Doing Something Stupid Intelligently

Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Health and Safety

Message

lovingpet -> Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 9:36:12 AM)
Okay, those who have followed the ridiculous saga of my health, it appears I have hit yet another dead end. I pretty well feel like I MUST be crazy. I know I'm not, but we have been through diagnoses from the simple to the strange and back again over and over. Accccckkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!! I've had it!!!!!!!! I want there to be NO doubt I am doing EVERYTHING in MY power to HELP the situation. I want there to be NOTHING more I could possibly do. I am ready for some pretty extreme lifestyle changes, not because they will likely make things so much better, but because I want it clear that I am not nuts, lazy, incompetent, self indulgent or any other thing that could be thrown at me. I want the drs to continue to take me seriously and to dig deeper. So how do I do the diet and exercise thing as extremely as possible without causing even more problems? Are there specific pitfalls to watch out for? I have been down the gentle and not so gentle paths of these before. I want maximum "benefit" or at least what should have been benefit, with the least backsteps. I know, see an nutritionist, work with my dr, blah blah blah. I have to do this without them in this case. At least, that's the way I feel about it at this point. Keep in mind that finances have taken a nasty turn as well, so a lot of current options dissolve into thin air in a few weeks. Yes, I'm frustrated. Be nice. I don't need "tough love" here. Hugs and stuff appreciated though! lovingpet

KatyLied -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 9:54:25 AM)
How good at you remaining self-motivated? www.sparkpeople.com completely free, plenty of resources

VeryNastyDom -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 10:45:43 AM)
You have asked multiple questions, so here comes some maybe helpful multiple answers. [:)] An average person burns 750 calories a day just living. That is what it takes to breathe, pump your blood, etc. Any activity over and above normal body functions requires additional energy. A pound of fat stores about 3,500 calories of energy (again, average person) so you need to deprive yourself of 3,500 calories in order to convert a pound of fat into energy. Got it? I don't know your personal situation, options for exercise as so on, but it you try for more than two pounds or so a week then you are likely going to have to adopt a strange lifestyle that will be unsustainable and you will almost certainly side backwards. Extreme diets don't work for this reason alone, you need to change your exercise / diet habit gradually for it to stick. Extreme exercise, if you are otherwise healthy, is another matter. You can do a fairly vigorous workout and burn more calories without killing yourself if you do it right. At one point I belonged to a health club that I would visit six times a week. Three days I would do a Nautilus circuit and then swim 1/2 mile. The alternate days I would skip the machines and swim a mile. Once in a while you need to rest, so I skipped a day on the weekend. If you get into that kind of routine, two things will happen: 1. Over time, your metabolism will change and you will burn more calories 24X7. That helps with the diet. 2. Initally, you will gain weight even if you are dieting. Yes, I said gain. The reason is that muscle is more dense then fat, and you will be developing more muscle to support your workout. However, don't believe the scale; believe how your clothes are fitting. If you pants start to get loose but you have not lost weight, don't worry about it!!! Again, your metabolism may be different from the average so your results will vary. Target 2500 calories of daily activity and limit food to 1500 calories and you will drop about two pounds a week. And do ask your doctor is this regimen is safe given all that you have going on!

lovingpet -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 11:16:37 AM)
Thanks for the link above and I have already signed up, set to start tomorrow morning (time to buy the food and schedule to go to wherever to excercise however). That was a lot of good information, VeryNastyDom. Most of it I knew to one extent or another. I have a lot of health considerations, but frankly am putting them aside intentionally. I plan to work through this as if they don't exist (as nuts as that sounds). I will have to put my house to order so to speak to get the excerise going (homeschooled kiddos, a home, and hubby to balance). As far as eating, they will all just have to come along for the ride. I am pretty well stubborn enough to do what I want and is why I am still right in the battle with the drs, but I have been told for over a year now that there was little I could do in the meantime to help in any significant way. I think 40 pounds later I disagree. I want to work as hard at this as I possibly can, even beyond what is normally "allowed". I am hoping there are specific things I can do that will accelerate the short run and not be necessary long term to keep going forward. Hugs and well wishes on the other side have been greatly appreciated! lovingpet

KatyLied -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 11:26:31 AM)
The best things to do: 1) be mindful about your eating habits constantly, 2) drink more water, 3) exercise at the aerobic level. You need to use more calories and set up your body so that it will burn more when resting (reset your metabolism through more exercise, as has been metioned). It really is this simple. But not always so easy. But you should be mindful of any health impediments you have, as this is a consideration when you begin dieting/exercising.

