Neuropathic Pain Sucks!

Today I am not feeling my best because of my neuropathic pain so I am going to discuss how neuropathy sucks! Neuropathy...or nerve pain...is so hard to describe. At its worst, I feel like my top layer of skin has been peeled back and underneath I am sunburned. And today is one of those bad days.

Yes, neuropathic pain, like all pain, I guess, is subjective. Everyone has a different level of pain tolerance. I always thought I had a high level of pain tolerance. I've had natural childbirth insisting I didn't even want an IV. Tough, yes and maybe stupid because man was that a rough 10 hours. I've had back surgery and endured that....no problem. I went through being paralyzed and losing most of my leg muscle mass and having to totally learn to walk again. THAT was the hardest thing I have ever done. Ever. I can't even explain that one. But, I did it.

But, this nerve pain, is constant and sometimes dull but when it is like it is today, it is a bitch. There is no escape, except narcotics and I choose not to take those. Cymbalta helps some but it doesn't do much and doctors admit, there really isn't anything that helps much with neuropathy. I would love to go to sleep and wake up tomorrow and have some relief but that usually doesn't happen. My background is in diabetes education and I really feel for people with diabetic neuropathy.

I also have dysesthesia which means that my body senses touch as painful. So, raindrops are painful. A shower is painful. Clothing that moves or is too tight is painful. Someone touching me lightly is painful. Cold air is painful. Sounds freaky and it is but you kind of get used to it except when your neuropathy is really acting up, then it is worse.

If you want to learn more about neuropathy and dysesthesia, you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropathy and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysesthesia for basic information. Both are quite complex, unfortunately.

If you have neuropathy, I feel for you! I know it is most important to keep a positive attitude and be thankful for life and what we have. I am just having one of those days and it does actually help to "talk" about it....so thanks for listening! If you know someone that deals with neuropathy, please comment below. Share your experience, please.

Jen