Mouse cursor disappears after using touchscreen on laptop and other times, can't go back to using mouse; default pointers just aren't;

I am having the issue with the cursor disappearing for no apparent reason.  I've tried a lot of the fixes listed on here, but none have worked except rebooting.  I see two issues that nobody has answered yet:

1. When my mouse cursor disappears, I can find it with the control key.  The only place it is visible is in editable fields like a word doc or the entry field I am typing in now.  If I go anywhere else on this page I see nothing.  The first time it happens, I can go into the pointer settings and accept my default pointer to be able to view it again.  This works until the mouse disappears the second time, then it won't fix it.  A restart is my only hope.
2. Windows 8 doesn't use my default mouse settings.  It shows the windows basic white pointer.  When I go to reset my pointers when it disappears as in 1) above, I can see that my setting shows as default.  I don't have to change the selection; I merely accept the default that is already there.  I then get to use my "default" setting.  Have they changed the definition of "default"?
3. I can make my cursor disappear by pressing the touchscreen (not touchpad) on my laptop.  Un- and re-plugging the USB connection for my wireless mouse sometimes corrects this, but not always.  Is there a way to restore the cursor easily? 

I was excited about having the capability to use a keyboard and mouse/touch pad with a touchscreen computer, but this sucks.  I use this for work and it screws me at the most inopportune moments.  I have spent hours in these forums and nothing has worked more than temporarily allowing me to delay until I have to restart it again.  It's a great setup when it works, I just doesn't...

Help!!

Toshiba P845t-S4310 w/6GB

Windows 8 (not pro)

Updated again today (windows/office/Toshiba/java/adobe)

Office Ent 2013 

Microsoft 5000 keyboard/mouse