Increasing weakness in Legs

Dear @thurlibier (and @dlydailyhope
Thanks for reading your account, needs, wanted, learned, and showed of what goes on… (my as the “crazy writer”).

You wrote more that I can read or see or understand yes, I am aTBI member, shoot & daggoneit)., BUT…

1) “I cannot move feet properly… this weakness will lead”. But for now, your strength is good, when reading your writing.

For me, know there’s no pain, but little feeling in my right low-leg and my right-foot. My ankle with less feeling cause an unbalanced needs or easily falling down. There was a reason of what happened 2 years ago.

2) “issues that affect leg weakness… spinal cord… L3-L5,,, “

For me, I has a bottom of my back to the top of my rear-end and my doctor on my surgery, fixed my back like L5+ bottom and on the top. My pain is gone, but still my unbalance is here.

You guys exercise on your bodies. I do the same thing - listing up or down, strentghing (sp?) muscles, stretching legs & feet muscles. I do the same thing.

Let’s see 6-mths in our future and see how are we doing.
Thx,
Greg D. @greg1956

I know exactly what you mean! I remember my mom bought a book called “Final Exit” - because she feared becoming depend on my brother and I. At 90 I asked her where it was.

Try walking on a treadmill! They are great because you can control the speed and hold on to the rails when needed. I started at a low speed holding on to both rails. I have been able to increase my speed, walking time, and am able to walk without holding on some of the time. It has improved my leg strength and balance. The YMCA, YWCA, and all gyms have treadmills. Some gyms offer reduced cost to Silver Sneakers members.

Do you know how they test for small fiber neuropathy? I had an EMG for neuropathy but it was normal. I have severe nerve pain in both feet. Would an EMG show small fiber neuropathy?

@nancyc777
Small fiber neuropathy is tested by a neurologist using a skin punch biopsy usually on calf/ankle and at upper thigh. This is gold standard. It shows microscopically damage to small fibers and number of small fibers compared to population.

Have you ever had cervical or lumbar spine MRIs to see if you have any spinal cord/nerve root compression/neurogenic claudication? This could affect nerves that go to legs/feet. EMGs only test nerve health in arms/legs (large fibers). Did your neurologist do a neuropathy blood panel to see what shows up as a vitamin deficiency or toxicity? Do you have diabetes or drink alcohol or smoke? Have you ever been tested for iron deficiency or thyroid dysfunction?

Thank you for responding and explaining about small fiber neuropathy. I have had MRI of my entire spine from my neck down to my tailbone. Last year I had fusion of L4 L5 because of severe spinal stenosis and three laminectomies in that area. It had no effect on Nerve pain in my feet, no relief at all. So disappointing. All those things that you mentioned, I have had tested. The only thing I have not had tested for is small fiber neuropathy. I am not diabetic and I do not drink alcohol. It is so frustrating to not find the answers. Thank you so much for caring and responding

@nancyc777

My symptoms really started in 2017 with burning feet and pins/needles, tingling in my feet which got worse in warm weather and bad symptoms at night in bed. I started taking alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl l carnitine supplements plus used capsaicin creams, it seemed to help calm things down.

What type of pain do you have? Is it burning, pins/needles, numbness, or all of the above? When did it start for you?

I also have congenital spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. I had ACDF surgery on my C5-C6 cervical spine due to spinal cord compression injury affecting arms/hands, legs/feet, bladder, etc. I also just had L3-L5 decompression and fusion surgery on 8/2/2024. This was for severe stenosis and neurogenic claudication which caused pain/weakness/numbness in lower back, hips, buttocks, legs and feet. Did your lumbar surgeries help relieve any of your pre-surgical symptoms? I am noticing an improvement in the pain/numbness/weakness experienced prior to surgery. Have you had an updated recent MRI to see if you have new compression?

Thank you so much for replying. I take ALA, and carnitine also. The tingling burning pain in my feet settles down at night in bed, which is opposite of most “neuropathy“. The nerve pain in my feet began In 2017, but it was only mild and late in the evening but now it starts as soon as I get out of bed and Gets up to a 10 every day. I spend most of my day on the couch icing and elevating my feet. My pain is worse in the summer than it is in the winter because of the heat makes it worse. And cold relieves it a bit. Hard surfaces are worse also. I had no relief from the pain after surgery, and it has been a year well, almost a year and a half since surgery, L4/L5 fusion with three laminectomies in that area. The pain just continues to increase and get worse. Nothing has helped. I just recently had another MRI, which was OK. You have been through a lot also! I’m glad you are getting a little bit of relief now and then. I don’t think I have much numbness, but it is hard to tell because I have hammer toes also, and I can’t tell if it’s from my to deformities or if it is really numbness. But it is definitely pins and needles tingling burning pain. I put menthol cream on my feet and that helps a little bit temporarily. Icing with gel packs 10 minutes at a time on the couch, and sometimes cool water in a bucket helps. 🤗. Unfortunately, doctors have been unable to help me or come up with a diagnosis. I have had every lab test imaginable, I have had veins and arteries tested, and try to be medicine there is with no success.

I was thinking about going to the mayo clinic in Jacksonville Florida, as I live in Florida, but that is such a huge undertaking, my sister would have to take me and we would have to stay in a hotel room because it is over 3 Hour Drive. And after reading in comments, how difficult it is to get around there, and the fact that they can change your testing appointments, it will take more than just one day. It seems like too big of a mountain to attempt and people who have been there got no more help than what they got locally , which does not say a lot for the doctors in Florida

I am sorry but your husband sounds so selfish. How would he feel if the situation was the other way round and he needed YOUR support?
Probably won't help but you could try asking him that question.
But more practically, forget about him and concentrate on finding things that you can do that will make you happy. You deserve to be happy.
I can recommend taking some kind of classes - I am learning Spanish (don't ask why, I'm 74 so how much use will I get out of it?!?) The point is, I love the classes, the camaraderie, the friendship. And in between classes I have that interest (Duolingo, Youtube videos etc.) to keep me amused.
I find that, the older I get, it's friends rather than family that give the best support - and of course it is a two way thing. I am always there for them. To be needed is a lovely feeling.
After all, our family don't choose us but our friends DO, and we choose THEM, which is also a great feeling.
By the way I live on my own (since my selfish b***** husband decided he didn't need me anymore after 35 years of marriage), and I am less lonely now than I was in the marriage! And somehow I cope alone with all the infirmities that old age has thrown at me!
Wishing you lots of luck xx