Neuropathy & Exercise

@fiesty76 Well, I guess she's always liked "darlin" a lot. Yeah, I'm glad she didn't dump me the couple times she got real fed up with me back in the early years. Best to you too during the present craziness as well, Hank

Thank you all for your insight and inspiration, much needed! I FINALLY received a diagnosis after a year plus of doctor visits, lab tests, sweat test, electrical shock (as I call it), biopsy and retracing steps and telling my story more than I would have liked. I was given nothing other than,continue the pain management with Gabapentin, walk as much as you can, heat and/or cold therapy, try acupuncture, meditation, analgesics - I'm sure you all know the drill. Walking is really my only form of exercise and sometimes is not the best thing for me at the end of the day. I'm 57 and am in good health other than a back (dealing with that for 20 years) and reaching out to hear and know I'm not alone in this and to get a little push. Admire everyones strength to fight!!!! It's very difficult for people that do not have this gift of PN to understand the strange, random, uncomfortableness that it brings. I think I'm perhaps a mild case and hoping there some light out there! Thanks for sharing and listening!

Hello @jeanquinn63, Welcome to Connect. You are definitely not alone with your neuropathy. You may be interested in reading the neuropathy journey of other members including myself in the following discussion.

Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

You mentioned being diagnosed for neuropathy. Did the neurologist provide a specific diagnosis? Can you share a little more about your symptoms.

Thank you for your quick response! I was diagnosed with small nerve neuropathy. None of the physicians I've seen can pinpoint the cause however. I was experiencing itching, burning, stabbing, numbness in my feet and it was always random no matter what I did in a day. It is in my hands as well. Some days are better than others and I have a very carefree personality which indeed helps. My husband is a self-proclaimed physician so he is constantly seeking solutions. Phone calls with a "healer" that I've never met and lives states away is not the answer...
Reading that Rheumatoid Arthritis could be a contributing factor of which I do have along with a bad back. No diabetes and as mentioned in good health.

Sounds you like to do your own research which is a great asset when you have neuropathy and a lot of other life changing conditions. There is another discussion you might find helpful if you do your own research.

How do you identify trustworthy health information?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-identify-trustworthy-health-information/

In case you missed this...Webinar: Physical Exercise and Peripheral Neuropathy. Physical Therapist Sarah Boyd PT, PTD of Mayo Clinic will share tips and suggestions on adding exercise and physical therapy to your living-well regime. The presentation will conclude with a Q&A session.
Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5387842685706521100

hi there suffering with neuropathy for about 5 years ago two types of arthritis living in so much pain and discomfort. my two hands are brutal everything I touch feels like razor blades.always very very cold or like they are fire.my neurologist has tried many different meds nothing has helped so far I'm going at the end of the month for an infusion of ketamine and lidacane. my life is not great just so much pain and discomfort 24/7 not many good days I suffer so much it's hard to explainable for listening

@bluesman1, I'm sorry to hear you have so much pain in your hands. I have some pain but it's more like discomfort for me but my fingers and hands are also cold most of the time. Winter time can be a problem for me. Have you tried any wrist or hand exercises to keep your flexibility and strength in your hands or would it be too painful?

Hand and Wrist Exercises With Household Items: https://www.verywellhealth.com/wrist-and-hand-exercises-at-home-4843393

Can you let us know how your appointment goes at the end of the month when you have a ketamine and lidocaine infusion?

yes I will let you know after my treatment and yes I do those exercises I have carpol system sorry about spelling I've had surgery on one wrist wanted to other I said no because I don't see any different in my first surgery on my right wrist it was a painful surgery that did nothing for me. I'm just suffering like a dog every day brutal I wish it would stop

Hello:
I have been dealing with minor, slow progressing Neuropathy for the last year and a half. After a bazillion tests, the final diagnosis is idiopathic Small Fiber Neuropathy, triggered by some immune or autoimmune response..
After my initial occurrence, the numbness and tingling progressed quite slowly, and was very minor...until 2 weeks after my second Covid vaccine shot. That sent it into hyperdrive and things started progressing very fast, and lasted about a month. Things are not as fast now, but still progressing quickly.
My question/s: How do you exercise aerobically if you can't walk too much?
Prescriptions are a last resort. What has worked that's outside the box? Ie. supplements, acupuncture, or OTC meds. What are long-term effects of taking the usual neuropathy meds and treatments?

I'm not looking forward to the inevitable decline 🙁