Pain Medication

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ejcanavan
ejcanavan Posts: 52 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I honestly did a search first because I'm sure I am not the first person to ask this question, but no luck.
I have Degenerative Spinal Disease and Facet Joint Arthritis. 5 years I had both of my hips reconstructed and have always had terrible joint issues and OA ripping through my body. I do epidural blocks every 6 months but I am also on a low dose pain medication 3 times a day, Norco. I have been able to keep the weight gain mildly under control but I am here because I got back up over 160. With a 5'3" frame it's too much to carry with pain issues already.

So the question, how can I be successful ? I have been doing low carb because that's what usually works well for me being 44 and having a hysterectomy, but this time the scale hasn't moved much. I was 163 when I started and it was going great until a few days ago. I was down to 156 and now today back up to 159. I am looking for advice from others on medications to see if maybe I am doing the wrong approach please ! I understand daily weight changes are normal but after a month I would think it would even out.

Replies

  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
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    Honestly, my first reaction is you just need to be more patient.

    The scale bouncing up from 156 to 159 isn't in and of itself anything to worry about. Remember our "weight" isn't one static, unchanging number...we are all bouncing up or down a few pounds each day, and probably each hour, as we eat, drink, excrete, exercise, etc.

    So, no, I'd say it sounds like your approach is working fine - just keep at it. Now if several weeks pass by and you're still going up (or not going down) then it may be time to re-evaluate.
  • ejcanavan
    ejcanavan Posts: 52 Member
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    It's been 4 weeks and I am not unrealistic about it. I am just frustrated I think that I am putting in the work but these stupid health issues are winning !
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
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    First of all, I have OA too. I only take something when I can't stand the pain--can't sleep, for example. I swim 4 times a week, do stretching at home 3 times a week, go to Yoga Flex once a week, and walk. It's a beast, but you can't let it win. The more you move, the better it is.
    Secondly I checked out your diary. There isn't alot there. Even if doing low carb, you need to watch your calories. Do you have a digital scale? Are you weighing and measuring EVERYTHING? It's hard to be successful if you're not scrupulous about calorie intake. Weight loss is 80% calorie intake, 20% exercise. Best of luck.
  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
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    You probably have a lot of inflammation, which can cause many problems. Take antioxidants, and lots of fish oil, Curcumin, Boswellia, Quercetin, etc.
  • ejcanavan
    ejcanavan Posts: 52 Member
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    Trust me, my diary is empty because I had just started tracking my intake again following an epidural block. I did great last year and had an injury which has led me right back to watching my food again :(
    I do massage therapy, aqua therapy and we have tried the elliptical but with the latest round I have lost most feeling in my left leg and foot. It is good that you can go with manageable pain, but not everyone can. With 5 bulging disks, intrusion into my facet space and a damaged femoral nerve from the reconstruction of my hips I live with intense pain daily. I have gone really good spaces of time without them and completely stop every 3 months and ween off.

    I do weigh and measure everything, something I have become pretty good about. I am not familiar enough with chemical composition and if I am just fighting a losing battle here and should focus on maintaining instead of losing. More or less reaching out to see if anyone is really successful on long term medications and if they are what has worked the best for them such as low carb or low calorie.
  • soulofgrace
    soulofgrace Posts: 175 Member
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    You don't need to exercise to lose weight. You're obviously in an extreme amount of pain if you're getting epidural blocks AND taking Norco 3x per day. Your doctor can best advise you on exercise. Ask your doctor if the hydrocodone can effect weight loss. It might be making you retain water, and I know you know how it bungs up your bowel. I think I have seen it suggested that if you're not losing weight based on the generic formulas for caloric intake here, you can adjust down by 50 cal increments to see if that helps. Just don't get desperate and go below 1200. Drink lots of water to help with the effects of the Norco. You said you've seen success with low carb in the past, but I wonder if you're geting enough fiber to counter act the effect the Norco has on your bowel. Higher fat and protein intake can slow your digestion on top of that. Make sure you let your doc know all you are doing. Spinal pain is absolutely devastating, and I am so sorry you have to endure that. Be patient and go easy on yourself. This will take time, but you can do it.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    If low carb works for you as your way of hitting your calories then go for it

    But weigh and accurately log your foods consistently in order to lose

    I don't know norco is it an NSAID?
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
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    ejcanavan wrote: »
    I honestly did a search first because I'm sure I am not the first person to ask this question, but no luck.
    I have Degenerative Spinal Disease and Facet Joint Arthritis. 5 years I had both of my hips reconstructed and have always had terrible joint issues and OA ripping through my body. I do epidural blocks every 6 months but I am also on a low dose pain medication 3 times a day, Norco. I have been able to keep the weight gain mildly under control but I am here because I got back up over 160. With a 5'3" frame it's too much to carry with pain issues already.

    So the question, how can I be successful ? I have been doing low carb because that's what usually works well for me being 44 and having a hysterectomy, but this time the scale hasn't moved much. I was 163 when I started and it was going great until a few days ago. I was down to 156 and now today back up to 159. I am looking for advice from others on medications to see if maybe I am doing the wrong approach please ! I understand daily weight changes are normal but after a month I would think it would even out.

    How many calories were you eating per day during this time frame and other than those three pounds, was the trend maintenance, losing or gaining? I'm guessing that you are extremely sedentary?

    That three pounds could be anything. You could be retaining water as the result of a number of reasons, maybe a few high sodium meals, or as a response to a medical treatment or drug... It could be just solids passing through your system. I would suggest patience in regards to those 3 pounds, and looking at the larger trend.
  • ejcanavan
    ejcanavan Posts: 52 Member
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    Thanks so much for the responses ! Yes my bowels are quite unhappy and it just hit me and I can definitely link the 2. I will add a cup of black coffee in the morning and see if it helps move things in the right direction.
    Yes I am very sedentary. I work from home and sit in my office chair a majority of the day but my employer is extremely flexible if I need to step away and lay down in bed. I see a pain specialist and I will mention it to him at my next visit in 2 weeks. Hopefully someday they figure things out and I get a little relief !
    I also looked back at my diary and with low carb I am shorting my calories daily by an average of 400. Lots of great advice and food for thought.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
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    One other thing to consider. At least 2 yrs ago there was a thread running on anti-inflammatories and difficulty losing. I was very interested because I notice that if I take one--for pain so I can sleep at night, I'm always up 1- 2 lbs the next morning. I searched for the thread, but couldn't find it. 6 weeks ago I had a bad fall on a tram and damaged my back, behind my hips. My doctor gave me NSAIDS first and then COX2. The pain was bad and I couldn't walk without screaming. I slowly made it to the pool--magic, no pain, until I crawled out. I was very careful of my calories because I expected a spurt with the medication, plus my movement was way down. I gained 4 lbs in a month. I was OK with it and as soon as I was off the meds, I went right back down.

    There's not alot of info on this, but it does make a difference. Alot of MFPlers are on medication for OA, or other injuries. I'm an artist, not a scientist, so maybe someone out there knows. Is it bunk gaining weight using anti-inflammatories?
  • rtp_slg52181
    rtp_slg52181 Posts: 73 Member
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    Oxy causes me to hold water and also slows bowl movements to once every 2-3 days.

    Also when I'm not in pain I find myself more likely to eat more. It may just be me but it seems easer to eat when it dosnt hurt to get up and get it.
  • ejcanavan
    ejcanavan Posts: 52 Member
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    Discouraging but very helpful. I just want to be able to move and do some things that I used to do. I went from playing competitive softball 4 nights a week last spring to basically watching TV every night. I'm a stress and pain eater. I would walk 3 miles for some Doritos lol.

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