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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by MidnightBlue on June 23, 2006, at 11:21:29
In reply to Oh man » MidnightBlue, posted by Dinah on June 23, 2006, at 9:44:15
Hey,
That is still less than me! Lay off the pickles and drink more water. Some of that really might be bloat.
> 206 1/2
>
> I knew it was probably up because of the camisoles, but that seems unrealistic. It's true I've been eating too much salty food, but most of those except chips are low calorie. I'll take it again over the weekend or Monday. I was feeling sick last night - possibly from dehydration, and maybe there's some reason it was high.
>
> What sort of meds did they prescribe? For the hot flashes?Well, the first rx he wrote was for Activella. Which I quickly reminded him I could NOT take because I have bad GERD, am prone to migraine headaches, and get VERY depressed on progesterone. I also reminded him I am VERY sensitive to estrogen.
So he wrote a script for Vivelle Dot .1 which is WAY too strong! A couple of years ago I was on .5 Esclim patch. With progesterone for 10 days every three months. He pulled me off that two years ago when the latest research came out. Now he thinks I need estrogen! Well, duh!
Oh yeah, and I asked for a vaginal estrogen cream and he prescribed Vagifem which is WAY more expensive! So I won't be filling that. Which means I really have nothing now.
> Do you have a psychiatrist who prescribes your meds for depression? Or is it a GP. Hormone changes are rough. You might need a tweak on your medications.
No pdoc right now. Several years ago I went to one in this city but really didn't like him. My internist has been prescribing. I was doing VERY well on two grams of fish oil and Ambien to help me sleep until recently.
There is a very real possibility I have a thyroid problem even though the test was okay several months ago. I have several nodules they are watching.
> As far as diabetes, I'm just sort of assuming it's ok. I ought to test that assumption now and then.Stay on top of that Dinah! My blood sugar seems to be slowly creeping up. I think my fasting level was 108 last time. It used to be 99!
Hugs,
MidnightBlue
Posted by Dinah on June 23, 2006, at 19:14:50
In reply to Re: Oh man » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on June 23, 2006, at 11:21:29
> Hey,
>
> That is still less than me! Lay off the pickles and drink more water. Some of that really might be bloat.Most likely. I'll try, but it won't be easy in this heat. :) You know it's hot when the water in your cold tap is way hotter than in the hot tap.
> Well, the first rx he wrote was for Activella. Which I quickly reminded him I could NOT take because I have bad GERD, am prone to migraine headaches, and get VERY depressed on progesterone. I also reminded him I am VERY sensitive to estrogen.
We have a lot of the same issues. It makes finding medications hard.
>
> So he wrote a script for Vivelle Dot .1 which is WAY too strong! A couple of years ago I was on .5 Esclim patch. With progesterone for 10 days every three months. He pulled me off that two years ago when the latest research came out. Now he thinks I need estrogen! Well, duh!:-)
> Oh yeah, and I asked for a vaginal estrogen cream and he prescribed Vagifem which is WAY more expensive! So I won't be filling that. Which means I really have nothing now.Are you happy with him otherwise? It doesn't sound as if he's very responsive to your needs, medication wise.
>
> > Do you have a psychiatrist who prescribes your meds for depression? Or is it a GP. Hormone changes are rough. You might need a tweak on your medications.
>
> No pdoc right now. Several years ago I went to one in this city but really didn't like him. My internist has been prescribing. I was doing VERY well on two grams of fish oil and Ambien to help me sleep until recently.
>
> There is a very real possibility I have a thyroid problem even though the test was okay several months ago. I have several nodules they are watching.Definitely a good reason to go see the doctor then. If it's thyroid they can do something about it.
> > As far as diabetes, I'm just sort of assuming it's ok. I ought to test that assumption now and then.
>
> Stay on top of that Dinah! My blood sugar seems to be slowly creeping up. I think my fasting level was 108 last time. It used to be 99!
>
> Hugs,
>
> MidnightBlueI really should. I have vague ideas when I'm under or over by how I feel, and I've not had that sort of feeling lately.
