Everyone is different and those who have not experienced the pain from standing in relation to PN have no Idea what you are talking about thanks goodness for them really. Anyway I have no idea why but my theory is that there is some kind of connection with blood flow. If the blood is not flowing and if it’s causing pressure, (at least it feels like pressure building) my PN is much, much worse. If I stay on an exercise regimen where I get the maximum blood flow over time it PN seems to improve.

PN for me never improves. Same with most other CMTers. Just keeps progressing, as it does, due to the hereditary factor.

My chi machine is fast becoming my best friend.

My mom has been visiting for the past week and I could not exercise and I have continued to use my chi machine twice daily and I am still have blissfully wonderful nights. Thank you Lord. All I can think is my chi machine is what is doing it. If I get a flare I can go use it in that moment and it will stop the flare farely quickly compared to not using it.

It MUST be a circulation thing, since that is the major thing a chi machine does.

I am sure circulation is key. I would use the Chi machine but I cannot lie flat or have that constant movement. I would love it if I could do it. I do use my infrared dome and pad though, great for circulation.

I have not been walking because of the PN pain. As I may have mentioned in my other post, the pain has slowly progressed. Anyway, I tried walking this morning and I painfully finished it. After I finished walking, I had to literally throw myself onto the sofa to rest my feet/legs. It was really horrible.

I completely understand what you mean with "....have not experienced the pain from standing in relation to PN have no idea what you are talking about....". The pain and the discomfort are very difficult to describe.

I have the same issues. I try to walk too, but know I am going to pay for it. I gain weight if I don't. Keep on going, and I will too. Tonight I will use a lidoderm patch in hopes it settles down. take care of yourself. ginnie

Here's another thought which is a touchy topic and has been discussed in great length but I have gained close to 15 pounds in the last year due to not being active enough. I have chronic Hip Bursitis and can't really do much at all right now. Anyway I' wondering if now my feet are fatter if that's added to my PN being much worse?,... Inflammation and pressure from the layer of fat? I'm thinking yes. It's so hard to be active and healthy when battling PN sometimes!

Any thoughts?

My pain specialist said that these patches are only useful for painful skin, as in on the surface, but not for deep nerve pain. I found that disappointing. He is not trying everything he can to help my burning

As for exercise I do vigorous work every day. I feel great when I'm doing it, and won't stop, however, I notice that on the weekends when not working, my pain lessens.
I'm only 30 and can't bear the thought of not walking, although the numbness in my lower legs and moderate/severe bil lateral carpel tunnel lead me to believe that I will have to accept that I won't be running myself into the ground for much longer.
The other week I was wearing tights under my dress and my ankles and calves turned purple .. so frightening. Has to be circulation related ..no?

Marty feet do gain weight just like the rest of our body, lol. True. I lost 60 pds last year and all my shoes got too big for me.

I can't help but think it would make pn worse, since added weight makes everything else worse but thats just me guessing.

Silver, I dunno but that sounds scary, anytime it turns purple!! I know my chi machine is my new best friend now and its all about circulation.

Lidoderms do penetrate.... any doctor who says no is in error.

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed...archiveid=3663

I suspect doctors lie when they don't know much about a product and therefore are afraid to prescribe it.

The pain of post herpetic neuralgia is deep and not superficial only in the skin.