Neuropathy & Exercise

I do treadmill walking and strength training but not near as much as I use to

Hi John...thx a bunch for the video link!! Really appreciate it.

Since I am new to the neuropathy “camp” (it came on for the first time in June, still seeking a diagnosis), I have a very limited experience with this except that I cannot walk except from the sofa to the sink;)

Meanwhile, my doc has me getting physical therapy. In the middle of a 6wk stint. So far, they are doing massage on feet/legs, are trying to separate my tight foot fascia from the foot muscles which has helped to free-up foot/ankle movement. Also designated home exercises: foot/ankle stretches, rolling my foot in three places on a bottle or ball, hubby does the fascia stretch on me 3x/day, and knee exercises: all for flexibility and strengthening.

What I find really baffling is that I’m told to exercise, but walking cannot be a part of it. Left with exercising in place much like what you describe as your regimen. Guess I’m still getting used to the idea that this is probably not a temporary condition.

Went to Williamsburg a couple of weekends ago. Had to use a seated scooter for the first time after a lifetime of hiking/walking/standing. It was easier than expected, and really spared me from pain and created a new mindset — gave me a whole new perspective on mobility.

So this ‘ole gal (68) is searching for ways get into/stay in shape despite the neuropathy. Hope it helps others too!

I am fairly amazed by this - I got 7 1/2 hours sleep one night recently and woke up feeling good - it's been so long since I woke up feeling good that I waited for awhile for the pain to hit, but it didn't. I had to take cold medicine that night because my sinuses were stuffed up because of allergies - it has some anti-histamine, the bottle warns that it causes drowsiness so I took a children't dose. I had only been getting 4 1/2 to 5 hours a night. I'm trying to get more. I'm not going to make it tonight, it's 1:13 and here I am ... but I'll keep trying and see if it's consistent. Do any of you find that sleep or lack of sleep affects your pain level? Peggy

I go to bed very early every day, usually at 6PM. I am most comfortable when I lie down and get out of my wheelchair. I usually fall asleep by 7 and I wake up around 10:30 because my legs are on fire. I take off the covers and I lie on top of the blankets until I can take my next dose of Tizanidine and gabapentin and a dose of THC medical marijuana at midnight. The meds put me back to sleep by 12:30. I sleep until about 4:30 when the fire in my legs wakes me up again. I lie on top of the blankets and that makes the pain go away until I take my next pain meds at 6 AM. My legs don’t like to be touched by sheets and a blanket, but I need to be warm, so I try to sleep with covers. Right now, I am lying on top of the blankets and my leg pain is about a 2 on the pain scale. I wear shorts at home all day because my legs are on fire if I try to wear slacks. They can’t stand to be touched by fabrics.
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I am fairly amazed by this - I got 7 1/2 hours sleep one night recently and woke up feeling good - it's been so long since I woke up feeling good that I waited for awhile for the pain to hit, but it didn't. I had to take cold medicine that night because my sinuses were stuffed up because of allergies - it has some anti-histamine, the bottle warns that it causes drowsiness so I took a children't dose. I had only been getting 4 1/2 to 5 hours a night. I'm trying to get more. I'm not going to make it tonight, it's 1:13 and here I am ... but I'll keep trying and see if it's consistent. Do any of you find that sleep or lack of sleep affects your pain level? Peggy

I go to bed very early every day, usually at 6PM. I am most comfortable when I lie down and get out of my wheelchair. I usually fall asleep by 7 and I wake up around 10:30 because my legs are on fire. I take off the covers and I lie on top of the blankets until I can take my next dose of Tizanidine and gabapentin and a dose of THC medical marijuana at midnight. The meds put me back to sleep by 12:30. I sleep until about 4:30 when the fire in my legs wakes me up again. I lie on top of the blankets and that makes the pain go away until I take my next pain meds at 6 AM. My legs don’t like to be touched by sheets and a blanket, but I need to be warm, so I try to sleep with covers. Right now, I am lying on top of the blankets and my leg pain is about a 2 on the pain scale. I wear shorts at home all day because my legs are on fire if I try to wear slacks. They can’t stand to be touched by fabrics.
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I am fairly amazed by this - I got 7 1/2 hours sleep one night recently and woke up feeling good - it's been so long since I woke up feeling good that I waited for awhile for the pain to hit, but it didn't. I had to take cold medicine that night because my sinuses were stuffed up because of allergies - it has some anti-histamine, the bottle warns that it causes drowsiness so I took a children't dose. I had only been getting 4 1/2 to 5 hours a night. I'm trying to get more. I'm not going to make it tonight, it's 1:13 and here I am ... but I'll keep trying and see if it's consistent. Do any of you find that sleep or lack of sleep affects your pain level? Peggy

That's a big YES from me @pfbacon . Yay for your good nights sleep Peggy! My so called better days are typically driven by a solid nights sleep. It rejuvenates the nerves and allows for some body healing. For the most part I can sleep through the night now, it's getting to sleep with pain that's the problem, then waking up in pain. I take an extra strength dose of THC in chewable form, before bed. That and hydrocodone usually work to settle it so I can fall asleep. Here's the catch though...if I'm in my bed...I know I'm waking in terrible back pain thats why I'm back and forth between my recliner and bed. My husband says to just sleep in the chair but I keep trying the bed...it's been 3 years of this now. My psyche needs a bed but my body doesn't. Weird.
Rachel