I kind of suspect the culprit for my feeling rotten is the relatively recent addition of lofibra for triglycerides. But admittedly my pdoc isn't too happy about my being on the dose of Risperdal I'm on with lousy liver test results.
Sometimes I feel like chucking the whole enormous pile of medications and try life without.
Except the Ranitidine. Since I started taking it, it's apparently destroyed what little muscle tone I have left to protect against GERD. I can't even skip a night without horrible consequences. Do you take anything for your GERD?
Posted by MidnightBlue on June 23, 2006, at 22:33:57
In reply to Re: Oh man, posted by Dinah on June 23, 2006, at 19:14:50
> Most likely. I'll try, but it won't be easy in this heat. :) You know it's hot when the water in your cold tap is way hotter than in the hot tap.
I only drink ice cold bottled water! I try for at least two 20 oz a day, plus iced tea, coffee, etc.
Called and got my doc to call in the lower dose of Vivelle Dot and the cream. I'll have to see how it goes.
> Are you happy with him otherwise? It doesn't sound as if he's very responsive to your needs, medication wise.Most of the time I'm happy with him. He's supposed to be a TOP DOC. I think he was having a bad day. He usually isn't this bad.
>
I have several thyroid nodules they are watching. I probably need a fine needle biopsy, but my internist doesn't think I need that yet! I think they will do another ultrasound soon.
> Definitely a good reason to go see the doctor then. If it's thyroid they can do something about it.
My triglycerides went down when I started eating better. I refuse to take cholesterol lowering meds. It is a bit high but not awful. I'm already on a low dose of blood pressure med.
> I kind of suspect the culprit for my feeling rotten is the relatively recent addition of lofibra for triglycerides. But admittedly my pdoc isn't too happy about my being on the dose of Risperdal I'm on with lousy liver test results.
> Sometimes I feel like chucking the whole enormous pile of medications and try life without.Well I pretty much had to do that when we lost insurance. That is how I ended up with no pdoc and on fish oil. I weaned myself off Depakote, Wellbutrin,and estrogen, I rationed out a limited number of Ambien. Went into debt buying Bextra (before it was pulled from the market) and praised God that Prilosec was over the counter. That is what I use for GERD and it is absolutely the BEST. I've been on it for over 10 years.
> Except the Ranitidine. Since I started taking it, it's apparently destroyed what little muscle tone I have left to protect against GERD. I can't even skip a night without horrible consequences. Do you take anything for your GERD?
>
Hugs,
MidnightBlue
Posted by MidnightBlue on June 26, 2006, at 10:15:48
In reply to Re: Oh man, posted by Dinah on June 23, 2006, at 19:14:50
Okay Dinah,
We really need to do this! I'm 224 today. Down just a bit. My goal this week is to NOT gain weight, eat lots of fruit and drink lots of water and drink less soda.
I started a very low estrogen patch. Gotta see if that will make me retain fluid or make me hungry. :-(
Can you pick one healthy thing you want to try to do this week?
Hugs,
MidnightBlue
Posted by Dinah on June 26, 2006, at 10:22:41
In reply to Monday check in again! » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on June 26, 2006, at 10:15:48
That's a good goal!
My goal is to stay away from excess salts, and to drink lots, and not too much diet coke.
I think it's already working. I haven't weighed myself but I avoided all salt and made sure I was drinking yesterday and I was constantly running to the bathroom (including in the middle of therapy). I don't feel quite so bloated today.
Good luck to you!
Posted by Dinah on July 6, 2006, at 9:26:12
In reply to Re: Monday check in again! » MidnightBlue, posted by Dinah on June 26, 2006, at 10:22:41
It seems like everything I've read or seen lately has to do with complications from diabetes. Kidney failure, retinopathy, etc.
And not only do I have a mild infection in one big toe from what must have been an ingrown toenail, but my middle two toes are numbish.
Soooo....
Time to bite the bullet. My weight right now is 206 1/2. I'm due to start my period any day, and I've got water retention problems month round, probably due to my salt intake. So water weight probably accounts for a few pounds.
