Off the Meds! (inc lots of pics)
bigldesigns
Posts: 102 Member
Today is Day 1!!!
On June 7th 2013, I was rushed to Emergency with stroke like symptoms.
My whole right side of my body unresponsive..
I agreed was a little "fat" but I was only 38, way too young for a stroke!
After MRI's and Blood tests and Physio and I dunno how many other people stopping in to get a poke at me..
Being familiar with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) as my sister had been diagnosed in the same hospital only a few months earlier I look at the Neuro and said.. "Do you think it could be MS?? - He umm'ed and ahhh'ed a bit.. looked at the tests and said " yep.. i think you are right"
So there I was.. 120kg (260lb) 38yrs old, unable to walk or feed myself properly, and a diagnosis of a debilitating illness that was only going to get worse.
I took straight to Dr Google and looked up all the alternative treatments, and read all the info on the available meds, i hit forums, and chat boards and even wikipedia!
In my crawling I discovered a website by a Local Naturopath who had been diag with MS 5 years prior, but using a natural approach had no symptoms.
http://www.naturalmstreatment.com/
With an open mind, I made an appointment with the Naturopath, and also with a Neurologist.
The appointment with the Neuro was very scripted, "You have MS... There is nothing we can do... Take this medication to slow it down... see you in 12 months"
The Neuro gave me a script for Copaxone (a common daily injection for slowing the progress of MS) which I started on in October 2013
My first appointment with the Naturopath was in August 2013 and it was positive and inspiring.. I immediately started making small changes to my diet to follow her advice.
I rejoined MFP on the 31st October 2013 and started logging my food, and sticking to a 1200Cal diet. By then I had been on the weightloss path for about 12 weeks and weighed in at 102.2kg (224lb).
Through Nov and Dec 2013, my movement had returned to my right side (with just a little bit of numbness) so i had started to do small amounts of exercise (30 min on treadmill every couple of days)
On the 20th November 2013 - I cracked the 100kg mark weighing in at 99.5kg (218lb)
At Christmas in 2013.. i snuck into Mum's room and tried on her size 16 jeans
(bonus.. they fit) - weight 96.5kg (212lb)
On the 26th Jan 2014 - Along with a friend I completed the MS Colour Dash.. a 5km walk
I was so proud.. i walk 5km and then "hung out" in the city for the rest of the day.
to think 6 months earlier.. i could not walk.
In that same week I joined an MFP challenge called Trim Taut and Terrific Aussies and set myself a goal of 89.9Kg (197lb) by 14th April (underwear pics from challenge down further)
Challenge Start Details
______________________
Height:163cm
Starting Weight:95kg
Starting Date:20.01.14
Goal Weight:>90kg (so 89.9 or better)
Starting Measurements:
Bicep:36cm
Bust: 110cm (20E)
Waist:98cm
Hips:116 cm
Thigh:65cm
_______________________________
Needless to say.. I smashed the challenge
By week 5 of the Challenge I weighed 89.5(189lb) and was under the 200lb mark!!!
At the end of the Challenge at 14th April 2014
Today's Weight: 84.6kg
Total Weight: 10.1kg (23lb)
Today's Measurements:
Bicep: 31cm (-5cm)
Chest: 101cm (-9cm)
Waist: 87cm (-11cm )
Hips: 107cm (-9cm)
Thigh: 56cm (-9cm)
May 2014 (just before my 39th birthday - I needed new clothes
Hello Size 14!!
82.2kg(181lb)
23rd July 2014
77.0kg(169lb)
Size 12 clothes
Sept 2014 - its time for my 12month MRI to check the progression of my MS.
But as you can see.. i kicked its butt!!!
I never realized how bad FAT looks on an MRI till I made the compare pic
October 2014 and It was time to celebrate..
New Clothes.. (size 10 tops - 12 skinny Jeans)
and My first time in a dress for 20 years!!
