Back Pain when walking

[GMaJen 79]

I couldn't find this topic when I searched back pain. I lost 40 lobs before surgery, and a week after surgery when I tried to go walking I got a stitch in my back. I've tried not drinking while I walk, not drinking before I walk, not eating or drinking before or while I walk, and 2 months out I still can't walk from the parking garage into the clinic to see my doctor without my back hurting. The longer I walk the more it hurts and the longer I have to sit before it stops. I know my spine and the muscles have to adjust to the new weight dynamic, but this didn't happen with the 40 lbs pre-surgery and when it started I hadn't lost additional weight yet. I've lost an additional 20 now. I'm getting married a month from today and I'm afraid I'm going to spend my honeymoon in the room instead of exploring Toronto.

[Lenacx 0]

Hello . I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing back pain and difficulties after your surgery. It can be frustrating to not be able to enjoy activities and experiences because of the discomfort. I can offer some general suggestions that may be helpful.

First, it is important to share your concerns and symptoms with your doctor or health care provider. They have access to your medical history and can give you personalized advice based on your specific situation. They may want to perform additional examinations or tests to better understand the cause of your persistent back pain.

In the meantime, consider exploring other forms of transportation or assistance to minimize the strain on your back. This could involve the use of mobility aids such as a cane or walker, or the use of a wheelchair or other accessible options if necessary. In addition, talk to your doctor about seeing a physical therapist or rehabilitation specialist who can guide you through exercises and techniques to strengthen your back muscles and improve your mobility.

Edited May 24, 2023 by Lenacx

[Jeanniebug 473]

I know that various joint pains are fairly common, after weight loss. When my back hurts, I go to the chiropractor.

[GMaJen 79]

Thank you. I talked to my doctor but she just said my back was adjusting to the change in my weight and keep trying. The VA is really understaffed and they tend to brush you off so they can move on to the next. I'll go get a massage then go to the chiropractor and see if that helps.

[Arabesque 7,240]

Most of us experience some pain as our joints, muscles, tendons, centre of gravity, etc. relearn how to stand (better posture) & move without our carrying our excess weight. And it sometimes doesn’t start straight away. For example, I was slouching a lot & had to consciously not & sit upright. I also had upper back pain because my bras were too big. Bought new bras & my back pain went.

Forty pounds is a good amount of weight to lose (congratulations). Had you started to become more active with the weight loss? If so, using your muscles, etc. more may have contributed.

A chiropractor, physiotherapist, acupuncturist or massage therapist may help. I did an acupuncture session to release the tight muscles in my back which helped until I got my new underwear. Don’t give up.

Edited May 25, 2023 by Arabesque

[GMaJen 79]

@Arabesque I went to a PT. I've had a back pain issue stemming from arthritis in the facets of my cervical spine since 2016. It took the VA 5 years to diagnose why I hurt and that STANDING is my trigger, but for that 5 years it seemed everything triggered intense stabbing pain, so I spent that time on my couch. The PT thinks my back pain is cumulative from the bad posture from always sitting on the couch + the weight loss, and it's probably the same issue with my neck, only because of the weight loss and changes in the dynamic of my spine, that walking is now a trigger too. He gave me some stretching and strengthening exercises, ordered a posture brace for me, and I have a chiropractor appointment on Thursday. I'm hoping it will help.

[Arabesque 7,240]

9 hours ago, GMaJen said:

@Arabesque I went to a PT. I've had a back pain issue stemming from arthritis in the facets of my cervical spine since 2016. It took the VA 5 years to diagnose why I hurt and that STANDING is my trigger, but for that 5 years it seemed everything triggered intense stabbing pain, so I spent that time on my couch. The PT thinks my back pain is cumulative from the bad posture from always sitting on the couch + the weight loss, and it's probably the same issue with my neck, only because of the weight loss and changes in the dynamic of my spine, that walking is now a trigger too. He gave me some stretching and strengthening exercises, ordered a posture brace for me, and I have a chiropractor appointment on Thursday. I'm hoping it will help.

Fingers crossed it will help @GMaJen. Back pain is awful. I have oozing discs in my lower back that comes & goes but standing or sitting for any time sets it off simply from the weight of my body compressing the discs. I had hoped the weight loss would help but only did minimally. ☹️ I have found gentle stretching does help a lot though & if I miss doing them for a few days I know about it.

[GMaJen 79]

On Thursday, the chiropractor took X-Rays and I'm all out of whack, thorisic spine curve, soldiers neck, and my pubic synthisis is off center by about an inch so my pelvis is tilted. I couldn't get a massage before the appointment so the adjustment wasn't as easy and hurt and the trauma from it made my pain so much worse that night, I was non functional. I always suggest a massage prior to getting adjusted, it loosens the muscles for an easier and better adjustment and it sticks longer before muscle memory pulls it back to where it was. I think it helped because I had 3 appointmens yesterday and I didn't start hurting until the 3rd. It was good timing because the 3rd appointment was a shot in my back for the pain. They say it will take 3 days to take affect and 3 weeks to be at the best effect. Great news because I get married in 21 days. I'm authorized for 8 chiro visits and I'll only be able to get 1 more in before the wedding because the wedding is out of state, but when I come back I'm hoping the other 6 adjustments and, if the injection works, excersizing and strength training will mean I don't need more shots.

[Albus 129]

I went through the same, muscles need to adjust to not having the same bulk to carry. Doing weights helped me strengthen up

[ms.sss 15,580]

congratulations on ur upcoming wedding!

the back pain seems to be a pretty common occurrence soon after surgery/weight loss.

i already had back and foot pain pre-surgery, but about 1-2 months post op a NEW back pain showed up. as well as NEW foot pain and hip pain (the hip pain actually was the most annoying).

like your doctor, mine also said it was due to weight loss (i had lost about 50 lbs by month 2, including the 2wk pre-op diet), and that my musculature was built over years to support my weight so need to adjust to support my changing weight.

if i remember correctly it all went away by month 3 or 4.

i didn't take any pain medication (but i probably should have), but i did start doing yoga and core exercises in month 3, but im not sure if that contributed to the pain going away or it was just my body finally adjusted.

in any case hope all your appts lined up get you up an at em by your big day!