My doctors have told me that if I get to 175-180, my diabetes and triglycerides should be good enough to be without meds. Of course that was a while ago and possibly no longer true.
I'm also in such bad physical shape that there are times when day to day walking leaves me out of breath.
So... I have to start a modest exercise program that I can do without shoes, because I hesitate to think what will happen to my feet in shoes, exercising. I've got an exercise bike. Maybe I'll start slowly with that. I don't think there's a big enough space in the house to do yoga...
And... I must cut out complex carbohydrates, which are probably my downfall. I've asked my husband and son to eat up everything I like in the house. And I'll stock the house with White Wheat bread and brown rice and things like that.
I'll not worry about pickles and such right now, since at least they're low in calories.
And I hope Dr. Bob will consider this an exception to the three post rule if I post every day about how I did that day. I hope everyone will pile shame on me if I do badly, as an added deterrant. :)
I'm scared. I frankly use food for mood regulation. Particularly energy and calmness. I get horrendously irritable on a low carbohydrate diet, and I find it hard to work as I get very restless. I think of a life ahead like this, and I'm not very sanguine about its worth.
But I have to live at least another nine years, and they need to be good years, out of the hospital. I owe that to my son.
I'm sorry to sound so dramatic. But life with low carbohydrates has been very very bad to me in the past. So bad that my husband has begged me to go back and eat the way I usually do.
Sigh.
Posted by MidnightBlue on July 7, 2006, at 0:20:03
In reply to Time to get serious, posted by Dinah on July 6, 2006, at 9:26:12
Dinah,
Just a short post to keep you from three in a row! I've got to go to the store and buy more good for you food!
MB
Posted by Dinah on July 7, 2006, at 13:44:01
In reply to Re: Time to get serious » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on July 7, 2006, at 0:20:03
So far so good. I'm working with limited supplies, because I had two deadlines in a row and just haven't had time to get to the store.
I can't forego carbs altogether, so I'm sticking with the ones that Sugarbusters say are ok. In fact, I'm using Sugarbusters as my diet template. My doctor recommended it, so it must be ok.
Energy and mood still seem to be ok.
I'm not going to weigh myself every day, because that would just be too depressing.
And I haven't started exercising. Maybe this weekend since I finished the most urgent deadlines.
I haven't started drinking enough either. I need to get to the store and find something I don't really hate drinking. I lived on Evian during my pregnancy because it was the only water that didn't make me feel really really sick.
Posted by sleepygirl on July 7, 2006, at 21:49:18
In reply to Re: Time to get serious, posted by Dinah on July 7, 2006, at 13:44:01
OK Now, I'm starting now too....
enough is enough...
sleepygirl gets serious!!!...really something's got to change
it's nice to find this thread :-)
thanks and best of luck to you,
sg
Posted by Phillipa on July 7, 2006, at 22:28:07
In reply to wow..I hadn't noticed this thread before... » Dinah, posted by sleepygirl on July 7, 2006, at 21:49:18
Darn all of you!!!! Now I have to stop eating vanilla , vanilla with chocolate, and chocolate truffles on the computer. I've gained l0lbs since November. Everytime I say I will buy no more I think of an excuse and do it anyway. And since I started riding my bike for around 2 hours almost everyday I justify it that way. Now I have to stop. The whole world knows about my secret. Love Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on July 8, 2006, at 16:49:03
In reply to wow..I hadn't noticed this thread before... » Dinah, posted by sleepygirl on July 7, 2006, at 21:49:18
Can I join in? As of right now, I want to lose 17 pounds. It's really difficult for me to lose more than 5 pounds. I'm going to start counting calories again. I'm going to avoid sugar and I'm going to report my weight every Sun. to keep me on track.
Deneb*
Posted by Dinah on July 9, 2006, at 9:55:10
In reply to Re: Time to get serious, posted by Dinah on July 7, 2006, at 13:44:01
The more the merrier!
I really understand the seriousness of this. My infection has cleared up, but one toe on each foot is definitely numb, so peripheral neuropathy is starting to set in. I think I'll fail the pin test this time.
