pain dilemma

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('8-bit power') at 2013-07-02 13:07:55 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

Long post alert.

Don't know if anyone here ever went through what I'm going to describe. While I know that professional advice is important, I also value input from people who know what they're talking about, especially if it's from someone who solved a problem.

Around 1 year ago I was about 40Lbs (~18Kg) overweight and I had been in that situation for a long time, but once I started having back pain and sciatica pain on my right hip I concluded it was all because of the extra weight. I may be wrong but that's what I think. I started exercising two to three times a week and recently I started pushing myself more and more, especially in the core muscles. I go to a training session known as "bootcamp" where for about one hour a group of people goes through some serious training. Every time it's over I feel like I'm dying but can't wait for the next session. Still have a long way to go but I will never stop exercising ever again. Things changed for the better and I feel energized every day. Can't remember the last time I had the need for a nap or felt lazy. But here's the problem... The back pain comes and goes and the sciatica pain comes and goes and these two hurt like hell. The doctor doesn't have a solution and I stopped going to chiropractors because I couldn't afford it anymore (and didn't really see the benefit of going, even after dozens of visits). I want to go easy on the pain meds because I know it's not good for the kidneys.

So... damned if I do, damned if I don't. I hope and believe that once I reach my target weight and goals all the pain will go away. I really hope that the pain is to blame on the extra weight I've been carrying on my stomach, nothing else. Did anyone here go through a similar situation and solved the problem?

It's not fun and it will take time but I won't give up nor feel sorry for myself. I just need ideas on how to handle pain until it's gone for good.

In a few words:

-Sharp sciatica pain on right hip, 2 or 3 times a week
-Can't spend money on a specialist
-Doctor's solution is similar to "walk it off my friend"
-Don't want to take too much Aleve or Tylenol or Advil or whatever
-Can't spend money on a chiropractor (and when I did it didn't help)
-Don't want to give up working out
-Muscles prone to cramping: Stomach, behind-the-knee area, under the foot
-Working out 2 to 3 times a week for the past year
-Fast food: Once or less per month
-Soda, pastry, candy bars: One or none per month

Before someone calls me a fat American, I'll clarify my situation. I was a very skinny Portuguese who came to the U.S. in 1995 when I was 17, heard about GNC and thought it would be a good idea to start drinking weight-gain shakes because I was tired of being so skinny. Was young, naive, ignorant, had no idea what I was doing. That's how I became overweight, not because of my eating habits or life-style. Now I'm a 36-year old who knows better and who's doing something about it instead of complaining or feeling sorry for himself.

Last edited by zxspectrum at 2013-07-02 13:10:01

#1535061 by Agent204 Donor

(Loud Mr.Miagi) at 2013-07-02 13:27:26 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

If you're struggling with cramps, make sure that you're hydrating properly and get bananas/apricots/spinach/other potassium rich foods on your menu. Also make sure you're sleeping enough, as you're far more prone to cramps if your body isn't well rested. Probably won't relieve you of your sciatica troubles, but at least that should get the cramps out of the way.

#1535062 by VeryBadGuy Donor

(Mad Ultra Mod) at 2013-07-02 14:29:50 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

I've been suffering sciatica in my left leg (the side which was paralyzed) since February and I've had anti inflammatory injections but they did very little to be honest except make the pain a little more bearable. I have two degenerative discs in my back along with being overweight (which like you I am sure it exacerbates the problem) my doctor recently put me on a strict regimen of stretching designed to strengthen the muscles in the lumbar region he also recommended switching from exercises which have an impact or low impact to swimming 3 times a week. Slowly it has started to improve to the point where today I took my dog for a walk for double the best distance I have managed since February without any pain at all

#1535064 by qbert95 (Power User) at 2013-07-02 14:58:46 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

I would say to really avoid those high impact boot camp training type workouts and go with a more low impact regimen like VBG is on. Your body is feeding on the post workout endorphins which is masking what is probably training that is only exacerbating your injuries. It will be a lot harder and longer to reach your end goal but that goal is to get to a target weight without adding to your injuries which will only complicate your doctors reevaluations.

Also I wish people would please stop going to chiropractors as it is a complete quack science that does so much more long term damage than good. They are in no way shape or form related to actual medical doctors.

#1535067 by Timex (Power User) at 2013-07-02 15:16:12 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

I have a few degenerated disks and a healed compression fracture from 11 years ago.

I gained about 30 lbs from not being able to move,stand or walk for more than a few minutes at a time .
It did not matter that I only eat 1/2 a meal twice a day.

Over the past year I lost 27 lbs just walking 200 feet to move the water house on the fruit trees and 200 feet back to my chair and a beer 6 times a day.
Walking is about the best thing you can do to lose lbs and keep your blood plumbing working correctly.

