In 2003 I was diagnosed with the debilitating  disease rheumatoid arthritis . I was playing Competitive Tenn​is and Squash ,I was fit and had very few health issues to contend with and knew very little about auto immune diseases . In my case it happened  over night whereby my immune system attacked the tissues of my joints as well as the lining of my lungs. I could not move my arms, my fingers were in the claw position, would not bend and were very stiff and sore. My ankles and most of my joints were also inflamed and stiff, I developed breathing problems and became very fatigued over night. Sadly that put an end to my competitive sporting career .I was shocked and depressed at my situation as I had no prior warning signs that this was about to happen to me. It literally happened over night .I had many tests carried out and was referred to a rheumatologist who made the diagnosis and put me onto methotrexate. It took me some time to get used to methotrexate , a very toxic drug with side effects which was used a number of years back to treat cancer patients .I stayed on methotrexate for approximately 3 years and was fortunate to go into a remission. Sadly that remission only lasted a few years and I was put back onto a higher dose of methotrexate plus hydroxychloroquine, drugs designed to suppress an over active immune system .A few years ago my medication increased to include xeljanz ,a form of biologic drug. To this day I still have flair ups and have to deal with some pretty nasty conditions the likes of hip bursitis, ankle and knee flair ups, etc which can be extremely painful .In 2012 I started feeling numbness  and a tingling sensation to my toes. I was referred to a neurologist &  was diagnosed with the onset of peripheral neuropathy. In layman's terminology my immune system was not only attacking my joints but also the small fibres of my peripheral nervous system resulting in sensory as well autonomic dysfunction ..I was referred to a neurologist and had many tests carried out to help diagnose my condition .My neurologist eventually diagnosed me with small fibre peripheral neuropathy. I endure on going daily dysfunctions and disabilities ,which include sensory issues the likes of burning sensation under my feet, electric like shocks up and down my legs and shocks to my toes ,the top part of my feet leading onto my legs until my shins are pretty numb and my condition has deteriorated to such a degree that the disease has progressed up my outer thighs .I also feel as if I am walking on broken glass as the myelin which protects the nerve ends of the small fibres in the skin of my feet of my peripheral nervous system have been attacked by my immune system and thus the feeling of walking on broken glass .I also have to deal with ongoing autonomic dysfunction the likes of bowel and bladder dysfunction, an irregular heart beat, atrial fibrillation ,low blood pressure issues when standing up, swallowing difficulties, excessive sweating ,sticky feet hand tremors, oedemas to feet ,legs and the list goes on. I have tried to remain as positive as I possibly can and focus my life on doing positive things. My neurologist put me onto 150 mgs of Lyrica which I take twice daily to help relieve the sensory pain of this dreaded disease .My medications include 20 mgs of methotrexate taken once a week ,200 mgs of hydroxy chloroquine taken at night ,5 mgs of xeljanz taken daily ,150 mgs of Lyrica taken twice daily, beta blockers ,a quarter of a tablet taken every day and 5 mgs Eliquis taken twice daily to help prevent me from getting a stroke which can be brought on due to an irregular heart beat, atrial fibrillation ,,,I know and understand the pain that fellow sufferers endure on a daily basis and therefore I decided to do something positive by setting up the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy of Australia,

PLEASE TELL US YOUR STORY ,WE CAN ALL DISCUSS AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER'S EXPERIENCES WITH THIS DREADED DISEASE ,PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY .E MAIL: [email protected] and I will copy your story onto the website .Please list your name ,the City and Country that you reside in and your email address .Many thanks ...