Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

@heisenberg34 Hello! Good question. What exercises am I doing for balance? Until only a few weeks ago, I was working with a PT with whom I had been working for more than a year. He's since left Colorado, and I just started working with a new PT. With my old PT, we divided our sessions between balance work and strength training (chiefly for my legs). For balance work we did mostly the basics: one leg standing, tandem standing, playing catch, etc. We also did a lot of work using blaze pods. Are you familiar with blaze pods They tax your ability to turn right, left, turn about, all while maintaining good balance. Naturally, too, we'd go for walks outdoors; the PT would challenge me to not look down but look straight ahead (checking for obstacles on the ground, of course). On my own, I do some of the balance work in Carol Clements book, Better Balance for Life. My new PT is so new we've yet to develop a sessions routine, My very best to you! –Ray

I'm 75 and have experienced idiopathic peripheral neuropathy for more than a decade. I initially experienced strong, inconsistent tingling in my feet. It progressed to numbness, constant tingling, and pain. Sometimes the symptoms include muscle cramps. I have fallen quite a few times- it's scary every time. I manage to sleep by using strong marijuana gummies. I am limited in the amount and types of physical activities I can do comfortably. I have tried many medications without success. I feel defeated too often.

@cek Boy, do falls scare me. I am sooooo careful on steps. I used to be embarrassed about double stepping and holding onto a rail going down stairs. I was cured when I landed on my head and took a few stitches, realizing it could have been a lot worse. Unless researchers come up with something in the next few years (honestly, I'm not optimistic), I am resigned to getting a cane and then a walker in the next few years. Just like my father (yes, I have Charcot Marie Tooth). But I know it's coming. Better than a surprise. Watch those stairs!

@ray666 Thanks for the info, Ray. Would you say that these exercises have helped your balance and strength? I did several, different sessions of PY over the years. I can't say that any of them helped me to any degree. Most just had a boilerplate list of exercises that just about everyone got. My current therapist is really getting to know me and is planning exercises to fit my own set of circumstances(mainly balance). Have a blessed day.
Chris

@heisenberg34 Hi, Chris. I hope my new therapist will devise a set of exercises for me. She is due here in less than an hour. I wish I could say with certainty that the balance exercises I've done over the years have helped. I just can't be sure. For a while, I'll think they are helping, but then I'll have a string of extra-wobbly days, leaving me wondering: Are the balance exercises not helping? Or are they helping, but my balance is simply getting worse, the worsening outpacing the benefit I'm getting from the exercise? I have a bad arthritic knee, too. Some days it hurts worse than others. On those days when it's hurting, it also messes with my balance. As you might guess, I've more questions than answers. Cheers, Chris! –Ray

@ray666 I hear you loud and clear, Ray. We should be able to say, if something is helping, “Wow! I actually feel better “. Not, “ I THINK I’m feeling better “.
Stay well. Hope your new therapist works out.
Chris

@pruea123 I have the same problem and I’ve had it for approximately 20 years. I’ve had some luck with Lido patches but I can’t put one on every hour lol. The only thing I have found that really works is oxycodone and I really do not like going through life medicated. However I’ve had that radio frequency ablation on the offending nerve and that takes the pain away for many months. I do have a limited medical background and I do not understand what you think the risks are. I have had at least six of them. They are a godsend in my opinion because they can relieve the pain for so many months. Is there something I don’t understand? By the way I just feel sorry for another fellow soldier dealing with this! It’s a tough road

@heisenberg34 Hi, Chris. I like my new therapist. I liked my former therapist too, but they have different approaches. My former therapist worked more with folks recovering from sports injuries, torn ACLs, and the like. He'd give me a good hour's workout, and I'd be exhausted when he left. I certainly felt I was getting my money's––or I should say, my co-pay's worth. My new therapist is more detailed forcused, explaining as we go what muscles and ligaments are being worked. When she's done, I'm once again exhausted, but I feel I've learned something about how the ol' bod works. I like that! It appeals to my nature. I hope yours was a good day, Chris. Stay strong! Cheers! –Ray