RE: exercize question...

January 21, 2010

Sharon - my NS told me I could do anything that didn't hurt me. However, my

physio always had me avoid flexion exercises. So, I think the best guide is

your pain, if it doesn't hurt you to do it, it should be fine. Exercise is

important to stay healthy and keep your core muscles strong, which will help

protect your back. Stretching is also very important as with our condition leg

muscles can tighten right up. I would just not start trying to do heavy

lifting, high impact sports, etc. But I am curious to hear what others have to

say about this. I just stay away from stuff that causes me pain, I can walk

short distances, swim a km no problem, and do pilates. I do a bit of housework

and gardening but have to keep it brief or my pain will flare up (due to the

bending).

Do you have a good physiotherapist you could see for advice?

I do wonder what effect all my running and sports that I did when I was younger

had on my condition? Did it help or hinder me?

Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: ilquackies@...

Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:25:57 -0800

Subject: exercize question...

Thanks for the information about a Lipoma growing....I have another

question about exercize, would I do more damage to my spinal cord if I did yoga

or stretching exercize, it doesn't hurt me to stretch but was curious if I was

doing silent damage....I know that too much cleaning the house at one time, or

taking long walks causes me pain in my spine, what are your thoughts on

stretching....thanks again...

Sharon

________________________________

To: " tetheredspinalcord " <tetheredspinalcord >

Sent: Thu, January 21, 2010 3:24:14 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Been awhile

Not silly. Some grow and some don't. If it does grow, some continue to

entangle the cord and some don't. Just depends on how it grows. No

rhyme or reason. Also, if removed, some will grow back, while others

will not.

Jenn

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 20, 2010, at 14:01, " Sharon D. " <ilquackiesyahoo (DOT) com> wrote:

> I hope this doesn't sound like a silly question but does the Lipoma

> stop growing around the spinal cord or does it continue to wrap

> itself around it....

>

> Sharon

>

> ____________ _________ _________ __

> From: FAITH CAPONE <cfaith1msn (DOT) com>

> To: tetheredspinalcord@ yahoogroups. com

> Sent: Wed, January 20, 2010 12:35:05 AM

> Subject: RE: Re: Been awhile

>

> It is my understanding that sometimes the lipoma (fatty tissue)

> grows around the spinal cord. Which means in trying to remove the

> lipoma the risk is greater of damaging the nerves. Some surgeons

> aren't comfortable removing the lipoma because they don't feel its

> worth the risk of possibly causing more damage. Some surgeons will

> remove a portion of the lipoma. It depends on the surgeon, where the

> lipoma is located, how severe your symptoms are, etc.

>

> My lipomas were attched to scar tissue, the scar tissue was on the

> cord surface, the cord and some of the nerves inside were stuck

> between some bone. Basically, if I stretched to touch the floor, the

> cord stretched instead of hanging loose like it should.

>

> This time around the cord has attached itself to the bone via scar

> tissue.

>

> Please talk some more with your surgeons. They will explain things

> to you, and just keep asking questions until you have a better

> understanding of what is going on in your specific situation. Most

> surgeons will be happy to explain things through models, suggested

> reading; I even had a surgeon draw me pictures on the paper that

> covers the bed in the doc's office. When he was done, he ripped the

> paper bedding off, folded it and gave it to me. Ask, ask and ask

> again.

>

> Good luck

>

> Faith

>

> To: tetheredspinalcord@ yahoogroups. com

> From: cmspuhleryahoo (DOT) com

> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:52:40 +0000

> Subject: Re: Been awhile

>

> Sorry to hear about your problems coming back. What is the spine

> tethered on now that there is no lipoma. I have to get surgery and

> one doctor wants to leave the lipoma and one wants to take it out.

>

> >

> > Its been awhile since I've checked in with this group. I've missed

> alot.

> >

> > I'm post surgery by four years. Had laminectomy and resectioning of

> > lipoma at L3-L4, November of 2005 at UC in Sacramento by Dr.

> Kee

> > Kim. Had some serious complications after surgery. But was doing

> fairly

> > well with Lyrica, Oxycontin, Cymbalta, and Soma. FemHrt too, but

> thats

> > for peri-menopause.

