Off the Meds! (inc lots of pics)

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1456810

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  • MaggieTor3
    MaggieTor3 Posts: 49 Member
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    Thank you for sharing. You look good in your pictures, but what's maybe more important is that you look happy. Good for you!
  • HannahMCrain
    HannahMCrain Posts: 13 Member
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    Incredible. My sister has MS and this gives me so much hope. I hope your health continues to improve. ❤️
  • Nausicca55
    Nausicca55 Posts: 56 Member
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    Wow. Just wow. You look fantastic and you're truly an inspiration!
  • Melisandray
    Melisandray Posts: 40 Member
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    Wow, you are an inspiration to us all! Congratulations!
  • RhondaJean1966
    RhondaJean1966 Posts: 8 Member
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    Wow, what a story. Congratulations!!!
  • 120poundstogo
    120poundstogo Posts: 700 Member
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    What a big difference! I like your fade picture.
  • damiansinc
    damiansinc Posts: 70 Member
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    You're awesome! Just awesome
  • Ladina1990
    Ladina1990 Posts: 137 Member
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    Your story almost literally made me cry! I am so proud and happy for you! You a true inspiration
  • jen_bush
    jen_bush Posts: 679 Member
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    You are so inspiring! So many people would have made an excuse for themselves and step one foot in grave, but you got up and beat its bum! I am truly amazed! WOW
  • HippySkoppy
    HippySkoppy Posts: 725 Member
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    @bigldesigns - simply awe inspiring. One of the best success stories ever. I simply love the fact that you have improved your health so much and kicked MS to the curb.

    If you ever get the chance to up-date us further that would be wonderful. <3
  • ZRx4
    ZRx4 Posts: 158 Member
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    Way to grab life and take control! Get it girl! You look effin awesome! :smiley:
  • gldmathis
    gldmathis Posts: 1 Member
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    Thank you for sharing. Am just getting started. I needed that.
  • RonSwanson123
    RonSwanson123 Posts: 7 Member
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    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.


    hfg0delw5zek.jpg
    680s8ymc8dmk.jpg


    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.




    emnytl2r5ymw.jpg

    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)



    pjqfx1vgjx7w.jpg



    At Christmas in 2013.. i snuck into Mum's room and tried on her size 16 jeans
    (bonus.. they fit) - weight 96.5kg (212lb)


    u23xh7sxkenx.jpg
    1rdv1njzp068.jpg



    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 :smiley: 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)




    kgnrqi5rd95s.jpg


    May 2014 (just before my 39th birthday - I needed new clothes
    Hello Size 14!!
    82.2kg(181lb)




    o0m3isr1exui.jpg

    23rd July 2014
    77.0kg(169lb)
    Size 12 clothes



    ukpddqr6ljel.jpg
    ammmq8attmz1.jpg



    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



    186pxlsn7ss0.jpg


    gti2f44tg369.jpg
    pqzep9utvilr.jpg


    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)



    a90k3ztgwi06.jpg
    nyew7gu0qgvd.jpg
    ed72n09xxzui.jpg



    November 2014
    Holidays with the family.. and more energy than i can use!!
    70.2kg(154.5lb)



    9me4odzbvsji.jpg
    bb42oathd8ps.jpg
    ocwg4lxsyrgd.jpg
    nccqgzndzcpd.jpg



    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!



    ywt4s3n7wh6b.jpg


    347zbsuz5w5a.gif





    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.


    hfg0delw5zek.jpg
    680s8ymc8dmk.jpg


    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.




    emnytl2r5ymw.jpg

    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)



    pjqfx1vgjx7w.jpg



    At Christmas in 2013.. i snuck into Mum's room and tried on her size 16 jeans
    (bonus.. they fit) - weight 96.5kg (212lb)


    u23xh7sxkenx.jpg
    1rdv1njzp068.jpg



    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 :smiley: 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)




    kgnrqi5rd95s.jpg


    May 2014 (just before my 39th birthday - I needed new clothes
    Hello Size 14!!
    82.2kg(181lb)




    o0m3isr1exui.jpg

    23rd July 2014
    77.0kg(169lb)
    Size 12 clothes



    ukpddqr6ljel.jpg
    ammmq8attmz1.jpg



    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



    186pxlsn7ss0.jpg


    gti2f44tg369.jpg
    pqzep9utvilr.jpg


    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)



    a90k3ztgwi06.jpg
    nyew7gu0qgvd.jpg
    ed72n09xxzui.jpg



    November 2014
    Holidays with the family.. and more energy than i can use!!
    70.2kg(154.5lb)



    9me4odzbvsji.jpg
    bb42oathd8ps.jpg
    ocwg4lxsyrgd.jpg
    nccqgzndzcpd.jpg



    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!



    ywt4s3n7wh6b.jpg


    347zbsuz5w5a.gif






  • RonSwanson123
    RonSwanson123 Posts: 7 Member
    Options
    You are an inspiration!!
  • 2011rocket3touring
    2011rocket3touring Posts: 1,346 Member
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    First gonna get this out of the way... Hellloooooo Nurse!
    You look amazing, the transformation breathtaking. Story was beautiful and inspiring!
  • zazazik
    zazazik Posts: 53 Member
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    WOW, I know how difficult it must have been and how much courage it took to achieve your success. I also have MS and I am trying to eat better and hopefully lose some weight. Thank you for the inspiration and for showing me what can be accomplished if I stick to it.
  • UsaJewels05
    UsaJewels05 Posts: 229 Member
    Options
    Wow! You go girl! You look great!
  • nowornever0430
    nowornever0430 Posts: 100 Member
    Options
    WOW!! Just WOW!!! You have done amazing things!! Congratulations!!
  • Fairysoul
    Fairysoul Posts: 1,361 Member
    Options
    That's amazing!!!!! Woo hoo you rock!
  • creativecritters77
    creativecritters77 Posts: 19 Member
    Options
    That is absolutely amazing! Good for you! You look awesome (and I'm betting you feel pretty awesome too)!
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