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CONTINUED REMARKS FROM: SECTION C - INFORMATION ABOUT DAILY ACTIVITIES

The 'question' is: Describe what you do from the time you wake up until going to bed.

I get up between 8am to 11am. I usually do not shower. It is too much work and I am concerned that my balance issues might cause a fall. I rarely eat breakfast or lunch.

Due to the severity of pain caused my peripheral neuropathy (PN), I spend a lot of time laying on my bed, as this is usually the only way I can obtain pain relief from my PN. Due to this isolating and limited life, I am severely depressed.

While on my bed, I try to read. However, due to my greatly decreased ability to focus and concentrate (ie. daily I will find myself reading the same sentence over and over in an effort to understand it), I find myself not able to comprehend what I have just read and this in turn leads to a cycle of depression/ anxiety as this used to be my one of my strongest sources of joy before the severe pain of PN entered my life, more than 2 years ago.

My neurologist has increased my pain management meds over 125% in just three short months. He has told me, “No more 30 minute walks. No ten minute walks.” I used to enjoy playing Wii video games on my TV. Especially the Wii tennis (since I am no longer able to play real tennis outside like I used to do at least once a week during the warm seasons of the year). The doc has told me, “No more Wii Tennis.” I used to enjoy biking outside for at least 30 minutes a day. This to, the doctor has taken away from me. I am not even allowed to bike inside my apartment, with my bike on a stand. Every appointment I have had with my KU neurologist, he continues to decrease the things I enjoy (namely active movement), while ordering me to get more bed-rest. My last appointment (7/8/15) he told me that my new treatment plan was going to be, “For every 15 minutes that you are on your feet, I want you to spend 30 minutes on your bed. This is the ratio. If you are on your feet for an hour, then you immediately need to spend two hours laying on your bed.”

All my life I have enjoyed actively moving. That is why I chose the career I did. I taught elementary Physical Education for 25 straight years before the pain of PN, which greatly reduced all my cognitive functions (concentrating, following simple directions, completing tasks) required me to resign my teaching position late in May 2015.

So, what do I typically do all day? Household chores and paperwork, followed by time on my bed in accordance with my doctor’s orders provided above. Sometimes I will try to watch TV. This rarely last more than 30 minutes due to the severe pain of my PN. I rarely eat breakfast or lunch. I just don't seem to have an appetite since getting unexpectedly getting tossed out of my own home back in Sept. of 2014 as my EX-wife began our divorce. At one time, about a month after this event, my weight went from 165 pounds down to 140 pounds.

And what do I do during the time on my bed? Try to read. Get on the internet and try to socialize a bit. The pain of PN elevates my depression and anxiety to an extent, that I rarely leave my apartment. In fact if it was not for the visitations that I have with my three daughters – I would probably leave my apartment about once a month. Back in Dec. of 2014 – I was so low with depression and anxiety, that I asked an old friend if he would please go grocery shopping for me. Thankfully he agreed and then I once again had some food in my apartment as I had just about ran out of everything.

So, in a nutshell my typical day is household chores and organizing/filling out paper, brief and few visitations from my three young daughters (ages 12, 10 and 8), and lots of time laying on my bed to get relief from the extreme pain that my PN causes. And, while on my bed – I try to read. I surf the internet. This pattern continues with me usually going to bed by 8pm, due to the fatiguing nature of this depressing lifestyle.

I wake up the next morning and repeat all the above. As my world continues to shrink in this manner, I find myself growing more depressed and anxious. I am currently seeking additional talk therapy and other community services that may be able to help me.