Neuropathy & Exercise

I would suggest starting with riding a bike - because you get to see the countryside, explore different areas, see different things every day, and wave to other bikers (generally a friendly lot). After I lost weight, I felt so good that I wanted to explore more ways to exercise; I started lifting, zumba dancing, running, martial arts ... it's all fun and all good exercise.

We've just been moving and my husband of 31 years is amazed at how strong I am, how agile, and how much stamina I have. I guess I have improved despite the health problems. Exercise helps distract me from the pain of Neuropathy. Peggy

Greetings, all: I'm new to the forum - it was the only place online where I thought I could find some answers to my question. I have chemo-related neuropathy with numbness ankles to toes and no pain. My balance is very poor. My nutrition is good, as is my mental health and outlook on life. I am not able to take any of the commonly used meds or CBD due to my profession and being subject to random urine tests.

Before COVID I joined the Y in September and was trying gentle yoga and tai chi along with using an elliptical. During Stay At Home time I walked my dogs and did chair yoga videos. Y is beginning to reopen, and I have been using the elliptical and tried water aerobics which i have really liked.

I really enjoy cycling outdoors and have a nice rails-to-trails about 6 blocks from my home. I have a good hybrid bike, but am unable to get on it and ride due to my poor balance. I'm not interested in indoor cycling or a recumbent.

I bought some adult training wheels for my bike, and had them put on at the bike shop. I picked it up today and found that I still can't get on it. It is very level with no tipping, but I can't swing my leg over the back to get on it. Before, I would lay it down on the ground and climb over it, then pull it up once I had straddled it. I tried that, but I couldn't balance well enough to straddle it as it now sits about a foot up in the air as opposed to flat on the ground. I could probably lean against my house and be able to get on it but my concern is if I need to get off on the trail, or fall somehow it would not be good.

My health insurance is not good, so PT is really not an option. I've been looking online for solutions, and found you!

Thanks for reading my essay, and I look forward to your thoughts!

Hello @doggiemom, Welcome to Connect. Sorry that you are not able to get on your bike but I can understand the balance problem. I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy with numbness only symptoms in my feet and ankles and I also have balance issues. I posted my story under the Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours? discussion here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

There are a couple of discussions you might find helpful for balance and strengthening exercises.

Having trouble keeping your balance?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/having-trouble-keeping-your-balance/
Strength training: How-to video collection: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/strength-training-how-to-video-collection/

If you are on Medicare I think you are eligible for Silver Sneakers and may want to check out their online benefits/videos on their website here: https://tools.silversneakers.com/. They also have a YouTube video with some balance exercises - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTjwwG-pFtk.

Do they offer any balance type exercise classes through the Y?

Thanks, John, for your timely and thoughtful reply. I noted a comment from someone on one of the forum links you sent about joint replacement saying it relieves the pain, but not the stiffness. I agree wholeheartedly - had to have both hips replaced as a result of the chemo, and the resulting stiffness has been frustrating especially as I was pretty much told I'd be" good as new" after the replacements.

I looked at the discussions you sent and pinned them for future use. It's what I like - self help I can do on my own at my convenience. I'll be going back to work in a couple of weeks and then my schedule gets packed. My volunteer work is starting to ramp up, too, so self-help will be wonderful!

I'm 61 so not old enough for Silver Sneakers, but I will certainly peruse the website. Our Y offers Tai Chi and Gentle Yoga as the balance classes, and you can let the instructor know you are working on balance. Some are called "Forever Young" so they are senior-focused and are nice to attend because they already focus on balance. It's good for me to see others with more difficulties than I have because sometimes I can have a little pity party with how things went so wrong with the chemo and how I was seriously misled by my oncologist regarding side effects. I'm working on my resentment of that with meditation, which is helping, but I need to make my practice more regular. And, what I read here on the forums makes me realize how grateful I need tg be for what I have, and what kinds of potential we have as older folks!

@doggiemom - I also purchase a Sand Dune Stepper to help with my balance after reading a little about it. It's just a large memory foam pad that you walk on. It's two pads connected together with the front end and back ends with different density so that you can walk on it like you would sand (no shoes allowed or you will damage it). I use it with my walker or near a doorway and have also used it with some Nordic walking sticks to balance when walking in place. Feels good on the feet - https://www.sanddunestepper.com/

Hi @doggiemom. I am now aged 89 and have similar problems to yours. I am on nil medicatio and retired from riding on the road. Like you I am not a great fan on indoor riding, but, am now riding one at home to maintain muscle and cardio fitness. Both of my feet have a mind of their own, but the bike is easy to get onto , and as I am able to hold each foot on pedal with a strap, I can ride for approx 20 x 3 times a day. My next step is to ride an outdoors adult trike bike, both pictured. I am practicing Neuroplasticity to overcome my Peripheral-neuropathy, and am experiencing some good reslts, though small, but definate. I live in Australia, where all gyms currently closed.

@user_che214927 I like your outdoor bike If love to get one where did you get yours ?

@doggiemom

My mother-in-law had to give up her bicycle, but found she could handle a tricycle. Would that be an option for you? You might could find a used one to cut on cost.

After I post the photo of the tricycle above shows up. 😂

ZeeGee

@fourof5zs That would work I LL have to look around Thanks

I found one of those trikes in the garage in a house I just bought. It looks like fun and it looks big enough to bring home some groceries. I have to pump the tires up, then I will try it. Peggy