Nerve Damage Pain and Being Overweight

cinnamonsmiles
cinnamonsmiles Member Posts: 779
edited April 2015 in Pain

My pulmonologist/critical care dr. tried to tell me that if I lost weight (i have been losing weight, he just didn't look at my chart), the nerve damage pain I have from a BMX and node removal would go away.

Aren't there skinny/normal weight women that get severe pain from it too? Just wondering.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited February 2015

    Well, I hear from many, many women through my Blog who have nerve damage pain from mastectomies.  I got a letter from one today!  She is skinny! As a plus-size woman myself, I get SO ANGRY when doctors love to blame everything on being fat! 

    When complaining about that pain to my Oncologist and Nurse Practitioner, they told me that  it is extremely common for all women who have mastectomies to have nerve damage pain and shooting little pains sometimes forever. My Onc said it is a good thing often times, because the nerves are trying to regenerate.  My mom had a lumpectomy and gets those pains (she is normal weight).  I still get them 3 years out!  Never once did they say, "Only you will have them because you are overweight!"

    Sorry, I get so angry when I hear this stuff!  I am sooo sorry he said that to you!  And since when did a pulmonologist become breast cancer expert?

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  • angelia50
    angelia50 Member Posts: 381
    edited February 2015

    Denise, I so agree with you. I am overweight myself and until this all happened, I was rarely ever sick. I was the one that never caught the bugs that went around, rarely missed work, etc. I have read some comments on these boards where some women are marathon runners, fitness trainers, vegans etc and yet, they have the same cancer I do. My sister in law is always saying I think its all these food additives. Her daughter is a health food junkie, so they think the answer to life is health food. It runs all over me when people say that, I agree with others who say its like blaming us for having cancer. Seems like all doctors know is when something goes wrong, you are either overweight, you smoke or are depressed. I once ask a cardioligist who was in my Sunday School Class what excuse do you use when the person isn't overweight or doesn't smoke and he said oh, that hasn't happened yet. yeah, sure.

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  • kittysister
    kittysister Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2015

    Wow, interesting. I have had doctors blame things on weight gain in the past, such as arthritis, tiredness and even depression. But never about anything to do with breast cancer. It sounds like he is full of it.

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  • newbie
    newbie Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2015

    How do I post a new question to the discussion board re new nerve pain


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  • brandyrose
    brandyrose Member Posts: 29
    edited February 2015

    I think it's the most frustrating thing when other people try to find a reason of why you got cancer. I've heard it all, from poor eating habits, to lack of exercise, blah blah blah.. The funniest thing I'd I got cancer at the time when I was the healthiest. I had just gotten back from New Zealand where I was hiking up mountains, and I did yoga everyday. Yes I too am a little overweight (even more since chemo) bu people need to realize that cancer doesn't discrimate. Just my two cents.

    I too have nerve pain from my mastectomy. I have a heard time sleeping on my side now, and there is times when it hurts more then other times. I sure hope it mostly good away.

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  • cjanet
    cjanet Member Posts: 328
    edited April 2015

    I am having severe severe neck pain and it's been 3 years since treatment. This has been on and off but is getting so bad I am considering taking disability. It is like my neck is constantly in a muscle spasm and my husband can physically feel the hardness of contracted muscle. I was going to an acupuncturist and chiropracter last year but this year I have new health insurance that won't cover that. I am seeing physiatrist about this tomorrow. I already went to him when my back went out a few weeks ago. Tired of taking so many pain meds. Just needed to vent.

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