I'm 70 years old and first started experiencing PN (small fiber, idiopathic, they tell me) symptoms about 15 years ago. Over the years it progressed very gradually and never got to a point where it troubled me too badly.

About 4 months ago I underwent some stress and have been suffering from severe insomnia ever since. During this time my PN symptoms have increased dramatically. I suspose there's a relation there but I was wondering if anyone had any data or thoughts about that. Can the nervous system become inflamed? That's how it feels. Will this improve once I start sleeping again?

A second question has to do with walking. I try to stay fairly active and take long walks lately (even more so lately as a means of curbing the insomnia). The extensive walking however seems to further agravate the PN symptoms. I am noticing more pain, numbness and a spreading of the symptoms up the side and top of my feet. Anyone have any insights?

Thanks,
Terry

Does anyone in your family have any symptoms like yours? Thank you.

I know stress aggravates my PN that and high blood sugar causes it to flair


Uglogirl

Pninn......I have severe insomnia. I get to the edge of sleep and a muscle somewhere wil jump or my whole body will jolt! I take Lunesta. I don't reccomend it though. I do get sleep with it but, it's not good long sleep. I have had trouble walking for a year.

I'd try some Morton's Epsom Salt Cream on the tender feet. I have extra buzzing for around a half an hour after a mile walk. It fades back into my baseline after that. I think the trick is to find your personal limit and back away to your comfort point.

Next month I am moving to a parking lot half the distance I walk now. I like the exercise I built in, but I am wearing myself down.

Stress sends my symptoms up, up, up! There is no question, no doubt, being as centered as I can be is ideal... and a chore.

I wish I could, though am no help in regard to whether the nervous system can become inflammed.

Best of luck to you,

Jon

I take L-Theanine before I go to bed--it helps me relax so I can go to sleep quickly. Dr. Blaylock recommended this about a year ago in his newsletter. If I wake up during the night with my legs burning, I rub on one of the lotions with menthol and am always able to go back to sleep.

Hi Terry,

It appears the stress of 4 months ago caused insomnia and an exacerbation in PN? Quite honestly, 4 months of insomnia is apt to exacerbate any condition.

It appears a goal might be, at least partially, to decrease the stress and to retrain yourself to sleep.

The walking may need to be increased slowly and in increments?
The pain from walking may be also interfering with sleep?

I like Jon's suggestion you apply the Morton's Epsom Salt lotion to your feet, 3-4 times a day.

Joano has also made a good suggestion: Using L-theanine for sleep.
There are also other sleep assisting supplements.

A warm Epsom salts bath may help to relax you at night.
Progressive relaxation techniques may also be relaxing.

Good sleep hygiene is important to overcoming insomnia.

I hope you feel better soon.


DejaVu

Sorry for the delayed response. No, no one in my family has symptoms like mune.