Simply sitting in a pool or room temp bath for 20-30 minutes a day will also burn off calories if you can fight off the urge to eat/snack when you get out.

#1535074 by swent206 (Power User) at 2013-07-02 17:12:26 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

Bicycling is good low impact exercise, when done on a ten speed style bike with curled handle bars. The fetal position takes the spine away from direct shock from bumps, and the bars have several different handhold positions, reducing elbow and wrist stress. Bicycling is less boring than walks, because you can travel farther and see more while you get good cardio exercise, and burn a few calories. I've used a bike, for several years, to strengthen legs, shoulders,neck, and arms, and reduce knee, neck, and back pain.

#1535118 by Scherzzo Donor

(Power User) at 2013-07-02 22:57:24 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

Hi there, if your looking to lose weight you need to get your diet in order and use only cardio as a supplement for weight loss. You need to calculate how many calories it takes to maintain your current weight and eat 200-500 below that figure. If you have a smartphone track your calories with an app called myfitnesspal. Doing those bootcamps probably wont do much good for your back and will only hinder your recovery. Are you a member of a gym? I would suggest you find a beginner weight lifting routine and do some light cardio after.

I dont believe all chiropractors are quacks but most will charge you 50-60euro for a 30min session which I think is joke. My physical therapist has worked wonders on me with various injuries and the sessions are 1 hour 20 mins. I have a similar problem to you and one exercise that has helped is: lying on the ground on your back pull your right leg up towards your stomach (not all the way) with your right hand and push slightly towards your left, now with your left hand grab your right ankle and pull towards your stomach area and you should feel the stretch on your SI joint.

My two cents

#1535125 by mbodnar (Airborne Mod) at 2013-07-02 23:28:00 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

Not sure how much it crosses over, but my mrs has servers pain from endometriosis and yoga helps quite a bit. As far as working out goes, don't just do cardio. Loosing weight happens much faster if you also do strength training, or combine the 2 with some kind of cross training or even chores like splitting firewood (with an axe obviously)

#1535132 by collander Donor

(Power User) at 2013-07-03 00:46:13 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

30 years ago my mother had the same problems as you.After going to the chiropractor for a year, he couldn't understand why the treatments weren't helping her.She goes to see a doctor who sends her for an operation to fuse the vertebrae in her lower back together.Problem solved.
Here in Canada,it's no cost to us.Over in the U.S., it's probably considered elective surgery.
I have the same problem but it's not at the point where I'm willing to go under the knife yet but it's coming.
I don't think weight loss is the solution to this particular problem but it does go a long way against diabetes,cardiac disease and wear and tear on the knees to name a few issues so keep up the exercising.
I know your pain well so good luck to you.

#1535164 by MrNeutron (Power User) at 2013-07-03 12:21:43 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

I am working as a doctor. I would advise you mainly to just go on like you were doing until now, it just takes some time. Anyway i wouldn't go to the chiropractor again, I've seen some disc hernias after chiropraxis and it would't help you either.
Don't be afraid of the analgetics, on the contrary I would suggest that you take ibuprofen 3-4 times daily 600mg until the pain is gone. It helps you recover and as long as you don't have a manifest heart or kidney disease (your doctor can see from your lab results) you can take them up to a couple of months without problems.
Go on with your exercises, just try to change your program a bit: for weight loss do aerobic exercises like bike trainer or running; for most patients with back pain swimming is the easiest way because it doesn't hurt. Then start a gymnastics group in your Gym - there should be plenty -, if you want, something like Tai Chi or similar stuff does it the same. Do less exercises called musles training and all the stuff with tools, it just helps you to look like Arnold, but you want to be without pain, right?
As soon as you feel you know how to make the gymnastics do it at home EVERY day for 5-10 min, from then on you will have at least a sigificant pain releif after approx. 3 months.
And don't panic. And don't stop gymnastics until you die. Best wishes.

#1535221 by zxspectrum Donor

('8-bit power') at 2013-07-04 04:52:34 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

Thank you very much for the input. It's incredible how we think we're Superman, carry whatever and do whatever with our bodies... until we start suffering from something... Thank you...

#1535238 by hOG (Crusader Mod) at 2013-07-04 12:35:59 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

VeryBadGuy wrote:

Orthoses might help

#1535289 by sixshooter (User) at 2013-07-04 22:45:06 (3 weeks ago) - [Report]

I had different types of affections over the time.
To lose weight and workout without having pains, is good to do long walks or if possible runs. Do less strength exercices but long slow runs. Muscles won't be forced.
I take simple aspirin when I have pains.
There are some exercises that I avoid because of the pains these give.
Long slow runs will never give you problems, except some cases.

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