Spinal operation and NO exercise allowed :(

dragonladywendy
dragonladywendy Posts: 71
edited October 5 in Fitness and Exercise
Hello everyone,
I'm posting on here as I've hit a massive slump in motiavtion and am hoping someone, somewhere, will provide me with inspiration.
Seven months ago my discs prolapsed, causing massive injury to my sciatic nerve, it was enough to kick me into loosing my excess weight and since April I have managed to lose 34lbs on diet alone. Two weeks ago I had a discectomy (removal of disc) but the damage to my nerve is so severe I now have no feeling in my left leg, below the knee. I can't feel three toes and so walking is now almost impossible and so exercise is STILL an absolute no-go area. Due to the depressive nature of constantly managing pain and the feeling of being 'stuck in the house' is causing me to eat more fattening foods (doesn't help as the winter is arriving and my body wants more carbs) and so the weight loss has stuck and I can't see a way of climbing back onto the wagon.
Any advice would be most welcome, or even just support from people who understand what I'm going through, would be great.
Many thanks, Wendy

Replies

  • meggers123
    meggers123 Posts: 711 Member
    Wow! You are such a strong person. I've not been through this, but I would like to offer you support as well as I can.

    I do understand the comfort food cravings in the winter! I think a hearty soup is the best, and a great low cal addition to any meal. Either home made, or a vegatable store bought one.

    I wish you all the best as you continue to recover :flowerforyou:
  • debswebby
    debswebby Posts: 326
    Oh my goodness. I feel for you I really do. It is exhausting and utterly soul destroying to be in constant pain. I'm so sorry the operation didn't fix the problem.
    But hey, well done on the weight loss so far. That's amazing. :flowerforyou:
    I'm afraid I don't have any practical advice. I don't know how to stay away from comfort food when you're in so much pain and not being able to earn those extra cals.
    There are workouts available for people in wheelchairs and who can't run and jump around. It might be worth looking for some of them. Or have you been told not to anything at all?
    Have you asked your doctor what they suggest?
    I want to wish you good luck and send hugs to you
    xxxxx
  • manjingirl
    manjingirl Posts: 188 Member
    Oh dear, what a crap situation. I don't have any magical ideas, just really feel for you. Hope the pain is manageable. Just a thought - since the toes/leg is problematic, what about an exercise bike with toe clips so your good leg can direct things?
  • dragonladywendy
    dragonladywendy Posts: 71
    Thank you Meggers (and for the flowers lol!!) I try to have soup every lunch time with a slice of bread to appease the carbs side, but once I sit down after little one is in bed, the heating is on and I'm a celebrity is on the tellybox, I totally crave toast, chocolate, crackers and really naughty stuff, like pizzas and kebabs (even though I've just had dinner!) Not sure whether the old body is needing fuel to heal or whether I'm just being a glutton.
    Huge slap obviously needed!!
    :huh:
  • dragonladywendy
    dragonladywendy Posts: 71
    Thank you Manjingirl and debs, some great ideas there - hadn't thought about wheelchair based exercises. Seeing surgeon next week, so hoping he will offer some advice too. My hubby is telling me to give myself time to heal before re-starting MFP, but my patience is running thin... I want it all - health and weight loss!
    Wendy :grumble:
  • nalliebell
    nalliebell Posts: 61 Member
    Hi Wendy , I can relate to the spinal surgery, I had surgery on my c4-c5 in February of this year. It totally takes you off track of your goals when exercise become a major part of your life. I can only recommend eating light with a lot of soups, fruits, yogart etc.

    take care and be blessed:smile:
  • debswebby
    debswebby Posts: 326
    Thank you Manjingirl and debs, some great ideas there - hadn't thought about wheelchair based exercises. Seeing surgeon next week, so hoping he will offer some advice too. My hubby is telling me to give myself time to heal before re-starting MFP, but my patience is running thin... I want it all - health and weight loss!
    Wendy :grumble:

