Welcome LMPinkereton.

Exercise always makes mine worse too. If I exercise a little, I experience a mild flare-up but if I push myself at all, my body attacks me and it takes days to recover. I do 15 minute "workouts" now, slow and easy and that's about the best I can do.

I've got the toothpick arms and legs too, especially lower calves/ankles...they're just skin and bones now.

I understand why you still surf. I would too if I could. I think we should all do what we love for as long as we can.

Hi all,

Nice to hear some of you getting out and still exercising! I will use you as inspiration in my neuro journey. My experience so far (10 weeks into this), has been difficult. I am a very active, otherwise healthy young (26) female. I am used to doing high impact exercising when I am committed to a exercise regime. As for now, it is very difficult to walk to my mailbox some days. I have tried slow, steady walking and notice that I must walk short distances. I have done one mile since this ordeal and came home physically DONE, mentally, not so much but my body will not allow me to go further. My calves CRAMP badly, my legs feel stiff, it seems my circulation decreases, and my heart rate feels through the roof. And yes, I feel that it absolutely triggers my sensory and muscular symptoms. My feet and hands certainly burn that night and the legs cramping and muscle twitches are intense at night. Last week, I was determined to incorporate exercise back into my life and started "beginner yoga". Ten mins in I had to stop. My hands and arms were burning and hands and feet swollen. I did yoga three more times with similar results and called it quits, at least for now and until I see a neurologist. I just don't feel confident or comfortable exercising at this time. Hoping I can see a physical therapist or my doctor will give me insight so I can get back at it. EXERCISE IS MY THERAPY and stress reducer!!

EXERCISing is one of those things that can make neuropathy worst, because your constantly putting your nerves under stress,oxidative and physical stress.

I was really into weight training but I noticed it aggravated my symptoms, or maybe just a coincidence. But i've been too paranoid to work out again so its been 3 weeks now. I might try some light weights starting next week.

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.