Help with severe lower back pain 7 months post op
So losing the weight has reall helped with my back and also I have osteo-arthritis in my knees and big difference with them too.
The last two weeks my back is basically shot- I initially thought it was because I had the flu and was laying around too much but its severe pain. Again lower back and sciatica.......... I am so frustrated that this is starting at 7 months post op- I spent my first 4 months puking my face off and still battle anemia so enough already! I want to be well and active!
I have a call into my doctor as I know my surgeon does not support nsaids with RNY- he convinced me the weight would come off and I would never need them again so no biggy- but tylenol is not cutting it and I dont know if we are allowed codeine but I am allergic.
The problem is my family doctor is brand new she is learning about weight loss surgery thru me basically - my doctor that had worked with me and did my after care has taken another position in the community and it just leaves me out on a limb.
I know some RNY post ops have to take nsaids and they also take something to coat the stomach- even with the med for the stomach is there a chance you are still hurting your pouch. I tried anti inflammatories just post op via suppositories but they did not agree with me - the surgeon ok'd them but I have irritable bowel and I hated how they affected me.
So sorry to rant and be so negative but I just had to cancel a trip because I can stand up straight with this pain. So I could not travel .
Sit , walk , stand - its best lying on my side with a pillow between my legs and alternating heat and ice.
When I sit up I feel like I am sitting on bone it hurts my ass so much and I am far from having a skinny ass I have 50 more lbs to lose. So I dont know why I am feeling that ?????
Has anyone experienced pain like this - this far out - 7 months post op and what could it be - I wasnt overly active in the last 2 weeks because of the flu so I dont feel like I pulled anything or aggravated something.
I am gonna continue to try to get an answer from the surgeon but he is a 2 hour plane ride away so I can only call and email .
I am also trying to see my new doctor locally and see if there is anything they can give me to relax the spasms and something for pain that is better than tylenol. A clinic or trip to Emerg is out the wait is so long I would never make it.
I am so upset thinking why did I not think about all the points of the DS surgery and the fact you can take all meds..............feel like I screwed up.I researched for 2 years and now I am doubting my decision.
Hope someone can share some advice or experiences similiar - sorry to ramble and make you endure the pitty party!
hugs
deb
STARTING 2010 WITH A BANG! 160 LBS LOST!
WLS JOURNEY: HW-292/SW-273/CW-132-GOAL 125LBS
WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT - ME - 132 LBS ! omg
- Happy to be Brenda B's angel !
I've always had back problems, but everyone said it was because I needed to lose weight and had large breasts.
About a month after surgery, I noticed it was getting worse. I finally went and got it checked out, and I have a herniated disc in my back. It seems the more weight I lose, the worse it gets! I am on a lot of pain pills and get shots in my back. I am putting off surgery for as long as I can. I was referred to a pain management doc and he has been managing my pain for the last 2 months. I also go to physical therapy now and they do massages as well as water therapy there. I wont do NSAID's though. I dont need any more issues than I already have.
I went to Disney World last weekend and had the worst time because of my back. I had a total breakdown there for everyone to see. I was so frustrated!!! Dont even get me started on the plane ride back home, that messed me up even more.
Hugs!!!
Crystal
Just feel better knowing it can happen and I am not losing my mind.
I was at a pain clinic and getting shots up until my surgery then I never went back cause it was the least of my concerns during my first 4 months of pukefest! And like I said it hasnt been an issue.
So I guess I could contact them as well - probably in our health care system can rangle my way back there quicker than getting into anyone else. Thanks for reminding me about that option.
I know what you are saying -I am so nervous to even broach the subject of nsaids because with my luck I would have pouch problems......
I guess no one said this would be easy but I sure thought lose a 100 + lbs and surely you should get rid of your aches and pains..... I know it could be much worse but just really down over it.
Thanks hon - I cant even imagine how you managed in Disney - that is why I cancelled going away to avoid becoming worse.
thanks
Deb
STARTING 2010 WITH A BANG! 160 LBS LOST!
WLS JOURNEY: HW-292/SW-273/CW-132-GOAL 125LBS
WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT - ME - 132 LBS ! omg
- Happy to be Brenda B's angel !
Anyway, definitely get back in to that pain clinic for shots and perhaps a prescription! You owe it to yourself.
Have you considered a chiropractor? I've been going to one for 30 years. He's kept me up and walking straight...literally. I go once a month. All the while medical Dr.s just wanted to pump me full of pain meds and do various surgeries. No thanks.
Please give one a try before you consider living on pain meds and/or surgery.
My new G.O.A.L. ~~~~ Get Out And Live!
Includes 61lbs lost before surgery
I have a back that troubles me occasionally (disc herniation, osteoarthritis) and when it flares it is a bear. My flares normally do coincide with reduced activity due to illness or when my period comes sometimes it knocks my back out. Normally, a few days of Vicodin and Flexeril will help me feel better with probably an 80% improvement after the first night. It is counter intuitive, but the more I move, the better I feel. It hurts, but gentle stretching is hugely helpful too. Of course your PCP may want you have an MRI or something to find out what is going on. But you definitely need to check on a muscle relaxer--they are tremendously helpful. I haven't had my surgery yet and I'm terrified about my back not getting better. It is a huge reason I want the surgery, so I guess I better cross my fingers.
Good luck and feel better!
Denise
Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.
RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!
*6.5 lost preop
I went to my PCP Tuesday, hoping for a medication to help, and she's the active type, doesn't want to fix with medicine type, so she wanted me to do physical therapy. I'm going for an evaluation next Tuesday. I've had upper back problems forever, my boobs aren't huge, C-D , depending but they're so heavy. If I hold my boobs up, it releives SO much pain from my back. Now if I could just walk around holding them all day, that would fix that problem.
My left knee has been acting up since surgery too, I think I expected that having lost 45 pounds since October, both my knee and upper back would feel better, but they don't. I miss Advil so much! I considered not having surgery because I was afraid to do without it, but really thought I'd be feeling so much healthier i wouldn't need it daily anyway. UGH! Frustrating!
Has anyone tried acupuncture for back pain relief alone, or in conjunction with PT or chiro?
Kristy (weight loss below does not include 16lbs lost during pre WLS diet)
START: 325 Day of Surgery :309 GOAL: 180
I think as I am losing weight, my body is trying to align itself.
Because of that, I wish my doc did DS (he does not do that).
Now I cope with: exercise, yoga (really helps - long term improvements), Tylenol, and Darvacet (mild narcotic). I have to make sure I act on the pain as it starts, or if i wait until I can not stand it anymore- nothing will help.
I also can not take codeine, or Lortab, etc.
On top of that I try to take Fish oil every day (antyinflammatory), and use OTC natural herbal medicine for pain and inflammation. I try to get to my chiropractor often. (alignment is the key for me)
If nothing would work - consider epidural steroids - they worked for me in the past.
Good luck.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
I guess it being that time of the month again - yes I have my lovely period now every 3 weeks.... since surgery!!!
Anyway I feel like I pms all the time now and handling that on top of this new "but old" back pain returning has me pretty low!!!!
I am trying to contact my family dr and get in to see her.
I know its in the back of my mind about the DS and why didnt this play into all my research.... I researched for so long - how did I end up in this mess.....
I will keep you posted with any updates!!!
hugs
Deb
STARTING 2010 WITH A BANG! 160 LBS LOST!
WLS JOURNEY: HW-292/SW-273/CW-132-GOAL 125LBS
WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT - ME - 132 LBS ! omg
- Happy to be Brenda B's angel !
