Magnetism Feeling in Legs with Neuropathy

I've had similar bad experiences sitting in high top chairs unless they have backs and I can rest my feet on a bar. I think it has to do with cutting off blood flow and depending on your leg position and the type of chair could put pressure on a nerve causing other issues. Here's some information from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety that discusses problems related to sitting.

Working in a Sitting Position - What to Avoid while Sitting
-- https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/sitting/sitting_poor.html

Debbie I can relate to what you are saying. What you described happened to you sounds like what I experienced, but in a different circumstance. I agree with John that I think it has to do with cutting off blood flow and also I think it has to do with the fact our nerves are not functioning normal to start with. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy August, 2021. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy in both hands and Large & small fiber peripheral neuropathy in both my feet. To simplify that both my hands and both my feet have nerve damage.

In September, 2021 I went on my annual ladies trip to a dude ranch. I rode for 2 hours and when we got back to the stables and I went to get off the horse that is when it became interesting. They pulled me up to the steps they have to get off and I went to lift my leg over the back of the saddle to step down and my leg would not move. It was like it was paralyzed. It took me quite awhile to very slowly slide my right leg over the back of the saddle and step down. My leg wanted to collapse on me so I had to hold onto the horn of the saddle while I pulled my left foot out of the stirrup and step down. Thank goodness my daughter showed up at that time and helped me step down the other 2 steps. She had to help me walk back to our room as my legs kept collapsing on me. When you ride a horse for a long time it is not unusual that your legs feel strange and you have to give them a couple of good shakes before walking. My daughter figured that this was just exaggerated because of my nerve problems. That is about the only explanation we could come up with. I did ride the next day and the same thing happened, but this time when I got off I stood still for awhile and shook my legs till the feeling came back before attempting to walk. So far this is the only time this has happened to me. Before my neuropathy days this did not happen to me when horse back riding.

I am not sure Debbie if this is the same kind of sensation you had but it sounds similar to what I was feeling in my situation.

Good afternoon @maureenb What a great activity.....a lady's trip to a dude rach!!!! I loved trailblazing in the mountains and did a little of that in the desert. Then I joined a trekking group of ladies and we took annual walking journeys. I too developed SFN (small fiber neuropathy) and found that the heaviness in my legs was a deal-breaker.

I do have a colleague who understands horses well and the issues we face with neuropathy. Her name is @jenniferhunter and let me introduce you to her. Hopefully, she will also mention the help you might receive from MFR, Myofascial Release Therapy. That is my primary treatment for my neuropathy. I haven't been on a horse for quite a while but Jennifer has and she will be able to tell us what our legs need to stay up on that saddle.

May you be safe, free and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

Thanks Chris for your reply and I look forward to hearing what jenniferhunter has to say.

First, the Dude Ranch sounds interesting!! But yes, I can sense a lot of similarities and find it interesting. What you and John say about position and blood circulation certainly have to be major contributors. How you had to “shake it off” is definitely how I had to get myself out of it. My only slight difference is that at our favorite restaurant, that we went to yesterday, our normal high top table and chairs with a view, it doesn’t happen; in this case, the table and chair legs are all wood. It seems there’s something that affects my legs differently when surrounded by metal. I think regardless, I’m going to be aware of seating posture and keep a focus on blood circulation. Not sure what you can do on a horse though -?that sounds like so much fun!

@maureenb @dbeshears1 Am I correct in thinking that you don't ride horses often, so the trip to the dude ranch was something physically different than what you normally do?

I own a Tennessee Walker. They do a running walk and you can just sit with a gentle rocking motion. Trotting takes more effort and will bounce you in the saddle unless you are posting which takes a lot of leg strength. Landing hard on the saddle will jar your spine and pelvis and tired you out.

Horseback riding takes strength because you have to be balanced and counter the movements of the horse. That being said, it is great exercise for the back and core strength if you do it correctly and with good posture. You have the weight of your leg pressing into the stirrup. The width is important too because if it is narrow, your foot weight is concentrated on a smaller area. I had trouble with foot and ankle pain because of narrow metal stirrups. I replaced the stirrups with trail stirrups that are about 4 inches wide and with soft rubber padding on them. I had custom orthotics made because of foot pain. That helped a lot, but there is also stress through the knees and ankles because of the twist to turn the stirrups 90 degrees so they face forward. The leather fenders are tough to twist and that pressure is constant on your leg. To change that, I got some metal add on pieces that turned the stirrups for me. There are some different pads to place on top of saddles to cushion the rider's seat. Sitting on a hard leather saddle and then bouncing on it will cause some tenderness in the bones that you sit on in your pelvis. When you are renting a horse, you wouldn't have control of these things.

