RSD and trying to lose weight

I have a condition known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy along with a chronically unstable ankle following a severe sports injury, and I was placed on restrictive activities, which makes it really hard to lose weight. I do yoga daily, but I am not quite sure that that is enough to lose the weight I need. Does anybody else on here have one of those conditions? if so what types of exorcizes do you do? And if no one has these, what do you recommend?

Replies

  • Hi. I also have RSD. I was diagnosed nearly 7 years ago and since that time the RSD has spread full-body. It is a struggle, but God gets me through. As for exercises, I have home pt exercises that were given to me by a wonderful physical therapist who worked with me for a long time when I was initially diagnosed following a knee surgery. I also am permitted to use a home exercise machine (Gazelle Freestyle) that is a type of glider. I am allowed to use it for a few minutes at a time for multiple times throughout the day (depending on pain levels). I use a crutch on a regular basis to try to ensure that I don't fall if my knee gives way. Thankfully, I have a Dr. in my hometown who studied under one of the top 5 RSD specialists in the world. He has prescribed a cocktail of non-narcotic meds to try to control my pain. It doesn't get rid of the pain, but it helps to maintain it at a more bearable level. When the pain goes out of control, I have a 5-day lidocaine infusion to help regain some semblence of control over the pain. In addition to the previous exercises mentioned, I try to get up to do 5 minutes (or so) of cleaning a couple of times daily and to walk out to get the mail (if the weather is nice enough). Although the extra movement increases the pain at the time, it helps with weight loss and the pain level while "exercising" decreases over the course of weeks of doing this. I have lost over 62 lbs since April 24, 2012. I hope I can be of some encouragement to you! Take care.

    Heather
  • jessmart83
    jessmart83 Posts: 283 Member
    I am so glad I found this post. My mother was diagnosed with RSD about 15 years ago, which has spread throughout her body. She has put on some weight and is not happy at all about how she looks, although with everything she has gone through I think she looks good! She has been looking for something to do, she has a treadmill but some days she can hardly walk. I will have to tell her about the Gazelle.