentration, I cant lay still, just super uncomfortable - I read in very small spurts unless I'm having a "good" day - and reading on the screen for me even harder - dont know why.... maybe too since I dont have the challeneges that were personally satisfying with work etc. any more my mind is more at unrest too.....

In any case - I agree - chronic illness does affect concentration!

(also, investing more then 2 dollars in drug store reading glasses and getting my eyes checked for real one of these days might help!) I'm not a spring chicken any more!:eek:

again most of the symptoms the posters are describing are symptoms of depression. Please look it up on the American Psychological ***. site, pretty good descriptions of depression. There are different kinds of depression but the ads on TV are describing clinical depression, the most severe form.
That said many medications can also cause the "brain fog", lack of motivation etc. so it becomes very difficult to differentiate between underlying depression and/or side effects of meds. Also depression is a common result of coping with a chronic illness.
The best answer would be to try some therapy and see if you feel/funtion better. Nothing to lose.
The recent "bailout" bill also contained a bill to make mental health insurance benefits the same as physical health, same co-pays, no restriction on number of session ,same deductible. soon mental health treatment will be available for everyone with insurance.

That is good news about the change in mental health benefits. I know I sure do need it. I am clearly depressed (and affected by the meds). Prior to getting this illness and being medicated I was extremely hipper, in fact probably a bit annoying to my friends and family. Now I don't seem to have a comment/opinion on anything and just want to stay in bed. Getting through a full day at work is almost more than I can do each day...I used to be one of the "go to" gals in the office. Now I can barely go...

Apathy .. years of knowing what to expect and how that restricts you is hardly going to make any one bristle with joy - esp with the finanical markets now and all that funding for trails etc

Something else I noticed was direct connection between how aroused I was sexually and my creative flow too i.e. the more aroused I felt or could get , the more I was inclined to create - I dont why

For the same reason I seem to think and be able to concentrate and even create far better at night.