Hi folks,
I posted in the new members section and was directed here. It's nice to meet you all.

I'm a 53 yo woman and developed tingling in both feet Nov 2008, now have more symptoms like burning in palms, tightness of tendons in hands and right foot, lack of sensation in skin and joints, particularly in lower legs. This goes with a raft of other symptoms which come and go, but with these I'm doing quite well on m-b12 sublinguals and supplements as in the stickies here (was advised about these on another forum WrongDiagnosis).

It's the feet/leg and hand symptoms I'm finding hard to manage - regular stretching seems to help, but I'd be grateful for tips since I'm making it up as I go along.

BTW I'm waiting for results of MRI and something called 'Evoke Potentials'. My GP thinks the problem is some sort of neuropathy but can't say what the cause might be. My hunch is that it's all down to very long established b12 deficiency, which as I say, I'm trying to address.

Victor H kindly gave me the stretches he does, I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for stretches/exercises they find helpful?

jan

I am wondering if you could get a dvd to help you with your stretching ? Either that or go to a class. I started out going to a class at my local that was predominantly for people who had had strokes (I was the youngest by 40 years !) but it suited my level. When i 'grew out of' the class I progressed on to the gym but my programme is overseen by the guy who runs the class I used to be in.

I find that I can be a lot more active in a gym than I can be anywhere else as I can work around many of my physical difficulties with a bit of imagination plus the gym equipment. I really love it, as I used to be very active before chronic illness struck.

hth

raglet

I only ever have/had symptoms in my feet. I take Tramadol and it mutes that burning and tingling wonderfully well. Since I quit smoking I haven't had the burning as I did before.

Barbara

Thanks Raglet and Barbara!

Because I've made it a priority to do regular stretching and more walking over the last week or so I'm realising how even simple things really seem to help. The stretches I do twice a day and I try to stretch every part of my body, with particular attention to legs since I'm concerned about mobility.

Raglet, your dvd idea is a good one and I'll look for a suitable one. I'm also planning to organise a local Pilates class with some neighbours once a week - was recommended this by a friend with Sjorgens/Reynauds.

Barbara, I'll keep your suggestion of Tramadol in mind, that's really helpful to know it mutes the tingling etc! Re the smoking I had a question in the back of my mind about whether it affected the tingling and I stopped a couple of days ago - will see whether it helps (certainly can't harm).

jan

I was a very heavy smoker, 4 packs on a bad day and I had a lot of bad days the past few years. I started smoking when I was about 12. I finally got a script for Chantix and it worked! I've been smoke free for 2 1/2 months now. Yes, Chantix has some sides that aren't good and there are risks but for people like me....we couldn't quit any other way, it was worth the risk. I'd rather deal with some of the sides listed than deal with the many ways there are to die from cigarette smoking. At least now I feel I have a chance of not dying from something smoking related. Before I felt doomed.