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.