Originally Posted by echoes long ago

the function of a cane or walker is to assist balance by increasing a persons base of support so as to not fall, not to increase the ability to walk longer distances. Not all people with PN have balance problems or develop balance problems later on as the disease progresses. Many people with PN do get tired very easily and very quickly while standing or walking. The pain levels also increase for many after standing for a while or walking more than a short distance. For example my legs start to get a very heavy feel, like im lugging around tree trunks and my feet feel as if the bones are broken. A cane or walker will not help that. My balance was ok in the early part of my PN but has gotten progressively worse. I know a number of people who have PN and who dont use a cane or walker and have won their SSDI or SSI cases.

Originally Posted by echoes long ago

i have no idea if he has a balance problem or not. my point was that not everyone with PN has a severe balance problem , not everyone with PN uses a cane or walker and that people with PN who do not have severe balance problems or do not use canes or walkers do win their disability cases because of the limitations on their ability to work caused by the type and severity of the PN that they have .

Originally Posted by echoes long ago

this is excellent advice. this is actually crucial to your case. it cant be stressed enough.
In my opinion you need a positive evaluation by a neurologist to help
win your case.
A GP may be ok to treat the pain of peripheral neuropathy, however a GP is not going to carry the weight of a neurologist in the evaluation of a neurological disease for your appeal or hearing.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

Dean has said he has balance issues when walking, but it might have been via pm. I was maybe making assumptions that might not apply...

As Echoes has pointed out - weakness and pain when walking is typically a problem with PN. That is the case with me. So, that is the primary - which causes the secondary of 'thinking' one has balance problems. Well, when your feet feel like they are encased in cement that makes one's gait off. This gives a sense of a balance problem.

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]For example, just yesterday - I must of stumbled into, tripped over the top of one of my seated daughters at least 6 times yesterday. This did not happen prior to the onset of my sfn.

One foot doctor gave me a DX of 'abnormality of gait'. Caused by what? I would guess weak muscles and pain. And, sensory sensations of having cement feet that tingle and burn. So, I think my balance 'thing', is a case of SENSORY symptoms causing what appears to be a slight balance problem. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]Another foot doctor had me walk down and back in his hallway several times. He had a puzzled expression on his face. We talked. "You have foot drop", said the doctor. "What is that?" I asked. "Your feet hit the ground too quickly with each step you take", he said. Looking back, I imagine that was a muscle weaknesses problem. Who knows . . . in addition to sfn, maybe I have some large fiber problems to. The first EMG/NCT stated I did. I was given a DX of TTS. A year and a half later, another EMG/NCT stated I didn't. Then, they pulled blood. It as fine. Then they did skin bio. "Hey! We found something here. SFN."[/COLOR]

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]I have played tennis for over 40 years. I played on the HS team and the college team and from age 8 - 16 prior to that. I used to play about twice a week during the summers every since I began teaching. At one school I taught at I coached the HS tennis team for a year. However, I have NOT played tennis ONCE since the onset of the sfn. Why? Pain, mostly. And that weakness feeling that Echoes wrote of. I would stumble, bumble all over a court that I once gracefully flew over . . . And if I played for just 20 minutes, I fear and dread the 'feet hangover' that would no doubt surely following. This hangover could last up to two or three days.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]Yes, I understand. A desk job does not require one to play tennis AT ALL. I'm just trying to paint word pictures of what I have described as 'balance' problems.
[/COLOR]

I don't think that I implied he'd be denied if he didn't utilize an ambulatory device. I'm trying to point out issues that an ALJ will likely question.

[COLOR="rgb(72, 61, 139)"]And, I would answer them as I have above. I think that would be adequate. It is not a 'far jump'.[/COLOR]

--None of us will see his medical records, or lack there of, and our opinions are based on what he chooses to reveal.

Originally Posted by Hopeless

Working from home is a possible option. There are many courses that may be taught online these days.

Sometimes one must think "outside the box" so to speak. There are MANY ways to earn an income from home where one can have the flexibility to rest when needed, take days off completely when needed, avoid having to walk to a place of employment from their vehicle, etc. It may not be an income that would exceed SGA levels, but it could be of some financial benefit to a disabled person.