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Hi @southwind -- Thank you for starting this discussion. It's a great topic and one that is hard to even think about if you are dealing with pain from your neuropathy. I find it hard to walk due more to my lower back pain that the small fiber PN that I have. I'm the old guy walking around with an empty (most of the time!) shopping cart at the grocery store to get my exercise. I use the shopping cart to help with my back. I have a hybrid recumbent bike and elliptical exercise at home and I try to make sure I put in 30 minutes a day on the elliptical for weight bearing exercise. Usually it's in two 15 minutes sessions because it's easier for this old guy. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has some good information on exercise and physcial therapy for peripheral neuropathy here: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/lifestyle/exercise-and-physical-therapy/.
Because I spend a lot of time sitting at my computer I make it a point to stand often and I have a couple of 5 LB hand weights I use to do arm exercises and balance exercises. I'm more worried about muscle atrophy and use it or lose it. What type of exercises help you?
I found a video that may also be helpful for others:
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Replies to "Hi @southwind -- Thank you for starting this discussion. It's a great topic and one that..."
I have a serious case of CIDP, with major nerve damage in my legs, so just stumbling around the house with a cane or walker is difficult. (Away from the house, I have to use a wheelchair.) Unfortunately, I also have serious back problems and constant pain. I need exercise for both conditions, but pain makes it difficult. I do stretches and other exercises for my back, but I can’t ride an exercise bike and do any exercises that require being on my feet without support. I can’t get down on a floor mat because I wouldn’t be able to get up again, so I do the lying-down exercises on the bed. I have some atrophy in my legs, which two neurologists have told me will happen with CIDP regardless of whether you walk and exercise. Next week I’m having a peripheral nerve stimulator put in, and I hope it will control my pain well enough to let me exercise more. A friend who is a yoga instructor has given me guidance to moves that won’t over-tax my depleted muscles or cause injury.
Congratulations @southwind. I am very impressed with your positive attitude, which similar to mine. I am combining diet, exercise with the discipline of Neuroplasticity. I am aged 89 years, and firmly believe I will overcome my Peripheral-neuropathy, as I see small improvements on a daily basis.Send mè your phone numbers etc, and I will contact on video, for a good yarn. Re your back problem , without much about you, I believe having a strong core, does help tremendously. I am very strict with my diet, and pleased to say on medication of any description.
For those commenting they’re using an elliptical to exercise, this could be doing more harm than good. The position is not giving the proper use of legs. There’s a youtube video with detailed explanation I cannot post link but look for “How the Elliptical May be Hurting Your Spine” by Life360 Summit
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Watched the little video clip John. Just knowing how you can when you’re doing enough/too much in a workout as a baseline with neuroapathy was helpful!!