Day three is usually where I quit. It was encouraging to see that I'm down to 204, although I realize it was probably water weight loss. But depression and anxiety are skyrocketing, and I'm having day three doubts that a low carb life is really worth living.
Still, I was reasonably good. Dinner included brown rice chinese food, and I'm not sure if the brown rice was really really brown rice, so I might have slipped. And I cheated a little earlier in the day when I got really shaky. I've been working around the house and more active than I usually am.
I guess the next stage is spitting nails, but I haven't gotten there yet, perhaps because of yesterday's minor cheating.
I found my old sugarbusters books, so I guess I'll look for some recipes.
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2006, at 11:59:18
In reply to Re: Time to get serious, posted by Dinah on July 9, 2006, at 9:55:10
Dinah you're not the only one who cheated. I ate at least l0 truffles last night. I put a deposit on a new puppy and the thought of taking care of another dog and I don't do a good job of taking care of myself scares me so I ate them comfort food I guess. Love Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on July 9, 2006, at 14:47:30
In reply to Re: Time to get serious » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2006, at 11:59:18
One dog isn't much less trouble than two, but puppies can be a handful I admit.
Eating when I need comfort is a habit for me, too. Maybe we should think of other ways to comfort ourselves when we're overwhelmed or distressed ahead of time, so that we don't reach for food (pasta or bread for me).
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2006, at 14:54:33
In reply to Re: Time to get serious » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2006, at 11:59:18
Darn you had to write that now I was getting ready to go to the Ritzy Mall and get a Haagandaz Belgium chocholate shake. Maybe it cause I've gone through menopause but the others my age haven't put on wt. Shoot now I suppose I have to excercise. Can I finish the bags of truffles I bought. Three large bags . If I eat l0 a day they'll be gone in a week. Bad timing ugggg. Love Jan
Posted by Deneb on July 9, 2006, at 20:17:54
In reply to Re: Time to get serious, posted by Dinah on July 9, 2006, at 9:55:10
How's everyone doing? I didn't start off my diet very well. I went to a waterpark today and ate out. Naturally I had fast food. When I came home I did make myself a nutritious smoothie, with yogurt, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and milk. I'm determined to find just the right recipe and substitute breakfast or lunch with it.
Having no job and sleeping in is really causing me to gain weight. I've gained about 4 pounds since May.
I just weighed myself, I'm 117.4 lbs (at 4'11").
I want to lose 20 pounds. This is going to be hard. Maintaining my weight loss is going to be even harder.
Should we have daily updates to keep each other on track? I think daily updates would hold us accountable.
Deneb*
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2006, at 21:02:04
In reply to Re: Time to get serious » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2006, at 14:54:33
I did it didn't have the ice cream milk shake and rode l2 miles on my bike. But did eat tuffles. Love Phillipa. Deneb I don't have a scale and don't want one as I'd be on it constantly and water wt shifts.
Posted by sleepygirl on July 9, 2006, at 21:38:09
In reply to Re: Time to get serious, posted by Dinah on July 9, 2006, at 9:55:10
I hear people say that it is possible to break one's carb addiction although it can be very uncomfortable....keep the faith Dinah
Are you abstaining from some usually high sugar foods? I know you've got the health issues so you might have a lower carb diet than me already...
I'm a sugar junkie. I'm addicted to soda, the real thing, not diet, keeps the headaches away and gives me a more comfortable/in control feeling. I relate to the shakiness without the carbs..it sucks
You know this reminds me of a TV show where some teenagers had to go to a "brat camp" (their words),
camping in the middle of nowhere, and one of the things they had to adapt to was the lack of high sugar stuff, and it was uncomfortable
that day 3 theory sounds familiar...I remember years ago doing some Atkins thing that I kicked to the curb at about that pointI'm starting slowly, cutting down on breads, opting for healthier options, dreading the withdrawals, one step at a time, but I'm fairly determined
I know you can do it!! Go DINAH!
Posted by sleepygirl on July 9, 2006, at 21:42:19
In reply to Re: How's everyone doing?, posted by Deneb on July 9, 2006, at 20:17:54
I've got a food guide and a whole bunch of recipes from the time I joined last year....
