 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsLow CarbWeightWatchers WeightAdviser.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Weight Loss Forum / General Topics / March 2004what a lousy week
Welcome to my rant/pity party! What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to put it on the web here http://www.resurvey.org/jenn/rant3-4.htm instead of subjecting the entire planet to it. Read it if you want, or don't. Long story short - I'm probably going to have to pull out of my first race of the year due to the ongoing problems with my health. Between that and the PMS and the binge urges I'm having a very difficult time right now. While I need support, there just isn't much anyone can say or do these days and 98% of the problem is hormonal right now. I know people are out there for me and thanks. Jenn > While I need support, there just isn't much anyone can say or do these > days and 98% of the problem is hormonal right now. I know people are > out there for me and thanks. > > Jenn Wow. Jenn, I truly an thinking of you as I type. Although I can't relate to the female issues as a women can. I can totally relate to so much of your other everyday struggles. First and foremost. You are only human. Remember that. We ALL cave in from time to time. Hey on the bright side atleast you didnt go for the whole pizza or gallon of ice cream!! And if you had a weak moment when you did. Dont dwell on it. Dwelling on it will only make more thoughts and whispers sneak back in to taunt you. You want to know what I saw when I read your journal post? I saw a very strong woman that is totally dedicated to her lifestyle. You think you are a failure when you ?caved in? and binged. I think you are restraint. When you gave in to a moment of weakness what did you turn to? HEALTHY FOODS! You say it was because that is all that was there. Well I have had weak moments when I would drive an hour just to fill my moment of weakness. Please just dont let this stretch of distress summon other bad thoughts and hauntings into your life. Look foward to when this will pass and you will be posting how you overcame a bad bump in the road. If you can ((and you will) overcome this, you can over come anything the future has to throw at you. I want you to say this affirmation, I use often, 2x a day for the next week or two. **I WILL LIVE MY LIFE.I WILL NOT LET IT LIVE ME** Think about those words when you say them and what they mean to you. And mean them when you say them. Please post often at this point. You can even email me if you want.I will be more than honored to speak with you anytime. *remove nospam from address* ***YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME***YOU ARE STRONG***  SignatureJP. 151 lbs gone forever!! --------------- starting 365 current 214 goal 200 hieght 6'3" 27 male NC In Da House --------------- > > While I need support, there just isn't much anyone can say or do these > > days and 98% of the problem is hormonal right now. I know people are [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > ***YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME***YOU ARE STRONG*** Thanks bud. I'm keeping your address for those emergency times. Jenn Wow! Tough stuff. I read the link. I assume the steroids you are referring to are corticosteroids for inflammation and not anabolic steroids for muscle growth, etc. They are notorious for causing both urges and water weight gain. Why are you taking them? How long will you be taking them? I understand your doc's leeriness about not prescribing diuretics to you. However, this can be done safely with blood work that monitors your potassium and potassium supplementation. I do not recommend either without being carefully monitored. I would do everything I could in your position to limit salt and to increase your intake of natural diuretics. Tea is great. I think black tea is better than green tea for those purposes. Water alone will lower the sodium levels in your body. Unless you it is otherwise prohibited, drink a couple of glasses of wine. However, if you are retaining fluids because of corticosteroids, it is unlikely that any 'natural' remedy will be sufficient. Yes, we are out here for you. I hate hormonal problems as I move into my mid 40's I find they are more pervasive. I wish you well and encourage you to do everything possible to compete in the race on Saturday. Your state of mind will override a lot of hormonal and other issues. (That is easy to write but I assure you that I respect that it is not an easy task!) Self esteem is a good thing. It cannot be given to a person but anyone can earn it. j > Welcome to my rant/pity party! > What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jenn > Wow! Tough stuff. I read the link. > > I assume the steroids you are referring to are corticosteroids for > inflammation and not anabolic steroids for muscle growth, etc. They are > notorious for causing both urges and water weight gain. Why are you taking > them? How long will you be taking them? Yep, dexamethasone - dex suppression tests. The last draw is tomorrow. > I understand your doc's leeriness about not prescribing diuretics to you. > However, this can be done safely with blood work that monitors your > potassium and potassium supplementation. I do not recommend either without > being carefully monitored. It's