Thanks plgerrard and Mrs D, Writing down the pain levels is a good idea, I had not throught of that. I do watch what I eat anyway even through I am not diabetic. not being able to exercise much and trying to lose weight I have to. But I am looking a other exercise options, like ti chi, swimming, and stationary bike riding.
I had also throught of trying gluten free for a while and see how that goes.

Thanks again for your help and wise words

Lesley

The nightshade family of veggies can cause intolerances in some people. Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers.

Also some foods release histamine:
This can cause redness and tingling, often mistaken for PN.

http://www.michiganallergy.com/food_and_histamine.shtml

For example I get foot symptoms from highly concentrated tomato sauces. Some don't bother me like Bertolli. But Ragu is a big offender.
Sometimes a little bit of a histamine food is okay, but additive amounts will cross some threshold and give symptoms.
Some food intolerances don't show up for a day or two or longer, so take that into consideration.

Some food intolerances can be blocked with H2 antagonist drugs along with a antihistamine.
H2= Zantac (ranitidine), Pepcid, Tagamet (but not proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec).

Antihistamines like Zyrtec and Benadryl are better than Claritin (which I think is useless)

The gluten thing cannot be blocked by drugs, as it is an autoimmune response and is best dealt with by avoidance of the offending gluten peptide.

Something I found that works great are resistance bands. I found them at Walmart with a 3-pack of the different strengths for around $5. When I worked, I travelled with my job and they were great because they could fit easily in a suitcase.

I just googled, and found this site that gives a really good demonstration of how they work:

http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com...exercises.html

The only problem I encountered with them was that the strength in my hands is so bad, I had difficulty grasping the ends of them. What I really needed was to be able to wrap them around my hands several times, but the ones purchased at Wally world weren't long enough. I eventually found a place where I could buy a roll and cut to the length I needed.

poor man's 'Bow Flex"

[QUOTE=lesley21;629749]But I am looking a other exercise options, like ti chi, swimming, and stationary bike riding.

*** My wife introduced me to aqua-aerobics and I love it. The pool where we go is probably the warmest of all in the city. The water helps support me and I get a good workout. Swimming is too solitary and eventually boring for me.

[QUOTE=rscowboy2005;629932]Funny you mention Aqua-aerobics, I rang up this morning and found out about times and prices so I think I will give it a go, I was going to go to my sisters for a swim but it has been raining here none stop so the water will be to cold.(sunny Queensland) and the aqua-aerobics is inside so I think that would be better.

Thanks again Lesley

Just updateing on Aqua-aerobics, I have now been to 3 sessions now and I am really enjoying it. You get a good workout without any pain, if you did the same out of the water I do not think I would be able to walk after it. I would recommend this to anyone.

Cheers

Lesley

My goal is to get on my bike, first tho, I need to retrofit my gorgeous blue racing bike, to make it what I used to call a Fred bike...higher handle bars, padded everything. I need my shifters changed to bar ends. That will cost me some money. Dog gone it, this bike is fairly new, and now I have to retrofit it...foo. Those shifters on the brakes are not a good idea for people with small hands or hand issues.

I can't ride in the racing position anymore....hands won't take it. Hands hurt when I am sitting perfectly still not using them, let alone riding with them.

The only pool in town is a private club, and I have gone, but the thing is, they have some mold on the doors and exterior wall and I am really not too keen on breathing in mold spores. I wish they would fix that, because it is a nice pool, and warm too!

We will see how things go....I can dream.

I was never any good at bike riding I have a thing called a pedal exerciser where you can sit in you lounge chair and pedal away, I don't mind that. It is a pity about your local pool because it is fun. I a not sure about winter because I am tall so the bottom half of me will be warm and the top half will be freezing, might have to wear a long sleeve top or something, but it will not get cold here untill about June so I do not have to worry yet.

Dreaming is all we can do

Take care

Lesley