Losing weight whilst battling illness?
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That's a really great attitude to have! I definitely think you are inspirational
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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.
My 18 year old brother has that too! It is so bizarre and doctors don't have the faintest clue what to do with him! He also has some of the worst C. Diff ever seen which has never been able to be controlled, one super enlarged kidney and the other kidney is extremely undersized, liver functions that are through the roof...the poor kid basically lives in the hospital. They said they can't do any more stints in his pancreas without it totally shutting down.
My illnesses are no where are severe but they do effect my weight loss efforts. I have PCOS, endometriosis, and am hypothyroid. I also deal with depression and anxiety. In the past 18 months I have lost over 135 pounds!0 -
I am glad you posted this.. is there a group for us on MFP? i have "chronic fatigue" low immune function and maybe lyme.. i was exercising trying to lose weight but then people told me i was "doing too much" exercise is the only thing i have left it feels like.. and it is hard to lose weight i seem to reach for food at nite esp when emotionally distressed. i would love to know if there is a mfp group for us? thank you.. and keep moving forward with your journey!0
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I'm not sure if there's a group but if not we should certainly get one started it helps to hear from others with similar health issues. 0
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Lupus here, too. Combined with a heart defect and chronic migraines. Love the spoon theory. I try to make sure I have enough left to work out each evening, and if I don't, I don't borrow from the next day, because then I'm just working on a constant deficit.
I try to eat a lot of anti-inflammatory foods daily, like cherries, blueberry and ginger. I put cherries, blueberries, strawberries in yogurt and granola for breakfast, and make juice with ginger in it, or tea, so it's more palatable.
I'm currently loving Jillian Michaels 30day shred level 1 - I'm staying there and not moving on to level 2, like you're supposed to because I just don't feel like my body is ready for it yet. It's cardio, strength and abs in a 20 minute routine. It's challenging, but not too strenuous. My hands are in rough shape, so when it comes time to use hand weighs, I use 2lbs, or none at all.0 -
I have Fibro and am currently undergoing cardiology investigation for very low pulse rate after being on beta blockers for most of my life due to a heart defect I was born with. At the moment exercise is a no go for me except for gentle walking so I am just trying to do as much of that as my body will allow. It is possible to lose without exercise, just frustratingly slow. Half the battle for me seems to be staying positive and believing it though and that for me is where this site comes into its own. As long as you can be bold enough to post on the rough days there is always someone about to give you a positive to look at 0
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I have a few chronic health issues, though the major one that ruins my exercise plans is chronic vertigo and imbalance from a head injury. It waxes and wanes in severity, and right now I've been falling off of stationary objects so I'm doing the best I can to stay consistent. I've been managing OK with diet overall, and I have lost 42ish pounds so far. Another 5-10 to go.0
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I also have Lupus and have actually had it for almost 20 years now. It took me a couple years to come to accept this disease. I have been lucky tho, as it has only affected my joints. Listen to your body and if you wake up and it's hard to move or get around, then just let it rest. I find that my exercise of choice has been yoga and just walking! The drug that I am on is called Plaquenil. I have only been on this site for 10 days now and really find it helpful!0
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I'm on plaquenil too. Well that's the brand name isn't it? The drug is called Hydroxychloraquine. I've been given cheaper versions for a while now as apparently the plaquenil is pricey. Not noticed a difference though.
I'm also on Tramadol, Gabapentin, Methotrexate and amitriptyline. I rattle! I used to take a few more but had to come of them when I had a problem with tachycardia last year0 -
I have Lupus. Took years for a diagnosis. Been in remission for about 7 months now. Just had a baby 5 months ago. Trying to use this period of being steroid free to get my weight down. Also have Fibromyalgia.0
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Struggling a wee bit these days as not been able to get out for my wee walk, due to possible sciatica. I've been following your diary you're doing great! A lot of exercise too which is good.That's good that you have your husband to help motivate you mines a skinny dude!
How is everyone feeling?
I'm off work (again) have been since February, are you able to work?
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what are everyone tips and tricks? I'm trying to get back into this but every time I do well I end up gaining weight. Note, weight, not muscle. We had my thyroid checked twice because I freaked out my doctors.
Personally-
POTS -Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome- all of the problems, google it. Also need an increase of salt in my diet because I have to add water weight @_@
Severe Depressive Disorder and Anxiety
Narcolepsy
ADD
Major Stress
Acid Reflux
PTSD
Mast Cell Disorder
on Prozac, Adderall, prevacid, syroquil/melatonin, clariton, cromolyn, midodrine
My cromolyn is $95 a month w/o insurance (over 200 with insurance, long story and stupid as #@)(#$) but when I can afford it and take it regularly, my weight stabilizes. Since then I've been pretty stuck at the weight I'm at.
