I'm really freaking tired of this....

I'm not trying to use scare tactics or turn someone off from weight loss surgery but this really SUCKS!!! 

The only positive that has come out of this is I am no longer heavy. I can do things now that I couldn't before ...roller coasters, hiking, biking, etc.

But now it's getting to the point where I can't do those things even as a skinny chick.

Before surgery I had 3 knee surgeries. That was really the only thing wrong with me. But all the doctors I kept seeing kept saying what we've all heard "if just lost weight your knees would feel better".

RNY seemed like the right plan for me. I failed at diets before so this was my final plan. And it worked.

But literally ...as soon as I stopped losing back in December I started having horrible back pains. A few people said it was just my body adjusting to a new skinny body. I let it go by for a few months. Then a few months ago I had an MRI done and found out I had arthritis. I have discs that are wearing away ..and my hips are not aligned. Maybe I had these issues before surgery but it didn't hurt till after the weight loss.

I've been going to physical therapy for 2 weeks now ..and haven't seen a slight improvement. They want me to purchase an E-Stim machine for at home use since it's the one thing that gives me some pain relief. Nothing I take works and all of the good stuff we aren't suppose to take. I live with the pain day in and day out.

I'm exhausted ..mentally and physically. I took a nap for almost 5 hours today and I never do that! It's making me so depressed. Just to enjoy simple things I have to smile and pretend everything is ok. I hate this.

Oh, Brooke!  I'm so sorry - I had no idea you were going through this.

I wish I had some sort of feedback, some sort of advice to give you, but this falls too far outside my area of experience.  Telling you that I know your positivity and spirit are too powerful to be kept down for long would hardly help you in the now, but I believe both of those things to be true.

I don't suppose massage would help?  Gah, with bone stuff probably not.

I'm pulling for you.  If I come across anything that might help with your arthritis, I'll pipe up.  Have you ever tried alternative medicines like acupuncture or acupressure?

Totally sucks Brooke!  I hope your photography is not suffering too much.  I love your pictures.

Have you been to a pain management group?  Or another one?

Thinking painfree thoughts, Meg

Well the best of luck to you! I won't be letting this scare me out of surgery. I know prior to my surgery that I have had joint/bone problems along with tendonitis in my elbows and knees(learned that one back in highschool) and I don't know what to tell you either. If you can take warm baths that might feel good? A jacuzzi would be good too :). I'll also keep my eye out and let you know if I cross anything! Good luck!

So sorry to hear about your pain issues...My partner had surgery 4 months ago (and has arthritis and disc degeneration in the back)...everyone told her the same thing about weight loss...so far no relief from pain after losing 60 pounds....she sees a pain management doctor monthly and can't take any of the pills they would like her to use (NSAIDS) but they have recently starting prescribing pain patches for her back and Lyrica to help with pain and it is....another thing is to know what kind of PT your getting...is it the kind where they put you on machines like in the gym or a therapist who works purely with hands on techniques (manipulation and massage)...I have always found that PT with a hands on therapist is much more effective...Sometimes you really have to call around and look for one but it's worth it! Good luck!

I'm so sorry to hear the suffering you're going through. Pain SUCKS! One of the things feeding into my decision to have this surgery is the hope that it will help my knee pain. It would be so nice to carry a basket of laundry up the stairs without wincing. I would be very disappointed to trade knee pain for back pain but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

All I can do is send positive thoughts your way. (((HUGS)))

I"m so, so sorry for the pain you are experiencing.  ...and how terribly disappointing to have this pain appear after all of your hard work and weight loss.  This really sucks!  I wish I had advice for you, but sadly, I don't.   Try not to lose hope that there may be a solution out there that gives you some relief.  Have you tried a chronic pain doctor or clinic?

Brooke, sorry about all the pain (((HUGS)))

My sister didn't have WLS so is still heavy and having some of the same issues with her back, pain, and arthritis.

I would agree with what other more experienced folks have said about pain management. I use music alot myself. Make sure your doctors know about the pain and hopefully they can get you some relief...pain sucks...hope you get some relief soon....

deb366

 there's just some things that being obese just leaves you with even when you're no longer obese.  That's what i have been dealing with all year.  I have chronic lymphedema which never goes away, I need arthroscopic surgery on both knees and constant shots of cortisone in them.  I blew them out when i was trying to lose wieght for the surgery....ironic eh?  LOL

UGH! I still think the problems are your body adjusting to the new you but that means not good things. Your body was so used to you being fat that now it is trying to be where it should (posture wise) that it is killing the rest of you. Good luck hun!