Neuropathy Awareness Week Next Month

"Next month we will observe national Neuropathy Awareness Week, May 14-18, 2012. At the urging of The Neuropathy Association, this is the eighth year that the third week of May is recognized by the Federal Governmet's calendar of national health observances as a week to promote neuropathy awareness and prevention.  Neuropathy Awareness Week shines a light on caring for the neuropathy patient as a whole person who is dealing with a disease that can strike indiscriminately, can be multi-faceted, is often misunderstood, and, ultimately, takes a far greater human and financial toll than most realize."  - from the National Neuropathy Association

Neuropathy - Other Problems That Arise

Article on how neuropathy can cause other issues over time.

http://www.neuropathy.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8107

Medicine Changes

Last week I had my six month checkup with my neurologist.  This time I felt very unsuccessful going in.  I had not really dealt with the changes in my pain like I should have.  I was in accepting mode and not really doing anything to improve the situation.  I went through a similar period when I was dealing with infertility.  I think it is just something you go through when you are faced with something medical that just never seems to end.  Anyway, I was upfront about that and she laughed with me.  As she reminded me, everything she provides is a suggestion at this point since for about 70% of the time the pain has now been reduced.  So we increased my dosage of Cymbalta to help improve the areas between my 12 hour doses when I seem to lose the effect of the current dosages.  So far over the last few days that has been helpful.  I am scheduling a sleep study soon also to see if my sleep has been affected and if there are other things we might could do to help or find the cause behind the pain.  Well, it could be so much worse so I can not complain.  I know of too many people recently who are dealing with life threatening issues that it makes me want to hide my simple pain more.   My thoughts and prayers go out to all of them and their families.

Daily Challenge

https://challenge.meyouhealth.com/signup

I recommend that you all go to this site and pick a track that works for you.  Each track lasts 28 days and for each day you receive an email with a challenge for that day.  Some of the tracks are excellent and help encourage you to eat better, exercise or just do something for you.  I find that it helps motivate me on the days that I have a really hard time.  Look forward to seeing you out there!

Some Simple Advice

If you have PN especially in the face or upper body, it is probably not best to spend time out in the sun without sunscreen.  Yesterday I helped my family put together a swing set for my daughter at my parents's house.  No suncreen and today I have burning red arms.  Well at least I am use to the feeling so it just matches my head!  So use your sunscreen!

Article on Diagnosing PN

Here is an article that talks about how they work to diagnose PN and how difficult it is.

Diagnosing PN

New Experienes

Today I register my daughter for kindergarten.  Wow!  Time has flown so much has happened since she was born.  My body and mind are a mess.  However, the mind is coming back some.  They say that the baby takes part of your brain and I believe that.  I have seen it with others.  Around about year 5 or so it starts to come back.  Which is nice at least on one side of my head.  The other burns a bit too much to care.  Anyway, Erynn, her Dad and I will be heading down a new road together.  One with textbooks, tests and learning! Those things I am excited about and those things make me happy to be here no matter the pain.  Everyone keep pushing me to do my yoga, it really helps and I am so tired some days I just can't force myself to do it.  Hope you have some new experiences today!

There Are So Many Worse Things

I hope if nothing else in this blog you realize that yes this is a serious issue for me but that I understand that there are much worse things happening out in the world.  Tonight I stopped on the way home to get a haircut and saw the finish of another lady who had her hair first cut into this huge mohawk for a picture and then had it completely shaved.  The lady had cancer and was trying to have a little fun with the situation she was in.  So yes, it hurts alot and sometimes I want to and actually do cry but it ain't cancer!  We all have our own issues or burdens to live with and in the end living life is the most important thing - the journey is the best part as they say!