Neuropathy

[livingwith]

my husband has poly neuropathy. his shoulders burn tremendously. he has nerve damage in both legs, he can’t walk. is there something he can do to build his muscles and gain strength in his legs?
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[GypsyHeart]

Yes, there is something he can do to built his muscles and strength: exercise. I've had neuropathy throughout my entire body for 10 years as a result of Taxol (chemo). The one directive I get from my doctor is : Exercise! Even if it hurts we must exercise. The old adage: "Use it or loose it" is so true.
I will venture a guess that when your husband's condition first began he was able to walk, but it hurt so he walked less and less the more it hurt...until he finally did not walk any more. The less he walked the weaker he became... the less he could walk... an endless downward spiral. I hope his condition has not deteriorated to the point of no return. He MUST discuss his situation with his doctor and review with his doctor the exercises I recommend below. ONLY he and his health care provider can determine which exercises would be beneficial and which he would be able to do, even if just in tiny baby steps at first.

Since standing on my feet is extremely painful walking as exercise is out of the question for me. Although I can walk around my condo, to and from my car etc. I do my shopping in the electric carts. I find riding a bike is tolerable, as is swimming.

Perhaps your husband can do leg and arm lifts while laying on the floor or even while in bed. EVEN IF IT HURTS!

He could also lay on his side and lift his top legs up to work the out side. EVEN IF IT HURTS!

He could bend the top leg forward and then lift the bottom leg up a few inches to work the inside. EVEN IF IT HURTS!

He could sit in a chair and lift the lower the 1/2 of his legs, roll his ankles, flex his feet and wiggle his toes. EVEN IF IT HURTS! Exercising our feet is most important for us who have neuropathy.

While sitting he couild possibly do trunk twists (turning his torso left and right) and also bend to each side. He could reach one arm up and over his head, within the limits of his shoulder movement, as he leans to the opposite side. Even if his shoulder hurts or burns, as long as he is not doing damage, he needs to exercise this part of his body. A stool without a back is best for these type of exercises. Just make sure that he can plant both feet on the floor for stability.

While sitting he could also do shoulder rolls, arm lifts to the front and side, bicep curls, triceps extensions etc.

There are many, many exercises that can be done while sitting and laying down (crunches for example). If you have medical insurance that covers a few visits with a physical therapist he can be shown all kinds of things he can do. Even if you must pay for a couple visits out of your own pocket it is well worth it.

Joining a gym is good too, even if he can just barely hobble over to a stationary bike and ride for 3 minutes at the lowest resistance. Over time he will be able to increase the time and resistance as his strength improves. He will also see other machines (ones at which he can sit) that he may wish to try. Again, starting at the lowest setting is better than doing nothing at all.

He must also review with his doctor the exercises that he can or cannot do and the limits he must set. He needs to exercise enough at the beginning to stop the muscle loss which he is most likely undergoing right now. In time, as he is able to increase his exercise levels, hopefully he will begin to regain some of the muscle which he has lost.

You may wish to do a web search for exercises that can be done while sitting and/or laying down. He should also look into supplements that will assist with his muscle regrowth but will not interfere with his medications. This chemical synergy MUST be reviewed with his doctor. Taking of supplements, even "natural" and/or "organic" and labeled "health food" can have toxic and even deadly results when combined with medications.

The worst thing he can do is just lay in bed or sit in front of the TV, waiting and hoping for the pain to go away. It won't! Do not allow him to get into a state of depression and self pity. This will only make his condition worse. He also cannot expect others to do everything for him or for his doctor to come up with a magical cure. That is not going to happen. Nor will meds make him feel like he did before he developed neuropathy. They won't, and they have side effects.

He must become his own advocate, not rely on his doctor(s) or you for all the answers

I hope he starts to move, even just a tiny bit each day will help.

[Rockele]

I to have neuropathy.Excercising does help it keeps your blood flowing and your muscles strong.Do not giveup it will only get worse if you let it.Biking riding is a very good excercise for Neuropathy.I do it everyday.If I can't walk , I ride my bike everywhere.It relieves my stress on knowing I have this problem in my legs and feet.When sitting I excercise my legs and feet just by moving them.I even do toe excercises.It does hurt ,but I do it anyway.That's how we stay strong.Don't give up ,you only live once.

[IslandJohnny]

I also have neuropathy and I’ve gone from not being able to walk due to lack of balance, and now getting better every day. All I can do is tell you what has worked for me, and perhaps you can look into it. This is not an advertisement for anyone; it’s simply the regiment I have followed for almost two months now.

To exercise the mussels in my legs, I use an exercise bike that I got for $15 in a thrift store. I use it twice a day for 15 minutes each time, utilizing slight tension but not to much. I have also read that Thiamine (B1) is good for your nervous system. I found a safe and powerful vitamin called Benfotiamine. Please look it up on the computer and read about this great B1 supplement. In conjunction with the above, I also use a nerve stimulator called the Rebuilder, also found on the internet. I really enjoy using that electronic nerve stimulator. As I say, I have no idea of what has really made the difference, but together they have made me stronger, more secure on my feet, and I have absolutely no pain. After only about two months I still have numbness but it’s getting better. I say that because from day one, I’ve kept a daily log as to the events of that day.

In looking back, I’ve gone from walking with a walker, to being able to mow my lawn, which all summer I had to hire someone to do. I realize everyone is different but at the very lease, you MUST exercise and look into the vitamin Benfotiamine, which has helped many, many people. Blessings and know there is always hope if you keep positive.