Weight Gain?

[Guest guest]

I was wondering if I am the only person who has gained weight since my

hip disability? We eat about the same things (lean chicken, salads, etc)

but I cannot walk or stand without a cane nor for very long so my

activities have come to a halt. I have never been big on exercise but

was very busy at work and home - walking and cleaning, etc.

I have finally gotten some decent pain meds that allow me to function

without much pain when I sit at work or home but nothing gets rid of the

pain when I stand or walk. I do not have insurance/money to take on a

physical therapist but if you have any insight as to how you have

handled it I would appreciate the information. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Yes!  I can relate!

I haven't gained a ton of weight, even though the only exercise I can do is a

slow walk for 15 minutes a day if I feel up to it.  But, prior to my hip injury

I used to walk two to four miles every day, on top of working twelve hour

nursing shifts. 

Now all that lean muscle is gone and turned into flab.  I've gained two dress

sizes even though I weigh about the same. 

I think the only reason I haven't actually gained a lot of weight is that I've

had so much stomach pain from all the anti-inflammatory medications over the

last couple years.  I don't feel like eating very much. 

My orthopedic surgeon said that every pound of extra weight feels like three

pounds on your hips.  I know that if I carry anything slightly heavy that my hip

pain gets worse, so I know that extra weight is bad for my hip. 

But I love to cook, and that is one of the few things that I still can do

without too much pain.  I try to cook healthy food, but I love my desserts too.

I've had probably a hundred physical therapy visits, and the only ones that

helped were when they did massage or other techniques to relax muscles.  Still,

the relief lasted only a few hours. 

Accupuncture didn't help.  Chiropractors don't help.  My last physical therapist

focused on exercises, and I wasn't able to tolerate them.  I felt more painful

every week.  The only thing that has helped a little is Neurontin.

It's tough when your body really limits your exercise ability.  It sounds like

you probably eat healthier than me, so I don't know what else to suggest. 

My physical therapists say that the best exercise to keep your hips healthy is

biking.  We bought an exercise bike and I have the seat elevated and the

resistance on the lowest setting.  I can do maybe five minutes a couple times a

week. 

Don't beat yourself up about the weight.  You're eating healthy foods and doing

what you can.  You've got to just live your life!  Janie

> wrote

>I have finally gotten some decent pain meds that allow me to function

without much pain when I sit at work or home but nothing gets rid of the pain

when I stand or walk. I do not have insurance/money to take on a physical

therapist but if you have any insight as to how you have

handled it I would appreciate the information. Thanks,