my introduction to

[Guest guest]

Hello, my name is Dennis;

I have CMT with the high arches, hammered toes and turning under of my right

foot to the point that I am walking of the outside of my foot's edge. Along

with the challenges that CMT creates, I have 'OTHER' challenges too...diabetes,

XXY MALE = a genenetic anomally. It is a varied in diagnosis as is CMT.

And has far reaching effects upon the males, with as little effects to greater

effects. And is the more common anomally that males can get, 1 in 600-1000 per

persons. If these malladies are not enough, i have Macular Degengeration also.

The thing that I noticed about all this is that each of these are a gift from

our parents. As our Dr.'s are so fond of telling us, we 'inherited it'. So, I

just look towards heaven, [thats where my parents now rest- -NOTICE..THEY ARE

RESTING IN A STATE OF PAINLESSNESS], and say to them, " thanks Mom, thanks Dad " .

Along with these GIFTS, we are supposed to HONOR our parents. I have trouble in

this area, I don't 'hate' them. But as my body ages, I've come to realize that

these anomallies carry the 'seeds of death' with in them. Thats not very

comfortable to my way of thinking.

I went to my 1st CMT meeting this past Saturday 21, of Jan. It was a learning

experience. I learned that the Peripheral Neuropathy that has been torchering

me since 1999, is actually CMT. The Dr.'s have not thus informed me.

Their approach to treating me is having me wear a Crow boot. All that

does is protect my right foot from injury. But it keeps me from driving or

walking normally. I don't know what shocks me more, the fact that I have to use

a wheel chair the rest of my life or geting used to my wifes driving.

My Care Providers are the Veterans Medical Center Administration,

(VA). For treating the neuropathy I have been taking Gabapentin 300mg cap,

taking 3 caps in the AM and 3 caps in the PM. It is a substitute to taking

Neurontin. It works for me and aids in my sleep, too. I complained for 2 yrs

about pain in my ankle, finally they issued me Vicadin. My finger tips are

starting to be very sensitive to touch and is painful at times. Other than

that, I've escaped from the harsh effects of CMT, so far. Well, that's me!

Thanks for leting me join your group.