I listened to a Webinar recently, put on by the Neuropathy Foundation, and what I took away from that was you need to exercise150 minutes a week. That's only about 22 minutes a day - which I will admit, is sometimes hard to find the time. But I know that will make you feel as good as anything, AND will help to keep those muscles in your leg from atrophying!! I am 83 years old and have decided there is no magic bullet that will kill neuropathy, but it is SO important to keep whatever movement you still have!!!!
Bravo @barbarn, Getting in the necessary exercise is not so difficult if it becomes part of the daily routine. I do about 10-12 minutes of core stabilization exercises and toe lifts faithfully every morning like brushing my teeth. I read my daily newspaper while peddling a stationary bicycle for a half hour in the garage. Its so much better than reading it on the sofa. I tend to spend a lot of time at my desk, especially with all of the Zoom meetings these days, so I take a few minutes of break standing up and sitting down 20 times from a chair. If weather permits, my wife and I will take a 20-30 minute walk after supper to help our digestion and we think we sleep better as a result. In bits and pieces, we get in the requisite exercise. My severe spinal stenosis and neuropathy are not getting better, but at age 88, I believe this approach is keeping it from getting worse as rapidly as it might if left to its own natural progression.
A dozen years ago, I saw a top neurosurgeon who looked at my lumbar spine MRI and was surprised that I could walk. A neurologist told me that half the men my age were in wheelchairs or needing canes. (Actually, half the men men my age are deceased.) Neither they, nor anyone else that I saw had any advice that was any better than to try to avoid surgery and to keep exercising.
Bravo @barbarn, Getting in the necessary exercise is not so difficult if it becomes part of the daily routine. I do about 10-12 minutes of core stabilization exercises and toe lifts faithfully every morning like brushing my teeth. I read my daily newspaper while peddling a stationary bicycle for a half hour in the garage. Its so much better than reading it on the sofa. I tend to spend a lot of time at my desk, especially with all of the Zoom meetings these days, so I take a few minutes of break standing up and sitting down 20 times from a chair. If weather permits, my wife and I will take a 20-30 minute walk after supper to help our digestion and we think we sleep better as a result. In bits and pieces, we get in the requisite exercise. My severe spinal stenosis and neuropathy are not getting better, but at age 88, I believe this approach is keeping it from getting worse as rapidly as it might if left to its own natural progression.
A dozen years ago, I saw a top neurosurgeon who looked at my lumbar spine MRI and was surprised that I could walk. A neurologist told me that half the men my age were in wheelchairs or needing canes. (Actually, half the men men my age are deceased.) Neither they, nor anyone else that I saw had any advice that was any better than to try to avoid surgery and to keep exercising.
@Californialen As I sit here recovering from my hip replacement surgery, I found myself in complete agreement with you. In 07, pcp told me I was lucky to not be walking with a cane as were most women who have my degenerative stenosis. Thank goodness I didn't stop with his diagnosis. Working with my wonderful physical therapist, I eventually got rid of the pain and numbness, and was able to continue playing tennis for a while. It is my understanding that I'm running a bit ahead of the recovery curve for folks with my hip surgery and who are my age (81). I walk, bike, lift weights, and do my pt stuff, and I fully expect to resume my normal life. Please know that I have much sympathy for all who suffer debilitating back problems. My words are not directed at them, but rather at the many older women I see in the grocery store using the cart as a walker. Before shots, surgery, or anything else, try, try pt, or a chiropractor. Well done, @californialen!!
I have min on as I write this message, I have Degenerative Disk Disease...a.k.a arthritis in my spine/discs at L3- L5. I first found out about TENS from a physical therapist during one of my PT sessions. The portable battery-powered models are available from multiple sources on the internet. Talk with your doctor or a physical therapist ( I'd recommend the PT as they deal with TENS on a regular basis) to see what type would be good for you and your particular pain. You should know that there are three types of consumables with TENS;: Batteries, electrode wires, and the electrode pads themselves. Also be aware that electrode adhesive ( latex) may/may not cause your skin to react. There are so-called skin-sensitive electrodes but they are "pricey" compared to regular electrodes. Good Luck and I hope that this will help you.
I also had pain down both legs before my back surgery which I mentioned was several years ago Also had leg pain when I went to physical therapy this year. It helped a lot. I still will have pain in legs that gets me up at night but not real often. I have exercises which were shown in PT which help a lot.
Sorry to insert myself in here @ladyjane85, @grammydove & @crockett , but I believe you are confusing a TENS machine which has sticky patches & wires/leads with a surgery known as SCS which is a Spinal Cord Stimulator in which they surgically insert leads along your spine & they are suppose to get your nerves to provide other sensations other than pain. They are in fact two different things.
next device I'm contemplating is Biowave suggested by
yet another pain management MD.
