Really need some advice
desmith1982
Posts: 28
I am not here for sympathy nor am I here to argue as seems to happen every time I post a topic. I have a legitimate question that needs a legitimate answer. Some backstory will be required so here goes.
Earlier this year, I finally got to the point that I had to take my calories down to well below 1200 to lose weight because my metabolism is so bad. I have never been diagnosed, but I strongly believe I have hypothyroidism. When I first started, I weighed 450 pounds and I was told by MFP to eat 2450 calories a day to lose 2 lbs a week. I did this and gained a ton of weight. I brought it down to 2000 calories a day. Still gained. Finally took it down to about 1800 and stayed steady so I finally brought it down to 1650 and started to lose weight. Slowly but surely, I've had to decrease my calorie count until around January, it finally went down to about 700 a day. This is all on top of exercising over an hour 7 days a week. Walking is the only thing I can do due to tremendous hip and back pain and even still, I hurt like crazy when I stop.
Anyway, I lost weight steadily until about 2 weeks ago. I didn't hit a plateau, I hit a wall. Pure and simple. 700 calories a day and 72 minutes of exercise a day and I couldn't lose any more weight. At the advice of a friend, I decided to try upping my calories to the minimum 1200 and drinking more water. He used an analogy about cars not having enough fluids to run properly that I can't remember at the moment because my mind is hazy right now.
Now here's where I need some advice, since increasing my calories to 1200 a day, which has been a real struggle trying to find calories that aren't loaded with sugar or salt but I've done it. I also started taking a multivitamin as well as a Cinnamon supplement for sugar metabolism. What's strange is that since doing this, I've felt absolutely terrible each day and it gets worse and worse each day. I can't think clearly most of the time. I hurt worse than ever. I feel bloated and very gassy. I have chest pains which feels like air pushing in my chest and trying to get out and at this point when I get on the treadmill, my chest feels like it's gonna explode 90 seconds into my workout. Starting today, I've developed a constant feeling of a lump in my throat to the point that my airway feels like it's gonna close any second.
I need to know what I can do about this. Seeing a doctor is out of the question as I'm unemployed and have no medical insurance. I just can't understand why increasing my calories has made me feel so much worse. I keep track of my vitamins and mineral intake and since increasing the calories, I've started meeting all my vitamin needs, with the exception of iron which I still get about 60% daily. I also am down to less than 1200 mg sodium daily and I'm usually less than 50 g sugar and of that 50 g, anywhere from 40-45 of it is natural sugar from fruits.
Earlier this year, I finally got to the point that I had to take my calories down to well below 1200 to lose weight because my metabolism is so bad. I have never been diagnosed, but I strongly believe I have hypothyroidism. When I first started, I weighed 450 pounds and I was told by MFP to eat 2450 calories a day to lose 2 lbs a week. I did this and gained a ton of weight. I brought it down to 2000 calories a day. Still gained. Finally took it down to about 1800 and stayed steady so I finally brought it down to 1650 and started to lose weight. Slowly but surely, I've had to decrease my calorie count until around January, it finally went down to about 700 a day. This is all on top of exercising over an hour 7 days a week. Walking is the only thing I can do due to tremendous hip and back pain and even still, I hurt like crazy when I stop.
Anyway, I lost weight steadily until about 2 weeks ago. I didn't hit a plateau, I hit a wall. Pure and simple. 700 calories a day and 72 minutes of exercise a day and I couldn't lose any more weight. At the advice of a friend, I decided to try upping my calories to the minimum 1200 and drinking more water. He used an analogy about cars not having enough fluids to run properly that I can't remember at the moment because my mind is hazy right now.
Now here's where I need some advice, since increasing my calories to 1200 a day, which has been a real struggle trying to find calories that aren't loaded with sugar or salt but I've done it. I also started taking a multivitamin as well as a Cinnamon supplement for sugar metabolism. What's strange is that since doing this, I've felt absolutely terrible each day and it gets worse and worse each day. I can't think clearly most of the time. I hurt worse than ever. I feel bloated and very gassy. I have chest pains which feels like air pushing in my chest and trying to get out and at this point when I get on the treadmill, my chest feels like it's gonna explode 90 seconds into my workout. Starting today, I've developed a constant feeling of a lump in my throat to the point that my airway feels like it's gonna close any second.