> >

> > The pain and other symptoms have gotten worse in the past four

> months.

> > Losing bladder and bowel control. Falling down alot. Sudden

> excrutiating

> > pain in my leg, on and off. Sciatica pain. From dull aches to needle

> > pokes. Where my left leg was the primary problem before, my right

> leg

> > seems to be joinging in on the 'fun' now.

> >

> > Had an MRI a couple weeks ago. Looks like a new tethering at L3.

> Some

> > degeneration and desicating at L5-S1. I see my doc this Tuesday.

> He's

> > talking about epidural injections for pain management. Anyone ever

> tried

> > those? I looked it up, seems a bit scary. But at this point. I'll

> try

> > anything. Although I don't see how that will help the loss of

> bladder

> > and bowel control. So I think I'm looking at another surgery. I

> regained

> > bladder control last time.

> >

> > So, has anyone tried epidural injections for pain management?

> >

> > I'd appreciate any input.

> >

> > Faith

> >

January 22, 2010

My doc always told me the same thing- if it hurts, don't do it.

Jenn

Sent from my iPhone

>

> Sharon - my NS told me I could do anything that didn't hurt me.

> However, my physio always had me avoid flexion exercises. So, I

> think the best guide is your pain, if it doesn't hurt you to do it,

> it should be fine. Exercise is important to stay healthy and keep

> your core muscles strong, which will help protect your back.

> Stretching is also very important as with our condition leg muscles

> can tighten right up. I would just not start trying to do heavy

> lifting, high impact sports, etc. But I am curious to hear what

> others have to say about this. I just stay away from stuff that

> causes me pain, I can walk short distances, swim a km no problem,

> and do pilates. I do a bit of housework and gardening but have to

> keep it brief or my pain will flare up (due to the bending).

>

> Do you have a good physiotherapist you could see for advice?

>

> I do wonder what effect all my running and sports that I did when I

> was younger had on my condition? Did it help or hinder me?

>

> Dee

>

> To: tetheredspinalcord

> From: ilquackies@...

> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:25:57 -0800

> Subject: exercize question...

>

> Thanks for the information about a Lipoma growing....I have

> another question about exercize, would I do more damage to my spinal

> cord if I did yoga or stretching exercize, it doesn't hurt me to

> stretch but was curious if I was doing silent damage....I know that

> too much cleaning the house at one time, or taking long walks causes

> me pain in my spine, what are your thoughts on stretching....thanks

> again...

>

> Sharon

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: " tetheredspinalcord " <tetheredspinalcord

> >

>

> Sent: Thu, January 21, 2010 3:24:14 AM

>

> Subject: Re: Re: Been awhile

>

> Not silly. Some grow and some don't. If it does grow, some continue to

>

> entangle the cord and some don't. Just depends on how it grows. No

>

> rhyme or reason. Also, if removed, some will grow back, while others

>

> will not.

>

> Jenn

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

> On Jan 20, 2010, at 14:01, " Sharon D. " <ilquackiesyahoo (DOT) com> wrote:

>

>> I hope this doesn't sound like a silly question but does the Lipoma

>

>> stop growing around the spinal cord or does it continue to wrap

>

>> itself around it....

>

>>

>

>> Sharon

>

>>

>

>> ____________ _________ _________ __

>

>> From: FAITH CAPONE <cfaith1msn (DOT) com>

>

>> To: tetheredspinalcord@ yahoogroups. com

>

>> Sent: Wed, January 20, 2010 12:35:05 AM

>

>> Subject: RE: Re: Been awhile

>

>>

>

>> It is my understanding that sometimes the lipoma (fatty tissue)

>

>> grows around the spinal cord. Which means in trying to remove the

>

>> lipoma the risk is greater of damaging the nerves. Some surgeons

>

>> aren't comfortable removing the lipoma because they don't feel its

>

>> worth the risk of possibly causing more damage. Some surgeons will

>

>> remove a portion of the lipoma. It depends on the surgeon, where the

>

>> lipoma is located, how severe your symptoms are, etc.

