circulatory problems and peripheral neuropathy
 

Hello

I was wondering if anyone can answer me this:
Does circulatory problems arise because the nerve is compressed /damaged, or because a person doesn't move his limb because it hurts?
Do nerves control the circulatory system?

Thanks

In a word--
 

--yes.

To a great extent, small-fiber autonomic nerves regulate the action of the circulatory system, particularly smaller blood vessels.

This is a sort of "chicken and egg" thing--circulatory problems can be caused or worsened by neuropathy, as the vessels won't get the right signals to move fluids along, and/or circulatory problems can cause neuropathy themselves, as decresed circulation can starve nerves of needed oxygen and nutrients (and keep waste toxins from being eliminated). In fact, many metabolic (i.e., diabetic) and a number of autoimmune (i.e., vascultic) neuropathies are primarily ischemic/circulatory in mechanism. And these can become cyclic--reduced circulation leads to nerve damage leads to more decreased circulation . . .

I do strongly encourage people to move as much as tolerable--the benefits are many, not just circulatory.

Very well said.

CNS and PNS
 

Thanks glentag,

By the way, do you know what is the relationship between the CNS and the PNS? Can a simple nerve compression create stress/hyperactivity to the CNS? Are there any studies on that?

Well--
 

--certainly the central nervous system--brain and spinal cord--receives signals from the peripheral nervous system and interprets them, giving rise to the sensations we "feel".

There are situations in which the central nervous system has trouble interpreting unusual signals from the peripheral nerves, such as those associated with axonal damage--it can interpret this as any one of the many positive (pain, tingling, shooting, heat/cold) or negative (numbness/sensation loss) sensations of neural damage. But the same type of damage may give rise to different sensations in different people.

I was wondering about this too
 

Ever since I have started to have what the doctors I am working with believe is nerve pain in my legs, I have started getting alternating red, burning feet and freezing cold, blue feet. My hands also get red and burn from time to time.

Does this sound characteristic of a circulation issue due to nerve pain in the legs?

Yes, my doctor drew me a picture, and said that because the nerves aren't working, they fail to tighten around the capillaries and push blood through. When this happens, you get edema (swelling) in the area. But it's usually because you have nerve damage first, then the circulation problems follow - in a lot of cases that involve neuropathy, anyway.

Thanks Brue!

Any ideas as to how to improve circulation while having a nerve issue? I cannot move around a lot at the moment due to my leg and foot pain.

I have found that exercising in my pool works best. We're thinking of moving from Florida, and I've been concerned about missing the pool. I've begun to be able to use an elliptical machine. I'm about to start learning tai chi to get better motion.

Anything you can do, including yoga, can help.

I have also gotten relief from the Rebuilder, a kind of TENS device; I don't believe it has done any rebuilding, but it helps the pain, and possibly the circulation.

Thanks for your reply Steven!

I have heard swimming is supposed to be good! Unfortunately, I am at the point where even very little movements are irritating my nerve pain in my hamstring/glute area. I am hoping to work with a neurologist that will be able to guide me in little motions that may not trigger the pain as much!

Steven is right, any contact with the water, and the fact that you're so much lighter in it helps the affected area. Sometimes I just go hang onto the side of the pool and let my feet dangle in front of me for relief. Do a relaxed pedal like I'm on a bike or something. Not too strenuous, but just to move around. The rest of your body needs exercise, remember that even if you can't move your feet and legs.

Hot water, including whirlpools help my legs and feet. I have to watch putting my nerve damaged area in front of the jets, because if you stay in front of them long enough, it will stimulate the nerves and it'll be out of control burning and buzzing. But like I said, the hot water, maybe 10 minutes at a time REALLY HELPS ME.

Brue

Thanks again, Brune and Steven!

I hope to perhaps get into the salt water pool at the pain clinic I will be attending, eventually.

Unfortunately, walking is a major issue for me right now. Getting out of the house, let alone around it, has been non-existent.

I am trying to keep my upper body moving, as you mentioned Brune. I do aerobic arm exercises which I am tolerating ok so far, and some seated core work from time to time.

Thanks again!

I used to love swimming, and was a member of a local health club, but had to give that up as the nerves seemed to be stimulated by the chlorine in the water and it was agony. Sitting in the jacuzzi was torture also. Has anyone else had this experience?

I started having leg pain several years ago. Concurrently I had severe pain in my small toe on my right foot. It was a burning pain where the toe began to turn blue and was extremely sensitive to even light touch. I was eventually diagnosed with PAD (I had a 98% blockage) in the abdominal aorta and a piece of plaque traveled downstream and landed in that toe. The toe resolved. Although the aorta was stented successfully, I continued and do today suffer with the same leg pain. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy because of the longstanding and untreated PAD. Often moving around more causes more pain and not moving I think causes the condition to worsen. But, about two years after having the stent, I purchased what is called an I-Squeeze. It is a foot and calf massager that also vibrates, massages, and squeezes the legs. When I have bouts of edema and/or pain, I use it. In fact, I use it daily because I am always in pain. It helps with edema and circulation (for me at least) as I can see the edema dissipate after using it for about an hour. I can also feel better circulation as I get somewhat itchy. I do believe it works somewhat like those medical grade compression hose or like a little pump to keep things moving. I am not particularly active (at least not as much as I should be) as I find it difficult to move around a lot since having circulatory problems. Mine is made by Brookstone but I have seen them on E-Bay as I think I am ready to replace mine since it is pretty well worn. I don't know of anyone else who uses one for this reason. It just made sense to me when you consider that hospitals use something similar around the ankles for those who are laid up for a while since presumably they help to prevent clots from inactivity. I know this is a long explanation, but I have not had any other blockages until recently as my VS thinks I may have an issue in the right illiac artery. But, it has served me well and I think helps with the pain, which is awful sometimes. It does not eliminate the pain, just helps. My doctor said if it works, then he saw no reason not to use it. Of course, anyone should ask his/her doctor about any device before using it as a treatment for any condition. But, just wanted to share. I would love to hear from anyone else who has used it for circulatory problems or peripheral neuropathy. So far, I have not.