I need to know what I can do about this. Seeing a doctor is out of the question as I'm unemployed and have no medical insurance. I just can't understand why increasing my calories has made me feel so much worse. I keep track of my vitamins and mineral intake and since increasing the calories, I've started meeting all my vitamin needs, with the exception of iron which I still get about 60% daily. I also am down to less than 1200 mg sodium daily and I'm usually less than 50 g sugar and of that 50 g, anywhere from 40-45 of it is natural sugar from fruits.
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Replies
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Bump the calories back up again. Now! You are miserable and suffering for no good reason. Your body needs fuel and is screaming for it.0
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The lump in your airway reminds me of a food allergy. I get that when I'm exposed to peanuts. Are you allergic to cinnamon?0
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Also, I strongly urge you to see a doctor. Even if not allergy, it doesn't sound right. I know you are unemployed with no insurance, but I imagine your life would be more important than a few medical bills...0
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The lump in your airway reminds me of a food allergy. I get that when I'm exposed to peanuts. Are you allergic to cinnamon?
Highly unlikely. I've been taking the cinnamon supplements for months with no problems.0 -
Another suggestion...anxiety?
Also, you can develop an allergy to anything at ANY point.0 -
Forget the supplements. They're not doing you any good. Get yourself to a county clinic where they will charge you little-to-no money for a checkup. In the meantime, eat something!0
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I applaud you for your effort but "Get thee to a Dr.!!" (or at least a nutritionist!!) All those symptoms sound very scary, like you are on the edge of a heart attack or you might have angina. See link: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/angina/
Until you do get to some authority on health, stay slow and steady and stop when your body starts to talk to you, until you know it is ok to power through the discomfort. You didn't mention your current weight, but with all who carry extra ( I am no exception!) we have to be careful of our joints and ligaments. You also want to make sure that your core is supported with a girdle or band of some sort that still allows movement. This might help your back as well. Our bodies have to last our lifetime so be thoughtful about the movement. Have you tried swimming or aqua aerobics? The public pools are not expensive or the local YMCA may have a pool. It never hurts to ask the manager for a reduced rate. People more often then not, want to help.
Good luck and get some professional input! You are worth it!0 -
You are worth it!
Yes!0 -
So, what you can do is change up the calories..
Sun - 1200
Mon - 1000
Tue - 1400
Wed - 1100
Thur - 1300
Fri - 1000
Sat - 1200
You average out to a little under 1200 daily and it'll give your metabolism a much needed kick start.
Don't be afraid of calories if you're going to burn them out that day. Remember that in order to have a healthy body it needs to be fueled.0 -
Finally took it down to about 1800 and stayed steady so I finally brought it down to 1650 and started to lose weight. Slowly but surely, I've had to decrease my calorie count until around January, it finally went down to about 700 a day. This is all on top of exercising over an hour 7 days a week. Walking is the only thing I can do due to tremendous hip and back pain and even still, I hurt like crazy when I stop.
Anyway, I lost weight steadily until about 2 weeks ago. I didn't hit a plateau, I hit a wall. Pure and simple. 700 calories a day and 72 minutes of exercise a day and I couldn't lose any more weight. At the advice of a friend, I decided to try upping my calories to the minimum 1200 and drinking more water. He used an analogy about cars not having enough fluids to run properly that I can't remember at the moment because my mind is hazy right now.
1) If you were losing weight at 1650 why did you go down to 700?
700 calories a day is not enough
1200 calories a day is not enough
Pure and simple.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013
2) Go to a doctor. Cancel your internet subscription and get medical insurance. I left my TV behind 3 years ago to save money and haven't looked back. You need to make some sacrifices to get insurance because you NEED it.0 -
So, what you can do is change up the calories..
Sun - 1200
Mon - 1000
Tue - 1400
Wed - 1100
Thur - 1300
Fri - 1000
Sat - 1200
You average out to a little under 1200 daily and it'll give your metabolism a much needed kick start.
Don't be afraid of calories if you're going to burn them out that day. Remember that in order to have a healthy body it needs to be fueled.
Also, the other MFP users are correct, get to a doctor because in your attempt to get healthy you might have damaged something else. Everything measured is alright but when we take it to an extreme it can kill us.
