Weight bearing exercises after surgery

[Barb]

Hello everyone.

I have a post-op question for anyone that can help. I am 6 months from TG surgery, and doing reasonably well. I still have some flares and the tightness of my muscles and my ischial tuberosity pain is still making sitting uncomfortable. However, I got some news today that has really made everything even more difficult.

I had a bone density test and the numbers were REALLY bad! I am a slim person, fair skin and blue eyes, which makes you more at risk for osteoporosis. The doctor is putting me on medication. I have to be religious about taking my calcium, but how can i do weight bearing exercises.....especially now? I feel like I fix one problem, only to have another one that complicates everything

Are there exercises that anyone can suggest or should I just wait until about a year after surgery to even think about core strengthening or weight bearing?

Thanks for your help.
Barb

[Karyn]

Hi Barb,
I sympathize with you for having another medical condition to contend with.

The doctor is putting me on medication. I have to be religious about taking my calcium, but how can i do weight bearing exercises.....especially now? I feel like I fix one problem, only to have another one that complicates everything

Is the doc who put you on medication aware of your current situation? Did he/she suggest that you do weight bearing exercises, now?

Clearly, this isn't a viable option for you at this point in time. While this news is certainly concerning, your first priority should be focusing on recovering, so that it may be possible for you to incorporate some type of weight bearing exercises some time in the future.

Please take things one step at a time, so as to not over burden yourself. What med were you prescribed?

Kind regards,
Karyn

[Barb]

Hi Karyn,
Yes, the doctor does know of my surgery. He put me on fosamax and gave me recommendations of how to minimize my risks going forward. He is aware that I can not do weight bearing at this time. I told my physical therapist today and she recommended walking until I can work up to at least 45 minutes a day. I walked on a tread mill for 15 minutes and I am feeling some pain in my sacrum tonight. I have some inflammation on the left PSIS and sacrum which is the opposite side from my surgery. This condition and all the things that go along with it are so maddening.

I think I am struggling with too much movement in the SI joint on my left side which is so crazy because it was the right side before my surgery, but that side looks great now......no inflammation.


Thanks for your thoughts.

Barb

[Violet M]

Hi Barb,

Sorry to hear about your additional diagnosis. I am slim with fair skin and green eyes and developed osteoporosis during the worst of PNE so I can sympathize with you.

Since fosamax is not a long-term solution, my physician has put me on a bio-identical hormone cream that contains several hormones that help prevent further loss of bone mass. I can't tell you the exact formula as I am traveling right now but if you are interested I will try to get it for you. If you have breast cancer in your family this may not be an ideal solution for you but if that's not a concern you may want to consider this option.

I walk 2-3 miles several days a week but I can't use the treadmill because it causes PN and SI joint flareups due to ligament/pelvic instability. Someone I know who is an ortho surgeon recommended doing light upper body weights or even carrying a small amount of weight when walking and taking plenty of vitamin D. I can do light upper body weightlifting and it doesn't seem to bother the PN but definitely helps give you that "fit" look. I can also do ab work and parts of "The Firm" exercise program without affecting the PN. Whatever you do, start out slowly and see how it affects you.

Good luck -- and if you learn any other tips that work for you let me know. It helps to share ideas.

Take care,

Violet

[Barb]

Hi Violet,
It seems a lot of our conditions are similar. Thanks for your reply. I knew I couldn't take fosamax long term and I was really excited about the cream you talked about until you got to the point about breast cancer risks. I had early stage breast cancer in 2001. I was diagnosed on Sept. 11, 2001. It was a surreal day. My husband and I were in the doctor's office at 9:00 am and saw the events happening on the office TV. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and have been cancer free since.

It might be worth a try to see if my doctor thinks it is a possibility.

It is strange, but I have the same reaction to walking. It seems walking outside doesn't bother my SI Joint, but walking on a treadmill does. Thanks goodness it is getting warmer now and I can walk outside. I wear my SI belt. I also have smaller weights to do upper body work, but wondered when I could start that. I am also taking calcium with vitamin D.

On another subject, have you ever heard of Lion's Mane mushrooms and their help with nerve regeneration? I was reading about them and wondered if it came in supplement form and if it helped. I read about them in a health magazine. I think it was an article by Dr. Weil .

I will definitely share any info I have. Thanks for your help.

Take care,
Barb

[bma]

The surgery usually generates a large amount of scar tissue in the buttocks, internal obturator, fascias and neurapraxia (neural lesion) Particularment .... I think it's bad science believes that "success rates are 60%". After reading and talking to dozens of patients, I concluded that it is pure leafleting of doctors who want to earn $ 50,000 in one procedure. I dont believe in statistics published here. But I think that a small contingent of people get much better, especially those who have trapped nerve in SS and ST ligaments. I hope you get well, actually. Everybody is different.

[Barb]

Hello bma,

I see that you have no signature, so it is hard to tell your motivation. Have you had surgery? I am also confused as to why you chose this thread to convey your message.

Most of us on the surgery forum have had surgery, and are recovering, so to talk about the amount of scar tissue and the success rate of the surgery is really unnecessary. It was difficult enough to make the decision to have surgery, but when you get to the point that life is not worth living than it becomes an easier decision.

I had surgery almost 7 months ago and my nerve pain has drastically reduced. Am I pain free....no, but life is worth living now and I know it will get even better.

As far as the cost, my surgery was a fraction of the cost your quoted, and there are a lot of doctors out there who genuinely want to help.

I hope this will show the opinion of someone on the other side of surgery.

Thanks
Barb


Violet.....I hope you read my last post before this one.

[Violet M]

So sorry about the breast cancer, Barb. Glad you caught it early but with that history I'm not sure the cream would be a good idea.....maybe something you could discuss with your doctor. Sometimes, it's a matter of trading one risk for another, eh? Just like with PNE surgery....it's a matter of deciding whether you want to live with the pain indefinitely after you've tried a bunch of conservative therapies or try surgery to at least give your chance at getting your life back. I will never regret taking that risk because it's given me back a decent life. I knew there were risks going in but having no quality of life I was willing to take that risk.

Violet

[bma]

I talked to many patients who have had surgery and ended in a pain pump drugs. I did not sign my post. But I saw that only 50% of patients improve in another forum. Generally the impression we have is that whoever improves think everyone has that chance. But I have not seen quality studies on neurology (pudendal nerve is, like other nerves, formed by C fibers, Delta and motor). I am a scientist and few studies are good, Dr. R. Roberts says cure more than 65% of patients with blocks. I do not believe in this (its propaganda). Yes, some people are better. But I dont believe in "cure" for 85% with surgery. Its not science for me. We dont play the bad cases in bellow of carpet.

I had block
medication
Physiotherapy and am improving.

[erikesimmons]

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your topic with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.