Chronic lower back pain

[kiwi17 54]

I've been battling lower back pain on and off since the mid 80s. The past couple of years have been especially bad and I have been under the care of a pain specialist for the past year in the form of facet and SI joint injections with minimal results. I also have bulging discs at 3 levels.

I've lost a total of 66 pounds including pre-op and post-op (4/23/13). I was certain that when I stated to lose weight that my back pain would magically disappear. Apparently my discs are the culprit here and I'm not sure the damage can be reversed. I'm scheduled for a different type of injection directly into my discs at 3 levels at the end of the month.

I would love to hear some positive stories about how back pain does indeed get better at some point after losing the excess weight. I have about 34 pounds to go until goal.

[kiwi17 54]

I've been battling lower back pain on and off since the mid 80s. The past couple of years have been especially bad and I have been under the care of a pain specialist for the past year in the form of facet and SI joint injections with minimal results. I also have bulging discs at 3 levels.

I've lost a total of 66 pounds including pre-op and post-op (4/23/13). I was certain that when I stated to lose weight that my back pain would magically disappear. Apparently my discs are the culprit here and I'm not sure the damage can be reversed. I'm scheduled for a different type of injection directly into my discs at 3 levels at the end of the month.

I would love to hear some positive stories about how back pain does indeed get better at some point after losing the excess weight. I have about 34 pounds to go until goal.

[SeaLegs 38]

I would love to know, too! My surgery is tomorrow, and is part of my plan to deal with the arthritis pain that has gotten way worse over this past year. Last night was another rough night at work and today I'm wondering if I will have to stop working altogether.

[SeaLegs 38]

I would love to know, too! My surgery is tomorrow, and is part of my plan to deal with the arthritis pain that has gotten way worse over this past year. Last night was another rough night at work and today I'm wondering if I will have to stop working altogether.

[sabrina2013 20]

Good question. I have surgery tomorrow and I am hoping that getting some of this weight off will ease up my back pain.

[sabrina2013 20]

Good question. I have surgery tomorrow and I am hoping that getting some of this weight off will ease up my back pain.

[AnnaLV 32]

Oh wow! It's great to see other people that are doing this for the same reasons that I am.

I was diagnosed with spinal arthritis two years ago and the chronic pain has made it very difficult to live my life as I want to.

I know that being a hundred pounds over weight has certainly made a difference. I just had my surgery, so I can't give you any guarantees, but I sincerely feel that the reduced burden on my spine will make a huge difference in my chronic pain.

Best of luck!! Also, I had a personal trainer that gave me some excellent exercises to build up your supporting back muscles. Let me know if you would like some ideas.

[AnnaLV 32]

Oh wow! It's great to see other people that are doing this for the same reasons that I am.

I was diagnosed with spinal arthritis two years ago and the chronic pain has made it very difficult to live my life as I want to.

I know that being a hundred pounds over weight has certainly made a difference. I just had my surgery, so I can't give you any guarantees, but I sincerely feel that the reduced burden on my spine will make a huge difference in my chronic pain.

Best of luck!! Also, I had a personal trainer that gave me some excellent exercises to build up your supporting back muscles. Let me know if you would like some ideas.

[SuperFab 689]

Yup. I'm in the same boat. Spinal stenosis and deg disk disease as well as lumbar bulges and am hoping like heck it takes some of my back and hip pain away.

[jayker 20]

Ankylosing Spondylitis with chronic SI joint pain. Then i found out three wks ago i have severe spinal stenosis and moderate foraminal stenosis in 3 of 5 lumbar levels and mioderate SS in the 4th. My wife who literally wrote the textbook on MRI sectional anatomy looked at my study and shook her head and said "it's not good". I also have numbness and tingling in my lower extremities. I have an appt w neurosurgeon this friday. Wife thinks he'll forego the conservative treatment and opt for surgery. :yikes:

Arrgh...sent from my Ayephone matey using magic. Sleeved 8/23/13

[Peggy D 123]

Worsening S-I joint pain was the primary factor in seeking WLS. I had had 5 injections, only one of which, the first, did anything at all. I just learned to deal with the pain. I also had increasing problems with arthritis in my knees.

Now that I've lost almost 60 pounds, my knees are much, much better & my right S-I joint is improving. I can usually walk for 30-45 minutes now without having to sit & let the pain subside. It used to be 5-10 minutes max. I told the ARNP at my 6-week post-op visit today that I haven't used a scooter in a store in 6 months!

[SuperFab 689]

Ankylosing Spondylitis with chronic SI joint pain. Then i found out three wks ago i have severe spinal stenosis and moderate foraminal stenosis in 3 of 5 lumbar levels and mioderate SS in the 4th. My wife who literally wrote the textbook on MRI sectional anatomy looked at my study and shook her head and said "it's not good". I also have numbness and tingling in my lower extremities. I have an appt w neurosurgeon this friday. Wife thinks he'll forego the conservative treatment and opt for surgery. :yikes: Arrgh...sent from my Ayephone matey using magic. Sleeved 8/23/13

So you have or have not gotten any relief from weight loss?

[juliansmommy 67]

Are u doing exercises to help with your core muscles? I in the in pre op phase and do hope it will help but I know it will never go away. There skinny people out there with bad backs as well. I think we are all looking for a magic something and we just need to listen to our bodies. But I know for me with all my lumbar a mess and chronic si problems it will not just go away. Remember you are more active now as well. That could be part of the issue as well. Good luck.

[kiwi17 54]

I just finished a round of PT again which didn't help at all. In fact, when I do the exercises, I have numbness/tingling in my right leg. It's just so frustrating.

[jayker 20]

I'm down 45lbs and have seen some relief from the SI joint pain (AS) and some improvement in the tingling and numbness but the back pain is worse if anything. I have not been exercising or stretching since the surgery due to fatigue i guess to not enough Protein.

Arrgh...sent from my Ayephone matey using magic. Sleeved 8/23/13