It seems however that I started to resent them for trying to limit my food..yeah it's not rational ;-)
I've got to find a workable way to do this, although it might be uncomfortable at times...there has to be a wayI had whole grain bread today instead of white
an apple instead of more bread
I took a long walk
Posted by cloudydaze on July 10, 2006, at 14:00:45
In reply to Re: Time to get serious, posted by Dinah on July 7, 2006, at 13:44:01
I've been at it for about 7 or 8 weeks now, on a 1400 calorie diet (suggested by my dietician).
My starting weight was 214, current weight is 198, and target weight is 130. I've got a long way to go!
I haven't lost anything really in a few weeks. The first 6 weeks, I lost 14 pounds. The 4th of july weekend kinda set me back a bit. I went to visit my aunt for a few days, and it's just about IMPOSSIBLE to diet there, plus it broke my routine, and that screwed me up a bit. Actually, the day after I came back the scale said I had gained 3 pounds, but it must have been water weight because it was gone in a day or two...
I'm trying to get over this plateau...it's been hard to force myself to excercise lately because i've been having other problems (pain in the legs that is either shin splints or a circulation problem...doc's not sure yet). Exercising through blinding pain is not easy. It's pretty depressing actually. I think i could do well with some encouragement.
Posted by Dinah on July 10, 2006, at 17:09:59
In reply to can i join your club?, posted by cloudydaze on July 10, 2006, at 14:00:45
Of course!
You're doing great you know. Success stories like yours and Midnight Blue's inspire me. I hope you're focusing on how far you've already come as well as on your ultimate goal. :)
Posted by Dinah on July 10, 2006, at 17:25:27
In reply to GO Dinah GO!! You can do it! :-), posted by sleepygirl on July 9, 2006, at 21:38:09
Yeah, I did Atkins several times in my younger higher metabolism days and usually lost everything I wanted to lose in a week. But Day 3 was the killer. Half the time I didn't get past that.
My previous diet wasn't low carb. Just the opposite in fact. It's not like I ate a whole lot. Nowhere what I used to eat as a youngster. And I had given up sugary drinks. But what I did eat was white bread, or pasta, or rice, or potatoes. I might add something to that, but the base was carbs.
So this is a huge thing for me. :( My therapist was outraged that I wasn't sure if good health was worth giving up white bread and pasta.
At least the Sugarbusters diet allows you carbs, whole wheat, brown rice, that sort of thing. Low glycemic index. So it should be better than Atkins.
Sigh.
I've been pretty good. And I think my stomach might be shrinking. I'm getting full much faster. Now to add some exercise.
Posted by Dinah on July 11, 2006, at 15:55:59
In reply to Re: GO Dinah GO!! You can do it! :-) » sleepygirl, posted by Dinah on July 10, 2006, at 17:25:27
I'm tearful, restless, and I cheated. Yes, I ate a biscuit.
I don't think this is worth it. I really don't. Food is just too much a part of what makes life worth living.
Posted by MidnightBlue on July 11, 2006, at 16:31:09
In reply to Not such a good day, posted by Dinah on July 11, 2006, at 15:55:59
Dinah,
I'm in no shape to diet right now. I'm not even getting on the scale. Not sleeping, lots of stress. And of course stuffing my face.
Hugs,
MidnightBlue
Posted by Deneb on July 11, 2006, at 19:13:04
In reply to Not such a good day, posted by Dinah on July 11, 2006, at 15:55:59
I know what you mean about food making life better. Food is such a comfort. It's hard to limit something that makes us feel better.
I think it's all about moderation. I think it's ok to have some cake, as long as it's two bites of cake and not a whole slice.
I didn't do so well today. Boredom makes me eat. I eat when I'm not hungry. I have nothing to do, so I reach for food. I'm going to have to do other things. I'm determined to lose at least 1 pound before Sun. Instead of eating when bored, I'm going to drink green tea instead. Green tea is an appetite suppressant, I think. It's also full of antioxidants.
Deneb*
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