just crappy timing. After the race I'm less concerned about the water because I can wear sweats to work. Right now it's impeding my ability to run. > I would do everything I could in your position to limit salt and to increase > your intake of natural diuretics. Tea is great. I think black tea is [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > corticosteroids, it is unlikely that any 'natural' remedy will be > sufficient. I have some type of adrenal condition that may be Cushing's. Tests have shown high dhea-s and cortisol levels. I have intermittent edema episodes that range from barely noticeable to "Stay-Puf Marshmallow Man" and the cause has yet to be determined. Since they started I've kept an eye on the salt and I do try to use natural stuff like grapefruits, small amts of caffeine, and tea, along with drinking enough water. Unfortunately when it's really bad I can barely choke down water or any fluid. The steroids probably aggravated my "normal" episode. > Yes, we are out here for you. I hate hormonal problems as I move into my > mid 40's I find they are more pervasive. I wish you well and encourage you [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > esteem is a good thing. It cannot be given to a person but anyone can earn > it. I tried with my run today to just ignore discomfort and reach inside for any bit of strength I had, but I was actually in some pain and my breathing was way too labored for my pace so I knew something was definitely wrong. I don't give up easy. I'm going to wait until Saturday morning after a complete day of recovery tomorrow. We probably won't have school because of the impending storm (expecting 7-12" of snow and freezing rain by morning) so I can catch up on sleep and stuff. Even if we do have school, I'll be able to take valerian or something and sleep 12 hours. Thanks for the support. Jenn My friend had Cushings she gained weight even though she was dieting and walking 3 miles a day. Her family doctor didn't believe she wasn't cheating. Her friend a nurse recommended a endo doctor and he found the Cushings. > My friend had Cushings she gained weight even though she was dieting and > walking 3 miles a day. Her family doctor didn't believe she wasn't > cheating. Her friend a nurse recommended a endo doctor and he found the > Cushings. That's pretty much what I'm afraid of, but there are ways to deal with it. I can actually live on a VLCD diet if I have to. If it stops the symptoms (weight gain is only a small part) then it would be worth it. Jenn >Unless you it is otherwise prohibited, drink a couple >of glasses of wine. Julianne, I'm curious about this. Is wine a diuretic? Since I've been doing some "week before weightlifting meet" manipulating with hydration levels, I've wondered about whether wine was a positive or a negative. Also, I don't know whether it's advisable for Jenn, with all the stuff she has going on, but I find that using the steam room at my gym helps me drop excess fluid. Chris Alcohol has an effect on the brain which causes one to lose fluid. More accurately, it inhibits ADH (anti diuretic hormone) and therefore causes water weight loss. If everything else is static, you will lose fluids with alcohol. This is why you should never count your wine, etc, as fluids. I like wine as it is relatively healthy when consumed in moderate quantities but this applies to all alcoholic beverages. The steam room helps ONLY if a lot of free water is taken in. Sweating involves a lot of electrolytes as well as fluids. If you only sweat, the moment you get out of the steam room, you will weigh less just as though you ran ten miles. However, your serum sodium will likely increase. After a few glasses of water, the weight will come back as your body will do what it can to normalize sodium. If, on the other hand, you lose more sodium in relationship to water and if you are packing extra fluid, the steam room, in combination with lots of free water will help normalize your fluid balance If I were training as serious as you were, I would limit myself to two glasses max of wine and follow it with some water in the week before a meet. Dehydrated muscles beg for injury. I could tell you a story but I throw up every time I remember the feeling of my calf muscle splitting in two when I tried to play tennis hung over years ago. j > >Unless you it is otherwise prohibited, drink a couple > >of glasses of wine. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Chris >Dehydrated muscles beg for injury. Fortunately, we train very light for the last few sessions before a meet. But I try to be careful about not getting too dehydrated. >I could tell you a story but I throw up >every time I remember the feeling of my calf muscle splitting in two when I >tried to play tennis hung over years ago. Yikes -- it makes me queasy just thinking about it. Tom, my trainer, recently tore a pec muscle while benching. He has had surgery for it and is recovering, but he cringes every time he watches me bench. I wasn't there when it happened, but it was obviously a pretty terrible experience. Chris > >Unless you it is otherwise prohibited, drink a couple > >of glasses of wine. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Chris Alcohol is a diuretic. We always used to say that you can never own beer but only lease it temporarily. I'm not allowed to drink right now, but it really would help me sleep better! Jenn Scary stuff, I agree. I read the page as well. i > Wow! Tough stuff. I read the link. > [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] >> >> Jenn Jenn, I'm so sorry you're having so much difficulty. I wish I had some good advice for you but I can't think of much. I'm certainly not going to berate you for overeating. You're doing a good job of berating yourself, I'm afraid. Try to cut yourself a little slack while the medical problems are getting worked out. And when you know the excess weight you might pick up is water weight (or 99% so, anyway), you shouldn't feel that you have to beat yourself up exercising to lose it. Just be good to yourself. Maybe there's something you can do to work on your mental state, like perhaps meditation or yoga, or perhaps some kind of counseling that your doctor could refer you to? I can understand why the medical stuff is getting you upset, and anything with out-of-whack hormones is especially likely to cause emotional upset. And of course sleeping problems don't help a bit. If you can find things to make you feel more calm and patient and hopeful, that would be the best thing. Is there someone you can spend time with -- a wise friend, perhaps -- who has a calming influence on you? I don't recall if you're religious, but if so maybe some time spent with a pastor or spiritual advisor, or just in prayer? I think if you can get to a better place mentally you might find the eating thing easier to control. And I don't think the race would be such a big issue if you weren't already in a sort of frantic state. It seems like you're in a sort of emotional tailspin that you need to break out of. I hope things get better for you soon! Hugs... Chris > Maybe there's something you can do to work on your mental state, like > perhaps meditation or yoga, or perhaps some kind of counseling that [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Chris Thanks Chris - Believe it or not, this is me *after* yoga. There are just days that the chemistry gets surging and I literally wake up p.o.'d at the world or in a state of anxiety that's a purely physical/chemical reaction. I'm kind of glad I recorded it this time. Believe it or not, I've calmed down considerably as the evening has passed. I don't know if it was the eating or the writing or just being plain worn down. I've been in regular counseling since the end of HMR when I had trouble accepting that I had to gain back some weight for medical reasons and then having to deal with the first water gain (which eventually dissapated). Fortunately I'm not like this most of the time, but right about the last 10 days of my cycle it starts. It's gotten progressively worse each month. My endo and I have discussed going back down to VLCD levels in order to bring back the amenorrhea I had for the last few months of HMR. I've avoided sharing it in the group because of what happened back in the fall when I tried to discuss the issue. Anyway, your support is definitely appreciated. I'm no longer angry about the race. I'll just be sad if I have to miss it. Depending on the impending storm and road conditions by Sat. I might not be able to make the 100 mile drive anyway :( Jenn Jenn has your endo doctor checked your pituitary gland that's what causes Cushings. > Jenn has your endo doctor checked your pituitary gland that's what > causes Cushings. There is more than one cause. I've been systematically tested since November. They started with the heart, then the reproductive system, then the pituitary and brain, and went on to the adrenals where finally some abonormal labs showed up. Edema is only one of a list of symptoms including androgen reactions and generalized anxiety. It's going to take another week or so to get all of my labs back since some of them were sent to Mayo (where my endo trained). Jenn > Welcome to my rant/pity party! > What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to > put it on the web here http://www.resurvey.org/jenn/rant3-4.htm instead of > subjecting the entire planet to it. Read it if you want, or don't. I did. I don't have time to make any insightful replies, but a couple of quick comments: 1.) You may have a strong desire to eat because you're feeling weak from the steroids and think that more food/fuel will overcome the weak feeling. 2.) You may have a strong desire to eat because you're actually starving yourself on 1000 calories with your activity level and your body is objecting. I think "binging" on hummus and yogurt might be just what your body needs. Could you add some pickled whitefish to that? My philosophy is that my diet isn't working if I'm dying to eat something different. Listen to your body and adjust your diet! I know this might not be helpful, but I really am a bit troubled by the anorexia stuff - you're hungry so you go exercise. I think if you're hungry, you should EAT! Dally >> Welcome to my rant/pity party! >> What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Dally I would further suggest that if Jennifer's endocrinologist is not able to find anything, then she needs to check with another doctor, such as a cardiologist. As a matter of decision making, when something does not work, it is wise to try another thing. Also, edema, swollen legs and weakness are classic symptoms of late