Sponge Feet, Tingling and Burning: What can help me to get sleep?

@dablues I certainly can understand your frustration with pain and tingling keeping you awake at night. This could be related to your spine position when you lay down because all of that moves to accommodate a change in position. If you have some instability in your spine, the vertebrae can slip over each other a little bit and that might make a big difference to the nerve that exits the spine because the space they travel through is changed by the instability. Degenerating discs can also bulge or herniate into those spaces also putting pressure on nerves or there can be arthritis bone growth. Sometimes doctors take full spine x-rays as standing and also laying down to determine if this is happening. Have you tried changing position when you sleep? My guess is that it might be worse laying on your back because that often puts extra strain on the lower back.

Another thing to look at is hip flexors. If we sit too much, hip flexors get tight pulling our hips and legs forward which increases the back strain. There are conditions with overly tight muscles that mimic spine problems by causing similar pain symptoms. You might be having this along with your spine condition. Have you worked with a physical therapist? They could help stretch out the overly tight muscles and work on core strength to help support your spine. Posture is really important and good posture reduces pressure on your spine. From your description of your symptoms laying down, it seems like you may have both nerve irritation and possible circulation issues. One question I would ask is do these symptoms completely go away when you are sitting or standing? Is it only when you lay down and what position are you in at the time? Make sure you tell your doctor exactly what causes the symptoms. Blood clots are a risk for anyone who sits too much. My mom (who uses a wheelchair) has had blood clots in her legs and has to be on blood thinners. The rubber feeling you describe sounds like decreased circulation to me, but I'm not a doctor, but you should discuss this with your doctor. You may also want to consult a spine specialist who would evaluate the changes according to spine position.

Here are some links about pelvis alignment issues and physical therapy with myofascial release which is what my PT does with me. I am a spine surgery patient and have a cervical fusion. My surgeon told me the best way to prevent needing further spine surgery was to maintain my core strength and good posture. What helps me a lot is riding my horse, just at a walk which gets me to use all my back muscles as I sit up with good posture and compensate for the walking motion of the horse. That is how equine therapy works and there are therapeutic riding centers. They wouldn't just turn you loose on a horse, you would have someone leading the horse and possibly spotters along side. You would have to ask how they work. I do know from my experience with horses that it builds back strength and it is fun since I love horses. The key is sit up as straight as you can while on the horse. I don't know what is right for you, but you can discuss this with your doctor or physical therapist. If you wanted to simulate this without the horse, you can sit on a large therapy ball and move like you are riding a horse, but that is something to do with a physical therapist or helper because I don't know what is safe for you. There are also some inflatable cushions you can put on a chair and do this too.

This article is technical, but you can take this to your doctor and ask if this is affecting you.
https://mskneurology.com/identify-treat-lumbar-plexus-compression-syndrome-lpcs/
About myofascial release or MFR (watch the video of John Barnes treating a patient for a tight pelvis)
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Not just Like....I Love this response. I needed the reminders also. Good going Jennifer.

@dablues I certainly can understand your frustration with pain and tingling keeping you awake at night. This could be related to your spine position when you lay down because all of that moves to accommodate a change in position. If you have some instability in your spine, the vertebrae can slip over each other a little bit and that might make a big difference to the nerve that exits the spine because the space they travel through is changed by the instability. Degenerating discs can also bulge or herniate into those spaces also putting pressure on nerves or there can be arthritis bone growth. Sometimes doctors take full spine x-rays as standing and also laying down to determine if this is happening. Have you tried changing position when you sleep? My guess is that it might be worse laying on your back because that often puts extra strain on the lower back.

Another thing to look at is hip flexors. If we sit too much, hip flexors get tight pulling our hips and legs forward which increases the back strain. There are conditions with overly tight muscles that mimic spine problems by causing similar pain symptoms. You might be having this along with your spine condition. Have you worked with a physical therapist? They could help stretch out the overly tight muscles and work on core strength to help support your spine. Posture is really important and good posture reduces pressure on your spine. From your description of your symptoms laying down, it seems like you may have both nerve irritation and possible circulation issues. One question I would ask is do these symptoms completely go away when you are sitting or standing? Is it only when you lay down and what position are you in at the time? Make sure you tell your doctor exactly what causes the symptoms. Blood clots are a risk for anyone who sits too much. My mom (who uses a wheelchair) has had blood clots in her legs and has to be on blood thinners. The rubber feeling you describe sounds like decreased circulation to me, but I'm not a doctor, but you should discuss this with your doctor. You may also want to consult a spine specialist who would evaluate the changes according to spine position.

Here are some links about pelvis alignment issues and physical therapy with myofascial release which is what my PT does with me. I am a spine surgery patient and have a cervical fusion. My surgeon told me the best way to prevent needing further spine surgery was to maintain my core strength and good posture. What helps me a lot is riding my horse, just at a walk which gets me to use all my back muscles as I sit up with good posture and compensate for the walking motion of the horse. That is how equine therapy works and there are therapeutic riding centers. They wouldn't just turn you loose on a horse, you would have someone leading the horse and possibly spotters along side. You would have to ask how they work. I do know from my experience with horses that it builds back strength and it is fun since I love horses. The key is sit up as straight as you can while on the horse. I don't know what is right for you, but you can discuss this with your doctor or physical therapist. If you wanted to simulate this without the horse, you can sit on a large therapy ball and move like you are riding a horse, but that is something to do with a physical therapist or helper because I don't know what is safe for you. There are also some inflatable cushions you can put on a chair and do this too.

This article is technical, but you can take this to your doctor and ask if this is affecting you.
https://mskneurology.com/identify-treat-lumbar-plexus-compression-syndrome-lpcs/
About myofascial release or MFR (watch the video of John Barnes treating a patient for a tight pelvis)
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Hi @dablues, I think it's a fairly common problem for those of us with neuropathy or back pain due to degenerative arthritis or other conditions. A few years ago I listened to a talk by Dr. Edward T. Creagan from Mayo Clinic. He shared the importance of a regular sleep schedule and that resonated with me. Mostly because I was always a night owl and stayed up all hours and still got up early which was taking a toll on me. Here's some information I found that may offer some suggestions for you to try.

"Keep a regular sleep/wake schedule. Develop a bedtime ritual, such as taking a warm bath or reading light material. Limit or eliminate caffeine four to six hours before bed and minimize daytime use. Avoid smoking, especially near bedtime or if you awake in the middle of the night." --- Are Neuropathy Symptoms Affecting Your Sleep?: https://www.everydayhealth.com/neurology/neuropathy/are-neuropathy-symptoms-affecting-your-sleep/

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy also has some tips for sleeping under the Managing & Coping with Neuropathy information here: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/lifestyle/managing-peripheral-neuropathy/

@artscaping @jenniferhunter may also have some suggestions or information they can share about carpal tunnel and back related issues that can affect your sleep.

@artscaping Thanks, Chris. I'll be heading out for some horse "therapy" real soon. The weather is perfect today!

This has been attributed to several people but no matter who said it, I love it.
“There is nothing better for the inside of a man, than the outside of a horse”