Multiple torso surgeries are making it hard pinpoint source of pain.

meggs9605
meggs9605 Posts: 55 Member
edited November 22 in Fitness and Exercise
Background:
Female, age 33
(starting 290lbs, lowest 145, current 178, goal 155) I tend to yo yo between 165 and 185.
2003 open GB;
2006 reconstruction/ skin removal in (360 degree lower body lift and breast lift/implants); 2015 emergency c-section
Now, possible hernia with inconclusive diagnosis but no current pain.

I recently lost my job so I have had the time to focus on fitness more than I have in recent years. Right now I am doing yoga and/or Pilates 4-5 times a week and cardio 5-6 times a week (beginner running, eliptical, 4.0 pace walking, etc). I often feel pain in various points on my torso, but because my nerves have been damages and rearranged so much in my back and abdomen, I cannot figure out if where I am hurting is accurate in regards to WHAT is hurting. For example, during Flow Yoga this morning, my lower back began seizing up but we were not even targeting that area. I have had phantom nerve sensations in that area since my lower body lift because of the bundled and tucked my nerves when the skin was removed. I do not want to ignore something that may be an injury, but it can be really hard to trust what my body is telling me and even harder to discriminate between general soreness, a pulled muscle or something torn. The same thing happens in my abdomen. I.e., I went to the Dr. and described what was diagnosed as a hernia, but I felt it next to my navel and I was told it was a femoral hernia. Then when I went to the specialist, he couldn't feel anything and an ultrasound was inconclusive.

I understand that this in not the place for medical advice, but has anyone dealt with anything similar or point me towards a resource? Thanks!

Replies

  • meggs9605
    meggs9605 Posts: 55 Member
    Bump. No recommendations? I feel like I am limbo.
  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 674 Member
    I don't have any resources for you, but I have had 5 surgeries between my neck and lower belly since 1999. What I've learned is, if you don't understand the pain, go slower. Unless it's an observable pain, your doctors are just going to say that your body has been through the ringer, and you need to figure out your own pace. I still can't plank for more than 10 breaths without getting a twinge of pain around my biggest scar. A few years ago, I set myself a goal of doing a push-up. I'm not there yet, but I've kept working at my own pace and made progress.

    Some days, I feel like I'm in limbo because the progress is so slow, but it's more progress than I would have made if I pushed too hard and injured myself. If it hurts, find a modification. Maybe not what you want to hear, but it's the best I have.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    edited November 2017
    I have different issues in different areas than you, but I can tell you it can be really hard to sort out all the pain experiences and even harder to describe them to doc and hard to get diagnosis. You might consider taking exercise a bit slower as your body adjusts to new movement patterns. 11 workouts a week for someone not used to exercise is a lot. Sorry but I don't have concrete tips or resources for you.
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