73.9Kg (162.5lb)
November 2014
Holidays with the family.. and more energy than i can use!!
70.2kg(154.5lb)
Jan 2013
Another new dress, new work clother and a new me with attached FitBit!!
66.7kg(147lb)
And now we get to yesterday!!!!
Neuro: "I've never seen improvement like this in an MRI"
Me: "I've decided to bite the bullet and try going med free"
So thats it.. Today is DAY 1 without the MS Meds.. and what a ride it has been..
Here is all the details!!
Starting Details:
_________________
7th June 2013
W: 120kg (260lbs)
Body Fat: 52%
BMI: 47
Start MFP:
__________________
31 Oct 2013
W: 102.2 (224lb)
Waist: 107cm
Hips: 122cm
Thigh: 73cm
Bust: 118cm
Body Fat: 40.1%
BMI: 38.5
Current Details:
__________________
24 Feb 2014
W: 66.5kg (144lb)
Waist: 73cm
Hips: 88cm
Thigh: 48cm
Bust: 87cm
Body Fat: 28.8%
BMI: 24.7
Changes:
_________________
19months
-53.5kg(-117lb)
Waist: -34cm
Hips: -34cm
Thigh: -25cm
Bust: -31cm
Body Fat: -23%
BMI: -22.3 (Obese Class 2 to Normal)
I better not forget to mention the following:
Mobility issues and numbness - gone!
Fatigue - gone!
Fibromyalgia - gone!
Heat Sensitivity - gone! (its Summer here in Aust and I'm finally loving it)
Brain Fog - gone!
Brain Lesions on MRI - Small ones gone! Big Ones 1/2 the size!
On June 7th 2013, I was rushed to Emergency with stroke like symptoms.
My whole right side of my body unresponsive..
I agreed was a little "fat" but I was only 38, way too young for a stroke!
After MRI's and Blood tests and Physio and I dunno how many other people stopping in to get a poke at me..
Being familiar with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) as my sister had been diagnosed in the same hospital only a few months earlier I look at the Neuro and said.. "Do you think it could be MS?? - He umm'ed and ahhh'ed a bit.. looked at the tests and said " yep.. i think you are right"
So there I was.. 120kg (260lb) 38yrs old, unable to walk or feed myself properly, and a diagnosis of a debilitating illness that was only going to get worse.
I took straight to Dr Google and looked up all the alternative treatments, and read all the info on the available meds, i hit forums, and chat boards and even wikipedia!
In my crawling I discovered a website by a Local Naturopath who had been diag with MS 5 years prior, but using a natural approach had no symptoms.
http://www.naturalmstreatment.com/
With an open mind, I made an appointment with the Naturopath, and also with a Neurologist.
The appointment with the Neuro was very scripted, "You have MS... There is nothing we can do... Take this medication to slow it down... see you in 12 months"
The Neuro gave me a script for Copaxone (a common daily injection for slowing the progress of MS) which I started on in October 2013
My first appointment with the Naturopath was in August 2013 and it was positive and inspiring.. I immediately started making small changes to my diet to follow her advice.
I rejoined MFP on the 31st October 2013 and started logging my food, and sticking to a 1200Cal diet. By then I had been on the weightloss path for about 12 weeks and weighed in at 102.2kg (224lb).
Through Nov and Dec 2013, my movement had returned to my right side (with just a little bit of numbness) so i had started to do small amounts of exercise (30 min on treadmill every couple of days)
On the 20th November 2013 - I cracked the 100kg mark weighing in at 99.5kg (218lb)
At Christmas in 2013.. i snuck into Mum's room and tried on her size 16 jeans
(bonus.. they fit) - weight 96.5kg (212lb)
On the 26th Jan 2014 - Along with a friend I completed the MS Colour Dash.. a 5km walk
I was so proud.. i walk 5km and then "hung out" in the city for the rest of the day.
to think 6 months earlier.. i could not walk.