Just go get a check up, best case scenario he congratulates you on your weight loss0 -
Here's what I'm considering. I'm debating stopping the diet until May 1st. I will try to eat my daily limit of calories for my weight which is currently about 1700. I will not use my treadmill at the same pace I've been doing, if at all. If I use it, it'll be at like 2 MPH, 30 minutes a day(15 minutes twice a day) with no incline and like I said, I'll keep this up until the 1st of May.0
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I am very, very, gravely concerned about multiple things you've said in your post. You absolutely must see a physician. I'm not sure what your current weight is, but embarking on an exercise regime/VLCD without medical supervision is dangerous.. I am particularly concerned re: your reference to "feeling like my heart is going to explode" and feelings of shortness of breath/airway constriction. The issues you are describing are far, far to complex and potentially fatal and are not appropriate for an MFP msg board. When you have chest pain you need to go to the emergency department. I am sorry you are struggling with financial issues/unemployment and I commend you for continuing to try to better your health with weight loss and exercise, but I can't emphasize enough the need to seek professional medical consultation immediately.0
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Here's what I'm considering. I'm debating stopping the diet until May 1st. I will try to eat my daily limit of calories for my weight which is currently about 1700. I will not use my treadmill at the same pace I've been doing, if at all. If I use it, it'll be at like 2 MPH, 30 minutes a day(15 minutes twice a day) with no incline and like I said, I'll keep this up until the 1st of May.
In other words, she isn't going to see a doctor, and in 4 days, she'll be back to eating 700 calories per day.
I tried. I'm out.0 -
Hi
You have been going through the mill and I applaud you for keeping going and not giving up. Well done. I don't know how long you have been doing this or how long you have been at a stand still but you probably like me have had the weight for a long time which takes time but much shorter to lose. With your symptoms of course seeing a doctor is always first but if you cant I would see the combinations of foods that you are taking together. I do know that having carbs with fruit can at times give you bloating and gas. As fruit is best eaten on its on with at least 20mins either way. Its the way it digests. Also what is in your food and where its coming from. I don't know if you are having diet drinks that is a major give for some of what you are feeling as well.
I hope you find a solution quickly that will help you. I think you will also get some insight to what's in our food by this YouTube link very eye opening.
http://www.infowars.com/food-the-ultimate-secret-exposed/
Sending you good thoughts0 -
Now here's where I need some advice, since increasing my calories to 1200 a day, which has been a real struggle trying to find calories that aren't loaded with sugar or salt but I've done it.
I can't answer any of the more important questions or issues in your post... but I can address this! there are lots of nutrient and calorie dense foods that aren't salty or sugary, here's some of my favorite:
Avocado
Nuts (unsalted, obviously) and nut butters
full-fat dairy products
olive oil (there are other healthy oils, too)
eggs (not that high in calories 1 at a time, but 2-3 scrambled or in am omelet packs in lots of goodness)
eating healthy doesn't mean keeping everything low-calorie. it's totally ok to have more "fattening" foods, just watch portion sizes and work that into your goal.0 -
I am very, very, gravely concerned about multiple things you've said in your post. You absolutely must see a physician. I'm not sure what your current weight is, but embarking on an exercise regime/VLCD without medical supervision is dangerous.. I am particularly concerned re: your reference to "feeling like my heart is going to explode" and feelings of shortness of breath/airway constriction. The issues you are describing are far, far to complex and potentially fatal and are not appropriate for an MFP msg board. When you have chest pain you need to go to the emergency department. I am sorry you are struggling with financial issues/unemployment and I commend you for continuing to try to better your health with weight loss and exercise, but I can't emphasize enough the need to seek professional medical consultation immediately.
^^Best advice you're going to get.
Stop dieting and working out. Cut out some money on stuff like internet and TV and the gym and for Heaven's sake go to a doctor!0 -
Here's what I'm considering. I'm debating stopping the diet until May 1st. I will try to eat my daily limit of calories for my weight which is currently about 1700. I will not use my treadmill at the same pace I've been doing, if at all. If I use it, it'll be at like 2 MPH, 30 minutes a day(15 minutes twice a day) with no incline and like I said, I'll keep this up until the 1st of May.