    Hubby is right in a way but when you're sat at home with nothing else to think about, its so blooming frustrating. Its good to be here if only to get things off your chest and get some ideas for when you are a bit better.
    Have you got any hobbies like knitting or cross stitching? When I was laid up with sciatica, I found it helped to take my mind off the cravings.
    I really hope the surgeon can give you some advice. Please let us know how you get on. Oh and feel free to add me :flowerforyou:
  • dragonladywendy
    dragonladywendy Posts: 71
    Hiya Spoiledrotten, How are you doing now? Have you healed well and have mobility back? I've had the disc removed from S1 but it's the trauma to the sciatic nerve that is causing all the issues. Surgeon thinks it will be easily 6 weeks before we know whether the op was actually successful or not! Like your ideas on foods to eat.
    Had a private message from a therapist (bless him) who has given my some great ideas on seated aerobics using weights, so will be investing in some very light ones (1lb each) to make a start with doing something.
    Take care of you too!
    :smile:
  • dragonladywendy
    dragonladywendy Posts: 71
    Hiya Debs,
    I'm actually half way through an Open University degree, but even motivation for that has hit an all time low. I'm sure once the pain management is sorted, I'll sort that out (fingers crossed!!)
    Thanks for your support
    :smile:
  • marcoswilliams
    marcoswilliams Posts: 1
    Working in a hospital I know doctors are very territorial and many are reluctant to try new things. The body heals better when it has physical demands placed on it. Case-in-point: heart transplant patients in the '60s - '70s had a higher mortality rate than they do today. Reason: it was found that the sooner they got those patients up and walking, moving around several times a day immediately after surgery the better and faster they healed and the mortality rate diminished. Before you approach your doctor look these up and study them... Barimetric Oxygen Therapy(BOT) used more and more in wound care, autism, and a host of other maladies. Next, altitude(hypoxic) fitness training trains the body to utilize oxygen intake efficiently. Aqua therapy [bouyancy] relieves pressure on joints. BOT and hypoxic fitness training focus on loading the blood stream with oxygen. When you load the blood stream with oxygen the body heals faster and better. I cannot say definitively that either of those first two things will be your silver bullet(s) but your doctor is only one opinion. Ask a panel of doctors for their opinions. Write to the Mayo Clinic and present your case to them. Who knows they might answer your plea for a reasonable solution. Keep your chin up and steady as you go. Good luck and keep us in the loop.
  • debswebby
    debswebby Posts: 326
    Hiya Debs,
    I'm actually half way through an Open University degree, but even motivation for that has hit an all time low. I'm sure once the pain management is sorted, I'll sort that out (fingers crossed!!)
    Thanks for your support
    :smile:

    I'm not surprised. Its hard to concentrate on anything when you're in pain. Lets hope you can get it sorted soon. Fingers crossed here too xx
  • dragonladywendy
    dragonladywendy Posts: 71
    Hello Marcos,
    That was a very comprehensive answer and one that will need some research (to fully understand all the concepts you've put forward!) and many thanks for taking the time to post it for me to look into. I do understand the need for increased oxygen to provide the nutrients for a swifter recovery and so your comments make sense, I just don't know the ideas there. Interesting!

    Thanks Debs too!

    I'll be sure to post on here how things are going as the support is great!

    Wendy :smile:
  • MrsWibbly
    MrsWibbly Posts: 415 Member
    Ask your doctor about hydrotherapy. It really helped a friend of mine who had a damaged disc to recover. Would also help to burn a few calories.
  • dragonladywendy
    dragonladywendy Posts: 71
    Thanks Mrs! I did try swimming before the op, but my movement in the water actually created more pain, so I am a little worried about hydrotherapy, but it could be an option. I'll know more when I see the surgeon on Tuesday.

    On a positive note, I've had my stitches removed and I have SO much more movement, I've even managed to clean my living room today! All be it, it took three times longer than usual, but the feeling of impowerment was amazing!

    Many thanks for everyone's kind comments.
    Wendy :smile:
  • StaciO
    StaciO Posts: 998
    My mom had a discectomy at two levels in August and part of her recovery/physical therapy was deep water aerobics she just recently "graduated" to shallow water aerobics.
  • dragonladywendy
    dragonladywendy Posts: 71
    Hi there StaciO.
    That would scare me rigid as I'm not the most confident swimmer! Comes of being terribly short-sighted and having to swim without glasses for years, even though I now keep them on, my confidence took a right battering!
    I'll keep you all updated as to what surgeon and GP say next week.
    Thanks for all the advice
    Wendy x
  • manjingirl
    manjingirl Posts: 188 Member
    Glad to see you're on the mend.
  • dragonladywendy
    dragonladywendy Posts: 71
    Hello everyone!
    As said, I'd update after seeing the surgeon today and ooopppssss! I've been told off for trying to do too much too soon! Due to the lack of feeling in my foot, he has told me to just toddle around on my crutches and do light household duties. I've to wean myself off the double crutches over the next four weeks, (in time to see him before Christmas) and ONLY then will he discuss starting any form of formal exercise/physiotherapy. *Deep sigh* suppose I'd better obey, but I'm so easily frustrated and lack patience!!
    Thank you to everyone for the wonderful support :smile:
    Wendy :flowerforyou:
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