I cut sugar out and I gain weight. I end up binge eating sugar and I lose it. Its so confusing!!!!! I had a really weird week or two where I had ice cream for breakfast (yes I know bad) and I lost 5lb in two weeks. Then later gained it back.
I also only have an hour when I get home (3 hour commute) and go to sleep to get a full nights sleep. So I'm starting to make myself walk at work because I have no other time to exercise.
Advice is wonderful!!!!
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Struggling a wee bit these days as not been able to get out for my wee walk, due to possible sciatica. I've been following your diary you're doing great! A lot of exercise too which is good.That's good that you have your husband to help motivate you mines a skinny dude!
How is everyone feeling?
I'm off work (again) have been since February, are you able to work?
Yes I've been having a few weeks of remission which has been great. Hoping it lasts as usually I'm 90% flare! Can't remember the last time I had this much energy!
I don't work no but that's more to do with my children still being young. Not sure if I will go back to work or not. I can walk and do basic things but I'm not reliable. I can be full of energy and able bodied one day and then bedbound the next so I'm not sure how that would work with employment.
How is your workplace with your absences?
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Brenna that sounds so messed u that your medication is that expensive!! Makes me very thankful for the NHS over here as my meds are all free. Would cost me over £80 a month for all mine I think!
Walking to work when you feel up to it is a great way to exercise! I have an exercise bike too which I find helpful as I can sit on it, watch TV and just cycle in stages, normally I cycle till it hurts and then rest for a few minutes and then carry on cycling till it hurts again!0 -
I have Crohn's disease. Sometimes it makes me LOSE weight really rapidly, but as soon as I get better it comes right back if I'm not super careful.
I used to use exercise a lot to try to control my weight, but now I can't always rely on being able to exercise. So I measure and weigh everything I can and watch my calories. I do gentle exercise like yoga and walking, but only when I feel up for it and don't push myself when I'm not feeling well. I don't ever plan on having exercise calories to "eat back" so I'm not tempted to overdo it on the exercise, and so I don't stress about it when I have to take a break. I think it's also important to not cut calories too severely, just enough to put you in a slight deficit, and to make sure as many of your calories as possible come from healthy, healing foods so you support your body as much as possible as you lose weight.
Good luck!0 -
behcets with myalgia.
working on healthy eating and before that yoga. I do aerial yoga because it's easier on my joints.
it's one day at a time. running is my new goal, pain is pain. but I will not be defined or limited by my pain0 -
I really love the inspiration on this thread!
I have Crohn's disease. It took about 10 years to get a diagnosis because I never lost weight. Still have 100lbs to lose. I have to remind myself everyday I am not my disease. I currently take steroids and just started an immunosuppressant. I take things super slow. I'm not weighing myself just yet but I do count my calories and measure everything I eat- I have MFP set to only 0.5lbs per week. I'm too tired to exercise but my doc is hopeful that I will reach remission soon. At this point, I'm just trying to care for (and love) my body!
Best of luck!0 -
Hope everyone is well, And the weight loss is still happening! Hope nobody minds, I just wanted to ask a question. Has anyone ever had a Bone Profile test done in a blood test? It's been requested by my GP and I'm not sure why. I've not had it tested before.
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No to the bone profile--that's interesting!
My meds cost several thousand dollars a month. It limits my life hugely.0 -
Struggling a wee bit these days as not been able to get out for my wee walk, due to possible sciatica. I've been following your diary you're doing great! A lot of exercise too which is good.That's good that you have your husband to help motivate you mines a skinny dude!
How is everyone feeling?
I'm off work (again) have been since February, are you able to work?
Yes I've been having a few weeks of remission which has been great. Hoping it lasts as usually I'm 90% flare! Can't remember the last time I had this much energy!
I don't work no but that's more to do with my children still being young. Not sure if I will go back to work or not. I can walk and do basic things but I'm not reliable. I can be full of energy and able bodied one day and then bedbound the next so I'm not sure how that would work with employment.
How is your workplace with your absences?
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Work been ok although I've been off nearly 2 years out of 4. I'm the same feel now I'm not reliable.
Still too young though to retire (I'm 55)
I just hope that this time the maintaining drug will do what it's supposed to do0 -
Hope everyone is well, And the weight loss is still happening! Hope nobody minds, I just wanted to ask a question. Has anyone ever had a Bone Profile test done in a blood test? It's been requested by my GP and I'm not sure why. I've not had it tested before.
No never had that done.. But having a full body bone scan done, as steroids can cause osteoporosis.. I take alendronic acid and ad cal to prevent though0 -
New to the thread. I wonder if your doctor ordered the test because one of your meds or conditions might affect bone density?
I have Psoriatic Arthritis, Fibro/CFS (which really is white noise at this point except for the fatigue), Hypothyroidism that's a bit out of control at the moment, Celiac disease, and Chronic (bordering on becoming intractable) