The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Susynne]

Yep, been almost two weeks and no loss to report...well, I know I have lost some, but don't have actual confidence in my numbers, so I'm waiting to see more results.
I saw my rheumatologist yesterday and I am starting another round of icky antibiotics, (three at a time until summer, then two - or as long as I can tolerate it...) I was so concerned that the antibiotics would hinder weight loss, after all - I spent so much time with Docs getting hormones and thyroid and meds all on track and switched around to make sure they weren't the reason I wasn't and haven't been able to lose and with a patient doctor I thought it was all on track - he says the antibiotics have nothing to do with it and shouldn't make a differance. At least not the combination I have to go on. Last time I only made it three or four months before I couldn't take it any longer and had to take a break from the treatment.

ANYHOW.....He says it's the disease that is hindering the loss and probably had a huge role in the gain to begin with. I have extremely advanced Lyme Disease, third stage they call it. I went for many many years being told I had everything from MS to Fibromyalgia to Lupus, all false alarms, and going thru procedure and surgery one after the other all addressing the symptoms until I switched doctors (again) and finally found the one I needed, someone who treats my problem and not the symptoms. She sent me to this Rheumatologist who has made treating Lyme Disease his specialty, altho not exclusively. My doctor was going to test for lyme, but let the Rheumatologist make the call, and he did and it is. WHY didn't someone check for it BEFORE! He says it has a real hold on me and could go back to my teens since it started (I'm 45). Time, age, FAT!

I'm so discouraged, I came home in tears. I have had all the patience and graceful acceptance that I can handle, I WANT MY LIFE BACK!, but he says it will be an extremely slow process for me, and that I was willing to try under the circumstances meant I would, eventually, lose weight. He says anyone who takes in less calories HAS to lose weight, but that the lyme at this stage confuses the body.
Geesh, I really needed to hear that!?

So...I am so grateful to this forum and all of the wonderful folks here, and I am sorry for unloading and sort of having my own personal pity party in public....I just so needed to let it out and hopefully someone has had something similar that they survived and DID lose that can lend some insight for me.

This is a novella, so I'll shut up for now.
Thanks so very much,

Susynne

grateful starving artist
80lbs to go
0 lost to date
began 01/01/06

[ljm498]

Susynne, I'm sorry to hear of all that you are going through! I can't lend any "been there" support, but just know that we're here for you and you can vent any time! It really does help. Just know I'm sending big hugs your way. I'm not a doctor but I can't imagine your body won't let go of the weight. Maybe more slower? Again, I'm sorry that you are in the situation you are in and my heart goes out to you. Hopefully you will get your life back much much sooner than later.

Good luck!

[Michelle]

You CAN do this my dear! Even if it takes a little longer than planned, like the Dr. said... you WILL lose the weight. From reading what you've been through over the past few years I can tell you are obviously a very STRONG person. Harness that strength and stay focused on your goals. Do not let anything stand in the way of accomplishing losing the weight. We're all here cheering for ya!

[dlr2424]

Susynne..................First.... ...........here is a billion hugs for what you are going thru......i'm sure those that have dealt with health challenges can relate...........Second...as far as the weight.... ....pray for strength.......this plan will work for you it just may take longer...... ....but if you look at the alternative?????......you could not be on plan and gaining... ..which will only ADD to the many problems that exsist....not to mention it making you feel worse all around.........so I asure you if you stick to this you will adventually lose.... ......that's the good news............ and in the process you will be giving your body great nutrition which may help in some way towards your disease

Now as far as the disease..... .... .... ......I have 100% total empathy and compassion ......my heart aches for your health situation.......for 14 years my husband has been dealing with a life challenging illness....healthy his whole life....at 32 contacted a cold or virus that settled in his heart.....spent 6 years deteriating until he recieved a heart transplant.....and the last 8 years haven't been much different than before....... I would give my right arm....sell all my possessions if it could restore his health ......there isn't a day he doesn't struggle.. ...but we have to have faith... ... and believe God has a plan.. ....(easier said than done) and it is a true test of FAITH

