Neuropathy & Exercise

Hello @whirleybirdie, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm tagging our moderator @lisalucier to see if we should combine your post with the following discussion where you will receive more visibility and can meet other members with neuropathy that can share their thoughts and experiences on your question.

> Groups > Neuropathy > Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/

I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy in my legs and feet. Although I am unable to walk for long distances anymore I try to walk some every day and use an elliptical or recumbent bike for 30 minutes a day. I think you need to exercise as much as you can without over doing it -- especially if you are having pain in the feet or legs when you walk. Do you enjoy walking or is it hard for you? Are you able to share a little more about your neuropathy?

Good morning John, I have a Fitbit and my goal is 2500 steps a day and I have been exceeding that as I am spending the winter with my daughter and she walks with me.
I am taking Gabapenton for my neuropathy and it seems to be helping.
My toes tingle at night but my the front of my legs are hot and ache at night. I honestly don’t even know I have neuropathy during the day.

Good morning @whirleybirdie, that's great that your daughter is able to walk with you. It's also good that you don't even feel like you have neuropathy during the day. Have you talked to your doctor about possibly taking part of your daily Gabapentin dosage at night to see if that might help with the night symptoms with your legs? I think there are some other members who have mentioned taking a partial dosage before going to bed.

Oh my Chris...what I meant by that: I was told by two docs to “stay off my feet” which to me translated as, “don’t walk, don’t play, don’t do anything on my feet; sit or lay down, stay put, i.e., don’t walk.” Plus, I just cannot walk but a few steps till I cannot tolerate the pain anymore. I’m on the early-end of my journey w/ this condition with no “track record” yet.

You’ve worked hard to walk! In the short few days I’ve been on Connect have learned that walking is good.

You are not doing anything wrong—yikes no! Keep-on-keepin’-on with what’s working for you. All the Best!

Good morning @whirleybirdie, that's great that your daughter is able to walk with you. It's also good that you don't even feel like you have neuropathy during the day. Have you talked to your doctor about possibly taking part of your daily Gabapentin dosage at night to see if that might help with the night symptoms with your legs? I think there are some other members who have mentioned taking a partial dosage before going to bed.

@whirleybirdie, @johnbishop, I was strolling past this interchange and decided to add my two cents. I am one of those who takes 1200 mg of Gabapentin 2 hours before bedtime.

My toes always have some numbness but no tingles and no pain. And I no longer have the hot and cranky legs. You may want to arch them over a couple of soft pillows or rub them with a medical cannabis balm if you have access to it.

I have also found that Biofreeze actually gives you about 15 minutes of comfort and just time enough to get to sleep. Lidocaine solutions from a compounding pharmacy also work for maybe 30 minutes. They cost a lot more than Biofreeze.

Do you have “sleep starts” or shocks that start when you crawl in bed and last until the built up energy has been expended? If not then your sleep efforts won’t be disturbed by them.

I am going to set my walking challenge at 2500 steps this year. That just may be doable for me. Do you walk out in nature? What is the best time for walking for you?

Be safe and free of suffering. Chris

@whirleybirdie, @johnbishop, I was strolling past this interchange and decided to add my two cents. I am one of those who takes 1200 mg of Gabapentin 2 hours before bedtime.

My toes always have some numbness but no tingles and no pain. And I no longer have the hot and cranky legs. You may want to arch them over a couple of soft pillows or rub them with a medical cannabis balm if you have access to it.

I have also found that Biofreeze actually gives you about 15 minutes of comfort and just time enough to get to sleep. Lidocaine solutions from a compounding pharmacy also work for maybe 30 minutes. They cost a lot more than Biofreeze.

Do you have “sleep starts” or shocks that start when you crawl in bed and last until the built up energy has been expended? If not then your sleep efforts won’t be disturbed by them.

I am going to set my walking challenge at 2500 steps this year. That just may be doable for me. Do you walk out in nature? What is the best time for walking for you?

Be safe and free of suffering. Chris

Happy 2020 @southwind. It's been 6 weeks since we chatted about walking. How are you doing with walking or any up on your feet exercise program? You were in learning mode and getting some help from @johnbishop. What definitive information have you accepted to help you manage your neuropathy? Please share what you have found valuable. As the New Year arrives and we move along.....it is really important for me that I apprise myself of the latest technical information for neuropathy. I am committing to three 2020 goals......or at least aspirations.

1. Complete my taper off an anti-depressant I have been taking for 4 years. I have completed 3 months as of yesterday. Now I need to stabilize and evaluate the result. Have you started or changed your medication as you learn more?
2. Travel in a plane to Texas to see the grandchildren. I haven't felt secure about doing that until I read about your scooter. Do they have those to rent for a week or two? Are you planning any adventures in 2020?
3. Continue to fight depression with Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness practice. I had some movement this year in my ability to accept others with greater loving-kindness. It was pretty special. Do you plan to participate in any programs or retreats this year?

May you have happiness and be free of suffering. Chris

@rwinney Hi Rachel, I love what you wrote for the New Year. So inspiring. I am hoping that on the day of your son's wedding, happy endorphins for pain will release, adrenaline will pump, and you will just manage to enjoy! A good dose of CBD may help too. I love you dancing! I too, am a dancer, from way back in Disco days. I was damn good! Just know that we are here to support eachother, and know more than anyone, what our struggles are. Have a good New Year, Rachel. Keep those flowers coming. Lori Renee