Posted by Racer on December 10, 2004, at 14:47:40
In reply to Here Goes » Racer, posted by saw on December 10, 2004, at 1:04:55
OK, I'm gonna ask you to answer that first question again, with EVERYTHING you take: the diuretic, whatever you're taking for depression/anxiety, etc.
Effexor has now been shown to screw with blood sugar for some people -- it's very, very rare, which is why it took so long to show up as an emergent side effect, and apparently it only shows up after taking it for a long time. It can also affect blood pressure.
Yes, drinking lots of water -- NOT coffee, tea, juice, etc -- will help with water retention. That's part of what the RD told me. So, drink a minimum of 64 oz per day, with more if you can, up to about 120 oz.
Even if you don't think that the dietitian can teach you anything new, go anyway, and listen with an open mind. I didn't think I'd benefit from going, and am now DELIGHTED that I get to see her weekly as part of my treatment. I knew a lot to begin with, but I've learned more already. What's more, in your situation, she can be a major advocate for you! Go see her, cooperate with her, be honest with her -- and if it's the meds, she'll be able to back you up with the doctor who's saying it's you not the meds. Don't tell her that that's why you're cooperating, of course, just say, "Oh, I thought it was the meds, but the doctor says it's me, so I want to learn how not to be heavy..." You know, channel your inner used car salesman. (Besides, you might learn new stuff, too, and that might be interesting...)
This whole thing might be related to bowel motility, but there's a lot more to check out first. We'll put that aside for now.
Dump the fat burners/fat blockers. They don't work, and your GI tract will certainly object to them. Most of them basically block the way your gut absorbs nutrients, which will make you gassy, bloated, crampy, and uncomfortable. It can also make you malnourished. Just... dump them.
Imaging would be anything like ultrasound, x-rays, etc. Pictures. They might show some of the other things it could be.
For now, here's my advice: dump the fat blockers, they won't help and can make it worse; drink lots of clear water; go to the dietitian and remind yourself that it's for your own good for the reasons mentioned above: she can go to bat for you with the doctor if it really is from the meds and it's always interesting to learn new things, so you can stretch your mind and get an advocate with the doctor just by cooperating with her.
I'll get more to you soon, but still slogging away on my own stuff right now. Sorry to be so slow...
poster:Racer
thread:423262
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20041005/msgs/427327.html