[hopelessdawn]

Hi Everyone, I have been in chronic pain now for about 5 mths since my hernia repair and bowel obstruction surgery. I had an MRI done which showed I have herniated discs in my lower back with some fluid leak and something also to do with pinched nerves. I was referred to pain management and after the exam (which was VERY painful) the doctor told me I have problems with my muscles / liagements. I'm sort of confused about the whole thing but I guess because of rapid weight loss muscles and ligements get stretched and don't go back to the way they are supposed to be?? This causes a lot of pain and can cause the herniated discs. They are going to start proliotherapy on Monday which is injections to help with pain and to actually inflamme the muscles causing the body to naturally heal itself (repair the tissues). I was just wondering if anyone else has had issues such as this and what helped if anything. Has anyone had the injections? Thanks for any information you can give me! :-)

[Kenyar]

Hi. Is it possible that this was something that happend while you were heavy and now that you're not it's come up? Ive just never heard that the surgery causes this. I could be TOTALLY wrong, but I'm sure someone will have the answer. I am sorry for your pain.

[BreeChick]

that kind of problem has got to be from the long term obesity..not from the WLS...in my own educated opinion.

I would take my question to MY doctor who is treating you and demand an explanation of why this is going on, what caused it?
is it?....
the long term obesity?
family history of this?
other chronic issues?
what can improve this?
etc etc....

but then I'm one for asking and being a demanding patient..a sometimes doc's nightmare!

--bree

[fr1endly2]

AMY!!!WOW sorry to hear this !!!!!
I know you wrote me you werent doing to well
lately but didnt know your going thru such cronic
pain.

I guess its years of carrying around the extra weight?
I think Docsanae can offer information but CRAIG has
some bad back issues post op....and she can shed
light

((HUG))
write me !!!!!!

[DocSanae]

Awwww, (((((((HUGS))))))))

Your trouble isn't the direct result of the surgery, rather, it's the result of the long years carrying the extra weight. Your back will have sustained a lot of damage during that time. However, you probably didn't move around as much then as now, and also, the fat around your tummy and back would have served as some measure of support, sort of like a cushion.
Now, you've lost that cushion and you also can move around much more, which both will bring out the symptoms that were hidden before.
You shouldn't exercise while you are in pain, but once your pain is controlled, you will need to be diligent about your PT, and build up your back and abdominal muscles so they will support your back.
Orthopedic surgeons and neurologist often inject pain meds directly into the area surrounding the particular area to control the pain and inflammation and bring relief. You may need back braces as well, which will support your back, and increase the space between the individual vertabral to relieve the pressure on the pinched nerves and the herniated disk.

As Lisa said, CraigT has chronic back trouble which he's been told from his dr is the result of having carried all the excess weight for years. It seems to be under control for now, but he has to work on his PT to prevent it from returning.

This probably is one of the things a lot of you will encounter post op, and is one of the reasons why exercise is sooooo important. You need to build the muscles to support your body and your movements.

You'll need a lot of patience with this, it isn't something that can be treated quickly, because you have to take care of the underlying cause. I know the pain can be excruciating and debiliating, but treated correctly, you should be able to get relief.

(((((((HUGS))))))) Hope your pain will get better with the injections and proper treatment.

[hopelessdawn]

Thanks so much for your replies! I guess this makes a lot more sense to me now.

[MsVickie]

Just a thought here...... I have read this a couple times. I dont know if you ever wanted to look into gettting a tummy tuck after your weight loss. Surley this would qualify you for that because of the excess skin. The back problems etc would tie that in. I am sorry your having such a hard time with things. Listen to your body. It will tell you when its breaking down on ya.

[Trollzilla]

I have a anular tear Between my 4th and 5th lumbar. Which happen on the job it was also one of the reasons I shot up to 433 pounds.
but I also have arthritus in my ankels and knees, hips, shoulders. and 5 days after I had surger my ankels flared and I could not put any wieght on them at all. it lasted for 3 days. Before the surgery I would take Indocin for it (ainte phlamtory {spelling}) Which we are not to take now cause it can tear up our new tummies. So I was lost till I got ahold of the dr on monday . Then he said I can take it but have to take Malox with it. to coat my tummy. But finally 2 weeks later I can move around better but Now I need to get out and walk around. So exercise for me has bbeen limited. but I am still losing. IF I could get out and walk I am hoping to get on a regular schedule. but.... depends on my joints which were damaged due to my wieght.

[shaloml]

Originally Posted by hopelessdawn

I had an MRI done which showed I have herniated discs in my lower back with some fluid leak and something also to do with pinched nerves. I was referred to pain management and after the exam (which was VERY painful) the doctor told me I have problems with my muscles / liagements. Has anyone had the injections? Thanks for any information you can give me! :-)

I had the nearly the same thing (1 herniated disc, 1 bulging disc, stenosis and sciatica); I finally got to a good orthopedic clinic and was given bilateral epidural steroid injections and Lyrica as a maintenance regimen.

I also was told to NEVER hyperextend my back when exercising and be careful when weight training to not do anything that puts undo pressure downward on the back (i.e. over the head lifts).

So I designed for myself a workout routine doing only isolation lifts for the upper body.

I also have severe osteoarthritis in a knee, so no lower body weight routines; the only non-impact exercise I found I enjoy is bike riding, so I bike to work a couple of times a week (16 miles round trip) with a 21 speed bike, so I can control the pressure on my knee. I also bought an Ab Lounge for ab workout, so I could avoid having to get on the floor (getting up is literally a pain in the...knee) its a great gadget! I am not a fan of workout machines - I use free weights exclusively - but I can honestly recommend the Ab Lounge (unsolicited; I am not connected to them in any way other than as a customer).

My best recommendation is to get a personal trainer or physical therapist who is experienced in working with people with our problems, so s/he can design a proper routine for you.

Best of luck and get better soon!

Shalom
Page 1 Baked fresh to Order!