Anyone here modeling with Neuropathy?

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Many years ago, in 2000, I had a severe back injury that left me unable to walk for 3 months until I had surgery that gave me back 80% of my leg function. Ever since then I have dealt with varying pain every day, some are better than others, days like yesterday I took me 5 minutes to walk 30 feet to the kitchen. The last few years my discs have degraded to the point where i have significant scoliosis, curvature like a question mark shape in my spine. So I have always blamed leg/feet/back pain on my previous spinal damage. However, about 6 months ago, I switched primary care doctor, and he took a little more interest in my condition, and since I was also recently diagnosed with diabetes, he decided to check nerve function in my legs and feet, and he said I have neuropathy, at which time I told him that I have always had numb parts of my legs due to my back injury, but that recently I was getting a burning sensation in my feet, along with my feet feeling cold. He decided to send me to a neurologist, that neurologist confirmed that I do have neuropathy and that it is not related to my back injury, and most likely not related to diabetes (controlled through medication) due to the short amount of time that I had it. So he sent me for an MRI and took 11 vials of blood to test me for everything. Recently, i was dropping small things i held with my left fingers, I noticed the fingertips on my left hand started tingling last week, a sure sign the neuropathy is advancing to my hands. My neurologist told me that this does not affect motor control, but will affect pain receptors and sensitivity, so picking up small delicate things can be difficult.
 

So, my question for the group here, does anyone else here have this issue, has it affected your model building? I think my hands can continue to create, but I worry about destroying everything I touch. 

[biggtim]

Not neuropathy, thankfully, but I am having some nerve issues in my hands, probably carpal tunnel syndrome, but I am waiting for an appointment to get it diagnosed by a specialist. As a result, I have been avoiding modeling and other hobbies because it affects the fine motor functions of my hands. Can't hang on to stuff, like you, because I just can't tell if I have a firm grip or not. Stuff goes flying out of my hands without warning!! Very frustrating, but not nearly as rough as what you are going through. Fortunately, I do not have diabetes or any other major issues, besides the crap that comes with getting older, and being very big (back, knees, neck, etc.). I feel for you, and wish you the best!!

[ScottsGT]

Mom had it pretty bad in her legs.  She refused to try to stay on her feet and do any therapy, became self imposed bed ridden at around 80, went into assisted living at 83 and was full blown bed ridden by 85 and passed just before her 86th birthday.   She had no control over her motor skills in her feet and always said it was numb and tingling like her leg had fallen asleep.  

I have fears that I will wind up with the same issues because I am physically just like her.  I’ve currently having issues with what sound just like Rheumatoid arthritis from the commercials I’ve seen on TV.  Tomorrow I’m calling my GP for an appointment for a yearly physical. Due to COVID, I haven’t had one in over a year and a half, and I have less than a month of BP meds left. I’m going in with a “whine list” of issues.  I think next I’m going to get an appointment with a rheumatologist.  I’ll have days where I feel like nothing is wrong, then go two weeks with every day having extremes pain all over, or waist down.  Some days I don’t have the strength to get up or down the stairwell without going very slow and about to lose muscle control.  2021 is going to be a tough one for me since I am going to start working on the weight and exercise issues.  FWIW, I 58 in 2 days.  

Also, (almost forgot) I have my left thumb joint that is worn down pretty bad. GP suggested I get a joint replacement.  I think I’m going to have to go for it.  I’ve had days of pain so severe in my left hand/thumb that radiates up into my arm.  Going to look into that for later this year.  

[belugawhaleman]

I also have pain and tingling in my feet due to a high school football injury. I also have diabetes.  My foot problems are not due to diabetes and occur only when I am in certain

bodily positions. I'm fine when I'm sitting or standing but I have problems when I'm lying on my side and it sometimes makes sleeping difficult. This for me has been a lifetime problem.

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I think some of this is due to just old age and abusing my body in my early years. And from my neurologist’s own words, sometime we just never know why someone develops neuropathy. Usually it’s blamed on Diabetes, but considering for me, it’s fairly recent diagnosis, it’s hard to pin it on that. Due to other conditions, I go to a doctor at least twice a year, so it’s not like diabetes was unchecked for a long time. I turned 51 yesterday, and it seems like I started going down hill at 49...the joys of getting older.

[Jeff]

I hear you there, lately my goddamned knees are giving me grief, I guess jumping off heavy equipment ( when the ladder is 4 feet off the ground) and gravel trucks, kneeling in the snow and ice to chain said units up, has caught up with me, I sit down , and can hardly get up, and when I do.... I wobble around like a new born colt !

[harv]

Yep. I have the same probs. I've been on insulin for a couple of years now. My neck is a train wreck ( neurology words) lower back probs. Left trigger fingers has hurt bad for ages. Age doesn't help. Right leg goes numb if standing to long. Both hands tingle. But so far I can power through it while modeling thank god....harv

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This is getting funny, if not sad. When I was younger I see to laugh about how old people sit around and complaint about all their health ailments, now I’m one of them.