My doctor has upset me

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Pattyanne

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After complaining of back pain which I have had for years my doctor sent me for an xray. He said I had alot of arthritis and some slippage(L5S1) and I should see my orthopedic surgeon who replaced both of my knees (because of arthritis.) I was fine with that because I know I have osteoarthritis everywhere. Then he called back two days later and told me to just lose weight.I was stunned. I know I need to weigh a lot less but I have gone on every diet known to man for 40 years. I just can't sustain a weight loss. I believe I will still have OA even if I lose alot of weight. Can anyone make sense of this?
 
If your back is not operable.....meaning surgery is not called for at this time....then losing weight is the best treatment for your spine. Even if you can't lose, try to do exercises to strengthen your abdominal wall. Ask for a script for physical therapy to learn how to strengthen your abs. Weight or not, it really helps. I'm a good 75 pounRAB overweight and I do the exercises and it has helped me. I need more spine surgery on my neck and then I look forward to just getting out and walking. Lost more weight that way than anything else. I just can't do it right now. I've lost 35 by walking and I intend to lose more!

Good luck and if you need an internet walking buddy...let me know.

Jenny
 
I agree with Jenny. A lot of my problem stems from (aside from the obvious injuries I have sustained and the OA) being overweight. I am currently practicing some yoga and pilates, and walking on the treadmill when my 3 girls are down for naps. I have also been to physical therapy and was told that moving/walking even 10 minutes a day helps get blood into the hurting area and that alleviates some of the pain.

I still have more than my fair share of pain, but when I do get to exercise I feel better. It's just a matter of starting the first time. If you are able to get in the right minRABet to go for a walk around the block or the yard, then it will be easier to do it again. Also, I think I read somewhere that it takes 2 weeks of doing something for it to become habit.

Hope that helps and that you had a good weekend.
 
Hi Patty Ann,

I haven't been on the board for quite a while. But I had my share of back problems and problems with getting doctors to listen and believe the amount of pain I was in at the time. I had my surgery in 07 but had been having back problems since 98 which of course got progressively worse and come to find out later was DDD enhanced by Arthritis in the spine and an unfortunate car accident that just aggravated the whole deal. X rays don't really show much but unfortunately there seems to be a course of action that we have to take before we actually get to see the one person we need to see! It's like an obstacle course as though it's meant to deter you but don't let it! I had the hardest time losing weight and it's hard when you really can't move that much without pain. I ate like a bird but still was heavy and I tried all the diets. But in the end what I found out was that I was not eating enough thus my body went into starvation mode and held onto all the fat. So I had to learn to log my calories so I could learn to eat again- healthy for me any way. I was only eating 500 to 600 calories a day! Now my trainer is TRYING to get me to eat 1,600 and I got to tell you it's hard! I've had to learn to lower my fat, up my carbs and manage my protein and balance it all. I'm working out too which helps but yes I still have some residual nerve pain left after the surgery but that's due to years of improper mobility and that's what my trainer is helping me with i.e. proper body alignment, hip and back strengthening and so far I'm still at 75% but that's better than where I was after five months of hospital therapy! Check your caloric intake that may be your problem but do stay on the treadmill as it will oxygenate your nerves and keep them liraber and if you can try to stretch your legs. I found using salompa patches on the nerve pain sites help for a while. And when your walking on the treadmill keep your tummy in and your back straight. I've learned a lot from my trainer who is also a trainer in Sports Medicine and a gift from my son. Hope this helps you a bit.

Feel better and don't give up.:wave: ReRABmom
 
Thanks everyone. It's so good to feel some sympathy for the problem and such good suggestions. I am going to start walking and exercising.
 
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