Connect
← Return to Small fiber neuropathy and muscle tightness
Discussion
Small fiber neuropathy and muscle tightness
Neuropathy | Last Active: Jan 27, 2024 | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
Good afternoon and welcome to Connect. It sounds like you could be helpful to others at this point in your experience with SFN. Sometimes, trading things that work for one person with other folks and then back and forth can be very helpful. You, for example, mentioned something I had never seen in writing or didn't know what I was looking at.
I am talking about this sentence. "In late stages of SFN, large fibers can also be damaged, which can cause stiffness and pain in the muscles." I have had SFN for 11 years now and am having a struggle with exactly what you said........large leg muscles or fibers that stiffen up and then cause pain and incapacity. I can slide down the wall or wait till I fall. Neither option provides relief. What do you do when this happens? My MFR therapist works on these legs twice a week. I then use a rubber ball treatment before I get up in the morning in the hope that I can make it to the bathroom.
Lucky me to find your post today.
May you be safe, protected and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris
Replies to "Good afternoon and welcome to Connect. It sounds like you could be helpful to others at..."
When I stop to think about some of the ways my SFN has progressed, this increased problem with my thighs (IT band) and probably the areas below that has been very gradual. What used to be an annoyance eight years ago is now routine. My days of enjoying brisk walks are long gone. Now shopping without a cart is something I dread. I think leaning on the cart allows my tight leg muscles to periodically rest.
Yesterday I went to a large store to look at clothes. There are no carts, and because my left hand has stitches from carpal tunnel surgery, I couldn’t give up my right hand and use my trekking pole, which I’ve started using in situations like that. (I have a cane, but it elicits more sympathetic looks than the trekking pole). Anyway, I tolerated one trip around the store, arms aching from sifting through racks and carrying a few clothes to the dressing room. As usual, my legs were fatigued, my gait was getting stiff, and of course there was pain.
This is disease progression. It sneaks up on you.
I’ve made an appointment with UAB next month to review these slow changes, maybe to get a better view of the future.
Connect
Chris
Like you, the morning is the worst. Luckily I have a hot tub on my back porch. 20 minutes 102 degree water first thing helps loosen me up so I can walk and get going. That’s my go to any chance I get. Leon