Riding takes good balanced posture with a properly adjusted saddle so the stirrups are the correct length and the rider can flex their feet to keep the heels downward. That maintains correct contact with the stirrup and lengthens the leg. If you are not doing this and your feet flop around or relax, you can easily loose the stirrup.

When I get off, I can feel my legs and back are a bit tired, and there is no point in riding so long that my legs are wet noodles when I get off. I am a spine surgery patient and had a cervical fusion at C5/C6 5 years ago because of an old whiplash injury from a traffic accident. I fractured my ankle 2 years ago riding a horse that I had borrowed when a dog chased her and she bolted and I fell off. I decided that to continue with horseback riding, I would only ride my own horse that I have spent time training and forming a bond with. It has also taken this last year of owning a new horse to get my leg and ankle strong enough for riding.

I ordered a custom western saddle that holds me firmly in a pocket, and it has an inlaid padded area in the seat. The fenders have a 90 degree turn in them because the saddle is made that way by soaking the leather and letting it dry in that position. I ordered it with the wide trail stirrups and I am well balanced, so I feel firmly connected to the horse if we are going around a tight corner. It was a good investment and money well spent.

When you exceed your physical capability, your body is exhausted and that is when you hit the wall and your leg doesn't move when you try to get off the horse. It could be reduced circulation too and your leg is asleep because of sitting on a very hard saddle for so long. Bouncing up and down on a hard saddle will tire anyone out. In preparation for riding for another dude ranch trip, it may help to get in shape first any way you can safely do this. A physical therapist could help recommend what would be safe strength building exercises for you as well as stretches so your body would be adjusted for riding. For your next trip, you can get a pad for the saddle. Some are fleece, some are foam or gel filled and it is a guess as to if that would fit on an outfitters saddle. There is usually an elastic loop to go around a saddle horn or the back of the saddle's cantle. You could always ask them well in advance what would be a good choice so you would have time to order it.

Chris also mentioned Myofascial release therapy which is a form of stretching that a physical therapist does. I do this to work on my issues with tightness in my shoulders and neck. If you have a pattern of not moving well or maintaining proper body alignment, MFR may be able to help that. Nerves go through some very small spaces and can get compressed because of tight fascia tissues. If that is a cause of your neuropathy, MFR may be able to open up those spaces a bit and get the body back into a better functional alignment. Here is our discussion on MFR.

> Groups > Neuropathy > Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
— https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Have you ever ridden any of the breeds of gaited horses before or heard about them? Are you interested in trying myofascial release? Do you plan to try some accommodations to make your next ride more comfortable?

Jennifer - I happen to have a "routine" visit with my Neurologist tomorrow, and boy do I have a list of things to ask him about from you fine folks, including MFR! I also talked to the Nutritionist I had on my throat cancer treatment team, who is getting me an appointment with an Integrative Health group who can help me with nutritional/vitamin management with my overall (and sometimes conflicting) health needs. The group includes accupuncture and medical massage therapy, both new to me.

As for horse riding, the Dude Ranch person is @maureenb . I'm afraid I've only been on a live horse 3-4 times in my life, and don't see that in my future. I was a very avid cyclist though, can see a couple of similarities. I am seriously thinking about getting an adult tricycle so I can get out and about again and enjoy the little bit of exercise my nerves and muscles will let me! (and my bony rump....) Falling is a big deal for me; if I am on the floor/ground, I am unable to get up on my feet by myself. Thanks for the link re: MRF - I will read up on it before my neuro appointment tomorrow. I am trying to be positive and give this doctor one more chance as my PCP has recommended, but I am not optimistic. He doesn't communicate or listen well, and seems reluctant to do anything but shrug his shoulders and want to prescribe an antidepressant, but I am going to hope.

Good luck and I hope you find some answers. Your symptoms may be wild, I understand as I have simulator health issues.