I have terrible weakness and VERY noticeable loss of muscle mass. The muscle mass became very evident over the last 2 years but I just assumed it was due to my inactivity. Today I was reading that the loss of the muscle tissue or atrophy is associated with the neuropathy and not necessarily the direct result of the lack of movement. Some members say that despite a good exercise routine the muscles are not rebuilding and in some cares continue to deteriorate. Anyone here have experience or thoughts on this?

SC,

Check out http://www.foundation.org/living-wel...style/exercise

It is a Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy......exercise and or/PT very encouraging.


Gerry

Thanks Gerry.
I learned much from reading the other boards here on PN and SFN. I REALLY don't want to go the med route, and as good as it was reading other's stories, it is all pretty discouraging.

I wish I could turn back time but in truth I well knew what I was doing to my body at the time but I just didn't care. Now I am desperately trying to be well but fear it is too late.

That little bit of exercise really set me back but I assumed it would. I had terrible pain, internal shaking and horrific weakness. Today is not much better, but I may attempt to get to the gym. If I am there and cannot manage I will try to work on some of the universal type equipment.

Members on the other boards described my ailments exactly. Even the terrible fatigue was frequently mentioned, loss of muscle mass, and someone even described strange changes to their skin which I have also noticed but thought unrelated. It seems like all the weirdness with me is neuropathy related, even my eyes and brain zaps.

I have done much reading, actually compulsively, but I have the information I need and so won't dwell there anymore. Too much information can send me reeling. I have to believe that if I stay away from the booze I have a fighting chance for a near normal life. Of course I will continue to log on here daily. This is my lifeline and I think of you all throughout my daily struggles, and I want only the best for all of you. We all are victims. Some not by our own hand while others were damaged by alcoholism but regardless, we all have had our bodies ravished by a disease and no one deserves to live in this pain and with our QOL sacrificed. Just for today I will not drink.... just for today I believe my body and mind can heal. Onward.

I feel like **** but I am afraid if I do not follow thru with the gym it will die along with all my other "best of intentions". Sometimes in movement I improve so I will see how this goes. I'm off.

Enjoy your day.

SC,
It is really important that you increase the time of exercise gradually. This is true for people without neuropathy. Even more true for people with neuropathy.

My husband, who has the large stand up Elliptical that has the arm and leg movement. Uses three times a week. He has worked up to a good routine. But; as I mentioned previously; when he saw me trying to do too many minutes on the Motion Elliptical he warned me to take it slow...Just a few minutes at a time or I will only cause more pain.

Anything to maintain rather than increase the leg weakness is a positive. Hang in there. It has become quite obvious, you are not one to give in or give up.

Gerry

Ha! No Gerry, you do not know me. I get discouraged very easily. I was walking to my car to go to the gym but my legs felt so very weak. No way! It is a gorgeous day here today and decided this would be a day to just go for a short walk with my cane. I didn't go far, one block.

I'm relieved to read you didn't hit the gym. If you don't mind, I would suggest you establish a routine to begin with and you stick to it. So here goes a very basic suggestion. Whatever you do do, please when standing at all times be newr, very near a wall or heavy piece of equipment you can have your hand against for balance or hold onto. Door knobs are no good, they break and you could fall. At the gym there should be a stretch corner with mats.

Sunday - gym - 5-7 minutes stretch exercises, even a basic gym should have a stretch corner with stretch exercise posters stuck up on the wall. It's important you do basic stretches so you don't injure yourself. If no stretch sheet, try these;

*Face front wall, lean against the wall with both hands, shuffle 1 foot backwards until you feel a gentle pull in your lower calf muscled, count to 15. Repeat with the other leg. Do it again, single leg at a time.

*Still holding against the wall try to bring you heel to your buttock, if you can grab your heel and hold it there, count to 12 & release, do the opposite leg, this will give a gentle stretch to your front thigh muscle.

*IF you can't grab your heel to hold it, face forward to the wall with both hands on the wall widen the distance between your legs and using a kick back motion flick your heel to you buttock left leg, right leg, left, right do this maybe 12 times. Gentle is the key word, your aiming to get your heel to you butt, it doesn't matter if you can't do it to begin with, in time you will.

*Lie on the ground on your back, bring your right knee to you chest, leave the left leg out straight, clasp your knee to your chest & count to 12, repeat with the left leg, do this 2 or 3 times.

*Still on your back bring both knees to your chest, clasp them both & hold them, count to 15.

*If you can, rock gently (GENTLY) back n forth 10 - 12 times

Treadmill 10 - 12 minutes (forget how far you walk, focus on the minutes)
You're done, time to go home and rest

Monday rest day from the gym
Tuesday, basic stretch exercises followed by 12 minute treadmill walk
Wednesday rest day from the gym
Thursday, basic stretch and 10 minute treadmill
Friday rest day from the gym
Saturday rest day from the gym, gentle stroll outdoors weather permitting.

Sunday, repeat all over again. Google some stretch exercises to add to your routine.. above is only a general idea based on what I could initially do when I first hit the gym. Gradually over time build up the minutes on the treadmill, add to it the elliptical, but again, gentle and easy and start with 7 minutes if adding to your treadmill 12 minutes. The key message here SC is take it slowly, don't injure yourself by over doing it. There is nothing more disheartening.

I got to the gym again. I did a little over a mile, taking it slow and holding on to the rail. I can honestly say this is the first day that I did not have the overwhelming compulsion to drink. I am so scared about this neuropathy. Sometimes the fear knocks me down and I "go back out" but this time feels different. This gym is the best thing I could have ever done. The weakness is bad and the burning is intense but no worse than most days.

I love straight talk and I am asking for truth. After 4 years of having this neuropathy advance and given your experience, do you honestly believe I can improve through diet and exercise? (I need to give up the smokes too but don't dare give up all my vises or I will be sure to fail both, but in time that is the plan). From what I understand my neuropathy is quite advanced as it is not just distal but proximal as well. Perhaps after all this time the best I can do is maintain my current level but I would love your thoughts.

Well; that's one block more than you had before.....; you didn't give up completely.....
Just did something different.

Gerry

I truly admire your inner strength and determination mate. About this time last year I quit the booze, lasted about 7 weeks, and then along came Christmas, and the temptation that goes with it. Weak excuse I know. I quit again earlier this year, and managed 33 days. If I'm honest, I think I simply like it to much.
The misbelief that I can be an "ordinary bloke" who can go and graft on site for 8-10 hours, then go for a couple with the lads, I always seem to end up having a couple more once I'm home. A diiferent approach is going to have to be found!
Anyway buddy, keep up the good work,You'e a Marine!