In that same week I joined an MFP challenge called Trim Taut and Terrific Aussies and set myself a goal of 89.9Kg (197lb) by 14th April (underwear pics from challenge down further)
Challenge Start Details
______________________
Height:163cm
Starting Weight:95kg
Starting Date:20.01.14
Goal Weight:>90kg (so 89.9 or better)
Starting Measurements:
Bicep:36cm
Bust: 110cm (20E)
Waist:98cm
Hips:116 cm
Thigh:65cm
_______________________________
Needless to say.. I smashed the challenge
By week 5 of the Challenge I weighed 89.5(189lb) and was under the 200lb mark!!!At the end of the Challenge at 14th April 2014
Today's Weight: 84.6kg
Total Weight: 10.1kg (23lb)
Today's Measurements:
Bicep: 31cm (-5cm)
Chest: 101cm (-9cm)
Waist: 87cm (-11cm )
Hips: 107cm (-9cm)
Thigh: 56cm (-9cm)
May 2014 (just before my 39th birthday - I needed new clothes
Hello Size 14!!
82.2kg(181lb)
23rd July 2014
77.0kg(169lb)
Size 12 clothes
Sept 2014 - its time for my 12month MRI to check the progression of my MS.
But as you can see.. i kicked its butt!!!
I never realized how bad FAT looks on an MRI till I made the compare pic
October 2014 and It was time to celebrate..
New Clothes.. (size 10 tops - 12 skinny Jeans)
and My first time in a dress for 20 years!!
73.9Kg (162.5lb)
November 2014
Holidays with the family.. and more energy than i can use!!
70.2kg(154.5lb)
Jan 2013
Another new dress, new work clother and a new me with attached FitBit!!
66.7kg(147lb)
And now we get to yesterday!!!!
Neuro: "I've never seen improvement like this in an MRI"
Me: "I've decided to bite the bullet and try going med free"
So thats it.. Today is DAY 1 without the MS Meds.. and what a ride it has been..
Here is all the details!!
Starting Details:
_________________
7th June 2013
W: 120kg (260lbs)
Body Fat: 52%
BMI: 47
Start MFP:
__________________
31 Oct 2013
W: 102.2 (224lb)
Waist: 107cm
Hips: 122cm
Thigh: 73cm
Bust: 118cm
Body Fat: 40.1%
BMI: 38.5
Current Details:
__________________
24 Feb 2014
W: 66.5kg (144lb)
Waist: 73cm
Hips: 88cm
Thigh: 48cm
Bust: 87cm
Body Fat: 28.8%
BMI: 24.7
Changes:
_________________
19months
-53.5kg(-117lb)
Waist: -34cm
Hips: -34cm
Thigh: -25cm
Bust: -31cm
Body Fat: -23%
BMI: -22.3 (Obese Class 2 to Normal)
I better not forget to mention the following:
Mobility issues and numbness - gone!
Fatigue - gone!
Fibromyalgia - gone!
Heat Sensitivity - gone! (its Summer here in Aust and I'm finally loving it)
Brain Fog - gone!
Brain Lesions on MRI - Small ones gone! Big Ones 1/2 the size!
247
Replies
-
Outstanding accomplishment!!!!4
-
WOW, one of the BEST stories I have read on here. Congratulations!!!
3 -
Wow!! Awesome work!!1
-
Great job!0
-
You're incredible, way to get it!0
-
You are amazing.0
-
That is such an inspirational story! Thank you for sharing, and congratulations on an amazing job!0
-
I'm reading this on the train on my way home from work with tears in my eyes. I'm just so happy for you and glad to have seen the transformation along the way as one of your MFP friends.
Congratulations and be proud, you have done an amazing job of healing yourself from the inside out!! Brilliant!!0 -
Bravo bravo, you are beautiful and so strong2
-
What an unbelievable achievement! ! You look great but most of all you are healthy. Inspirational x x 0
-
Wow fantastic story and what a wonderful accomplishment! Very inspiring
0 -
STUNNING0
-
Brilliant - my hubby has been looking down the MS road for the past 15 months.
