Losing weight whilst battling illness?

I have similar to lupus it's an auto immune disease I take steroids which are murder when trying to lose weight. Tried weight watchers but got no where, this app is brilliant only week 1 but I've lost 3lb, which I'm very happy with

I have an auto immune disease (IgA Nephropathy) and a kidney transplant last August. I'm on steroids (prednisone) and immune suppressants. I also go in tomorrow for a major hernia repair. I've 25 lbs so far. It is difficult with prednisone because it makes you feel so hungry. Literally I have to just measure everything out and not let myself eat any more despite feeling hungry.

You can add me as a friend. I have a rare disease called Alport Syndrome, and I'm almost 15 years out from my kidney transplant. In addition, I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, migraines, parathyroid growths, ibs, and I'm talking to a surgeon on Monday about gallbladder removal.

I have a friend with MS. He manages the symptoms with meditation, so instead of staying in bed all day watching tv when his symptoms flare up, he wakes up three hours early and spend a few hours alone, passing attention to his breathing and clearing his mind and body of stress. He designed himself a diet of whole, healthy foods that help him feel better. He takes no medication, except the kind that helps with meditation, but you'll have to go to Colorado for that.

I wish I had followed his example years ago. I used to be a little resentful that I would always have to take medications, but my path is different, as is yours. I've cleaned up my diet and stopped overeating because I don't want to be in pain anymore. I'm giving up ice cream because I want to feel better (and it's working). I'm becoming mindful enough to recognize the times when I need to set-top and pay attention to myself. When I notice racing thoughts, I concentrate on my breathing, and make room for newer, more positive thoughts. I've started a yoga practice because I want to feel better. My body aches even more when I don't use it. I'm gentler with myself, and I'm gentler with other people.

It's hard. Life is hard. It's a practice, not a spectator sport. I always said my mind was too scattered for meditation and my body was too weak, but when you start small and just choose to do it, ten seconds will turn into "holy cow! This is awesome!"

I don't see myself ever meditating the hours a day, but a couple months ago, I wouldn't have seen myself even attempting any of this. You can do it!

Hi, yes it's prednisone I take.. They are also trying me on a maintaining drug called mycophenolate mofetil, to suppress my immune system.. It is very difficult to try and lose weight as I feel "steroid hungry" all the time! Thankfully (or not) my husband is needing to lose weight too, so we are trying together.. I am more than happy to become friends with you all, please add me xx

Good for you guys! For all of us battling serious illnesses this shows that you can do it. Im down over 50 lbs to close to my ideal weight now. Took me 9 months. Im in a wheelchair to move but can stand sometimes but not walk. Ms is tough on me but i cut out junk food, most carbs and alcohol and eat much less. I feel much better and thats the most important. Dave

Not quite as serious as some but I am dealing with interstitial cystitis, chronic kidney stones/infections, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, and depression. I am lucky that I have... less severe... versions of IC and my mental illnesses. The IC is the hardest part because it is only partially controlled currently through pain meds, diet, and PT.

I am a bit worried because IC is often found in conjunction with lots of other issues such as fibro, RA, CF, and others... and lately I have been having a lot of issues that could fall under fibro and CF. So a bit scared that my list is going to get longer.

I have panhypopituitarism (adrenal insufficiency, adult growth hormone deficiency, etc.) and take hydrocortisone and a lot of other meds daily. I have lost 19 pounds since last July. I have a lot more weight to lose to reach my goal. I am happy to see the successes of others on this thread! I have set my goals to have a 2 pound loss per week, but I haven't seen a consistent loss. I am sure that increasing my dosage of growth hormone and a recent illness that required increased daily hydrocortisone intake hasn't helped.

I was measuring my food before and have begun to weigh my food. I have also started to increase my physical activity, which greatly increases my energy level! I seem to manage the steroid hunger by eating protein with fruits or vegetables and drink water throughout the day.

Feel free to add me!

Oh, plus i take Plexus which has helped me go from 1good day every 3 months to 4 good days a WEEK. it's a life changer.

Add me as a friend on here. Spoonies unite!

