My Reintroduction

[Guest guest]

To Gretchen and all,

I have been a member for a long time but rarely post anything. I belong to this

group to learn all I can, and know that I do not deal with this alone.

I am 50 years old, and have dealt with CMT all my life. I experienced the pain

of being made fun of in my childhood and having few friends. At the age of 12,

I went through the painful experience of being diagnosed finally.

Since then I have had more surgeries than I can remember. I have been through 2

failed marriages, and managed to have three kids, who are all now grown and

having children of their own.

My 31 year old son unfortunately has CMT in a significant way and is choosing to

be an alcoholic to deal with it.

I went through a period of that myself, and I know it doesn't help. I am hoping

he will figure that out too.

The progression of my CMT was for the most part was a gradual thing, until the

last couple of years. I can no longer drive because of the pain medication I am

on and my terrible balance. So now I have to depend on others to get around,

which is hard to get used to.

For years, I went to doctors who knew very little about CMT and didn't believe I

had pain. Fortunately now I have a pain management doctor who is learning about

CMT with me. I also have been fortunate enough to get a scooter through MDA to

get out once winter is over in Wisconsin. That gives me a little bit of

independence, which is very important for me.

Unfortunately, now I am experiencing increasing fatique and weakness at a rapid

rate. I have a couple of friends who understand and are there for me, but most

people don't understand and think I am

exaggerating my problems.

Depression is becoming a problem. One of the things that helps is this group.

I read the postings every day to learn from others what they do to overcome some

of the problems daily living brings. I will being seeing a psychiatrist soon to

help with the depression

I hope.

Right now the computer makes up for not getting out much. I appreciate all the

information that I find here. I think without it I would feel much more

hopeless and alone. I know everyday Gretchen and many others will post

information that sometimes is helpful to me.

Thank you all, and maybe one of these days I will have the courage to post

something on a subject that I can relate to as far as my experiences in life.