>

>>

>

>> My lipomas were attched to scar tissue, the scar tissue was on the

>

>> cord surface, the cord and some of the nerves inside were stuck

>

>> between some bone. Basically, if I stretched to touch the floor, the

>

>> cord stretched instead of hanging loose like it should.

>

>>

>

>> This time around the cord has attached itself to the bone via scar

>

>> tissue.

>

>>

>

>> Please talk some more with your surgeons. They will explain things

>

>> to you, and just keep asking questions until you have a better

>

>> understanding of what is going on in your specific situation. Most

>

>> surgeons will be happy to explain things through models, suggested

>

>> reading; I even had a surgeon draw me pictures on the paper that

>

>> covers the bed in the doc's office. When he was done, he ripped the

>

>> paper bedding off, folded it and gave it to me. Ask, ask and ask

>

>> again.

>

>>

>

>> Good luck

>

>>

>

>> Faith

>

>>

>

>> To: tetheredspinalcord@ yahoogroups. com

>

>> From: cmspuhleryahoo (DOT) com

>

>> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:52:40 +0000

>

>> Subject: Re: Been awhile

>

>>

>

>>

>

>>

>

>> Sorry to hear about your problems coming back. What is the spine

>

>> tethered on now that there is no lipoma. I have to get surgery and

>

>> one doctor wants to leave the lipoma and one wants to take it out.

>

>>

>

>>

>

>>>

>

>>>

>

>>> Its been awhile since I've checked in with this group. I've missed

>

>> alot.

>

>>>

>

>>> I'm post surgery by four years. Had laminectomy and resectioning of

>

>>> lipoma at L3-L4, November of 2005 at UC in Sacramento by Dr.

>

>> Kee

>

>>> Kim. Had some serious complications after surgery. But was doing

>

>> fairly

>

>>> well with Lyrica, Oxycontin, Cymbalta, and Soma. FemHrt too, but

>

>> thats

>

>>> for peri-menopause.

>

>>>

>

>>> The pain and other symptoms have gotten worse in the past four

>

>> months.

>

>>> Losing bladder and bowel control. Falling down alot. Sudden

>

>> excrutiating

>

>>> pain in my leg, on and off. Sciatica pain. From dull aches to needle

>

>>> pokes. Where my left leg was the primary problem before, my right

>

>> leg

>

>>> seems to be joinging in on the 'fun' now.

>

>>>

>

>>> Had an MRI a couple weeks ago. Looks like a new tethering at L3.

>

>> Some

>

>>> degeneration and desicating at L5-S1. I see my doc this Tuesday.

>

>> He's

>

>>> talking about epidural injections for pain management. Anyone ever

>

>> tried

>

>>> those? I looked it up, seems a bit scary. But at this point. I'll

>

>> try

>

>>> anything. Although I don't see how that will help the loss of

>

>> bladder

>

>>> and bowel control. So I think I'm looking at another surgery. I

>

>> regained

>

>>> bladder control last time.

>

>>>

>

>>> So, has anyone tried epidural injections for pain management?

>

>>>

>

>>> I'd appreciate any input.

>

>>>

>

>>> Faith

>

>>>

>

>>>

>

>>>

>

>>>

January 22, 2010

I have found that gentle slow stretching is very helpful for me, however once a

chiro adjustment (quick) put me in a wheelchair so ...just be careful (I do feel

that chiro can be very helpful if they understand our condition). For me, and

I'm sure many others, of course if something hurts I stop but what I find is

that it may not hurt immediately but I pay like hell for a few days after....so

not sure if that is because I have done damage or not. I just know I cant just

lay or sit all the time so I do what I can and remind myself to rest and not

overdo. I have been wondering about the e-stim units (for exercise) though. I

know they use them on fresh cord injuries to keep them from losing tone so I'm

thinking they must have some merit.Â I'm talking about the machines that have

usually 4-8 " patches " that are usually held on by velcro straps and send elec

stim that " contracts " the muscles. Some of them have adjustable settings and can

be used like a tens

unit as well. Anyone have any personal experience with them?Â

> I hope this doesn't sound like a silly question but does the Lipoma

> stop growing around the spinal cord or does it continue to wrap

> itself around it....