VirginPotty -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 11:52:26 AM)
That's a great site, Katy. I've used it myself [:D] OP, check out this site for exercises and most importantly the correct way to do the exercises! Proper stance is everything....http://www.bodybuilding.com/ Try & drink a gallon of water a day. Just fill up a gallon jug & drink from it throughout the day. Try not to eat processed food, eat natural/or organic foods. Watch that sodium intake! All the frozen dinners that are fat free are very high in sodium. You'd also be surprised at all the sugar in fruits. Keep your intake to a minimum. I was surprised to read the amount of sugar in a bag of baby peeled carrots! [&o] Try & eat 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 big ones. That takes some time to get used to, but it works well. You asked about pitfalls.........the most common one is reaching that plateu where you just don't lose any weight. You're at a standstill. Your body has started to feed off your muscles instead of your fat. What you do then is eat something from your past....something fatty, nothing extreme, do it in moderation....ex...2 slices of pizza & a soda for a day or 2 then back to exercising. That'll give your body that jolt it needs to start burning your fat instead of muscle. Good luck & if you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me on the other side![sm=weightlift.gif]

DavanKael -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 6:22:53 PM)
Could it be meds? Could it be thyroid? Possibly diabetes? What have you ruled out if this weight gain is anomalous? What could still be ruled out? Have you had blood work? Have you been assessed by an endocrinologist? Have you spoken with a nutritionist? Ignoring pre-existing medical conditions is a bad idea. The brain needs 500 calories a day to function. To do a super-low cal diet, you need medical supervision. Have you spoken with your doctor about something extreme like that? If you're medically cleared, there are all sorts of common sense stuff that others have mentioned that can help but I think your deciding to take extreme measures stands to be really potentially dangerous. Best wishes, Davan

lovingpet -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 7:06:37 PM)
I'm not on meds, as no one has given me a good reason to take any yet. I have had full bloodwork and have been to specialized endocrinologists who have ruled out diabetes, cushings disease, parathyroid dysfunctions, polycystic ovarian disease and more. I do have a very low vit D level which they are trying to correct. I don't know what's left, but it is dead end after dead end. I have talked to nutritionists before, but not since this last round with my health. I am being told to just eat "normally" and not worry about things at this point because I am barely awake and functioning as it is. I have asked over and over what I can do to assist right now. I am told over and over that there is not much I can do until I have an answer. Just "do what I've been doing" , which I do try to keep healthy habits, but it is not enough. I am huge, my list of symptoms grows daily it seems, and I can't do even the simplest of things most of the time. I really don't care what the drs think and I know what I propose is not the brightest of ideas. I also am well informed on the potential medical conditions I may have and what is supposed to help or hinder. What's a girl to do? Anyway, I have appreciated the advice. I appreciate the concern too. I have some folks who won't let me do anything really dumb, so don't anyone go worrying too much. LOL lovingpet

DavanKael -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 7:31:08 PM)
Lyme disease? I don't know. It must be very frustrating and scary. I understand your desire to do something extreme but if you have no energy now, essentially starving yourself isn't going to help that. Another trip to the nutritionist may be in order. Alternative medical practitioners? Sending good thoughts, Davan

LadyTeazer -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/17/2009 7:50:08 PM)
Hi. I have not been following your medical history/symptoms/problems, as I just read this thread out of curiosity. The title grabbed my attention. Something in your words struck me, though. You said that you are "...barely awake and functioning..." And from what I've read, I gather you have gained weight also. Immediately I am thinking of two possibilities that would cause sleepiness and weight gain. #1 - sleep apnea. #2 - depression. There is a connection between the two, but doctors don't understand exactly what it is yet. I have no faith in doctors, but that's another story. The connection between the two is a "circular argument" -- did the sleep apnea cause the sleepiness, depression and weight gain (I personally believe it certainly does), or did the depression cause/contribute to the weight gain, and thus the sleep apnea and resulting sleepiness? (that could be the case also) In all of the medical tests you mention that you have had, has sleep apnea been considered and eliminated as a cause? Has depression been suggested as a cause? Just popping in with my 2 cents.

lovingpet -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 8:37:07 AM)
Sleep apnea has been eliminated. My weight gain came after symptoms and this has gone on for years now, but reach a fever pitch this past year. Depression has been thrown out there, but I have no tolerence for the meds, so I am more or less left to deal on my own or with more natural means. When I say barely awake and functioning, I mean that I get so exaughsted out of the clear blue that I am actually sick. It takes nothing for this to happen. I deal with moderate levels of pain every day and more severe pain with increasing frequency. I have migraines, hearing and vision changes, heart palpitations, spiking and falling blood pressure, some loss of sensation in arms and legs, problems with balance, problems with memory, poor emotional control, and more. It is really something. There is no nice neat diagnosis and those that seemed almost sure to be it vaporized under testing. We have looked at everything from simple nutrition to cancer and everything inbetween. They have eliminated things like lyme disease, hepatitis, lupus, rhuematoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid, and heart disease. Now we are looking into weirder things. I have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia that I am not willing to accept because my symptoms began to fall out of the parameters of even that vague diagnosis. I also have a SEVERE vitamin D deficiency despite extreme attempts to raise it. That's the short version. Thanks again for all the help! I am well on my way to developing a plan. lovingpet

