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Neuropathy with back pain exercise
I am 73 and haven't been diagnosed with any kind of PN yet, although, through extensive research, determined that I have some form of PN in my feet. I have a conductive nerve test in June (first available). Experiencing numbness in toes and balls of both feet moving to ankles, that causes balance issues. No falls as of yet. To exacerbate this, I suffer from spinal stenosis at my L4/5 and S1. I've had a radio frequency ablation that failed and just had an epidural.
Enough about my symptoms.
I've only been able to bear standing no longer than 10 or 15 minutes without having to sit to relieve the back pain, so exercise has been out of the question for me. About a year and a half ago I bought a treadmill that just sits there because I just can't use it for much more than 5 minutes due to my back pain. My granddaughters get more out of it when they come to visit!
So, finally my question.
What is a good indoors exercise machine I can use to get back into some halfway decent shape? Get the legs strengthened and burn some calories. I used to have a recumbant, but found I just didn't care for it and sold it. I'm thinking an old fashioned stationary bike would be best. Good for legs and burning calories and easy on the back. Any other ideas that I can't think of would be greatly appreciated!
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@doctordeuce
Thank you for all this information! Very much appreciated and helpful!
@bjk3 Hi Barb! Sorry it's been awhile since I was here. I was having issues with my password, but it finally got resolved. So here's my update ~ on May 26, I had a lumbar laminectomy decompression of L1-L5 with accompanying medial facetectomy and foraminotomy - i.e., he "took the roof of my lumbar spine" and "made room for the nerves exiting and branching out from the canal". I was in the hospital 5 days, only because I had respiratory issues after the fact. The surgery itself took just under 4 hours, but there were no complications and the surgeon said he was "very confident that he got good decompression everywhere that was causing trouble." So today I'm 4-weeks post-op. I'm healing well, walking around the house without assistance, just taking small steps and trying not to sit too long. I've had none of the burning and weakness in the backs of my thighs, and only had one twinge of sciatic pain in my left butt a couple of days ago. I'm doing stretching exercises on the bed, and isometric ones while sitting down. I'm off of the pain meds and just using a really good ice wrap that I got on Amazon (it's bigger than the Magic Ice brand) and it's wonderful. I even ventured out on Sunday to go to church, and it was so nice to get out of the house and be able to worship and hugs friends I hadn't seen in awhile. I used my cane for balance and did just fine. It's been a journey I wouldn't wish on anyone, but God has been so faithful and helped me through every struggle, and He still is. Thank you for your prayers. I know the prayers of everyone have touched Heaven on my behalf and I'm so grateful for them.
I have had PN for over 20 years and have been on Lyrica. I'm still on it. Until last night, the burning and sharp stabbing pain had gone away, but last night my feet were on fire. All I can do is keep giving each of these struggles to God, and thank Him that His grace is sufficient. I'm firmly believing that He's in the process of healing the PN as a result of this surgery. If this is what it took, PTL! I go in for my 6-week checkup in a couple of weeks. It felt wonderful to get the staples out (32 of them!) at 2-weeks, and the incision is healing well. I'm confident I'll get to the point where I can walk easier and farther with His help and get stronger. Some days it feels like an uphill battle, like you said - the PN, arthritis in my right knee, a pinched nerve in my shoulderblade - it can all feel daunting. Today I made of list of everything that's hurting and said, "God, you know all about these pains. Whatever their purpose, I surrender to you and ask you for your strength, because that's what you promise in your Word, and your promises are true. So thank you for your grace to help in time of need."
I'm praying for you, Barb, that God is meeting your needs and giving you His strength, as well as His peace, knowing that He's in control. I pray my words are an encouragement to you and anyone here who reads them. God is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think.