Back on steroids, so depressed.

My back pain has gotten so severe I had to go back in to be seen. I had a lovely injection of Toradol which helped tremendously. But my doc put me back on steroids, a higher dose and twice per day. Ugh. I am supposed to be on my pre-op doc supervised diet! I know she can chart about the steroids, but I am so scared the insurance will fight this.

I need the steroids. I get relief each time I'm on them. This is the 3rd time since I started my 3 month diet. I haven't lost any weight. Not even a pound. If I go back to the surgeons office after the diet is over and weigh even one pound more, I will have to do the 3 month diet all over again.

I'm so down and depressed. I got this far in the wls journey in 2004 only to have the insurance deny me and it seems to be heading down that road again. I'm trying to be optimistic, but how am I going to lose the weight?? I'm only taking in 1200-1500 calories per day. That's a huge drop from where I was at. My doc says I have the same body type problems my dad did. He did a low cal diet and never lost an ounce. He had wls 3 years ago and has lost 212lbs, so I know it will work for me. I just have to be approved!

What do I do? Starve myself? Sorry this is so depressing, ladies. I just need some support. My hubby says "if it's meant to happen it will". That is so not comforting. Or supportive. Errgh

I'm not sold on low calorie but I am sold on low carb. It may or may not work for you but it might be worth a try. I'd do mostly low carb protein shakes and have maybe 1 low carb meal a day and see if you can still lose while on the meds. 

Are there no other meds or electric current treatment that will help the pain at this point? Maybe a pain specialist could help get you through this period and through the weight loss phase, then get that back surgery.

--gina
 

I have no words of wisdom but am swinging lizards your way and to offer HUGE HUGS!

Make sure you have this all documented. I hope you get relief from the steroids. This should only help I would imagine to get your surgery. With less weight pulling on your spine the better you should feel and a better surgical candidate you will be if that is needed.

Dont starve yourself. I think Gina is right with trying to go low carb. It will help with the hunger, and you will be able to eat more. I lost 25 pounds preop following the atkins diet and was surprised after the first few days how my apetite came under control.


Big hugs to you!

Hugs Kelly, I'm so sorry, I'm crying for you.  It's not fair, you're doing everything you can to turn that boat around, and it's not easy.  I understand in most cases if you get rejected, you can appeal, and that usually works.  Swinging dogs, cats, and lizards for you.  

I'm so sorry, Kelly! I hope you can get the worked out so that you can have the surgery. It must feel like a vicious circle: back pain indicates need for surgery to relieve joints, can't have surgery until you lose weight, can't lose weight because you're on steroids to relieve pain, pain would be relieved if you had surgery! Arrrrghhhhh!

I'll swing a kindergartener if one wanders by... otherwise, our speech pathologist might be small enough for me to catch...

Take care of yourself Kelly.  I don't think starving is the answer either.  I like Gina's suggestion to do the low-carb drinks and one sensible low-carb meal.
I'll be thinking about you and hoping all is going to go good.  Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

Linda

Kelly,
  Im sorry your having to go through all of this. In the end its going to be worth going through all of this. This is your goal I know it can be hard and trying at times but you can do this. I'm sure your going to go into the surgeons office and be just fine.

Take care
Remember what I said in the email..Im here if you need me

April

Kelly  hugs  .  With my asthma they  tried to put me on steroid after steroid until I  said I got anaphylactic shock lol  ..then it stoppped cold....

there always ARE other treatments .

I too  found it IMPOSSIBLE to lose with steroids  and have another friend waiting for surgery  for  almost a year now  who has to lose 40 lbs  and Cant  and  cant get her  insurance approval without it .  Big suck .

I would try that pain clinic route 4 sure .

As someone else posted you should probably go to a pain clinic.  They have all types of things available to help ease pain that don't require the use of steroids.  I know many people get great relief from TENS units.  Here is a link to a supply company.......maybe you can get a prescription for one???  www.lgmedsupply.com/tensproducts.html

Gina is dead on with her diet suggestion too!  You say your father was extremely successful with his WLS........maybe you can try to adapt to the same eating plan he was on post op??  I know I lost A LOT the 2 week before surgery following a low cal, high protein shake regimine.  My powders were under 100cals, =>20gr protein 4x/day and I ate one meal a day also......I lost at least 11lbs!  I know it was more than that though since I hadn't weighed myself prior to starting.

Good luck!  And make sure you get EVERTHING documented so you have 2 legs to stand on should you need to appeal!