KatyLied -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 8:38:48 AM)
Have you been tested for M.S.?

lovingpet -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 8:48:22 AM)
Yes. It was inconclusive. lovingpet

KatyLied -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 10:17:52 AM)
I'm sorry, I know it's not easy to get a dx for that. Hopefully that isn't what you are dealing with, some of the symptoms sound like it.

ShiftedJewel -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 12:52:27 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: lovingpet Sleep apnea has been eliminated. My weight gain came after symptoms and this has gone on for years now, but reach a fever pitch this past year. Depression has been thrown out there, but I have no tolerence for the meds, so I am more or less left to deal on my own or with more natural means. When I say barely awake and functioning, I mean that I get so exaughsted out of the clear blue that I am actually sick. It takes nothing for this to happen. I deal with moderate levels of pain every day and more severe pain with increasing frequency. I have migraines, hearing and vision changes, heart palpitations, spiking and falling blood pressure, some loss of sensation in arms and legs, problems with balance, problems with memory, poor emotional control, and more. It is really something. There is no nice neat diagnosis and those that seemed almost sure to be it vaporized under testing. We have looked at everything from simple nutrition to cancer and everything inbetween. They have eliminated things like lyme disease, hepatitis, lupus, rhuematoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid, and heart disease. Now we are looking into weirder things. I have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia that I am not willing to accept because my symptoms began to fall out of the parameters of even that vague diagnosis. I also have a SEVERE vitamin D deficiency despite extreme attempts to raise it. That's the short version. Thanks again for all the help! I am well on my way to developing a plan. lovingpet I also had severe vitamin D deficiency. My doctor gave me prescription doses of vitamin D and I had to take calcium on top of that. Not that I had a calcium deficiency, it was actually just fine. But the extra calcium helped my body USE the vitamin D. It was to the point where my bones hurt, that's how my doc figured out what it was. My calcium level was fine because I wasn't using any of it. Once I got my vitamin D up (I still take a vitamin D/Calcium pill daily and most likely will forever) and my calcium leveled out I have a lot more energy and don't hurt all over like I used to. Hope that helps some. *Jewel*

lovingpet -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 1:23:15 PM)
Thanks to both of you! I am sure they will soon redo the testing for MS since they were done over a year ago now. Currently I am on about 200,000 units of Vitamin D and not advised to take calcium because of another suspect, but so far inconclusive, test result. I have had the bone pain very significantly for some time now and was advised to be careful not to fall over the winter because they were not sure how weak my bones had gotten. Needless to say, I am concerned with what is actually going on. In the meantime, this wait and see thing is doing more harm than good. I have gained 40 pounds in just over a year (partly due to having to stop using artificial sweetners due to the migraines). My symptoms are worse and the list of them ever expanding. Sometimes, it is just time to just do SOMETHING. That's where I am with it now. lovingpet

angelikaJ -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 1:39:57 PM)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfssymptoms.htm Edit to add: "...Obesity is yet another cause of vitamin D deficiency, according to Dr. Holick, who found that even when dietary vitamin D intake and sun exposure are adequate, the vitamin becomes unavailable because it becomes stored in the large amount of body fat. " http://www.medicalconsumers.org/pages/VitaminDDeficiencyCommonCauseofManyAilments.html

lovingpet -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 2:03:58 PM)
Chronic Fatigue was considered, but they went with fibromyalgia because of the pain and neurological symptoms I was experiencing. It is possible that I am having trouble with the vitamin D because of my weight, however, I tend to think it started the other way around. Let's just say I got off my butt and started forcing this issue with my drs much later than I should have. I have been this way, though not as severe since I was in middle school. Now layer after layer of comorbidity in symptoms and cause and effect must be sifted through to get things figured out and properly treated. sighs lovingpet

KatyLied -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 2:07:17 PM)
What is the issue with calcium? Just asking because I take calcium citrate (2 - 3 tablets daily), along with a multi-vitamin. I am always careful to take them after a meal. I used to take Fosamax, but gratefully my doc took me off it as it's controversial and I am osteo-penia, not osteoporosis. Women generally do not get enough calcium.

angelikaJ -> RE: Doing Something Stupid Intelligently (2/18/2009 2:35:35 PM)
It is possible to have both Fibro and CFS... When they did the sleep study for apnea... they were looking for any and all sleep disorders?

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

0.046875