I have a very unusual illness called chronic ideopathic pacreatitis. Most people have acute pacreatitis and most frequently they are alcoholics. I have the pain always with acute attacks of severe pain. Noone knows why.
I have also survived three lots of cancer. Uterine thyroid and melanoma.
So yeah I know what it feels like to battle an illness and keep in trying to lose weight. It's hard, really hard, and no one will ever understand that but you. But you know what? You can do it and those bad days will still be bad but at least you are defying that illness and doing something to be proud of.
For a long time I felt that I WAS my illness. I was defined by my symptoms and pain by so very many people that I started to see myself that way too.
But I am looking forward to defining myself as that seriously buff woman in the mirror, with a new profession (I had to quit my old one) and a great life forever how long that may be.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/typical-american-diet-can-damage-immune-system
I cannot access the whole article or find the names of the scientists. Even so, I find this intriguing.
There is evidence that we can benefit from eating whole foods . . . cook at home.

FOOD FIGHT: The body's bacterial community helps train the immune system to recognize and fight off invaders. New evidence suggests that those helpful microbes don’t care for fatty, sugary or salty foods.

My gp has me on a daily probiotic.

I have COPD, which has me gasping for air, sometimes just walking from one room to another. But reading here, I am reminded that I'm fortunate just to be able to walk. I have about 130 pounds to lose, but have taken off 23 pounds since March and can see a small difference in my breathing, so I'm motivated. My niece downloaded MFP for me only a week ago and I love it!! I take Prednisone and wasn't aware that it could stoke hunger, so that's another thing I've learned here. Don't feel so alone, now that I found you all.

I have budd chiari syndrome which is a blood clot blocking the vein in my liver. It was most likely caused by polycythemia vera a rare type of chronic blood cancer.

About 2 years ago i found out i was pregnant and decided i need to live better in order to set an example to my future child.
I did prenatal yoga.
I added veggies to my diet (which is huge in my world)
Started taking vitamins daily.
Cut out red meat.
Cut out white flour, pasta, bread.
I try to incorporate new foods and foods i have always found gross like aspargus and mushrooms, weekly
I make smoothies.
I eat oatmeal damnit.
I premake meals for the week.
I freeze fresh foods before they expire.
Im trying to eliminate proccessed foods from my home (thats tough i also have a disgruntled teenaged stepson that needs processed food to survive).
I go to the gym as much as possible but i should go more.

Its frustrating being tired all of the time. Wanting to do things but napping instead. If i do what i want i lose the next day and maybe even the day after that too.
I take medication that helps but also makes me tired on top of tired.
Eating better has made the biggest difference in my health and attitude.

I thought weight would fall off just by changing my diet...nope...not an ounce.
So now i am logging my food. Hopefully this will help.
I am blessed with a husband that is supportive of the changes. Its gotta be rough on him when i say things like, "tonight we re having butternut squash and spinach lasagne"
But he knows he is benefiting from the healthy clean eating, whole foods diet.
I know things will happen once i lose weight
1. i will feel less pain and 2. The doctor's will have to stop blaming my weight and do thier damn job lol 3. I will be able to climb on park structures and go down slides with my kid and not feel like a whale of a mother that could possibly break the whole damn thing.

And yes the spoon theory is the best way to describe daily life.

NerdyNix wrote: »

annanavis wrote: »

I am not my diagnosis. I am not defined by what or how many doctors I see or how many pills I take a day.

This is an awesome way to view things. I am not defined by Lupus. I may start chanting that to myself!

I've begun to understand that there's more to it than this--in a good way! Yes, I'm more than Alport Syndrome, but I'm also a face of Alport Syndrome. I am the face of hearing impairment, renal transplantation, and mental illness. What I do tells the world what I'm capable of. My medications have become part of my body, just like the foods I eat. My body is made from what I am and what I do. I can't reverse a genetic mutation, but that doesn't mean I can't become a person who represents the potential of every human.

It sounds so silly and metaphysical, but most of my friends are disabled. I know paraplegic yoga instructors, hearing impaired singers, dyslexic academics, and a MD who happens to have Cerebral Palsy, and that's just scratching the surface. I'll be more than okay to join their ranks as "inspirations" if being a face of disability means helping people who aren't okay with it yet.