>

> Sharon

>

> ____________ _________ _________ __

> From: FAITH CAPONE <cfaith1msn (DOT) com>

> To: tetheredspinalcord@ yahoogroups. com

> Sent: Wed, January 20, 2010 12:35:05 AM

> Subject: RE: Re: Been awhile

>

> It is my understanding that sometimes the lipoma (fatty tissue)

> grows around the spinal cord. Which means in trying to remove the

> lipoma the risk is greater of damaging the nerves. Some surgeons

> aren't comfortable removing the lipoma because they don't feel its

> worth the risk of possibly causing more damage. Some surgeons will

> remove a portion of the lipoma. It depends on the surgeon, where the

> lipoma is located, how severe your symptoms are, etc.

>

> My lipomas were attched to scar tissue, the scar tissue was on the

> cord surface, the cord and some of the nerves inside were stuck

> between some bone. Basically, if I stretched to touch the floor, the

> cord stretched instead of hanging loose like it should.

>

> This time around the cord has attached itself to the bone via scar

> tissue.

>

> Please talk some more with your surgeons. They will explain things

> to you, and just keep asking questions until you have a better

> understanding of what is going on in your specific situation. Most

> surgeons will be happy to explain things through models, suggested

> reading; I even had a surgeon draw me pictures on the paper that

> covers the bed in the doc's office. When he was done, he ripped the

> paper bedding off, folded it and gave it to me. Ask, ask and ask

> again.

>

> Good luck

>

> Faith

>

> To: tetheredspinalcord@ yahoogroups. com

> From: cmspuhleryahoo (DOT) com

> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:52:40 +0000

> Subject: Re: Been awhile

>

> Sorry to hear about your problems coming back. What is the spine

> tethered on now that there is no lipoma. I have to get surgery and

> one doctor wants to leave the lipoma and one wants to take it out.

>

> >

> > Its been awhile since I've checked in with this group. I've missed

> alot.

> >

> > I'm post surgery by four years. Had laminectomy and resectioning of

> > lipoma at L3-L4, November of 2005 at UC in Sacramento by Dr.

> Kee

> > Kim. Had some serious complications after surgery. But was doing

> fairly

> > well with Lyrica, Oxycontin, Cymbalta, and Soma. FemHrt too, but

> thats

> > for peri-menopause.

> >

> > The pain and other symptoms have gotten worse in the past four

> months.

> > Losing bladder and bowel control. Falling down alot. Sudden

> excrutiating

> > pain in my leg, on and off. Sciatica pain. From dull aches to needle

> > pokes. Where my left leg was the primary problem before, my right

> leg

> > seems to be joinging in on the 'fun' now.

> >

> > Had an MRI a couple weeks ago. Looks like a new tethering at L3.

> Some

> > degeneration and desicating at L5-S1. I see my doc this Tuesday.

> He's

> > talking about epidural injections for pain management. Anyone ever

> tried

> > those? I looked it up, seems a bit scary. But at this point. I'll

> try

> > anything. Although I don't see how that will help the loss of

> bladder

> > and bowel control. So I think I'm looking at another surgery. I

> regained

> > bladder control last time.

> >

> > So, has anyone tried epidural injections for pain management?

> >

> > I'd appreciate any input.

> >

> > Faith

> >

January 22, 2010

Hello Dee, thank for the reply, I too wonder about all the exercize I did over

the year if it did any damage to me, I been lifting weight for years and when I

think about what I lifted and all the bending and squatting and other things I

did with my lower body I believe it caught up to me....I went to the gym

yesterday and done leg workout with weights my husband looked at me and said

then you wonder why you can't walk and you will in pain, well he was right I

could hardly get out of bed and walk, I just hate the thought of what I use to

be and what I become and that even simple walking causes me pain....

Things didn't start getting bad until I hit about 51 so I would be careful with

what exercize you do it could come back at a later age and cause disabilities

for you....I don't have a physiotherapist.

Sharon

________________________________

To: tetheredspinalcord

Sent: Thu, January 21, 2010 1:39:11 PM

Subject: RE: exercize question...