Morbid Obesity

[kili440]

Due to the probable inactivity as a result of the numbness and /or pain in limbs and other parts of the body, is morbid obesity one of the symptoms of Chiari, and what would one do with it.  Would PT place the patient at risk or would it be to their advantage?  What would be the course of treatment, Pt and or diet?

[rod44]

obesity is not just a Chiari problem and you need to look at the bigger picture. With CM  it is as Selma pointed out a side effect. You also need to look at the psychological aspect (is this an eating disorder or is it due to bad diet and lack of exercise) depression is also something some of us suffer from and this can lead to comfort eating. metabolism & thyroid problems need to be ruled out.
treat the cause along with the problem


Ray

[redkim]

I lost 10 lbs in two weeks after surgery because I couldn't eat or keep anything down.  However, I didn't like losing weight that way, so I ate with out thinking about losing.  I put the weight bakc on, plus 5 lbs.  

I have recently decided to stop going to starbucks - my normal breakfast routine and will use the money I save to join weight watchers.  It should more then pay for itself and help me lose weight and make life style changes.  The main thing is to know how many calories you burn, just functionings and how many you eat...keep a log and find ways to cut out calories.

[*Stormy*]

Hello and welcome,

I went through the same thing recently too..I had always depended on my work out schedule to keep the weight off...suddenly I couldn't do that anymore. I was so distracted that I didn't really think of the weight until my pre-op weighing and I almost died!! I figured brain surgery was a little more important to worry about right then but I promised myself I would work on it after.

So, when I felt better and realized that I still wasn't going to be doing a lot of physical stuff, it came down to diet. I used pretty much the same guidelines as redkim except I would say my average day was more like 1500 cals but the same type of snack/meal thing. Also, I agree that exercise is needed..even if it's not the type that you are used to, try and do what you can to stay active (which is just as important for your bones and muscles).

Another good tip is to try and find a good shake powder that you like...I use Slim Fast with some milk and fruit and my breakfast is about 250 cals. Plus, it keeps me full for hours. That is the most important thing too, eat all the time but little amounts, the less hungry you feel, the less likely you will want to binge eat.

I recommend everyone who is battling weight to get their thyroid function checked. I knew I was hypo but I thought it was under control. Once I started my diet and weight still wasn't dropping off quickly, I started to wonder. Turned out that my meds had to be upped and after a month, the weight started dropping off.

As for Chiari, I think weight gain is just another unpleasant side effect :(

Take care
Carolyn

[selmaS]

Not that I would want to be sick after surgery, ....oh wait I was sick after surgery..but, I did not lose a pound.....see,  it doesn't always mean...we will lose, and  I really wish I was able to lose...so if u r unlucky like me to have  a thyroid issue as well it will not let u lose unless...it switches to being hyper....um...nope no such luck for me yet...lol...

"selma"

[LisaM46]

I've actually lost weight, due to the nausea I've been feeling.  It seems like my tastes have been changing - I can't finish my multi-grain oatmeal with banana in it that has been my morning staple for at least two years now (I know - very boring), I get queasy before I can finish it.  I find I can't even have my standard second cup of coffee anymore because it no longer tastes good.  The thing that concerns me is - reading how so many of our members have lost 20-30 pounds after surgery because of the meds.  (And I don't do meds well!)

So far, it seems I don't have any additional conditions to go along with my cm, with the exception of blood pressure, so maybe this is why I don't gain?  I was swimming four times a week until I got slammed with the neck pain in January.  Haven't been in the pool since about April.  So, I've been fairly inactive for only about 3&1/2 months now.

Lisa

[selmaS]

HI and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I do not think being overweight is a symptoms of chiari, but rather a side effect of it.....granted we r not as active, we may have motility issues with our digestive track, and many suffer from Hashimoto's thyroiditis and are  hypo as a result...sooooo many reason to have added weight, and soooooo many to not be able to lose ne.

It will depend on what other issues or related conditions u may have what might be the best form of activity or exercise. Diet can be diff to handle...u really would need to know how many calories r needed for how inactive u r in order to begin to burn the calories.

I like just moving around in a pool, u have resistance and the water always feels good.....
Having TC, make it diff for me to do pilates....and I did find a pair of sneakers that help with overall posture and help that I can walk more...so that is a positive.

Moreover...listen to ur body

Glad to have u join our little family here, so sorry for the reasons u had to seek us out.

"selma"

[redkim]

My brother in law has told me that to lose weight you have to diet, that exercise will help to tone and help lose weight, but diet will benefit you the most.  I just put myself on a 1200 calorie diet.  I am not very much overweight, losing 20 pounds would put me at a size 4/6.  I do have problems exercising now, which I hate because I used to be very active.  It *****, when dieting you almost have to get used to being hungry, but I have found that I am not able to eat as much as before.  Snack on meals no more then 200-300 calories.  

Breakfast 300 calories
100 calorie snack
lunch 300 calories
100 calrie snack
dinner 300 calories
100 calorie snack
= 1200 calories total

For breakfast I have been eating
Special K, with Almond Milk and a hard boiled egg

Snack
I have a special K 90 calorie bar

Lunch
Salad with veggies, and lean lunch meat
Some dressing

Snack
Banana, or other 100 calorie food

Dinner
Grilled Chicken and Veggies

I have a sweet tooth, but you can get rice krispie treats for 90 calories, fat free pudding for 60 calories, fruit is always a good choice.

I also walk and figure skate when I feel up to it.

Good luck!


To lose a pound a week you have to have a 500 calore deficit every day.  There are online programs you can join to monitor your food, with searchable items and a log.

[lu7997]

I have severe weight problem too. I was starting to think it was from an inactive thyroid caused secondly to increased pressure on the pitiatary glad.  But no doc would check into it for me. And most have wrote my symptoms off as weight related. Not the other way around.  I would be careful with PT unless your therapist knows an understands chiari it may cause more damage. I have myself on an 1800 cal diet (diabetic diet ) to prevent more wt gain from the inactive lifestyle I have been forced into.  I also find swimming exercises useful and I don't have pain later from them. I think the strain off my neck that regular workouts give really help. ( I use to do yoga and palates and they are both too painful anymore). Also I naught an exercise bike with a high back to suport yhe neck. And that really helps to. I just do free mode though and take it slow.      Everything has to be done with so much cation now.  I wish u luck and hope thi mat have been a little helpful