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.
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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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1 ReactionI would love to know what these exercises are. Resources anyone?