Neuropathy symptoms are worse when I sit or lay down: Anyone else?

Posted by pitepalten @pitepalten, Nov 26, 2021

My problems are worse when I sit or lay down. I now work standing and limit sitting or laying watching tv. When I wake up my arms have fallen asleep. This started 3 months ago and the discomfort is all over but worse in my arms, legs and back. I have had all the tests but no one can find anything. I also have a rash on my neck. It has been there for a week. Doesn’t itch. My dr prescribed 30mg Zymbalta. I take it prior to going to bed. Anyone have similar symptoms?

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Hi @pitepalten, I think a lot of folks share your symptoms when they have neuropathy. Also, some share the symptoms even without having neuropathy. You will notice that we added some words to the title of your discussion to hopefully bring in more members. Here's some information I found on sitting that speaks to the topic while we wait for members to share their experience with you.

"The longer one sits, the more strenuous it becomes for the body. If you suffer with nerve pain, sitting for long periods of time is slowly damaging the nerves over time. Sitting can affect the nerves most vulnerable to pain sensations, such as tingling, burning or stabbing pain." --- 5 ways sitting is killing your nerves - Loma Linda University: https://lluh.org/services/neuropathic-therapy-center/blog/5-ways-sitting-killing-your-nerves

You might also want to check out the following discussion:
-- Neuropathy Pain at Night: What helps?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/night-pain-2/

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Yes, I share your identical issues. I have found that Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA, 600 mg) helps as does higher dose of B vitamins.

May you find permanent resolution soon!

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My symptoms (numbness in my feet) are worse after sitting and when I first get out of bed in the morning. I do not feel the numbness as much when sitting or lying as I do when standing up after sitting or lying. Mine started all of a sudden 2.5 years ago, and no "smoking gun" cause found yet. Fasting glucose a bit high (104) but A1C is OK. I have low B12 but I take shots, and B12 fine with those. I have a bit of a lower spine problem, but experts looking at MRI do not see that as a cause. I am overweight with BMI at 29 so I need to work on that -- have actually gained wight recently and feet feel worse so that is an indication. Also looking into is possible sleep apnea. I have been taking B vitamins for a long time. Just started Alpha Lipoic 2 weeks ago, will see if that does anything. I take 2 one hour walks each day, which I love and actually makes my feet feel a bit better. I wonder why the walk makes feet feel better. I know it lowers blood sugar (I have measured before and after and it drops by around 20). I also know it increases circulation, but doctor says my circulation is fine. "When I wake up my arms have fallen asleep." << I also get that sometimes.

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Hi - you struck a chord with me as my arms recently started falling asleep badly at night, scaring me with the numbness presented and how I fervently work to restore feeling in the limb and hoping I didn’t have a stroke! Since I‘be had my neuropathy 5 years and the arm thing started last few months, I was nervous about any connection to my Covid vaccine. Of course we know nothing and can prove nothing, but I wonder… but glad I’ve gotten the vaccines still. As for Cymbalta, my neurologist of 18 months (since I moved to new state) just prescribed it last week to add with the Gabapentin I take for neuro pain. He says it’s ok to take with the liver cirrhosis I have, but I’ve decided I won’t take it until/unless my GI/liver doc says it’s ok. I’ll add that my pain is worse sitting/lying vs standing up too. I can only stand or walk so much with my condition though. What John’s comments and links say makes a lot of sense to me! Thanks for sharing John!

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I seem to have very similar symptoms, to a less degree; however, my last test results didn’t find anything more than I already had several years ago.

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@kobe4thewin

Yes, I share your identical issues. I have found that Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA, 600 mg) helps as does higher dose of B vitamins.

May you find permanent resolution soon!

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Thanks! I will try Alpha Lipoic Acid. Doctors can’t find anything wrong. It feels like a slight burning feeling in my buttocks, back, arms and legs mostly but really anywhere. Hard to explain the feeling. Last night it was hard to sleep. It is better some days. I now stand to work all day (computer work). That has helped. Doctors can’t see anything wrong. My last one didn’t think it is neuropathy. She said it wouldn’t come in that sudden.

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@pitepalten

Thanks! I will try Alpha Lipoic Acid. Doctors can’t find anything wrong. It feels like a slight burning feeling in my buttocks, back, arms and legs mostly but really anywhere. Hard to explain the feeling. Last night it was hard to sleep. It is better some days. I now stand to work all day (computer work). That has helped. Doctors can’t see anything wrong. My last one didn’t think it is neuropathy. She said it wouldn’t come in that sudden.

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You might find the following discussion helpful - Supplement combination/effectiveness: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplement-combinationeffectiveness/

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@pitepalten

Thanks! I will try Alpha Lipoic Acid. Doctors can’t find anything wrong. It feels like a slight burning feeling in my buttocks, back, arms and legs mostly but really anywhere. Hard to explain the feeling. Last night it was hard to sleep. It is better some days. I now stand to work all day (computer work). That has helped. Doctors can’t see anything wrong. My last one didn’t think it is neuropathy. She said it wouldn’t come in that sudden.

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My pleasure to offer some rays of hope. May it help you. I take 600 mg …and sometimes a little more.

My physical therapists (whose talent seems more intuitive than MDs, in my experience) diagnosed me as having neurological vs muscular issues — long before the extensive medical testing eventually found.

I wish the branches of health could talk and appreciate each other’s talents more!!

I also find DOs vs MDs to be more helpful with neurological issues. It was via a DO that I was recommended to take ALA — and it helps.

Finally, my PTs said nerves love activity! This may be why many here are finding relief with exercise or movement (and worsening conditions after sleep or sitting). Muscular issues, OTH, need relaxation per my PTs.

I hope this helps!

Forward with conviction for a resolution. Don’t settle for body imperfections. There is a solution for ALL conditions.

Remain the champion in your life and health. You will prevail.

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@johnbishop

Hi @pitepalten, I think a lot of folks share your symptoms when they have neuropathy. Also, some share the symptoms even without having neuropathy. You will notice that we added some words to the title of your discussion to hopefully bring in more members. Here's some information I found on sitting that speaks to the topic while we wait for members to share their experience with you.

"The longer one sits, the more strenuous it becomes for the body. If you suffer with nerve pain, sitting for long periods of time is slowly damaging the nerves over time. Sitting can affect the nerves most vulnerable to pain sensations, such as tingling, burning or stabbing pain." --- 5 ways sitting is killing your nerves - Loma Linda University: https://lluh.org/services/neuropathic-therapy-center/blog/5-ways-sitting-killing-your-nerves

You might also want to check out the following discussion:
-- Neuropathy Pain at Night: What helps?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/night-pain-2/

Jump to this post

My feet are most numb at night. I think that is typical. I have been improving a lot with gabapentin, 300 mg 2X day, alpha lipoic acid, Vits. K2 and D3. I'm 80 years old and got neuropathy from chemo.

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