Exercise question:

Posted by rick1959 @rick1959, Dec 22, 2025

I was recently diagnosed with idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. Currently have numbness in both feet, pain in the arches when walking, and some sharp stabbing pains usually at night in my legs. Struggle with balance at times.
I enjoyed strenuous exercise [male 66 overweight] until the first symptoms arrived.
I have found that even "light" exercise, i.e., walking, makes my symptoms worse. If I work out "hard" it takes 3-4- days for my symptoms to return to their pre-work out state.
I don't know if exercise is the proper course of action in my case? Am I doing more harm than good?
Mentally, I feel better after a good workout but dealing with the after effects is troublesome.
My thoughts are with everyone who is struggling with neuropathy.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

maggie3409 | @maggie3409 | Apr 12 12:43pm

I have Polyneuropathy. I also experience pain after I exercise. I am 88 years old and in good health otherwise.
I do have an apple watch and register a walk over a mile just cooking and cleaning in the house.
Both legs and feet are numb. I walk in the house without a cane or walker but use a cane when I go out for balance. I do not experience to much pain I do take 100mg Gabapentin at night and sometimes in the morning
I am on a very expensive vitamin regime. I was taking a pill for water retention. After about a year it caused terrible pain in hands and arms. After I quit taking the terrible pain has stopped.

The Mayo Clinic Website has helped me tremendously.