Read these amazing peripheral neuropathy patient stories
Phil’s story: Hand Controlled Driving
Phil, a Charlotte area member and a member of our only Virtual Support Group, shares his experience with hand controlled... read more →
September 17, 2018
Lynn Mobley shares her Peripheral Neuropathy story
My athletic husband stumbled. He was tired. He had a disease we'd never heard of. by Lynn Peterson Mobley, as... read more →
July 10, 2018
Father/Daughter Support FPN’s Quest for Research Findings
Walter Van Woudenberg and Saskia Keyes Support FPN's Quest for Research Findings Specific to Idiopathic Neuropathy When idiopathic neuropathy struck... read more →
November 13, 2017
Driving with Peripheral Neuropathy
Staying safe and independent and continuing to drive with peripheral neuropathy “It was dark out as I pulled into the... read more →
March 6, 2017
Living with Peripheral Neuropathy: Never Give Up – There is Always Hope
My Story About Living with Peripheral Neuropathy By: Phyllis Bear I have come to really hate the word “idiopathic.” My... read more →
June 12, 2016
Lance Quesenberry: If He Persevered, So Can I!
About 15 years ago, Lance Quesenberry began developing peripheral neuropathy - he was 50 years old. His symptoms started with... read more →
April 3, 2014
Richard Dolan: Luck of the Irish!
For years, Richard Dolan knew what it felt like to live with nerve pain. He spent many years suffering with... read more →
November 3, 2013
Herb Fine: Still Going Strong
Herb Fine is 92 years young. A veteran and retired lawyer, Herb has always had a passion to learn and... read more →
April 3, 2013
Ed Tomezsko: Looking For A Miracle
Ed and Jean Tomezsko share more than most married couples….they both have PN. Ed can trace his back to about... read more →
November 3, 2012
Frank Ward: Drawing On Your Inner Athlete
Frank Ward had been active his whole life – hockey, football, all sports. Then, in 2008, he had to have... read more →
April 3, 2012
Jill Elrod: Smiling Through The Pain
It can be tough for anyone to keep up with a 4-year old. But when you spend most of your... read more →
November 1, 2011
Jack Miller: In His Own Words
by Jack Miller, FPN founder and Chairman of the Board My peripheral neuropathy began to manifest itself sometime around 1994... read more →
April 3, 2011
Debbie Dawson, RN and chronic PN sufferer, wrote this practical, simple guide that can help you work your way through these questions. Make a list for each of the following situations:
“Things I can no longer do. (Examples: Power walking, climbing more than three stairs or steep incline, running a race, driving a car without hand controls, lifting heavy items, standing for any long period, climbing a ladder, holding a job, taking a walking tour, or any major chore around the house).
“Things I couldn’t do before, but can now. (Examples: Have time to write, spend more time with family and friends, spend time listening to teenage grandchildren, have enjoyable dinners with friends, understand the challenges faced by the handicapped and disabled).
“Things I do the same as before. (Examples: Sit in the sunroom enjoying sunsets, watch educational TV, write articles, manage investments and home budget, eat, sleep, read, use my computer and use my cell phone, fish off a pier, watch the deer outside my camper, take pictures, enjoy my dog, help other neuropathy patients, support research).
“Things I can still do, but differently. (Examples: Go to the mall using an aid, walk the dog with the scooter, write using a thick pen, go on an ocean cruise with the scooter, hunt turkey with help and a blind, go camping with automated equipment, drive – but limit driving to not more than four hours, go up a few stairs by pulling with arms on hand rail, stay active).
“Things I can do differently, just not ready to yet. (Examples: Ride the scenic train in Canada, have house modified for handicapped access, purchase a vehicle for the handicapped with hand controls).
With the help of this guide, you can find new meaning and purpose for living. You can go beyond your limitations to a better world where surprise discoveries, new experiences, and new ways of doing things become the foundation for a new brave world beyond limitations imposed by chronic neuropathy.
Recommended reading:
Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy, How to Handle Stress, Disability, anxiety, Fatigue, Depression, Pain and Relationships; Scott Berman, MD and CIDP patient
The Pain Survival Guide: How to Reclaim Your Life; Dennis C. Turk, PhD, and Frits Winter, PhD
Managing Pain Before it Manages You; Margaret Caudill, MD, PhD
Disclaimer: This Patient to Patient column is intended to be educational, not diagnostic or prescriptive and the patient is encouraged to seek help from their own private physician.
