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.

Jump to this post