Hi all,

Where to start? There has been lots happening.

I'm feeling really encouraged about LC WOL, I love it because it is so easy stick with in the long term. 3 weeks ago the doc did some blood work, good news, Chol is good, HgA1c for long term blood sugar was excellent & electrolytes were great as well. I was concerned about blood potassium becoz I've been using No-Salt without having blood potssm checked 1st & I'm it's okay.

Finally checked my % of body fat/lean body weight by the PP instructions. Yikes!! I'm sure glad I've already lost weight. As a result of the calculations, I've revised my long term goal upwards by 10 lbs.

The bad news is that I'm now a sick leave from work. My lower back and right hip & leg have been painful for some time, became acute in June. After several diff diagnoses, 2 GP's now think that I may have a herniated disc. Will see a neurologist on Sept 11 but for now I'm lying down 90% of the day. I almost never sit or walk & only stand to do the necessary food prep, dishes, appts etc. Stocking up on books at the local library ranks as high as eating at the moment. My sense of humour is intact but I'm soooo bored. I've picked up a bad habit from my 19 yr old niece:calling everyone I know because I'm bored. (My job has me on a phone & headset all day, working for a telecommunications co, so I sort of hate being on the phone on my own time)

This morning was almost pain free, the first good day in 3 weeks, I think the combination of anti-inflamms & a drug to help nerve pain has finally kicked in. Wooo hooo! I really really miss being able to walk. Actually I can walk but it results in pain and/or numb tingly toes so I take a cease & desist attitude.

Enough whining & wingeing. I'm just glad I've been able to maintain my weight loss during such an idle period.

Wishing all the Canucks out there a wonderful long weekend (sorry, I don't know if anyone else has a long weekend) Ruthie

Ouchy, ouchy, I've had one of those and it's not fun. Had to walk with a cane for a few months, but a good massage therapist, hydrotherapy (get thee to a sports physio whirlpool as soon as you can move again...) and exercises cleared it up without surgery. The main thing is not to seize up. If you can do gentle floor exercises (***stretches*** are very good to do, if you can manage it without making the pain worse, it will keep your muscles from atrophying...), do them by all means.

When you're in the midst of it it's pretty tough. You have my sympathy!

I am now, hmmm, let's see... 22 years later and I'm weight training and stronger than I've ever been before. I'm actually in better shape than I was in my 20s lol... so there is hope. You'll get thru it and it will get better.

If at all possible, avoid the surgical route. It's amazing what you can do on your own to get better.

Great news about the WOE and the bloodwork, but the other stuff sucks Ruth!

If I wasn't working all weekend, I'd bring you a cheesecake!

I've never had what you are suffering from, but I will always go the naturopathic route before anything invasive. Surgeons perform surgery because they don't know any other way!

I hope some of the books you're getting from the library involve the holistic approach?

Karen

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad to hear from someone who's been down this *ouch* road before & recovered with therapy/exercise and avoided surgery. It is early days yet, but I have Physio 3 X week, have a wonderful massage therapist I see regularly for 1 hr sessions (purr) and the medications. I've been given a few stretching exercises that I do as "commercial breaks" while reading. As often as possible, I make the trek to my sister's outdoor pool in Surrey/Port Kells for weightless exercise. This will do until I see a neurologist, have a CT scan or whatever and get a definite diagnosis. My Physio guy is about a 3 minute drive from my home, depending on traffic lights. When I'm hurting, I love his office being so close to my home.

I may be PM'ing you in the future for further advice.

Hi Mrs Yogi,

Yikes, you've been down this painful road? I'm so pleased to hear you recovered without surgery. I reserve the right to consult with you in the future about the recovery process

Right now I'm doing Physio 3 x week & the office is about 3 mins from my home, which is perfect when I'm in pain. I wouldn't want to be driving farther. I see a massage therapist regularly for an hr & may step up the frequency after I get a firm diagnosis from the neurologist. I swim as often as I can at my sis's pool in Surrey/Port Kells, although the .5 hr commute in each direction is not worth it for a day trip. I'm housesitting this weekend & plan on swimming this evening, rain or not. I'm fussy about who I will allow to see me in a swimsuit so public pools are NOT an option while I'm a size 20. The Physio has given me exercises/stretches that I do as "commercial breaks" while reading. That's working well right now. Gotta go & fix some dinner, Ruth

Karen,

I'm into escapist reading right now & plan to check out the web sometime this weekend. I'm no fan of surgery, I've been there a few times for other things & don't wanna go there again. I guess I'm in a bit of a holding pattern until the specialist appt.

You don't have to bring a cheesecake to come out for a swim. Max the dog & I looove to have company! I've got rawhide treats for the pooches and an acre to run in. There's even a horse in the next field to bark at. It's sort of doggie heaven.

Ruthie

Sounds like you're on track (as opposed to in traction lol).

Actually a little traction doesn't hurt.

The massage and hydrotherapy are the best thing for it. It takes a couple of months to retrain everything, but it's possible. The main thing is to keep those muscles strong.

Hi,

The physio treatment these days is traction & TENS. I do few simple stretches & swim in my sister's pool. She is great, I can come over anytime & she welcomes my friends too! In the pool I sit on a pool noodle, do a cycling motion with my legs & breast stroke with the arms. I've noticed my back muscles are getting stronger. After lying around for weeks, then sitting in front of this PC, for example, for .5 hr would have my upper back muscles very tight & painful. But they are stronger now with pool exercise. The Doc has me on Arthrotec & for nerve pain, Gabapentin. The combo works very well, so I'm able to walk, stand & even sit to eat. Radical! I see a neurologist on Sept 11 to determine exactly what the problem is. I'm in good spirits & will sign off now, I'm going into that lovely swimming pool. Cheers, Ruth

Well done! You'll be better in no time, just avoid sitting for long periods of time and lifting anything heavier than your head...

Keep it up!

Glad you're feeling better Ruth, hope you're soon feeling ALL better!

Rachel

Hi Ruthie,
Welcome back....sorry I am late in finding you back but I have been busy!! I missed you so! I am praying for you and am so glad that you are doing better and you are listening to the doctor. You seem to have a great attitude, which you need when you are flat on your back....keep up the pool therapy...try to at least....will send positive energy your way...hey does pos energy cross the border well?? Missed ya....Nancy