Update on my back issues

I had my appointment with my neurosurgeon, Dr. Matthew Wood in Bristol, TN. I loved him! He seemed to be a very caring individual. He is going to perform a myelogram on 01/19/06 and will then see me back in the office on 01/23/06 to discuss our course of action. The myelogram is a small surgical procedure where the doctor will insert a needle into the base of my spine and inject a contrast liquid. They will then tilt me on a table to make this dye run the length of my spine and take a continous series of x-rays or a CT scan. This will give them a clearer picture of where any ruptures are pushing onto the nerves branching out of my spine. I will be down for two days after the procedure because if I become too active, a small amount of spinal fluid could leak out of the puncture sight causing a change in spine fluid pressure leading to a severe headache. From what I understand, this headache could rival a migraine. Plus, if the dye goes past my spine and into my head, it could give me a severe headache. I'm really not looking forward to this. In the meantime, Dr. Wood put me on neurontin, 900mg per day, to see if this will help with the pain. Dr. Wood is a very conservative doctor and will not operate unless it is absolutely necessary. I really like this about him. Hopefully, this can be treated with less evasive techniques. As far as the weight goes, I seem to be stuck at 170-172lbs right now. I know that part of this is because I'm not eating right coupled with the fact that I really don't feel like exercising due to all of the pain. I really need to get back to basics and begin paying more attention to my protein and water intake. I'm have 9 more days until my 8 month rebirthday and I'm hoping to lose at least 3 more pounds so that I can hit the century mark. I really want to lose 6 more pounds so that I can finally have a BMI that is in the healthy instead of overweight range, but I'll settle for the century club mark. I have been reflecting on my journey thus far. This hasn't been an easy journey and anyone that says WLS is the easy way out has no clue. However, I would do this all over again in a minute. Before surgery, I weighed 267lbs and had absolutely zero energy. I was on medication for high blood pressure (two different kinds), diabetes (one pill), depression (one pill), migraines (one pill), and vitamins (two different kinds). Basically, I was only 27 years old, but I had to carry a medicine reminder (the holder that you put your pills in for every day of the week so that you can remember to take them all). Now, I'm almost eight months out from surgery and I'm feeling much better. I no longer take high blood pressure or diabetic medication. In fact, my PCP is very impressed with my blood pressure now. It runs around 100 over 68. My sugar is rarely a problem anymore and is controlled by diet and exercise alone. My depression doesn't seem to be as bad as it used to be. I have my moments, but overall, I feel better. I've lost 97lbs in only eight months. What a ride this has been, but it's a ride that I would do again in a heartbeat! Heather 267/170/155

Sounds like you are in good hands, Heather. I've probably told you of my back woes before. I had two herniated discs in my lower back that caused pain into my right hip (right by the hip socket) and down my right leg into my foot. I had a laminectomy on two discs in March prior to WLS. Big, big difference. Consider myself 90-95% better. Nerves can take a long time to fully heal! Best wishes, Kathy

You have gone through so much Heather and still you have a positive attitude. It is people like you that give me such inspiration. As Kathy says it does sound as if you are in good hands and we will continue our prayers for your recovery!!!