In other words, she isn't going to see a doctor, and in 4 days, she'll be back to eating 700 calories per day.
I tried. I'm out.
^^^^ Agree. I have an expression, "I can't care more then you do"0 -
Here's what I'm considering. I'm debating stopping the diet until May 1st. I will try to eat my daily limit of calories for my weight which is currently about 1700. I will not use my treadmill at the same pace I've been doing, if at all. If I use it, it'll be at like 2 MPH, 30 minutes a day(15 minutes twice a day) with no incline and like I said, I'll keep this up until the 1st of May.
In other words, she isn't going to see a doctor, and in 4 days, she'll be back to eating 700 calories per day.
I tried. I'm out.
^^^^ Agree. I have an expression, "I can't care more then you do"
Yup.0 -
OK, so here's my two cents... I went to the dr. 2 weeks ago with stomach pain, gassy all the time, bloating, unable to lose weight, and I also had a weird lump in my throat (almost like a skin tag). I found out a ton of stuff at that appointment. Most of the issues were caused by stress and anxiety, although I did have ulcers, and my thyroid was "sluggish" My vitamin D levels were extremely low. The most important thing I learned though, was that I am lactose intolerant, and cutting out gluten would be a big help to my thyroid. SOOOOO, I was given 2 weeks of antibiotics for the ulcers, a pill for thyroid, a pill for depression, and one more pill once a week for vitamin d (it is a high dosage 50,000 units once a week for 6 months). On top of that, I immediately cut out dairy and gluten. The dietary changes have made all the difference in the world!!! I am eating tons of fruits and veggies, lean proteins, nuts, and drinking only water, and tons of it (I aim for a gallon a day)
I agree with the other posts in that you need more calories, and should do whatever you can to see a doctor. Check with your city and see if there is a free or low cost clinic that you can go to. Feel free to add me, view my diaries, and ask any questions. I am in no means trying to diagnose you, I just noticed alot of the same symptoms I was having. It has been 2 weeks today, and on top of feeling better, I have lost 9 pounds and have tons more energy!0 -
Obviously people are not too please with your plan. Get to a Doctor.0
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There are resources that can help people who are financially unable to see a doctor. Free clinics and financial assistance at most hospitals.If I were having chest pain like that, I would be in the Emergency room. Yesterday. Just walk in and talk to them about financial assistance. Eat at maintenance until you do!0
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MFP is no substitute for a doctor and heart trouble can be serious( deadly , as a matter of fact). As one who has been successful at a significant weight loss I only give you my opinion of my experiences and I am not a doctor. I do know that below 1200 calories is not good in any form as it will lead to a host of complications. You cannot get the proper nutrition you need. You can take a look at my diary for ideas as I eat between 1200 and 1400 calories. I lost most of my weight on a 1200 calorie diet. I started exercising for only 15 minutes a day on the treadmill at 2.2 MPH. I paid strict attention to my heart rate and never strained myself by never getting mt HR over 150 and I slowly worked my way up to running an hour and pool exercise for an hour. HOWEVER, I was seeing a doctor and having blood tests and being checked for any difficulties. I did not have any breathing problems or pain. I certainly would not continue on a plan with the difficulties that you are describing. If you check out my diary you will notice that I eat gluten free.0
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If you think you are hypothyroid and you have what feels like a lump in your throat it could be a goiter. Which means you need to dr to see if you need to be on thyroid hormone replacement. I can tell you losing weight without treatment will be hard because your thyroid is a major player in your metabolism. If you need help getting medical insurance, go to www.healthcare.gov and it can take you through steps to try and get insured. Or go to the Dr. and try and borrow the money to pay for the intial visit. You need it! Get you thyroid levels tested. Also, you can try an go gluten free, I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and I have gone about 80% gluten (because I still cheat and I am not celiac, just intolerant) and I feel tons better! But I urge you until you take care of your medical problems you will not get any where on your weight. Oh and good supplements a good multivitamin, omega 3s, & Vitamin D-3 and EAT MORE!!0
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BTW, you heart issues could be related to thyroid problems too! GO TO A DR0
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What you need to do is you need to open a new tab in your browser and do a search for directions to the nearest emergency room or clinic. Then pick up your keys and drive there. It is better to be in debt than be dead. Do it now.0
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