The problems I'm having with my back/leg are overshadowing the joy of my eminent lap-band surgery. In addition to a pinched nerve, the pain specialist believes I have arthritis in my spine too.

I went for an MRI this morning. I managed 4 minutes on the first attempt before I had to hit the "panick" button because of severe pain down my leg. Fortunately, the technician was able to elevate my legs enough to take the pressure off the nerve and alleviate most of the pain for me to stand the requisite 25 minutes in the MRI machine.

From there I limped over to the main hospital to do my pre-surgical lab & meeting with the anesthesiologist. That went OK, but the hospital doesn't show me as day surgery, and advised me to pack an overnight bag. That was unexpected, and I'll confirm with Dr. V on Friday.

In a nut shell, this is zapping every ounce of emotional strength I have in me! :faint:

I guess the bright side is it's also kept me distracted from any food cravings whatsoever. It's day 3; the headache is gone, and I haven't had any appreciable hunger.

No hunger on the pre-op liquid diet is a good thing! I'm so sorry about your pain, Karen. I'm a dunce, did you get your first, was it, cortisol? shot yet? Or was that what the MRI is in preparation for? Hang on. You'll drop the first 20 pounds and feel like a million bucks. It will be so much easier on your poor back to carry around less weight. I'm so glad you got approved! Hey, there's a "pain management" thread on here somewhere, want me to go find it?

I was always told that "He will not give you anything that you can not handle". There was a time in my life that not only did I not want to hear that but also didn't believe it. Now I know that it's true. Always remember that if "He take you to it, He will lead you through it".

I will be praying for you,

Oh I am soo sorry that your back is giving you such grief.

((hugs))

God Bless and thank you all! Kathy, I have my first in a series of 3 sets of injection next Tuesday, May 30th. They take 3-4 hours at the hospital and home to rest thereafter. I'm praying they take care of the pain, as I'd prefer not to have to have back surgery if I can help it.

Good luck Karen. I'm sure hoping you don't need back surgery either.

Hey Karen,

I am so sorry to hear all that you are going through. But know that you are getting ready to make a wonderful life change and experience all kinds of new things with losing this weight. Last year at this time I was 50 pounds heavier and miserable. Now, I am 50 pounds lighter and very happy and it doesnt hurt to move at all. Last year I went to Vegas before I had my surgery in late June. When I was in Vegas I was miserable walking all over the place. This November I am looking forward to my trip out there so I can walk it and feel great! This is going to be your year! And all your pain and ailements will wash away as the pounds drop. Good Luck to you girl! I am praying for you. Hugs and Kisses!!!

Angie

Poor you. If its any consolation, I had over a year of pain with my ankle, to the point where I really couldnt walk enough to get through my daily activities for a while there (and I was only 35-40kg overweight!). I'd be down on the bottom level of the shopping centre and need to get up to the top for the bank and just couldnt face it, I'd go home instead. I had trouble getting from my car to the lecture theatre for uni, because I had to go up and down steps to get under a main road. It was awful. Nobody really knew what was wrong with it.

20kg off and its gone, almost entirely. I have some swelling there, but no pain at all, heck I'm running five times a week.

So hang in there for that surgery, getting some weight off fixes all sorts of ailments you never even knew you had and makes others way less intense. I did also get a fair bit of sciatica and havent it for ages. You will get there, and you'll feel so much better for it.

Karen it will get better just hang in there...you have done so good. I hope you start feeling a little better soon.

The overnight stay is done just in case you do have to stay. Check with him Friday but I think that is why it's done that way.

I will see you in a couple of days that has to make you feel better. haha!!!

Love ya!!!!

Hey Karen,

You know I lost my weight and my back disc injury is worse.

I hope things chill for you soon because you need some time to relax.

I'm off to see the specialist friday to find out if I need to see a surgeon.

I hope they can fix me quickly. this is interfering with my wls.

Thanks everyone! I've definitely come to the conclusion that my ability to cope with the pain is directly related to how well I sleep. I deal a lot better if I get a decent night sleep. I haven't had one in a couple of nights, and thus have been both down & grouchy.

I'm going straight to bed after work and hope for a better day tomorrow. I see Dr. V for my pre-op tomorrow morning, and see the pain doc tomorrow afternoon to discuss the results of my MRI and specifics of the spinal injections I'll receive next Tuesday.

God bless you all, and thank you again!

How are you feeling Karen?

I hope you back is better. Ask about crunches. I do at least 100 a day to strengthen my core and the core is the main thing with backs.

In 5 days you'll be in bandland!!!

I had the first series of spinal injections on Tuesday, and was told it would take up to four days to feel the full effect. If it's only going to get better, then I may not need additional injections. What pain is left is incredibly minor!

Dianne, for now the pain doc is dictating my exercise. He said walk 1/2 mile for two weeks and increase by 1/2 mile every two weeks. I have a follow up visit with him next Thursday, and will discuss core exercises then.

Thanks for all the TLC folks; I really appreciate it! It's helped me through a most trying time!