Very bad back pains

[Karlnjax 163]

Hi, I'm about 5 weeks out from my RNY and having a lot of back pain. Has any of you also experienced this issue as well?

[FrankinTexas 58]

Hi Karl! I have had some upper back pain, but I am thinking mine is exercise related. You may want to check with your doctor just to be on the safe side.

[Dub 9,922]

Sorry to hear this.

Did you ever have similar pains prior to your WLS ?

Just looked at the progress tracker in your sig line. You are five weeks out of surgery and almost halfway to goal !!!

[Gopheritgirl 1]

I'm 10 days post surgery and am also experiencing back pain .... As I had open surgery I think it's just because my stomach muscles are sore and I'm over compensating with my back .

[rgr26 24]

Yes!! I'm 4 months out and have been dealing with excruciating lower back pain since I was about 3 or 4 weeks out. All of my doctors have said it's because of the huge weightloss ( I've lost about 100lbs). Unfortunately it's caused my bones and joints to get out of whack. I have been going to the chiropractor two and three times a week for months. He's just now getting everything readjusted so that the pain has decreased majorly. It's been very frustrating though. I always thought losing weight would help my back problems and so far it has only made them worse. It's just been the past couple of weeks that I'm starting to feel better with much less pain. I'm hoping I've finally turned a corner and am on my way to not having to deal with this issue.

[Karlnjax 163]

@@rgr26 thank you so much I think I am going to see a chiropractor as soon as I feel I am able to lay flat on my stomach! Thanks @@Dub and @@FrankinTexas for your kind words! Yes @@Dub it's almost amazing to see that I am dropping so fast and almost to a half way point! I hope to be like @@rgr26 and lose like crazy in my first 3 or 4 months.

[Karlnjax 163]

Thanks for your reply as well @@Gopheritgirl

[micmt 120]

Try some back strengthening exercises also. With all the weight cushion being lost you now have to support your back yourself without all the fat helping your spine stay straight.

It is amazing how the fat cushion works.

It also wraps around nerves insulating them. I have a numb spot in my leg where the nerve is pinching going they my pelvis because of the loss of the fat around it. No biggie. Id rather be skinny than not.

[DangerMouse007 105]

Interesting thread. I had lots of lower back pain for the last couple of years when I walked and that would sometimes shoot down my right leg. I went to a back specialist back then, and they had me just go to physical therapy. I just kind of dealt with it. However, it seemed to go away when I lost a lot of weight pre-op. I was able to walk and stand fine with no pain.

Now in the last two weeks (I'm about 7 weeks post-op) the pain is back and worse than even before. A nurse friend thought that my body may be out of balance because of the severe weight loss.

Yesterday I was walking around in a mall, and my right leg felt extremely numb. I was limping. It's also been difficult to sleep. I have an appointment with my PCP this afternoon to see what he suggests. I'm guessing he'll refer me to a back specialist. I've moved 1800 miles away in the last year so I'll be seeing a different back doctor for sure. Seeing a chiropracter seems like an idea; hadn't really thought of that, but most of my pain is in my lower back and right leg.

Edited September 22, 2015 by DangerMouse007

[rgr26 24]

Interesting thread. I had lots of lower back pain for the last couple of years when I walked and that would sometimes shoot down my right leg. I went to a back specialist back then, and they had me just go to physical therapy. I just kind of dealt with it. However, it seemed to go away when I lost a lot of weight pre-op. I was able to walk and stand fine with no pain.

Now in the last two weeks (I'm about 7 weeks post-op) the pain is back and worse than even before. A nurse friend thought that my body may be out of balance because of the severe weight loss.

Yesterday I was walking around in a mall, and my right leg felt extremely numb. I was limping. It's also been difficult to sleep. I have an appointment with my PCP this afternoon to see what he suggests. I'm guessing he'll refer me to a back specialist. I've moved 1800 miles away in the last year so I'll be seeing a different back doctor for sure. Seeing a chiropracter seems like an idea; hadn't really thought of that, but most of my pain is in my lower back and right leg.

Yes I would totally reccomend a chiropractor. It made a huge difference in mine. Back specialist sometimes just want to give you pulls or surgery and I'm one of those people that surgery is an absolute last resort. I'd rather find another solution if possible.

[DangerMouse007 105]

To follow up, I did get referred to a chiropractor and have an appointment next week. Will see what kind of improvement, if any, can come from it. Otherwise, PCP recommended a pain management specialist if that doesn't work.

[Daisee68 2,493]

#dangermouse007 that sounds like sciatica. Chiropractor should definitely be able to help but know that it will tak several visits and some at home care Luke exercises, stretching, ice packs, etc. Been there done that. ????

[DangerMouse007 105]

Joyful on the multiple-visit part. My main question is why did my symptoms disappear for several months only to flare up like it did the last couple of weeks? And will they disappear again with the added expected weight loss I should see in the next year or so? Then, even today, while I can feel a very low-level dull pain, it's nothing like it was on Monday afternoon.

Anyway, all questions for the chiropractor.

[mishi 72]

I'm at the 50 pound weight loss mark and my upper and lower back is terrible. I have degenerative disc disease so I'm used to back pain but this is worse than ever. My muscles are so tight. My hips and spine feel unattached to the rest of me. They slide out of place. Make noise when walking.

I'm doing my physical therapy and hot n cold packs and muscle relaxers. Nothing is helping.

My quality of life has gone from bad to worse. I'm getting to the point where dealing w nonstop pain just isn't worth it. There's no relief. I used to take the max does of Advil w other pain killers but now I can't have Advil. The inflammation is incredible.

I thought losing weight would lower my pain not add to it. I don't have the $$$ for chiropractic care. I'm out of strength. Out of will. Out of fight.

I can't stay in bed and lie on my back all day. I have bills to pay. A family to care for. I feel hopeless.

[Daisee68 2,493]

@@mishi - I am so sorry you are dealing with this! I wish I had some good advice. I have been a little frustrated with a tiny bit of discomfort this week and not able to take Advil but I can't imagine going through what you are going through. Have you considered seeing a rheumatologist? I just wonder if you have some sort of auto-immune disorder going on. Plus they deal with so much pain issues that they may have some suggestion for med other than NSAID's and narcotics. Do you have insurance? Insurance will typically cover chiropractic care. My other suggestion would be a TENS machine. I got one fairly reasonably off of Amazon and it does help with some muscle pain. At the very least it gives some relief short term.

I hope you can find some relief soon! HUGS! Don't give up!