Degenerative Discs and Chronic pain

I have Degenerative Discs (L4-5 and L5-S1) that are almost completely crumbled. I have bone fragments and arthritis in the joints and sclerosis from the discs crumbling and I have nerve damage. I had surgery in '99 (lamenectomy of the L5-S1) and the drs now say it has failed. I live in constant pain even though I take high doses of pain meds both for my back and legs. I have recently lost 25-30 pounds since mid-October and I look great even though I need to lose about 45 more pounds. I thought losing weight would help with my pain, but it hasn't and it's discouraging. I have tried exercising, and I really need to tone up alot, and it just puts me in bed for like 2 days to feel better. It's like I can't put any stress on my back or I pay for it. Anyone with any suggestions on what I can do would be helpful. I've tried doing leg exercises, but of no help. I have to use my hands to raise my legs and I also use a cane to walk. Please help me!!!  

Do you have access to a pool?  That would take the weight off you joints and perhaps ease the pain that exercise causes.  I feel for you.

You have done great with your weight loss.  Congratulations!

I have some of your same problems. I know it is frustrating to try to loose weight when you can't exercise. It is so much harder. Kudos for accomplishing what you have! The only type of exercise I can do is some gentle Yoga. I have some Yoga videos and I can't do everything in them. I just do what I can and go on. I still feel good afterwards that I at least did something. Good luck to you!

Peggy Cappy has some great yoga videos.  They are called YOGA FOR THE REST OF US and MORE YOGA FOR THE REST OF US.  I think she has a new one as well. She is great with modification on the poses.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to look into Yoga!! I never thought I could do it. But I can give it a try!! Thanks!

I have herniated discs in that area and the pool was the only place I could exercise.  Even if you don't/can't swim, just walking in the water is good exercise.  I started with walking and modified versions of the physical therapy I was supposed to be doing.  It's been almost a year and I now swim and jog in the water.

With Yoga, please be careful.  It could be healthy or damaging. The recommended videos sound good but watch them through before you start following instructions. If you go to a class, interview the teacher first and make sure that it is a type of class appropriate for your situation, and the teacher will provide personal attention to customizing an approach for your physical state.

I also have herniated discs in the L4-L5 region, though it sounds like you have it far worse than I ever did! I feel your pain though. :-(

I agree about the yoga. But if you've never done yoga before, PLEASE follow alevin's advice and find yourself an instructor who's trained to teach people with conditions such as yours.

Yoga is wonderful and daily practice for several months (nearly a year) got me beyond the pain and strong enough to begin a walking program and I've now been running for the past year. I didn't think I'd ever get back to running again. Three years ago, I couldn't even walk to the end of my block without pain.

BUT it is easy to make the wrong move and overdo it and screw things up more. You need to go slow, gentle, easy. Baby steps.

There was one video I rented to get me started, which might work well for you though... I don't remember the title (got it from the library), but it was specifically for people with back problems, and all the students in the video were, like, 80 years old . Most of the exercises were done while sitting in a chair - no leg involvement. At first my attitude was, "This is so easy and lame... this can't possibly be effective".. but it really worked and it was just about right to start with.

Thank you and I will take everyone's advice. Believe me, I'm not one to try anything I know I can't do. I've learned NOT to overdo it the hard way if you know what I mean! I think I'll go to the library and see if they have videos and watch them before I go out and buy one. Thanks for that idea! I just want to move more to tone up these muscles that look terrible.