I have been diagnosed with motor and sensory demyelinated peripheral neuropathy. Brain tumor, vascular conditions, toxic poisoning, and spinal degenerative conditions have all been ruled out as causative factors factors. Like most everyone else here, I have no pain associated with my condition. Although all four of my extremities have been identified with the condition, my fingers and arms, to me at least, are not an issue. I have pronounced weakness from my mid-shins down, however, and very weak in my ankles. Oddly, my right side is noticeably weaker than my left.

None of the specialists I have seen have prescribed any specific treatment, other than just suggest that I consider being fitted for leg braces. I am resisting this and will do so as long as possible. I am still mobile but limited in how far I can walk at any given time. I did purchase the booklet on better balance suggested by another poster here earlier, and some of the exercises recommended make sense and appear to be helpful. I exercise pretty much everyday on a stepper, rowing machine, and/or stationary bicycle. I have just recently started to seriously make an effort to start a walking engine again to try to build up strength and stamina again...we’ll see how that works out. I am rather reluctant to use free weights and/or elastic bands: when I do use them, things seem to be fine while using them but the following day my legs seem weaker and my mobility impaired. I am growing more convinced that strengthening my core muscle group is of more benefit than trying to strengthen weakened leg and ankle muscles. I look forward to viewing the video you recommended.
It seems that my greatest decline has been over the past two years. Things seem to have stabilized somewhat over the past few months, but that may be wishful thinking on my part. Looking back, I can see a slow decline over the past ten years. At first I attributed my very mild weakness to advancing age (I am presently 71 years old and in reasonably good health.). Coincidentally (or maybe not), my weakness seems to have started when I was first prescribed statins to reduce cholesterol numbers...pretty common in this day and age. I am not looking for a bogeyman to place the blame on, but this has always made me wonder. Although everything I have read and been told implies that I am wrong on this, it is interesting to note that one of the side-effects of statin usage is muscle weakness, although of very low incidence. And some people are adamant that statins can indeed be a culprit.

Anyway, thank you for this forum and letting people sound off about their conditions. I have enjoyed reading about others’ experiences. It has given me plenty of food for thought. My only complaint is that postings have dropped off over the past several months. I hope to read more in the near future. Best of luck and health to all!

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