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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffLiving with a chronic condition presents daily challenges. Some of these suggestions may make it easier for you to cope:
- Set priorities. Decide which tasks you need to do on a given day, such as paying bills or shopping for groceries, and which can wait until another time. Stay active, but don't overdo.
- Seek and accept help from friends and family. Having a support system and a positive attitude can help you cope with the challenges you face. Ask for or accept help when you need it. Don't shut yourself off from family and friends.
- Talk to a counselor or therapist. Depression and impotence are possible complications of autonomic neuropathy. If you experience either, you may find it helpful to talk to a counselor or therapist in addition to your primary care doctor. There are treatments that can help.
- Consider joining a support group. Ask your doctor about support groups in your area. If there isn't a specific group for people with neuropathies, you may find that there's a support group for your underlying condition, such as diabetes. Some people find it helpful to talk to other people who truly understand what they're going through. In addition to offering camaraderie, support group members may also have tips or tricks to make living with autonomic neuropathy easier.
References
- Freeman R. Autonomic peripheral neuropathy. Neurologic Clinics. 2007;25:277.
- Stevens MJ. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 29, 2010.
- Autonomic neuropathy. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/neuropathy/autonomic-neuropathy.html. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Masharani U, et al. Pancreatic hormones and diabetes mellitus. In: Gardner DG, et al. Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2633151. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Diabetic neuropathies: The nerve damage of diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/neuropathies/. Accessed Feb. 21, 2010.
- Boulton AJM, et al. Diabetic neuropathies: A statement from the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2005;28:956.
- Disorders of the autonomic nervous system. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2906166. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Vink AI. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Diabetes Care. 2003;26:1553.
- Autonomic nervous system. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec16/ch208/ch208a.html. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Ma J, et al. Diabetic gastroparesis: Diagnosis and management. Drugs. 2009;69:971.
- Bethanechol (prescribing information). Minneapolis, Minn.: Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.; 2005. http://www.upsher-smith.com/PDFs/bethanechol.pdf. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Robinul and Robinul Forte (prescribing information). Atlanta, Ga.: Sciele Pharma, Inc.; 2006. http://www.shionogipharma.com/PI/Robinul%20PI.pdf. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Bansal V, et al. Diabetic neuropathy. Post Graduate Medical Journal. 2006;82:95.
- Sandroni P (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 1, 2010.
- Detrol (prescribing information). New York, N.Y.: Pharmacia and Upjohn; 2009. http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_detrol_la.pdf. Accessed March 8, 2010.
- Ditrol (prescribing information). Raritan, N.J.: Ortho McNeil Pharmaceuticals; 2008. http://www.ortho-mcneilpharmaceutical.com/sites/default/files/shared/pi/Lg%20Ditropan%20PI.pdf#zoom=100. Accessed March 8, 2010.
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