Medical Questions > Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum

Pain Pain And More Pain

Must Read
What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....
Click here to learn about the most common causes of back pain, and things that increase your risk of backache. We cover lower back pain and upper back pain....
Back pain symptoms may seem obvious. But do you know when symptoms of back pain are more serious or when to see a doctor? Learn what action to take & when...
I had my second surgery in april, and I just can't bring myself to go to physical therapy. I am embarassed because I weigh so much and I don't want people starring at me. My family has begged me to start pt and I have made several appointments but I always cancel the day before it is time to go. I know that pt is an important part of my recovery but I just can't do it. Any type of exertion leaves me totally out of breath and I just don't know what to do. I am in constant pain and my left thigh is partially numb and has been since my first surgery in january. I am on darvacet and that doesn't cut it as far as the pain goes. I have an appointment with the neurologist on thursday. Is there any pain medication that is helping anyone out there? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Did you find this post helpful?
|

replied June 6th, 2006
Active User, very eHealthy
Hey you! We missed ya!

Now that the niceties are out of the way, you have to go to pt!! You are allowing scar tissue to build up and cause the numbness that is only going to get worse for you. You have to remember, no one at pt care if you weigh a little extra or a lot extra, they are there to help people feel better and it isn't always the skinny minis that feel bad, in fact it is us heavier people that don't feel great because we are heavier than we should be. :) pt wont help you lose a ton of weight but it might inspire you to walk around the block until that becomes easy and then as you kick the walk around the block in the butt, you can go around 2xs and probably pt will help with the numbness too.

You really need to try to build up the courage to go that first time and see how they treat you, if you don't like it, don't go back. More than likly, you will see that they don't even bat an eye. Physical therapy isn't just for the little people but for everyone!

Write back soon and keep us posted,
brian
|
Did you find this post helpful?

replied June 9th, 2006
Hi ya I am a newbie poster who also had spinal surgery recently. Mine was in march and i'm carrying more than a few extra pounds and I hate it! :(

there's so many physion things you can do around your home like walking and how about (only if you are able) step on to the bottom stair and then step down again and repeat this a half a dozen times? That is an exercise I bet the physiotherapist will give you to do anyway, so why not do it at home? When you do eventually go, the pt will certainly be impressed with your forward thinking and you won't have any need to be embarressed about your weight?

You will need to find your courage at some point though and that point is up to you. You must have had an enormous amount of courage to have the surgery in the first place and that must have taken much more strength than going to a physio's office? Go on, you can do it :wink:
|
Did you find this post helpful?