Back Trouble

Irishmist · September 28, 2007

Hi Gaffer

I can identify with you with the back trouble, my whole reason for losing weight was to get rid of back pain, the dr's. were always telling me lose weight that is why your back hurts. As the weight was coming off my back pain was less but never completely went away, finally the dr. decided to have some x-rays taken and the same as you i was diagnosed with compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. I take a pill once a week now to help with that.

In the mean time i also had a bone scan, and an MRI, it takes so long to get appointments for these scans, so when the dr. asked me to come in and see him i was not prepared for the news i received, i was told that i had cancer, you see i had breast cancer 22 years ago, and when they checked the blood work, this was the old cancer resurfaced, it had been there all that time.

That was the reason i was away for so long, i had to go through radiation treatment, and now i am on a form of hormone treatment. My last check up showed some improvement which made me very happy. I am a fighter and put a lot of faith in God between the two of us i will get through this.

You are very young for osteoporosis Andrew, but if that is what it is they can treat it, with the right medicine and the right diet you can bring your bones back strong again. But let us hope it is just from working out too much.

Praying that you news will be good Andrew. All the best to you. :hug:

Maria

Gaffer · September 28, 2007

Wow, that is a pretty intense post. Sorry if my reply seems breif, but with the C word in there it really hit home. The tech did mention the possibility of cancer, and I have not told anyone, including my wife. For the last week I have chosen not to think about it, but it all just kinda hit me at once.

I am really hoping that this is just the result of just some injury that I did not know I had or occured the last time I lost a bunch out weight. I used to work out endlessly, 2 time a day with heavy cardio and weight lifting and i could have occured then.

I am pretty young to have osteoporosis, but I know that there are treatments for that, so hopefully if that is what it is, I can be taken care of.

Thank you for sharing that with me, and I really hope that you are getting better.

I will let you know what is going on when I find out from the Dr.

Although I am not a religious person, I will keep you in my thoughts.

Andrew

Irishmist · September 28, 2007

Hi Andrew

One of the reasons i did not post earlier about my back problem, was because i did not know how to express myself without it sounding intense. I hope i did not scare you, the point i was trying to make was if you do have osteoporsis, it is treatable and the damage can be repaired.

Are bones took a lot of beating when we were carrying all that access weight around for so long.

Maria

Gaffer · September 28, 2007

Thanks,

It was not you post that scared me, but rather the tech that did my scan when she mentioned the possibility of cancer. I have never been scared of death, but when my son was born, I realised that I do have alot to live for, and that I want to be around for as long as possible. I guess that is what started me in the lap-band journey.

I just got back from the Dr. and it turns out that everything is fine. At some point I did have some compression fractures to my spine, but they are an old injury. I am puzzled as to how it might have happened, but relieved to hear that it is not getting any worse.

I am going to start seeing some physiologists to work on strengthening my back muscles. As well, I need to start taking a Calcium & Vitamin D supplement.

As for the osteoporsis, I am in the clear on that one. Apparently my bone density is -1.1 which is fine, -2.5 is considered osteoporosis.

Thanks again,

Andrew

Irishmist · September 28, 2007

Glad to hear you are okay Andrew :clap2::clap2: stay healthy now for that son of yours.

Maria :confused:

Cindy_D · September 28, 2007

Thanks,
It was not you post that scared me, but rather the tech that did my scan when she mentioned the possibility of cancer. I have never been scared of death, but when my son was born, I realised that I do have alot to live for, and that I want to be around for as long as possible. I guess that is what started me in the lap-band journey.

I just got back from the Dr. and it turns out that everything is fine. At some point I did have some compression fractures to my spine, but they are an old injury. I am puzzled as to how it might have happened, but relieved to hear that it is not getting any worse.

I am going to start seeing some physiologists to work on strengthening my back muscles. As well, I need to start taking a Calcium & Vitamin D supplement.

As for the osteoporsis, I am in the clear on that one. Apparently my bone density is -1.1 which is fine, -2.5 is considered osteoporosis.

Thanks again,

Andrew

Great news Andrew - anything that looks like cancer is understandably frightening. Get on the strengthening routine and don't forget the Calcium and Vit D - I have been taking the chewable Calcium that taste like caramel; my sweet for the day.

Cindy

JLB · September 30, 2007

Maria - I am glad to hear you are on the mend. Cancer can be pretty scary but it sounds like you have good medical care and an even better atttitude. They say a positive minset is half the battle. I wish you all the best.

Andrew - That's wonderful news. I'm glad it's stable and not a new injury. I too have a compression fracture on my T7, have had it for 15 years. It does cause me pain sometimes but it's manageable. I know when I am more physically fit, it will be even easier to manage.

By the way, you may want to try a calcium/magnesium supplement. It's supposed to be more absorbable. Not sure if you know about Natures Zone Vitamin store in Marda Loop. Great place to get advice on supplements and they have the best prices in town. Cheers.