Every article and post I have read claims that exercise helps SFN.
My case is just the opposite and I'm curious if anyone else has the same problem.

I definitely have SFN verified by the skin punch test. I have tried many times using an exercise bike and/or walking. I start out very slowly, but every day gets worse and I end up in so much pain after a week or so that I end up going to bed for a day or 2.

I've given up on doctors and pain meds and am wondering if there is anything that goes hand-in-hand with SFN (and Graves) that might cause this. I'm at my wits end and don't know where else to turn.

Thanks

I've had the very same problem. Exercise sets off all my sensory symptoms - buzzing, stinging, and burning.

My approach has been to scale back on everything. Try something easy and wait a few days to see how my body responds. My symptoms have a delay to them sometimes. I might experience the pain either later that same day or up to 72 hours after the stimulus. Keeping a journal has been very useful to track this.

Guess I am not the only one. Sorry you're in the same boat as I am.
My only option has been not to exercise at all. The more I rest, the better I feel. The more I rest, the better I sleep at night.
But according to my doctors, I MUST exercise. They just don't realize how painful it is.

Is there a chance that something else could be causing this rather than the SFN? I've seen a neurologist and a rheumatologist. They both say there are a lot of tests are "off", but nothing really stands out as extreme. That's all the farther it goes.

Thanks,

LM

Look at this issue in a different way.

Exercise is helpful to prevent blood glucose problems which can lead to diabetic neuropathy.

Exercise keeps muscles and the heart strong.

Exercise improves circulation in the body, and for those with poor blood flow (and hence neuropathy developments), it can help in the long run.

BUT.... People who have something in their blood like some drug or toxin, or heavy metals, or autoimmune disease, will
have MORE blood delivered to those nerves who will react more.

If a person has an inflammatory problem, arthritis or some other inflammatory issue, then exercise may inflame that process. Stress increases inflammatory cytokines (Cox-2 family).

If a person has some problem not recognized in the feet and legs, some compression issues, tight shoes, broken sesamoid bones, spurs on the ankle, psoriatic arthritis, neuromas, then surely the feet will hurt more with exercise. For these people swimming is often a good compromise.

But just having shoes laced too tightly can cause all sorts of grief in the feet... so having a really good podiatrist evaluate your feet is a good way to screen for the negatives.

I was told that I have sfn based on skin biopsy. I get pain cramps twisting and all in my calf and feet that get caused if I walk more than 20 minutes or so. Forget about exercise can not do it. Do you think this is sfn please?

So far it doesn't seem to be affecting me badly. I take a short but slightly strenuous bike ride each day. It gets me out of the house and is good for moral. It's so beautiful here in Sept/Oct.

I can't exercise either. Just makes my pain go right out of the roof !

The skin biopsy is very reliable so if it tested positive for SFN then you have it. Did you get a copy of the results ? If you did can you tell us what it says ?

My ankle's do cramp and my lower legs have deep aching pains as well as my arms. Drives me crazy too.

Debi from Georgia

Same here. And every time I try exercising, I am in bed recovering for days.

Mine as well.

I exercise a lot and am very fit. Unless I can't walk or am disabled I'm going to continue to exercise. Exercise relieves my symptoms although thankfully at this point they aren't that bad and getting a little better.


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Yes, exercise makes mine worse. Lying down makes mine worse. Sorry that
it is this way.
Some yoga has helped me the tiniest bit.
Walking in a warm pool also helps.
If I exercise like I did prior to my symptoms I pay heavily for it.

This all is such a challenging paradox.