In this life of instant gratification we want to fix everything..........and when we can't or no one else can....or it takes what seems to be forever.... ..it's frustrating.....the feeling of helplessness STINKS..... ....having to trust in "God's Time" when we want it in "Our Time".... ....they can differ greatly..........SOOOOOOO ..... .....YOU are intitled to AS MANY...... ..... PITY PARTIES as needed and i'm sure there are so many here on this forum with their ........ .....arms open wide and ...... ...strong shoulders for you to lean on.....hopefully it will get you through the times of struggle............my many prayers for your strength and success...... .......

Donna...dlr2424

[Susynne]

Thank you all.!.!.!.! I appreciate and am extremely grateful for the support and encouragement you have sent my way.

I know that if I can stick to this it WILL happen, and I never did expect a magic wand repair....I just floundered a little, as seems to happen at some point every day, but I have no intention of letting it get the best of me.

You've been so helpful, I don't know what I would do without this forum and all of you here. It makes the process tolerable. I am so very lucky to have found you.

Actually, I find the medifast isn't that hard to stick to once you get into the swing of it, Sometimes I crave things like popcorn or raisins, but the stuff I thought I'd miss I don't. I just keep reminding myself that even if I don't lose as fast and as soon as I had hoped doesn't mean I won't lose at all. I may not be a size 10 this summer, but I won't be the size I am either!!!!!:mrgreen:

Nothing worth having comes easily, if it did it wouldn't be appreciated. I guess that means that all the work we do struggling to lose weight means life once we do will be truely WONDERFUL!

I just keep looking at all of your pictures and stories and comments and know that it will be okay. Thank you for including me. It's said that everything you send out into the world comes back to you threefold (and it doesn't mean one kid equals three grandkids either! ), and you are all in for some wonderful times, lots of love, luck and happiness.

Now, Donna, Your husband is so lucky to have you. You are a ray of sunshine, a burst of enlightenment, a steadfast friend and a great example of faith. I feel so awful for him, I guess I forgot to remember how lucky I truly am, instead of focusing on how discouraged I can be. I wish you both all the hugs and smiles possible. I hope you both know my prayers are with you.

[Serendipity]

(and it doesn't mean one kid equals three grandkids either!

DANG!!

[Gwenski]

Susynne-

Good lordie! I have no clue or well of knowledge and insight for you on this one. Talk about getting raked over the coals. Be thankful that you finally found a doctor who is working with you and LISTENING to you. This alone is worth it weight in gold.

Think how long you have been going through this and know even though it is going to be a long journey, at least you have a bit of direction. Please don't get stuff in the past. Today and the path you make ahead is more important.

You have found a little santuary with this forum, use your past and us to draw strength for what lies ahead. Regardless of what the scale says, how do you feel? Have you taken measurements? You body has a lot to deal with and adjust to....give yourself a chance and have faith that with some hard work and time, this can work for you.

Thought, put the scale aside and only weigh once a month or every two months === do not let the doctor tell you what it says when you go in either === don't get hooked on the numbers -- like the song says, "I'm Hooked on a Feeling"--- find that feeling and stick to this and with it!!!

Hang in there and know we are here!

[marcia]

The hand you've been delt is a difficult one. I've heard Lymes Disease is one of the most dificult to find. You are so lucky that finially they've found your problem. The cure will take time as well your weight loss. Just remember, that if your Doctor thinks Msdifast is good for you it is probably doing you more good than you can measure by out ward numbers or appearances. You're helping all the treatments you're undergoing to do their work and it follows the better the treatment works the sooner you'll see results in your overall health. Proper nutrition is more important Than ever when you're fighting such a persistant disease!

On days you have trouble keeping a positive attitude we'll do it for you with prayers, good energy and lots of love!

[Susynne]

I don't know what to say except, THANKYOU!
By the way, three lbs in two weeks, better than zero!!!

