Neuropathy & Exercise

Posted by southwind @southwind, Nov 13, 2019

How have you received enough physical exercise while dealing with neuropathy?? Do you walk in spite of the condition; tiptoe to get around; particular exercise program, etc.?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

@jesfactsmon

My wife has a lot of trouble being able to exercise, given her 3 main issues that zap her energy, neuropathy in her feet, migraine headaches and severe tinnitus. And if she were to do a regular workout routine her fibromyalgia kicks in and makes her very stiff (we used to say "like an old person" back in the nineties but now we are old so it's silly to say that). So one thing she does do to keep her body moving is to stand on a vibration machine. It might sound like a silly concept but you'd be surprised how effective it is. I included a photo of it. She says that by just standing on it it forces your body to compensate for its movement thus causing your muscles to firm up and it also improves your circulation. And even if you just sit on it you get a workout! It comes with different positions you can put your body in to work different parts of your body. I an including a snap of it. You can find it on Amazon and perhaps Walmart has it, not sure. It's gotten pricier since we got ours in May '19. On Amazon it is called

Confidence Fitness Slim Full Body Vibration Platform Fitness Machine

I can tell you, we've had exercise bikes and rowing machines, etc. etc. and this thing actually gets used even after a year of owning it, whereas everything else just catches dust. My wife swears by it. Best, Hank

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@jesfactsmon Hi Hank hey whatever your wife can use I have fibromyalgia also and use Tai Chi with Don Fiore ,and chair exercise with Jackie Tally both on You Tube she is getting exercise I've heard of those machines

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@doggiemom

Thanks for the suggestions. I use an elliptical at the Y when I exercise indoors that I really like. The motion feels like it works the range of motion of my hips and knees, and also hardly anyone uses it. I've always liked that machine, but now our Y has over half the machines blocked off for social distancing the bikes are usually always full.

I thought about a trike, and looked at them online, but it isn't really what I want. I think I'd rather work on my balance so that I can try and use what I already have instead of spending more money on something I end up never using. Like the indoor cycling trainer, the weight machine, the indoor bike, etc, etc. I've found that I'm not a fan of exercising at home - too easy to be distracted by things I usually don't care about like "what is the dog barking at?" I may decide to hang up cycling and walk instead. Then I can take the dogs, and we can enjoy outside time together!

I've looked at some neuroplasticity websites and found some things that really spoke to me: meditation, stress reduction, reading, learning new things, and postitive relationships. I've been furloughed since March because of COVID and have really enjoyed the easy pace and the time to cook healthy meals for myself and walk, and I get two hours more sleep a day. I've gone down a pants size as a result. I've taken online courses and am now learning how to use Excel. I have to go back to work in two weeks and I am not looking forward to it. I can already feel my pace changing in anticipation. This may be the straw that breaks the camel's back and gets me into retirement.

I've really tried hard to do the sudoku and computer games, but haven't found a way to enjoy them. I get bored, and go grab a book instead!

I appreciate all the ideas and suggestions - it has been great food for thought and just what I'm looking for! Maybe what I'm really realizing is that the ultimate solution to my problem is to stop working and just enjoy life as it presents itself every day!

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Hi @doggiemom let me tell you, I was working at Intel Corp. back in 1999 and started to realize I could retire with benefits from there in only 5 years time. As soon as I started to think about retiring it only took 2 years before I could stand it no longer and I was gone. Couldn't even wait the 5 years. You may have heard of Short Timer's disease? I got it bad as soon as I began to think about retiring. You sound like you may have caught a case yourself! Cheers, Hank

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@jesfactsmon, that is me! I've had it for a couple of years now, same situation. Had a fantastic meeting with my financial guy today, and he said I am now at a point where I can work as little or as much as I want. With my work all being contract, I have the freedom to work a day here and there, every day, take a month off, whatever so that was wonderful news! I missed water aerobics for the meeting, but well worth it!

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@doggiemom

@jesfactsmon, that is me! I've had it for a couple of years now, same situation. Had a fantastic meeting with my financial guy today, and he said I am now at a point where I can work as little or as much as I want. With my work all being contract, I have the freedom to work a day here and there, every day, take a month off, whatever so that was wonderful news! I missed water aerobics for the meeting, but well worth it!

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@doggiemom, Great news from your financial guy today!!! I closely tracked my accumulated nickels while approaching retirement and as soon as I met the state mandated requirements for full retirement, I took off like a flash! No looking back and no regrets.

So happy to hear that you can determine however much or little time you want to devote to your career going forward. Please let us know what you decide to do first as you begin experiencing more flexible scheduling. Ok? Celebrating your new freedoms!

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To answer your question: How do we get enough exercise: Push through the Pain. I have neuropathy and arthritis, I wake up in so much pain I'm yelling. I hobble to the kitchen and get diet mountain dew, hobble to the bathroom and take all my morning meds, do simple things until pain subsides (sometimes an hour, sometimes it's late afternoon)
Meanwhile, I make myself stretch to limber up, even though it hurts, it helps after awhile. Then I bike to the beach, run about 4 or 5 or 6 miles, bike home. When my gym is open, I like to go there, take a class or do the elliptical machine while I watch the news. I don't know how long I'll be able to keep running and "gymming" ... Peggy

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@pfbacon

To answer your question: How do we get enough exercise: Push through the Pain. I have neuropathy and arthritis, I wake up in so much pain I'm yelling. I hobble to the kitchen and get diet mountain dew, hobble to the bathroom and take all my morning meds, do simple things until pain subsides (sometimes an hour, sometimes it's late afternoon)
Meanwhile, I make myself stretch to limber up, even though it hurts, it helps after awhile. Then I bike to the beach, run about 4 or 5 or 6 miles, bike home. When my gym is open, I like to go there, take a class or do the elliptical machine while I watch the news. I don't know how long I'll be able to keep running and "gymming" ... Peggy

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@pfbacon Hi Peggy. I think its great you are able to bike and run. I hear you that it takes quite a bit of pain and preparation to get there but, you persevere and do it! Wow, impressive!! (maybe it's the diet Mountain Dew 🙂). They say use it or lose it and you are definitely using it. Good for you!
All the best,
Rachel

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@pfbacon Wow that is a lot of exercise Peggy . I.m stiff in the morning but by the time I limber up eat my bkft and drink my coffee about another hour I'mready to do my you tube exercises . I do chair exercises 10 min hand exercises then tai Chi . Then go out for my walk . I gave up doing all of what your doing long time ago . I only drink non caffeinated beverages as coffee bothers me makes my heart raise . Good job

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@pfbacon

To answer your question: How do we get enough exercise: Push through the Pain. I have neuropathy and arthritis, I wake up in so much pain I'm yelling. I hobble to the kitchen and get diet mountain dew, hobble to the bathroom and take all my morning meds, do simple things until pain subsides (sometimes an hour, sometimes it's late afternoon)
Meanwhile, I make myself stretch to limber up, even though it hurts, it helps after awhile. Then I bike to the beach, run about 4 or 5 or 6 miles, bike home. When my gym is open, I like to go there, take a class or do the elliptical machine while I watch the news. I don't know how long I'll be able to keep running and "gymming" ... Peggy

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@pfbacon More than I want to do, especially running on the beach.

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@pfbacon

To answer your question: How do we get enough exercise: Push through the Pain. I have neuropathy and arthritis, I wake up in so much pain I'm yelling. I hobble to the kitchen and get diet mountain dew, hobble to the bathroom and take all my morning meds, do simple things until pain subsides (sometimes an hour, sometimes it's late afternoon)
Meanwhile, I make myself stretch to limber up, even though it hurts, it helps after awhile. Then I bike to the beach, run about 4 or 5 or 6 miles, bike home. When my gym is open, I like to go there, take a class or do the elliptical machine while I watch the news. I don't know how long I'll be able to keep running and "gymming" ... Peggy

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All I can say about this post is WOW! Are you a Bionic Woman?!!! I am impressed. Even intimidated. And I thought I had a lot of energy, but you put me to shame. I am going to assume you are not an oldster Peggy, are you? I remember back when we used to go to Hawaii a lot we would see a lot of geriatrics running along the streets or highways (there is something about Hawaii that gives people energy and boy you really see it exhibited there!). Sorry about the pain you face but happy to know you are able to so proactively strive to overcome it. Keep going Peggy, you're an inspiration! Hank

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@jimhd

@pfbacon More than I want to do, especially running on the beach.

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Jim, the beach is fascinating - every day it's a new world. In winter I have it mostly to myself with the seagulls, occasional seal, a dead dolphin or turtle or fish washed up, plus, there were 400 shipwrecks off the coast of Delaware and sometimes a storm will bring up wreckage from one of them, or sea glass from trash dumps more than 50 years old. In the summer there are a thousand vacationers with dogs, children, sand castles, balls, frisbees, giant inflatable floats, umbrellas flying in the wind - it's an agility course for a runner. On any day, the tide might make the beach 100 yards deep, or the waves might be coming right up to back yard fences. Peggy

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