Looking for others dealing with neuropathy from ankles to knees.

Posted by semaj @semaj, Mar 14 9:12pm

When I lay down or sometimes just when I'm sitting, I have pain from my ankles to just above my knees--sometimes it is a pressure sensation, sometimes tingling, sometimes just general pain. I see that most people deal with it in their feet. I am interested in hearing from those who have issues similar to mine and how they deal with it.

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 15 7:36am

Welcome @semaj, I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy and do have some additional discomfort if I'm sitting down for long periods of time. Also, when I sleep I generally use a small pillow between my legs when sleeping on my side due to some discomfort in my legs. While you wait for other members with similar experience to respond, you might find it helpful to scan through the comments from other members with similar symptoms. Here's a link of the search results for "leg pain sitting or laying down" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/comments/?search=leg%20pain%20%20sitting%20or%20laying%20down.

From what you describe as your symptoms, I think there are possibly many different causes. Have you discussed your symptoms with a doctor or had any tests?

William | @willgranger1127 | Mar 15 10:00am

Yeah, me too. A small pillow under your knees at night, if you sleep on your back, will help. Calf stretches several times a day can help.
Sitting in a high chair like a bar stool can irritate the femoral nerve in the back of your thigh and/or can pinch the femoral artery a bit and decrease blood flow.
Test different heights of chairs and varying results. My best.

jeannieflores | @jeannieflores | Mar 15 10:04am

Acupuncture took away most of the pain but not the numbness, unfortunately. Get your vitamin B levels checked. My husband was low in B1, high in B6, and were getting his vitamin B12 checked, hopefully! Good luck!!

semaj | @semaj | Mar 15 10:34am

In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @semaj, I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy and do have some additional discomfort if..." + (show)

Thanks for your response. I have discussed it with two different GPs and had circulation in legs tested and OKed. Dr. recommended and I take Alpha Lipoic Acid and L-Carnitine twice a day and 100mg Gabapentin three times a day for about 2 years now. Not sure how much it helps.

gailk4 | @gailk4 | Mar 16 4:32pm

On second read, my neuropathy isn’t quite the same. Mine’s all the time, not just lying or sitting. The bullet points of what have helped me, and I can elaborate on any if you wish ( there’s more detail in my intro to this group)
1. Duloxetine
2. SCENAR therapy
3. Exercise incl yoga, walking, cardio, weights
4. Putting feet up
5. Several lotions/ balms
6. Warm epsom salt soaks
7. Massage
8. Meditation
9. Keeping mind occupied in something I enjoy
10. B complex vitamin daily