Concerned about your weight?

[jdryer]

Hi,
Well I am still waiting on a diagnosis.  Went to the rheumy on 8/26 & he decided I needed to be tested again for some Lupus markers.  This was an expensive visit being that I had to fly from my island to another to see him for my 1st visit.  He then comes once a month to my island.  That came out negative so now I have to go back to the GP, who says I have the classic SJS symptoms.  So, since I am seeing a Naturopath Dr for my digestive issues, she comes to the rescue again.  Previously I was tested for hyperthyroid & since the tests were within the normal range my GP left it @ that even though I was having alot of symptoms including weight loss.  Anyhoo she tested & is treating me for bacteria, low stomach acid & leaky gut.  This is not cheap my medical coverage covers 1/2 of the office visit & I buy my own supplements, natural bacteria killer & vitamins from the clinic.  Good thing they cost less than half the cost of prescriptions & I don't have to deal w/ side effects.  I think it must be working because I am feeling lots better & if this keeps up, I may not have to go back to the rheumy.    I'm crossing my fingers & praying.  I am hoping that I will start to pick up some weight, which will be the hard part because I cannot eat dairy & fatty foods & the liquid diet supplements give me diarrhea.  

[JannaLee]

j-dry,

I hope you continue to feel better!  The cost of all this is staggering, especially when you add on the dental and eye docs!

Thinking of you and wishing for your wellness,
Janna

[Tamik]

The money I have spent on my natural path is worth every penny! I think I have spent a lot more in conventional docs in my deductables!  Tami K

[gsmraxe]

WOW POOH!!! WAY TO GO!!!  

I am commiting to a triathlon next year.  1/4 mile swim, 8 mile bike ride, and 2 mile run.  I can do this!!   Anyone want to train virtually with me?  I walked/ran 2 miles on the treadmill today...

Considering I could not move my right side a year ago, I am really excited!  My dystonia has not returned since starting my B12 shots! I am fully functional!! YIPPEEEEE!!!  I CAN DO THIS!
Tami K

congrats!!!!  Let us know how the training is going and for sure post about your Triathalon next year.  Get someone to take pictures!   

[Sandra]

Me too. I was a happy size 10 when I got sick in 1989 with Addiosn's disease, although the disease made me a sickly size 4. But the answer to Addiosn's disease is prednisone, I gained 15 pounds back within the month, which was ok as I was too thin. Since I have gained about 30-35 pounds and am a size 14. Not so bad considering the prednisone. But still I have always been a health concious person, not crazy helth concious but healthy like my size 10 on a 5'1" frame. I have been told so many times that the weight i now carry is a non issue by every doctor I complain to. It's not just the prednisone that changes the way a body motabolizes food but the additonal diagnosis of fibro and sjs that are the bug-a-boo. Toomuch pain and too much fatigue. Doctors just treat me like I should just be grateful I'm here at all. Myself i know I could not eat any better or any less it's the exercise thing. It hurts! I like to walk my dog allot but it doesn't get the caalories burning like biking, running that I could used to do. And honestly I fear the repocussions of just pushing on through and exercising like I used too. When I have in the past it puts me right down in all body pain, stiffness and fatigue, and for weeks. So I have just had to work on acceptance and I have done ok with that but what really hurts that process is the fact that they just don't make nice, comfortable clothing for a 5' size 14! I hate feeling like a frump in plus size clothes that hang off my shoulders and under my arms and the sleeves past my hands! Why is it so difficult for clothing manufactures to make something for me! I know I am not the only one out there that deals with this. Anyway any ideas about losing weight without pain? thanks, Sandra

[Katybarstool]

Sandra,

I'm nearly your twin  I'm almost 5 feet tall and an unhappy size 14 - could be 16 soon. I'm trying to lose some of my blubber. I can't blame pred, but I have around 15 prescription drugs, some of which have weight gain as a side effect. I have also found that too much exercise - even only walking, knocks me up for ages. So, now I am aiming to do a 5-10 minute walk in my lunch time. It's not a lot, but its a start.

I can't remember if you are in the UK, but I went to a big Asda store today and noticed they have a new range of petites. Some of them looked really nice. I plan to go back and investigate, when I get time.

Kathyx

[Tamik]

OK - I just ent to my rheumy...  my allergy testing for food showed that I was moderately high for  milk, egg yolk, egg white, and halibut.  I am malnourished because I have not been absorbing nutrients due to the allergy.  I am on many more vitamins now - and have to avoid everything with milk and eggs.  I don't eat halibut anyway... but no milk and eggs means brownies, icecream,  cake - CHOCOLATE...you get the picture...  I have lost 5 pounds this week -not even trying -just not sure what to eat!  I MISS CHEESE....  I am now at 133...  I am not bloated anymore which I love... 