I've tried just about everything else to ease the pain including: fusion L4,5, S1, epidurals, ablations,Nevro spinal cord stimulator which after the surgical procedure to implanted it,was told it only works in 60%of cases and I was not one of those cases....it didn't work.
I exercise 5x/week, stretching, walking, seated elliptical crosstrainer for 30 minutes. any suggestions??
Sorry to insert myself in here @ladyjane85, @grammydove & @crockett , but I believe you are confusing a TENS machine which has sticky patches & wires/leads with a surgery known as SCS which is a Spinal Cord Stimulator in which they surgically insert leads along your spine & they are suppose to get your nerves to provide other sensations other than pain. They are in fact two different things.
Thank you..FYI I did have the Nevro Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted. As I shared in my post, it's effective for only 60% of patients. I had mine shut off but disc and leads are still implanted It's was suggested removal of the components surgically but I demurred.
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I listened to a Webinar recently, put on by the Neuropathy Foundation, and what I took away from that was you need to exercise150 minutes a week. That's only about 22 minutes a day - which I will admit, is sometimes hard to find the time. But I know that will make you feel as good as anything, AND will help to keep those muscles in your leg from atrophying!! I am 83 years old and have decided there is no magic bullet that will kill neuropathy, but it is SO important to keep whatever movement you still have!!!!
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3 ReactionsBravo @barbarn, Getting in the necessary exercise is not so difficult if it becomes part of the daily routine. I do about 10-12 minutes of core stabilization exercises and toe lifts faithfully every morning like brushing my teeth. I read my daily newspaper while peddling a stationary bicycle for a half hour in the garage. Its so much better than reading it on the sofa. I tend to spend a lot of time at my desk, especially with all of the Zoom meetings these days, so I take a few minutes of break standing up and sitting down 20 times from a chair. If weather permits, my wife and I will take a 20-30 minute walk after supper to help our digestion and we think we sleep better as a result. In bits and pieces, we get in the requisite exercise. My severe spinal stenosis and neuropathy are not getting better, but at age 88, I believe this approach is keeping it from getting worse as rapidly as it might if left to its own natural progression.
A dozen years ago, I saw a top neurosurgeon who looked at my lumbar spine MRI and was surprised that I could walk. A neurologist told me that half the men my age were in wheelchairs or needing canes. (Actually, half the men men my age are deceased.) Neither they, nor anyone else that I saw had any advice that was any better than to try to avoid surgery and to keep exercising.
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2 Reactions@Californialen As I sit here recovering from my hip replacement surgery, I found myself in complete agreement with you. In 07, pcp told me I was lucky to not be walking with a cane as were most women who have my degenerative stenosis. Thank goodness I didn't stop with his diagnosis. Working with my wonderful physical therapist, I eventually got rid of the pain and numbness, and was able to continue playing tennis for a while. It is my understanding that I'm running a bit ahead of the recovery curve for folks with my hip surgery and who are my age (81). I walk, bike, lift weights, and do my pt stuff, and I fully expect to resume my normal life. Please know that I have much sympathy for all who suffer debilitating back problems. My words are not directed at them, but rather at the many older women I see in the grocery store using the cart as a walker. Before shots, surgery, or anything else, try, try pt, or a chiropractor. Well done, @californialen!!
I have min on as I write this message, I have Degenerative Disk Disease...a.k.a arthritis in my spine/discs at L3- L5. I first found out about TENS from a physical therapist during one of my PT sessions. The portable battery-powered models are available from multiple sources on the internet. Talk with your doctor or a physical therapist ( I'd recommend the PT as they deal with TENS on a regular basis) to see what type would be good for you and your particular pain. You should know that there are three types of consumables with TENS;: Batteries, electrode wires, and the electrode pads themselves. Also be aware that electrode adhesive ( latex) may/may not cause your skin to react. There are so-called skin-sensitive electrodes but they are "pricey" compared to regular electrodes. Good Luck and I hope that this will help you.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI would love to know what these exercises are. Resources anyone?
next device I'm contemplating is Biowave suggested by
yet another pain management MD.
I've tried just about everything else to ease the pain including: fusion L4,5, S1, epidurals, ablations,Nevro spinal cord stimulator which after the surgical procedure to implanted it,was told it only works in 60%of cases and I was not one of those cases....it didn't work.
I exercise 5x/week, stretching, walking, seated elliptical crosstrainer for 30 minutes. any suggestions??
Thank you..FYI I did have the Nevro Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted. As I shared in my post, it's effective for only 60% of patients. I had mine shut off but disc and leads are still implanted It's was suggested removal of the components surgically but I demurred.