I have lupus...

Ilovepeppers
Ilovepeppers Posts: 396 Member
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
One of the characteristics of this condition is chronic extreme fatigue.. I sleep about 12 hours a night (usually 11pm to 11am). And I nap for about an hour in the afternoon. Because of this I find it very hard to easy more than 1000 calories a day without eating junk food. I also cannot eat soy or dairy so my diet is mainly fruit, veggies and some grains plus nuts and beans. Is this lack of calories going to hurt me? Its impossible to wake up earlier or skip a nap without randomly falling asleep or not being functional.. Please help!!

Replies

  • TaraMaria
    TaraMaria Posts: 1,975
    Oh hunny! I'm so sorry! :o( I have fibromyalgia and antiphospholipid disease. The APS is a cousin of Lupus actually. I completely understand your exhaustion. So many nights I can't fall asleep because of being over exhausted or in too much pain. Then the next morning I'm just in agony. I will say that in the past year of my weight loss, my biggest plateaus were due to me not eating enough. :o( However, it took a while for the different weight loss standstills to happen. What does your doctor suggest? My doctors weren't very helpful but I always hope other's docs are better.

    Can you drink rice milk? Is there anyways you could drink a protein shake? I have one that I mix with water that helps add water and protein. How has your weight loss been going? I see 12 pounds so far and that is amazing! Have you been loosing weight steadily?
  • kelika71
    kelika71 Posts: 778 Member
    My mom had Lupus (SLE) and I have MS. I'm all too familiar with fatigue. I know it sucks!!
    I wish I knew if it would hurt you or not with the calories. I would think maybe talking to a nutritionist might help? Since you're sleeping more than the average person, your calorie intake could be less. Of course, there's that "magic" 1200 number. I dunno.

    I'd also suggest talking to your doctor about the fatigue. There are things that can be taken to help. The first one didn't help me, but the second one did.

    I wish you all the best!!!
    If you want to add me, please feel free. :)
  • Ilovepeppers
    Ilovepeppers Posts: 396 Member
    No advice from docs so I'm at a loss. I have been trying to lose weight since dec. 29 and so far I'm down 12.. Almost a pound a day which really worries me. Thanks for the advice you've both given me! I know its sometimes somewhat of a guessing game so its nice to know I'm not all alone.
  • themommie
    themommie Posts: 5,033 Member
    I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue along with hypothyroid so I know all about being exhausted and being in pain. All you can do is do your best. Maybe a protein powder or smoothies would help. You have to find what works for you. Hang in there. You can do this
  • kelika71
    kelika71 Posts: 778 Member
    I'd definitely get with a nutritionist, then. If you're losing a lb. a day, that's too much and is cause for worry. Which, worry isn't something you need with Lupus! I'm sure you already know that, hon.
  • jdmacfam
    jdmacfam Posts: 26
    First thing that came to mind was a fruit smoothie made with lowfat frozen yogurt! Yum! You definitely need to take some vitamins and possibly try some fish oil. The smoothie would help you get the calories you need without all the fat if it were made w/ icecream and it will be fast and easy to make. Plus, with it being cold, it might help wake you up a little bit! I'm having one of these for dinner tonight! Yum Yum Yum!!!
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