Over two years of consistent a1c improvement, massive overhaul of lifestyle, diminishing physical stamina is continuing. I'm trying to adjust somethings. I think I do too many long walks, at least 2 miles roundtrip to and from my car daily, -20 windchill or 85 and humid.

I lost a grasp on my knots in my calf muscles while dealing with the shingles. I rest more often recently, mostly on the accord of an empty tank. Bone dry some days.

I maintain as much optimism as seems reasonable short of delusion. I can see perfectly where I went wrong and only reference it to ensure I don't return there. My general health is remarkable in ways. I know this all would be infinitely worse had I not made changes.

I'll up the vit C a bit, why not? I get it via veggies and lemon and lime juice (tons of homemade hummus).

I have not gone full no nightshade to check for a sensitivity, but I have reduced them in the past. I enjoy so many, too.

Pat yourself on the back for making the necessary changes and stopping the destruction. Not everyone does, and it's just baffling to me.

I can imagine you have the frustration I do whereby you've done so much to correct things yet continue to not feel good. But you're right. Keeping in mind where we might be if we hadn't made changes is the thing to focus on.

Meanwhile, I just ate what amounted to 1 + bell peppers in four different colors on an empty stomach. I guess if I have a problem with them, I'll find out shortly.

I'm uncertain the damage is stopped, though certainly stemmed. I am allocated 4 strips a day to test. I feel testing one out of three days (up to 12 times that day) which gives me base, 1/2 hour or full hour after depending on recent activity), 1 hour and two hours after.

I know at this point when I have overdone it on carbs/sugars and really feel that I have just broken some regulatory function that will be askew from here on out. Over 140 bgc for too long an slight, incremental damage takes place.

I wonder what else might be at play. It could just be the insidious rainbow of symptoms that are in motion. My neurologist believes I can see improvement. My primary is more damage is done pov.

I hope and work to the former, but believe the latter is more likely. I do expect to have an ebb and flow to my symptoms, as good days are "fly like the wind" fiestas, even if my good would appear absurd to others.

I think once you come to terms with what is going on and if you do everything in your power to address it, some phoenix behavior starts to roil.

My wings have holes, ragged and worn. This year has started mighty rough, but I weathered things that would've crushed me in the past.

Pressing on, always

Jon

Jon, do you put the magnesium lotion on your calves?

If it is not working, have you reported this to your doctor?

Yes, I do. I have mentioned this to them and in the past we tried some muscle relaxers. I massively overwalked a few days ago, five mile day- 3 in an hour during lunch, but this has been pervasive for awhile.

I love the lotion for my muscles, but it never solves the issue. I have been a loaf for the better part of the last 24 hours, stretching and moving, but tethered to my ottoman.

I will send a portal message to my neurologist.

I had a head down and tough it out approach for a long while. I feel like diminishing returns are showing.

I hate to ask the obvious, but you're ok on the four major minerals involved...sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium? And you're well hydrated?

I've noticed I'm much more likely to cramp up since this neurapathy hit, and something really got me last night. I've never experienced anything like that before. I've taken 2 calcium supplements today, and so far, so good. Night could be another matter.

Always worth asking. I test well on them for quite some time. Last year when I first joined I was hopeful it was a deficiency.

I drink as much water as I can. Always trying to get in as much as I can.

Mrs.D, Slightly more generous with the lotion. I have some relief. I have been rotating usage. Salon pas may rotate back in soon. I may use a lidoderm later.

I do suggest people try Morton's lotion. It delivers better than just about any otc I've tried. Not a world beater for me, but a world tamer.

Jon, maybe you are losing magnesium faster than the lotion can provide. If you are not eating magnesium rich foods, or you use some drug(s) that deplete this mineral, you may need to also use an oral supplement with the topical lotion. Diabetics lose lots of magnesium thru the urine on a daily basis.

One SlowMag twice a day, may help.
Do you have any muscle tightness anywhere else? That would suggest a magnesium shortage.

But if this is only in your legs...that may suggest a circulation issue.

Heavy caffeine consumption, diuretics for blood pressure, alcohol, steroids, some chronic antibiotic use, and chronic use of acid blocking drugs may lower magnesium in the body.

Aberrations of calcium levels also can cause severe muscle cramping. This can be tested for. Low potassium can occur with some kidney problems. Diltiazem can cause muscle cramps, and kidney problems can cause either low or high potassium, so that should be tested too.

Problems with your arches and feet in general can strain the calf muscles. If your cramping is only after lots of walking, the problem may be mechanical in your feet. If so orthotics may help.

I will look into it all, but I have to believe my magnesium is rather solid. Supplemented, daily almonds, etc. But, still, I will check that out regardless.

It's also my forearms and my tricep, though less so than my legs, as this all kind of progressed along the lines of length dependancy. I took caffeine down to 1 1/2 cups in the AM, though none of the other possibilities feel in play.

I do have pretty flat feet. I also was rough on them during my athletic days.

This ottoman is the best.

Jon