Thyroid and Lower Back, please help!

coreaneverlose
coreaneverlose Posts: 1
in Health and Weight Loss
Hiiiii. ^^

My mom has hypo-thyroidism. She went to the hospital because her thyroid was swollen, but they made it so small that it doesn't work. Dieting is very hard for her and she can't eat soy without knocking out into a deep sleep thirty minutes later. She is on a strict diet right now with only lean meats and vegetables. She rarely goes out to eat and cooks from home. Everything is organic and balanced.

And due to a car crash years ago, she can't exercise. All the cartilage in her lower back is pretty much gone. (The curve of her spine is gone.) She's asked if they could make it bigger to cure it, but there's little to none left. Without dieting and exercising, she's packed on some pounds! The weight is also killing her back. She refuses to have the surgery done to fuse her back or to insert a cord.

Any suggestions on what she could do to lose some pounds?

Note: She has gone to multiple doctors telling her to judt not eat. PT isn't helping.

Replies

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    Any suggestions on what she could do to lose some pounds?

    Eat fewer calories than she burns. It works for almost everyone. Keeping carbs low and protein high can help if she's inactive.
  • ntdcruz
    ntdcruz Posts: 19 Member
    I've had similar issues to your mom. I had hyperthyroidism leading to a thyroidectomy later (so now hypo). After 2 years they are still adjusting my dosage of meds. I would suggest that your mom have her levels checked regularly (by an endocrinologist if possible) and to record her hours of sleep, general energy levels, etc. for a week or two prior to her appts. I don't believe that my thyroid issues have greatly impacted on my ability to lose weight once my levels were in the normal range and i started calorie counting.
    I have also had a lower back fusion done. While the surgery was difficult, I am able to do lots of exercise now. I would get advice from people who have had the surgery and their opinions on it.
    To be honest, in the obese category, I think a lot of my general aches and pains were from my weight, not my previous back problems, although I very slowly added in exercises, one at a time and have ruled some out completely for me- you have to trust your body to tell you if something isn't working. I found the exercise bike (recumbent) all that i could do at the start.
    The decision to lose weight must be your mother's, but if she decides to try, MFP has a great community. Have her log everything for a week or so- it is amazing where calories hide. ;) Even eating all lean meat and veggies can be over your calorie limit if you eat enough of it.
  • madz0007
    madz0007 Posts: 31 Member
    I suffer with terrible back problems, I have prolapsed discs at 4 points in my lumbar spine.

    I am using my fitness pal to monitor my calorie intake and have put my activity as sedentary.

    Ok next thing get her thyroxine medication sorted so that her levels are correct.

    Also she needs to get her pain manageable, so analgesia from her GP. Tell her to get a TENS machine its a massive help to me. I also find a wheat bag that you heat in the microwave helps on my lower back, although cold with frozen peas wrapped in a towel can also be very helpful.

    I don't know if Your Mum is the same but I am better later in the day than the mornings, what I try to do is go for a walk before bedtime. It doesn't matter if its not far even if she walks down your hallway initially then its more exercise than normal.

    The pre bedtime walk is best as the resulting muscle spasm can be managed better by going to bed.

    Deep breathing exercises, moving arms more wiggling legs and toes all help.

    I have stuck to my recommended calories of 1390 a day plus an evening walk and have been steadily losing.

    Tell her I had the mid discs fused and it did help alot.

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