Neuropathy Challenged

I'm getting my first real taste of neuropathy this week.  I've known for a few weeks that my fingers and toes were showing signs.  It finally occurred to me that dropping things constantly and tripping or missing stairs could very well be the beginning (because they are numb).  The last little while I've felt a sensation down my legs - kind of a painful itch.  That has made its way to my feet now.  When I put my running shoes on (not because I'm running!), it feels like the laces are clamped down really tight on my feet.  So, I'll stop and retie them really loose, but it doesn't make a difference.  Just having my feet in a confined space is enough.  I can be grateful that I haven't had problems until now, right?  Always a silver lining.  I know it very well could get worse.  When and if, I'll work hard to get through it with a smile.  It's been relatively "easy" to get through the last 10 months or so, it's a little distressing to see things change.

Recently, I've had 2 friends tell me about either hemp oil or CBD oil for neuropathy.  CBD is legal in Utah, even before all this Prop 2 stuff.  You can get it from chiropractors or health food stores, it's actually widely available.  The quality is widely variable too.  I talked to a few friends (including my bishop) at the beginning of stage 4 and got a wide range of opinions.  People who have tried it for various conditions swear by it.  It comes in various forms, liquid dropper to put under your tongue, in creams, capsules, even breath mints. I'm going to do acupuncture regularly, and try some other things, but this is something to consider.  And just for the record, I would never buy anything with THC in it (the compound that makes you high).  I know this paragraph will bring up a wide range of opinions on the subject!

One of the prescriptions that is commonly prescribed for neuropathy is Gabapentin.  I took a very small, daily dose a few months ago when all this itching stuff was getting bad.  The problem is it created a whole new set of issues for me: clumsiness, blurred vision, fatigue, mouth lesions, etc. etc.  I have to consider all sides of this issue, benefits and side effects, how either will impact my ability to function day to day.  It's a tough line to walk, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I've been going through file folders of pictures I've kept since high school.  I can't believe it's taken me 30 years to let go of some of this stuff!  It's been fun/weird to see all the pictures of the first guy I really fell in love with, and the next one - who I dumped when I was 19 because I knew without a doubt I shouldn't marry him.  We had been engaged for about 8 weeks when I did that.  He was devastated but I never regretted it for a second.  Look at what I got because I waited!

I threw away pictures from the MTC.  I went through all the pictures I took the two summers I worked at Lagoon.  All gone.  I threw away dozens of pictures of friends at school dances.  You know how we used to exchange those?  Gone.  High school and graduation?  Gone.  You know what's most important now?  My family, none of that other stuff matters.

I never took the time to go through it until now.  I'm creating digital memory books for my family.  I have 10 years of scrapbooks that are the pre-digital era, and that was when I was deep into those heavy 12 x 12 Creative Memories books.  I figure I have close to 20 of them (17 after yesterday!)
Can you imagine lugging those through 7 moves over almost 25 years?  Yesterday I took three books to the Family History Library in Layton.  They have a flatbed scanner big enough to scan those pages.  I tore off those page protectors with no regard to how much money I've spent "creating memories" over the years.  I scanned the pages I want pictures from, and threw the rest away.  Eventually, all those books will be in the trash because everything I really need will be digital.  I have plenty to do to keep me busy for quite some time.  Lots more fun to come!