Tami K

[Michele T.]

I am 5'4 and a size 12, 10 if they are cut right but I weigh 175 lbs. I know part of it is my chest and arms... I used to walk 3 to 4 miles a day... With my seizure I can't do that any longer and need to use a wheelchair. I am think of getting the Wii fit. I have seen some things you can do sitting down or holding on... Has anyone tried this?

[Michele T.]

Hey no one commented after I put my weight LOL!! I was hoping for some SUPPORT LOL!! j/k I have all of this skin on my belly from when I was prego with my daughter 16 1/2 years ago... I mean I can just pull the skin up while I'm laying down lol!!!

[Billydude]

Michelle ...that weight sounds petite to me!   I'm 6ft and 240 pounds!   Sorry to hear about your seizures and wheelchair.   On that program of House this week the Sjogrens patient had a seizure.  Is that typical for Sjogrens?   
Steve

[Tinker]

Tamik,
You mentioned a blood test for food allergies???  This used to be done with skin tests.  What is the name of the test?  I, too, have bloating and have gained several inches in my waist.  I only wear elastic, stretchy things now.  I'd like to be able to wear my old clothes .  Hope you see this.  Thanks, Tinker 

[Reenie]

Tinker--Yes, there are blood tests for allergies but they are VERY expensive.  The allergist/asthma specialist I saw said that she wouldn't waste the money (my insurance money) on the RAST (blood allergy tests), but rather, we would do skin testing.  I have to bring in certain foods that they don't have on their list, such as eggplant, which is the only food that I know that I am allergic to.   

Each individual RAST test (blood) is very costly, although they do have some common RAST panels (such as nuts, dairy, etc.).  A lot of docs won't order the RAST blood testing due to the expense and the exhaustive list of tests, unless an anaphylactic reaction is suspect for a particular food or food category. That was the opinion of the doc I saw anyway.

If you suspect certain foods or food categories, they may agree to order the RAST blood test.  I don't know what RAST stands for........maybe one of the lab techs or nurses here does.  All I know is that my allergist mentioned it, but said that it was too expensive to do, particularly without many clues as to what foods are causing the problems.

Reenie

[Tinker]

Thanks, Reenie, I'll look it up.  I knew someone on the board would have the answers.  Doesn't sound like something my insurance will approve since I've had every test in the book the last 2 yrs.and costs them lots of money.  It sure stinks bloating up like a cow after eating.  I don't seem to eat much but gain wt as I cannot exercise.  Gotta do something. 

I'm thinking of taking Alli since I can't lose any wt and if I start steroids (oh, please, NO) I'll gain lots of weight.

Has anyone ever tried Alli?  I know all about the side effects but I'm still thinking of doing it if doc says ok.

[Tamik]

I am not sure of the name of the blood test  -  it only cost me about $100 bucks though if I remember correctly - it was ordered by my naturalpath (who is also an internal medicine doc so my insurance covered the rest of it....  The blood tests tend to be more senstive then the skin tests - which are not sensitive enough (according to my rhuemy) -the blood tests tend to overreact and the skin tests underreact...there is no ideal test - for example, I showed very high for milk, egg yolks, egg whites, and halibut -but also showed minor allergies to pork and turkey.  I may not really be alergic to the pork and turkey but could be just that the test was oversensitive -  allergies are autoimmune too...  I am feeling better -but it could take 6 months for me to feel the complete impact of avoiding those foods.  I chose to first be checked for allergies to foods I can avoid vs. taking the drugs suggested to me.  The cost of those drugs are more than the cost of the allergy testing was for me!   I hope this helped...  I am definitely not bloated anymore!  Tami Kruger

[tsharrard]

Absolutley,
When I first moved back to NE ohio,, I was finally in decent shape, I had lost over 30 lbs. Started back to work and school,, and found my self in 3 years almost doubling what i lost. I have been to sick to be able to exercise, or plan my meals. I work til 4:00 get home around 4:45, pick my daughter up from high school activity (whatever season it is, she always is into something). Finally getting home around 5:00, I am starved y then,, either I fix dinner,, someting fast that my husband will eat, or he fixes spaghetti, or we go out to eat. By 7:00 I am heading up to bed. Take my shower to get ready for the next day. Everyday is the same, By the time I have a few minutes to myself all i want to do is get into a nice relaxing bath and bed. My feet hurt and my eyes feel like they are ready to fall out of my head. My husband comes upstairs with me ,, we turn on the tv ,,I listen for a while and fall asleep. My days are all like this except weekends,, I get to sleep until 8 or 9, only to feel exhausted from the week. By sunday evening i am dreading the week again,, and looking forward to not working on the weekend. Pretty sad isnt it? What is one to do?
Teresa