Hi all,

I have noticed my PN isn't as bad after my runs. Well once they settle down from the run that is. Before that point the hurt pretty badly but they do usually settle down and feel somewhat better. Does anyone have any ideas as to why?

Thanks,
Marty

My first thought is that running/jogging, can raise endorphins.

These are internal pain relievers... once the physical stress is gone, the endorphins go down.

This is also called "runner's high".

KEEP DOING IT IF IT WORKS!
Who argues with success? Just know when to 'stop'!?
I'm both proud of you? And a leetle bit jealous as well. But each of us is different. So, don't be afraid to gripe when the time is appropriate!
Keep us the good things! YEAH! 's - j

What got me thinking about trying to run a few years ago was I noticed that my pain was horrible while standing in one spot but if I kept moving it went down. So I started to go on walks at night. It wasn't easy because I live in a hot climate (Salt Lake City) and the summer heat was to much for my poor feet. I persisted using ice to cool my feet down when I got home. I had many set backs but 2 years ago I started to walk with small runs along the way. It hurt bad but I kept it up noticing that after my feet stopped freaking out a few hours later they felt better. I thought maybe it was because the flow of Lyrica was increased while running. It has been hard, really hard but what do I have to loose? As long as I can bear it and as long as I dont go off the deep end pain wise I figure I might be improving over the coarse of months and years. I now can run 20 plus miles a week. That astounding when you considered where I have been. I've had 3 operations on my feet in an effort to relieve pain, clawing around the house and all that stuff still happens at times. I crawl to the bathroom and back at night still because it just to much to bear. Marty

Hi Marty,

I don't have any insight as to why it helps, I only intend to relay to you what the doctors I've seen have told me regarding exercise. They all(probably 4-6 different ones) have encouraged me to continue exercising saying that it will help the neuropathy in the long run and serve me well. I don't know any of the science behind it, but I already hit the gym 3-5 days per week, condition dependent. I do a variety of exercises on a treadmill and in the water. I also do a lot of band work and use resistence to enhance the workouts. I don't do these without pain. I've just resigned myself to doing them in spite of it and I use a lot of mindfulness techniques to get me through. I also use distraction methods to and that helps get me through alot of these workouts. At present, my neuropathy is still idiopathic, but I believe there is a genetic thing at work. I saw my Dad lose function and watched his muscles atrophy and that scares the @^$# out of me. Thats probably one of my biggest motivators since I want to do whatever I can to keep that from happening. I may not be successful, but I've got nothing to lose by trying. The pain will be there either way. I didn't mean to go on here but I just felt like sharing this, FWIW. Take care

This was just put up on the PD forum here:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/1...free-radicals/

Exercise in addition stimulates free radical removal and also stimulates growth factors that help with healing.

--exercise helps with blood and lymph circulation, which brings more oxygen/nutrients to afflicted areas and enables them to get rid of toxins more easily.

With sufficient exercise, on may not only build muscle, one may develop new capillary pathways that aid in this regard.

I know how hard it is to exercise and I have in years past envy those posts I would read about those who could. I wish all well who deal with this, it's a hard thing, for most a really hard thing.