Confession/Cry for Help

 I am just a little over 4 months post-op from RNY. From day one I did not exercise. With the exception of a 3 day period of early morning walks at the insistence of my wife and a couple other pastors I didn't do anything. I take full responsibility for this decision.

Right now I am suffering from a case of peripheral neuropathy caused by B-12 deficiency. I am mostly dealing with weakness in my legs which was so bad at the start that I could not use steps or curbs and could barely stand. I fell 5 times the first two weeks. I am now on supplements and can tell that my legs are getting stronger. I have been doing some exercises for my thighs with a resistance band and doing squats to the level I can to help strengthen those muscles. I have been told that I am going to need physical therapy.

I need to know if anyone can suggest anything that I can be doing right now to be headed in the right direction. I can only stand/walk for 5 minutes at a time before I start having leg shakes and have to sit back down. I want to be able to get to the point that when I am recovered from the neuropathy (assuming everyone is right and I will be back to normal within 3-6 months) that I can get out there and do other things, walking/biking/swimming etc.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have found this to be the most active and informative board and I know that I have come to the right place for sound advice from people who have tried and tested what they are saying!

 amabram,

If you're not already doing so, exercise your legs in bed and sitting in a chair. Do leg raises with bent and straight knees. Make "bed angels" with your legs. Develop a fidgeting habit: move your legs in whatever way uses your quadriceps and calves and biceps femoris (hamstring muscles). The beauty of exercising while sitting and lying is that you don't have to get all dressed and geared up to go out for a walk or to a gym, you can watch TV while doing them, and these exercises really do build up your muscles.

Physical Therapy is wonderful. You'll get different experiences with different therapists, so try to talk with a prospective PT beforehand. Some do a lot of manipulation, which feels really good (but maybe with neuropathy, not so much), and some pretty much just give you a list of exercises. Your PT can show you bed exercises.

Is there a swimming pool near you? Swimming and pool exercising is the joy of my life. Exercise without pain!

I have only a small area of neuropathy--so far, knock wood--but have bone on bone knee arthritis and am pre-surgery, so my knees hurt with every step on dry land. I heard someone say she decided not to let her knees push her around. Love that. Now I walk and if they want to hurt, they can go ahead and hurt--I'm walking.

while i can't offer any specific advice to you based on your medical issues (i.e., i know nothing about peripheral neuropathy and can't offer any real medical advice), i can tell you how i got started.  it will obviously be different in your case as you are recovering specifically from your b-12 deficiency problem.  in your third paragraph you mention that you are walking.  that is by far the best way to get started.  most of us (if not all) started out simply walking and then building into walking faster and longer and then graduating to something more if desired.  i would focus you efforts there and with your PT, i'm sure your PT will give you some exercises to perform beyond walking as well.  as for me, i started walking in the hospital and then kept at it daily until i was cleared for other exercise at 6 weeks out.  eventually i felt strong enough to hit some other cardio machines, elliptical and bike at first, and eventually built into running and other more advanced cardio equipment.  i hope you recover well and you are able to reach your goals.  keep posting here for advice and inspiration, there is plenty of that to go around here.

I am so sorry to hear about your medical troubles.. I personally cant exercise right now due to some Plastic surgery but I do exercises in assisted exercises in bed.. ankle rolls, bicep curls, wrist turns, stretching my neck,squeezing my toes and fingers etc.. I walk to and from the rooms in my house.. thats as good as it gets right now..

I recall after my RNY they had us do some PT before we left the hospital. it was sitting in the chair and consisted of leg lifts, ankle rolls, biceps curls (no weights),  etc.. gosh i wish I had that paperwork still.. maybe try some exercises in a chair..

Take care of yourself.. speedy healing and prayers coming your way..

Michelle

I'm currently in PT for hamstring issues and have seen a lot of other people with leg issues in therapy and we all start with the same basic exercises to work on strengthing the muscles.

http://www.health.com/health/library/topic/0,,ut1197_ut1208, 00.html

The Isometric exercise that is first along with the leg lifts is mainly what I did for the first couple weeks.

Working on Hips, Quads, Hamstring and Calf muslces. Once the muscle had repaired and I got some of the strength back the focus became working on the endurance of the muscle and this is done in the form of Balancing exercises which sounds easy but once you start seeing how many muscles need to fire at the right times and such it really will give your legs a workout.

As Bill said walking is always a good thing and is where most of us started, but Stationary bike/Spin, swimming, or walking/jogging in a pool would probably be good ways that are low impact. 

What does the Doc want you B12 levels at?  My doc was happy with me in the mid 500s which actually is low when you look at when things start happening at the different levels.  For me the high side 700+ is a good level.  I would have your doc test you levels regularly to get a handle on them.  Are you working with your Surgeon or PCP on your B12 levels?

 Primary is monitoring them until I see my surgeon. Do not know the desired level until I see the surgeon. I know he has had other patients with neuropathy from B-12 so I know he'll have a plan.