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Supporting 50-yo mom
Hi - this is my first time posting one of these.
My mom has intense back pain (supposedly from “flaking” spine bone, not herniated discs or similar).
Anyways, she happens to be fat and not open to WL discussions - especially since there seems to be mixed empirical evidence of it even helping that much. She’s followed all other doc advice - going to PT, the ER, and trying non-opioid medicines.
Docs refuse to operate on her or prescribe necessary meds. She has intense guilt about being a “drug seeker”, but there doesn’t seem to be any other options.
Does anyone have any advice?
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If the doctor is unwilling to discuss treatment of her pain I suggest a second opinion in conjunction with her primary care physician
Hi,
You don’t mention your mother’s other health conditions, etc, but if I read your post correctly, you may be misinformed about empirical evidence that losing excess body fat may not be effective. Your mom feels guilty about “drug seeking” but unwilling to discuss weight loss which sounds like a first step. Try picking up a 16-pack of water (about 16 pounds) and carrying it up a flight of stairs…you’ll be surprised at the strain it puts on one’s body.
I’ve had several compression fractures, several of which were extremely painful; I consulted with a spinal surgeon about them - they were not operable and, just like the doc said, subsequently healed on their own. Bone flaking, while likely painful, should heal as well.
I applaud you for helping your mom and wish you the best. Feel free to post on this board for info and support. Cheers!