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Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Degenerative disk disease and severe weight loss.
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Q: Degenerative disk disease and severe weight loss.
asked by: ttirips1 on December 3rd, 2007
New User
my fiance has degenerative disk disease. 4 yrs ago we were in an accident (auto) which severely aggravated this to where he now has spondyloptosis (stage 5 spondylolisthesis). Around that time he became also very stiff and found out he also has Ankylosing Spondylitis. He needs spinal fusion very badly as this has been going on for 3-4 yrs... He has a lot of stetching and atrophy in the backs of his thigh areas. Which I know is common in spondyloptosis. He is in constant pain. He has also lost a lot of weight. He's never been a large guy, he was about 5'8" and 130 lbs when we met 6 yrs ago, now he is weighing less and less. On a good day he weighs 107lbs. Which is very dangerous I think. He is 33 yrs old. He has been tested for HIV, TB, Hepatitis, which are all negative. He is not a drug user. Except pain medication Lortab prescribed for his pain. The doctor keeps telling him "Eat more, you aren't eating enough." But I know he eats because I see him eating at least 3 meals a day. He tells the dr this and the doctor doesn't seem to believe him. He desperately needs surgery and he has to gain weight before they will do it but he has really been trying and nothing works. He eats and nothing happens. sometimes he'll gain a couple lbs but in a day or two his weight goes down again. He is prescribed testosterone because his was a little low and they thought that might be why he is skinny but he has been on that for months and hasn't gotton bigger. He has really increased his protien intake, on his doctors's recommendation, and that hasn't worked. We've been to numerous doctors and nobody knows why he is losing weight. Could stress from having the other 2 conditions for so long be causing this? He looks very ill. I am extremely worried about him..... Sad
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lonestarguy
replied on December 3rd, 2007
Active User, very eHealthy
Hi! I'm not sure we could tell you what specifically is wrong, but as far as back pain, there is an excellent thread you should look through. It's called Laser Spine Surgery and is located in the Back Pain forum. There are several people on there who had the spondy problems. I have degenerative disc disease myself, but not the spondy. The people on the thread will also answer your questions in detail about any type of back pain and accompanying side effects.
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ttirips1
replied on December 5th, 2007
New User
well, thanks....
did you experience any weight loss with the spondylolisthesis?
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Tylanas
replied on December 5th, 2007
Especially eHealthy
You and he need to go to a nutritionist and discuss openly and honestly his diet. He may eat three meals a day, but pain can cause a loss of appetite. You're right close to him; so in all honesty you probably don't see as clearly as you should the true amount he's eating. Just like you watch TV and wonder how on earth those obese people's spouses let them get like that. It's because they just can't see it.

So, I think a trip to the nutritionist would be good for the both of you. He or she can prescribe a good, protein and calorie rich diet that will help your husband gain the weight he needs for surgery. You're right; his weight right now IS dangerously low. He needs to gain weight for his general well-being, not just surgery.
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ttirips1
replied on December 5th, 2007
New User
well thanks. We've made an apptmt. The problem with that I think is that he has two very serious conditions, one of them an autoimmune disorder. A nutritionist will help with diet but I am not sure that that is the problem. He has kept food diaries for the past 3 days and really, I can see that he's eating. It's actually amazing to me the amount of food consumed and the fact that his weight continues to be low. He drinks 3 ensures a day with his meals and also snacks in addition to meals. We already know thats not what it is. Could be a thyroid thing, or a malabsorption problem. We know he is eating and I am getting a little tired of people dismissing it as though he is an anorexic or something. The man is eating the food just isn't sticking.
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ttirips1
replied on December 7th, 2007
New User
Well I researched his symptoms a little more and he might have Celiac Disease, which coincidentally has been linked to the same gene which has caused him to have Ankylosing Spondilitis. Often people will have multiple autoimmune conditions linked to gene HLA-b27 (human leukyte antigen). Celiac is a malabsorption problem caused by a gluten allergy. Basically a person with Celiac is allergic to gluten and when they eat it in food their small intestine is damaged and they can no longer absorb nutrients from food. They then become malnourished, no matter how much food they consume. We are going to try a gluten-free diet and see if this might be the case with him. I certainly hope it will be that simple. A simple food allergy! How crazy would that be?
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Tylanas
replied on December 8th, 2007
Especially eHealthy
I hope it works for you guys!!! Good luck!
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