stage starvation with nutrient deficiencies, although, obviously, there could be many other causes of it, as well (many of which could interest a cardiologist). I hope that she checked her kidney function, as well. Jennifer has been starving herself for long enough that it is a possibility, especially if you subtract her extra 20 lbs of excess skin from her weight. http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/leg_swelling.htm i > 1.) You may have a strong desire to eat because you're feeling weak from > the steroids and think that more food/fuel will overcome the weak feeling. yes, possibly > 2.) You may have a strong desire to eat because you're actually starving > yourself on 1000 calories with your activity level and your body is > objecting. I'm not that low yet. I was cutting back from 1800 to 1400 to counteract the water retention. If 1400 doesn't work, then I go to 1200, which could be a contributor, but the urges were very strong starting even on Monday. > I think "binging" on hummus and yogurt might be just what your body > needs. Could you add some pickled whitefish to that? It would have been cake and donuts if they were present. I eat tuna or salmon nearly daily, but I avoid anything pickled because of sodium content. Mind you, this was after a dinner of a salad with grilled chicken and a small amount of full-fat bacon dressing (dipping the fork). > My philosophy is that my diet isn't working if I'm dying to eat > something different. Listen to your body and adjust your diet! I know [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Dally That would have been a good explanation if I'd been dieting. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case because I only started cutting back (carbs are the first to go) after the urges began though not because of the urges. The compulsion starts and then is a regular fixture for days. Going from Monday until Thursday was probably the longest I've been able to ride it out. No matter what I did, I could only temporarily distract myself - which is the part that I need to somehow find a solution. I eat very sensibly and have even brought my dietary fat% up to 20-25% of my calories each day. The 1000 calories is where I'm headed after this week. I'd been hesistant to start because of training for this race but I'm willing to try anything that will work and the endo thinks it just may provide some relief. Jenn >Welcome to my rant/pity party! >What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to >put it on the web here http://www.resurvey.org/jenn/rant3-4.htm instead of >subjecting the entire planet to it. Read it if you want, or don't. I read it. I do not know what to say because I think it would be better to ask a doctor. I would like you to know that I care, though, and hope you will get through this very soon. >Welcome to my rant/pity party! Awe, Jenn. I wish there was something we could do to help with your mood. Just know, you aren't alone in your feelings. Heck, my knee has been bothering me so bad this week that I can barely walk, let alone run. I tried last night and couldn't even do 1/4 mile without pain. And your thoughts on food - I'm right there with you. Youre site could have been written by me. I hope your swelling and pms symptoms subside and you make it through the rest of the weekend. > >Welcome to my rant/pity party! > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > I hope your swelling and pms symptoms subside and you make it through > the rest of the weekend. Thanks Jayjay - I hope you get through your day of temptations. I got my lots of sleep last night - while still intermitten I could sleep in to get enough (snow day!). I feel better mentally and I'm going to the gym once DH is done with the driveway for my regularly scheduled pre-race workout (upper body work, lower body stretching, low intensity walking). I'm thinking of putting up an actual blog on my site just to dump. Again, I don't know if it was the giving in to the urge or the putting it out on "paper" but I'm nearly normal again - just normal moody from PMS and the adrenal thing. Jenn >> >Welcome to my rant/pity party! >> [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > >Jenn I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. I'm sure posting it all helped and then the extra sleep from snow day helped as well. I know I'm always much more tempted when I'm sleepy. Hi Jenn, I hope things get better for you soon. Paul > Welcome to my rant/pity party! > What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jenn This is so awful for you. I wish I could come over there and give you a big hug {{{{Jenn}}}} I'm not a gushy-feely-touchy type person but I feel so bad for you! I can't offer any advice or really say anything profound that will lessen your suffering so I won't try. I so hope that you and your doctors can get this under control/remission very soon. Tonia > Welcome to my rant/pity party! > What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jenn > This is so awful for you. I wish I could come over there and give you a big > hug {{{{Jenn}}}} I wish I could come out there and give her a big hug too. > I'm not a gushy-feely-touchy type person but I feel so bad for you! same here. i Hark! I heard "JMA" <bjenniferb@yahoo.com> say: > Welcome to my rant/pity party! > What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > and 