[MusicalMomma]

By the way, three lbs in two weeks, better than zero!!!

susynne, I just divided the amout you want to lose by 1.5lbs a week...if you keep losing 3 pounds every two weeks, you will be at goal in one year! Just think, by next Christmas, you can buy yourself a new wardrobe as a gift to yourself

On another note, I don't usually make this suggestion unless I know someone really well, but I will go for it anyway. Think about contacting a homeopathic doctor. Sometimes, they can do wonders with herbal remedies. Just some food for thought

[marcia]

Three pound great! You're on your way to getting your old life back. Take pride in your accomplishment and remember for you this may be more difficult than for others. Still you have so much more to gain than many of us. Once again I'm a Mom (in fact Mom of Gwenski) and I know these things, just ask her.

[Gwenski]

Susynne!

WOo HoO! That scale of yours went down. How incredible is that!??!

As long as it is down, don't worry about the time or numbers. No race or timed events here. All of our bodies are different so we all go down at different rates. You know you are going to go slower than if you didn't have other things for your body to contend with.

So, I would say 3 down is pretty dang cool! Totally happy for you.

I confess in PUBLIK now that my Mom does know these things - it is cool and disturbing sometimes.

[Susynne]

Gwenski, Gwenskis Mom,
Thanks so much!!!, Yes, moms do know these things...I AM ONE Too! But still need to be reminded. THANKS, I needed that!
I keep telling myself it's pounds off not on , and thats all that counts!

[Susynne]

Joyce, Thanks for the suggestion...been there, done that!, trust me when I say I have tried every avenue out there with the exception of accupunture, which was my most dreaded next stop. Had nerve conduction done and needles weren't bad, so about the time I gave in and said I'd do it I found my wonderful new Doc. phew!

I used to work for a chiropractor a lifetime and a thousand miles ago, he was so into the homeopathic that I knew it as a resource when the time came to need it. Chiropractors wouldn't touch me any more.... But I so appreciate your thinking to suggest it. There is a wonderful book out there called 'vibrational medicine' by a doctor I want to say is Gerber, but I'm not sure......It's older, but very good.

Now, about that division....you are so right!! I do better tho' with smaller goals, so come summer I'll be half way there! Sometimes we just have to concentrate on the imaginable, short term, reasonably attainable goal. But I do love your way of thinking about it.

[Nancy]

Dear Susynne ~

I doubt that you have totally recovered from all of those Medi-hugs ya got there, especially from that lovable Donna!

I am so sorry that you have had such a skanky time of it but YIPPY! Your doctor listened and gave you some hope.

I want you to remember…docs don’t know it all. They know stuff and a lotta stuff and I love ‘em, but they don’t know it all.

The body can do amazing things when we feed it properly and when we don’t feed it so well, it doesn’t feel always feel so well either. ( Yikes! Shades of the movie Super Size Me!)

I have a compromised immune system myself and take Prednisone. I lost weight.

We have a lot of ‘roidy peeps and folks with diabetes on our 5 and 1 Program. Thyroid and diabetes affect the metabolism and can make weight loss slower.

But the good news is this: people with thyroid disease or disorders and people with diabetes do lose weight!

Although we somehow tell ourselves differently, we are not in a race – we are people on a journey to optimal health.

Some people take the Bullet Train on their travels and some of us ride mules!

Weight loss rates vary from individual to individual.

The important thing here is this:

We hear your heart’s cry, Little Darlin’.

We understand that you are disappointed and that’s perfectly OK to feel that way. I’d be sitting under my desk if I were walkin’ in your slippers…

You are hurtin’, you wish it were otherwise, we wish it were otherwise, you are sittin’ in the Pity Chair but do ya know what?

You are not allowed to sit in the Pity Recliner! Hang out on the chair for a few days or even a week or two if need be and then stand up, walk about, stretch your legs because very soon, you will leave that hard sliver-crusted hiney-poker chair behind and enter the hallowed doors to the 10 Pound Club!

Little by little is better than never getting there at all!

You can do it, dear Susynne