First time here,Hi! and looking for advice!

[sue]

Hi Everyone! I'm new at this, so sorry if I put this in the wrong thread, forum, or anything else. I am a 44 year old female who is active, lots of walking, but with mega spinal problems. I have c3-4 anc5-6 discectomy and fusion done in 1994, and have extremely limited motion in my neck. Therefore, the muscles in the upper back ,.shoulders, and arms doon't work like they should, because of the extreme rigidity in the neck. Neck muscles on both sides of neck and also the two long vertical muscles in front of neck(don't) know correct terms for these names of muscles) are all in constant very painful spasm. I remain active with the help of an occasional painkiller, and arthritis , I was told by the last neurosurgeon that I saw that I have marked osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis of the C5-6 space - moderate to severe. He told me if I had all these problems in my hip that he would give me a new one, but he can't (obviously) give me a new neck! My main goal is to try to improve my upper back muscular strength and arm strenght without causing EXCRUTIATING pain. I have lost a lot of weight due to not being able to do much with my upper body, and tried machines at gym and ended up at ER next day, I used very light weights. I am a 5'8" small boned female -44yrs old and have lost about 25 pounds, a lot of I'm sure is muscle mass loss. My arms above the elbow (would that be biceps?) are so skiinny I look like someone from a refugee camp. Not anorexic, bulimic or anything, no flab hanging under arm, just so skinny. Went from 135 pounds to about 110. Any help in gaining weight that would help muscles, gentle exercises, suppllement advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Sue

 

[Big A]

Hi Everyone! I'm new at this, so sorry if I put this in the wrong thread, forum, or anything else. I am a 44 year old female who is active, lots of walking, but with mega spinal problems. I have c3-4 anc5-6 discectomy and fusion done in 1994, and have extremely limited motion in my neck. Therefore, the muscles in the upper back ,.shoulders, and arms doon't work like they should, because of the extreme rigidity in the neck. Neck muscles on both sides of neck and also the two long vertical muscles in front of neck(don't) know correct terms for these names of muscles) are all in constant very painful spasm. I remain active with the help of an occasional painkiller, and arthritis , I was told by the last neurosurgeon that I saw that I have marked osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis of the C5-6 space - moderate to severe. He told me if I had all these problems in my hip that he would give me a new one, but he can't (obviously) give me a new neck! My main goal is to try to improve my upper back muscular strength and arm strenght without causing EXCRUTIATING pain. I have lost a lot of weight due to not being able to do much with my upper body, and tried machines at gym and ended up at ER next day, I used very light weights. I am a 5'8" small boned female -44yrs old and have lost about 25 pounds, a lot of I'm sure is muscle mass loss. My arms above the elbow (would that be biceps?) are so skiinny I look like someone from a refugee camp. Not anorexic, bulimic or anything, no flab hanging under arm, just so skinny. Went from 135 pounds to about 110. Any help in gaining weight that would help muscles, gentle exercises, suppllement advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Sue

Before you go back to another gym, I would find a trully knowledgeble person in training techniques so they can guide you through every milimiter of every movement to make sure yo don't injure yourself.
There are lots of the best trainers in the world on this board and hopefully one will be near you and can help you out.
I would definetely not attempt going to the gym by yourself again.

The injury that you have is exactly what my mother in law has in her lower back. She was so bad, she could not sit down in a car for more than a minute and she always had to be carried around in the back seat of the car.

I elievated a lot of her pain by putting her on a GH course.
I don't know if that might help you, but it's certainly worth looking into it.

Also, thanks to the GH and under my very watchfull eye, she began working out (she never did it before) and now not only that she looks fantastic and gained a lot of muscle weight but she is also enjoying a more 'normal' lifestyle thanks to the support her back is getting from her increased muscle strength. She is no where near cured obviously (I don't even think that it can ever be cured), but her life standard has improved tremendously.
Oh yes, this is been taking over a year, so don't expect any instant miracles no matter what you do.

As far as weight gains go, a good quality protein powder will help you greatly.

 

[xcelbeyond]

I know this will sound like an advertisement but it's not.

Make sure you take a good multi-vitamin and possibly double the daily dose. Also include a GOOD Omega-3 oil supplement. Calcium or cal/mag supplement is a must as well as iron (which you'll probably get the adequate amount in a GOOD multi-vit). I'd also suggest taking a GOOD phytochemical supplement since it's really difficult to eat 8 servings of raw fruits and veggies ED.

 

[xcelbeyond]

RE: Workouts

Sounds like you've lost most your muscle through this ordeal. I knopw you want it back bad but you're gonna have to tackle it like eating an elephant - one bite at a time, not all at one sitting.

Try getting your body "used to" the movement first. Use the sissy ( ) dumbbells until they feel too easy, then move up to heavier ones. After you get to a weight that's above the lowest settings on machine, then start adding the machines in.

After rehabbing a shoulder muscle reattachment, I can't tell you how embarraing it is to do this. I could only bench press bar (without ANY weight) when I started back. I've worked back up to reps of 5 at 350# since (took several years). I was 39 when I had the surgery.