Fatigue from Walking

I get tired from walking and it is diagnosed to be neuropathy. I have had PN over 5 years. My Neurologists started me with all the pills. Next I have tried 7 creams. I now use Diclofenac sodium Topical 1%. It does help with my sleeping. Feet still sting when walking. I have researched many, many, treatments. I begin with Scrambler Calamare on Monday. Treatments for 1 hour, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. I will report back to all of you as I progress.

Hi Rachel -- Wow ~ I have been thinking about that last question of yours for many days. First, thank you for your thoughtful response and for the suggested resources (I promptly watched both conversations 😃), which contained plenty of wisdom. Right away I could identify that what I consistently have to figure out, is how to avoid overdoing when I am feeling stronger, have the time, and am highly motivated! I think my weakest link is fatigue, even more than pain. My pain doc and PCP, though not working physically in sync together, have each been successful in managing my pain medications. I just need to be diligent about taking them with the correct amount of time between doses. So behavior seems to be on top of the to-do list. It encompasses both the physical and behavioral for me.

Emotionally, I think the last 12 months have been the stages of grief to acceptance. This Connect site has been incomprehensibly helpful in ordering the process. I only found it by accident in March of this year. I firmly believe that we all have "seasons" of life that we are given, and for each the duration and type of season will be individual. But each has the potential to be beautiful in its own way if we give ourselves the grace to receive it with thanksgiving for what we do possess, which is usually far more than we realize on the surface.
Again, thank you, Rachel, for your response - I really appreciate it - it gave me lots to ponder ~~
Barb

@bjk3 Hi Barbara, you're welcome! Thank you for sharing positive feedback on how Connect has helped in your "season" of life. Beautifully stated, and thought provoking. You gave me something to ponder as well.

Openess and thoughtfulness to change your perspective is a huge step in allowing yourself space an opportunity for growth in pain management. Do you by chance keep a gratitude journal? I find it helpful to start each morning off by focusing on what is good in life and more importantly why.

"The why behind the what"

For instance, my journal entry reads:
I'm grateful to babysit my baby niece because she brings positive distraction and joy, plus babysitting allows me to practice tools like modification, moderation and time-management.

It's not about the mindset of "I can't do something", its more the mindset of "how CAN I do it"? It took time and practice to shift my mindset, I didn't always feel so positive, but at the end of the day I was only hurting myself. I bet you understand.

Keep up the good work, Barbara. Do you have a plan in place to strategize your next walk in order to avoid pushing and crashing?

Hi Rachel!
Really enjoyed your response several days ago. Actually, I do not keep a journal but I do find that I internalize thoughts as I share them with others when I e-mail family and friends - of which I consider you one. Also since I live alone (with my dog 💕) I engage in some sort of intentional contemplation (as opposed to daydreaming). I love Bible reading and study, and thinking about the infinite ways God offers His love reduces anxiety about all kinds unknowns that I wake up with every day.
On a different note of practicality, I find that making lists of things I need to do, ought to do, and want to do ~ and then prioritizing those things ~ clears my mind and also reduces anxiety. For me, prioritizing relieves a good deal of stress. Like you, I figure out how I CAN do things that are important. What is important? Here's where my Sanity Saver comes in! It's a mindset, not originating with me, known as The Duty of the Moment. It's a mindset I incorporate into prioritizing. One mindset important to me is the Golden Rule. So the duty of the moment during an routine task might be simply to offer a smile, open a door for someone, motion someone wanting to changing lanes to go ahead of you....even fulfilling the expectation of your pet to be fed "on time" -- and somehow they always know when it's time!!! LOL If I can keep this in mind even a few times a week maybe I have contributed to somebody's sense of being cared about/for. Full circle for living out the Golden Rule 🤗.

Now about those walks --- I'm working on it! Thanks Rachel!
Barb

Hi Barb, the Golden Rule is wonderful, and how wise of you to incorporate it in to your weekly goals. It sure is an amazing feeling doing a kind deed or gesture for someone.

I found an article from Utah State University about acts of kindness that you may enjoy.

Improve Mental Health With Acts of Kindness:
- https://extension.usu.edu/mentalhealth/articles/improve-mental-health-with-acts-of-kindness#:~:text=Reduced%20stress%20and%20anxiety.,increases%20self%2Desteem%20and%20optimism.

Today, I gave a bag full of my kid's old hats and fun things to play with from Disney World, to the kids across the street. It made me feel good, and released oxytocin, the feel-good hormone which really did help relieve my stress. It helps increases self-esteem and optimism, too! Exactly like you're doing with a smile or holding the door open. I'm virtually smiling at you. Keep up the good work. 👍🏼😊

Hi Rachel ~
Thank you for your kind words and for the link. 😊 I may have known something of the place of the hormones in one's approach to life, but all these years since college psychology have taken a toll on my memory of said findings! So I appreciated that article and it really does help to feel validated. I am so glad to have found Connect this year - there are so many wonderful people around the world who share and encourage through their stories and experiences. I appreciate you ALL.
Barb

Love this. I also incorporate these principles, but I didn’t have a name for it. I also live alone, with my cats. Since I had to give up my career as a nurse and lactation consultant, I seek out volunteer work that fills those roles. One thing I do is foster tiny kittens! It’s a lot of work, and it’s painful doing all the bending, reaching and stretching, but my goodness! Talk about hormone release!

@julbpat Those pictures of your foster kittens made my day! Their little tummies and expectant eyes melted my heart! Thank you for sharing them with us.

I keep a journal; it tends to morph and change up as the days go on. Being able to get things out of my head and onto paper lessens the negative impact thoughts might have on me, and make space for more beneficial ideas.
Ginger

@julbpat - Just seeing the pictures of those sweet kittens makes my heart happy 😻😻! My youngest daughter-in-law fostered kittens for years while her kids were young so I have an idea of how time consuming it can be. I guess I hadn't considered the physical aspect but I sure can appreciate the hormone release. Over a span of 35 years my husband and I had 4 Siamese fur babies while our kids were growing up (and beyond). Now I have a little lap dog who is my companion and who also keeps me active. Much to be thankful for!

I too find walking absolutely exhausting. I have Motor Neuropathy and my legs feel like heavy planks when I walk and I also feel as if I am on stilts! I force myself to walk as I know my leg muscles are becoming weak, and our old farmhouse has many stairs to climb, so hard, but all good exercise. I am 84 shortly, and so accept that I am not going to be as spry as I used to be no matter what. I use a very good walker with a seat when out and about, so that if I desperately need to sit down I can - I have plonked myself down in some very odd places it has to be said!!! I have an electric scooter on which I sail out to 'walk' our lovely dog, Mabel, who is a constant joy and companion. I can relate to your struggles totally, but without wishing to sound like Pollyana, I feel very lucky to still be here, and as we are losing a young, and much loved family member to cancer, I realise that whilst neuuropathy is horrd, there are far, far more hideous illnesses to suffer from.