98% of the problem is hormonal right now. I know people are out there > for me and thanks. Although I'm not gonna go into detail, this line from your "rant" struck a cord with me: "I'm angry that after nearly 4 months I still don't know what's wrong with me physically" Three years ago, I was "sick" (for lack of a better word) and after 6 months of doctors and tests and being purely miserable, I had surgery. I feel much better now, but I remember how horrible it was not to know what was wrong! A friend of mine is currently having a similar problem. The not knowing is pure hell, and people who haven't been in that situation have no idea how bad it can be. You have my sympathy and support, Jenn -- just try to keep your head up and remember that bingeing will only make you feel worse... SignatureJ.J. in WA State (251/245/150) Jenn, having read your rant I really feel for you and what you are going through. You have come so far and have been so strong, please don't let this destroy you. Medical problems are the pits, but it is not your fault. Try to be nice to yourself and pamper yourself with non foods, A nice bath, candles, a massage maybe? please let us know how you are getting on, there are a lot of people here who care about you. Michelle Ozzie in Switzerland (who's been on too many ski holidays ;-) WW WI 69.8 / 63.5 / 61kg 134 lbs >Welcome to my rant/pity party! >What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Jenn Jenn, I read your full account at the website. I know there's nothing we can really do to help you but I found your account very moving and I really do feel for you. I do hope you can find a way to get through this and come out the other side even stronger. Thinking of you. janice 233/177/133 >Welcome to my rant/pity party! >What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Jenn > Welcome to my rant/pity party! > What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jenn I'm that way this week. Things suck right now. I'm depressed over Bunky and can't focus on anything. (My #1 Strength in the Gallup Strengthfinders is Focus, so you know what THAT means!) I'm still doing fun things, but when I'm alone, I find myself breaking into tears. I am all alone. For the first time in my life I have no one. I've been eating too much and I gained a few pounds. I'm going on vacation in 4 weeks and I don't want to be this heavy!!! Sometimes, when I'm here at home, I just start crying for a long while. The only htings I like in my life right now are my music (metal) and skiing. Nothing else brings any joy. Martha > I'm that way this week. Things suck right now. I'm depressed over Bunky and > can't focus on anything. (My #1 Strength in the Gallup Strengthfinders is > Focus, so you know what THAT means!) I'm still doing fun things, but when > I'm alone, I find myself breaking into tears. You're in mourning, it's very understandable. When you were alone before, Bunky was still there and now that he's not, it probably is more noticeable. > I am all alone. For the first time in my life I have no one. I've been > eating too much and I gained a few pounds. I'm going on vacation in 4 weeks > and I don't want to be this heavy!!! I totally understand. Maybe it's time to make a plan for the next week or two to help get things back on track. That's what I've done. > Sometimes, when I'm here at home, I just start crying for a long while. The > only htings I like in my life right now are my music (metal) and skiing. > Nothing else brings any joy. > > Martha I hope that things get better for you soon. Jenn > > I'm that way this week. Things suck right now. I'm depressed over Bunky > and [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Jenn Me too, Jenn. Things will get better. I am back on track today. I had an extremely awesome day on the slopes yesterday. Kirkwood rocked!! I skied mostly blues and even some blacks!!! I'm back into my WOE and will start working our regularly as well. Thanks to you and others' support. It's certainly needed. Martha Hey Martha, I am so sorry to hear about what you are going thru as well.... It has been a while since you posted this... are you feeling better now? > > Jenn > > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Martha Thanks, Perple...yeah, things are going ok now, I'm losing the 6 pounds I gained. I'm at 156 now. It's better. Martha > Hey Martha, > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > > > Martha I know you will. Things are kinda sucky for me right now too (posted in the Allergy thread).... but I too am hanging in there. I've been stalled about for about 3 weeks now at about 212-213. It sucks being a woman in this case and I just want to keep losing. Hugs. > Thanks, Perple...yeah, things are going ok now, I'm losing the 6 pounds I > gained. I'm at 156 now. It's better. > > Martha Hey Jenn... I've been away from the group for a few days, but I tried to access the link and it doesn't work anymore! Did you take it offline? I saw the later post where you ran... I am glad you were able to do so! > Welcome to my rant/pity party! > What started as a post turned into a seriously long diatribe so I decided to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jenn |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2012 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.