- Did you make any significant changes to your diet that you think may have helped the MS symptoms?
Well done2 -
You are such an inspiration!0
-
AMAZING!! What an inspirational story. Well done0
-
Awesome effort, awesome result! Well done0
-
Brilliant - my hubby has been looking down the MS road for the past 15 months.
- Did you make any significant changes to your diet that you think may have helped the MS symptoms?
Well done
Thanx Everyone for the positive feedback..
I believe all the changes to my diet had an effect on my symptoms. Weight loss was the side effect.. symptoms going away was the actual result.
If you want to look at Diets for MS.. Have a look at the Terry Whals Diet (http://terrywahls.com/)
or if you are in Australia you can contact my Naturopath at
http://www.wellnessguru.com.au/
or see information on her plan here http://www.naturalmstreatment.com/
The Main features of the diet are
100% Dairy Free (that includes Yoghurt, Milk, Cheese etc and anything with Milk Protein, Whey, Casein etc on the label (see here for more items http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=37)
Gluten Free where possible
No Added Sugar
No Artificial Anythings (colors, preservatives, flavors, sweeteners etc)
No Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats)
Consuming 9 Cups of Fruit and Veggies per day
3 cups from Leafy Greens family, 3 cups of brightly colored fruit (including berries) and veggies and 3 cups from the sulfur family (cabbage, cauli, broc, onion, garlic etc)
You also need to remove from your diet any foods that upset your tummy..
so in my case there is a lot more foods I could not eat.
including Fish/Shellfish, Mushrooms and most Fruits
Basically its the Paleo diet..
Make everything from scratch and get rid of the packet foods
My Diary is open to friends.. and I have logged nearly every day since Nov 2013 - i missed one day 416 days ago
Add me if you want to have a look
Allie
6 -
So inspiring! Your family must be so happy that you chose your health and worked so hard to be healthy! My sister is morbidly obese and killing herself with diabetes, and heart disease. I wish she could read this. She is under the impression that diet and exercise are pointless for her diseases and has settled on a (most likely shortened) life of medications, and inactivity.0
-
Well done! Amazing results!0
-
I am literally crying tears of joy for you! What an amazing, inspiring story. I love the way you were so proactive and went beyond what the neuro dr. Prescribed. Every neurologist should read your story. Isn't it amazing how good our bodies are to us when we finally do right by them?!!!
GOOD ON YOU, lovely lady. Enjoy every moment of the good health you've achieved for yourself!0 -
Holy crap! Good for you - congratulations on your success!1
-
So amazing and inspiring!!! Thanks for sharing your story 1
-
Wow! That is amazing! Good for you!!!1
-
You are awesome friend!0
-
OUTSTANDING!!! this story has motivated me so much.. thankyou thankyou thankyou fo sharing.. its people like you that helps you to keep going even when you dont see any results for yourself!0
-
Wow!! Amazing! You look great!! You have an inspiring story! So glad you're feeling so much better! All your hard work has so been WORTH it!!!0
-
Wow! An amazing journey. What you have done is proof there is hope. I hope the MS society is able to use stories like this to inspire others to find their path to health.0
-
This is so inspiring to read and to learn from your on-going successful journey. I have 2 loved ones who have MS and it is an insidious, usually progressive disease. I am so happy for you that you have found a way that works for you - what a wonderful example for us all!1
-
Wow, wow and double Wow! You look fanFlippinTastic! What a great story and congratulation on all your successes. 1
-
Amazing job!1
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.5K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 427 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions
Do you Love MyFitnessPal? Have you crushed a goal or improved your life through better nutrition using MyFitnessPal?
Share your success and inspire others. Leave us a review on Apple Or Google Play stores!
Share your success and inspire others. Leave us a review on Apple Or Google Play stores!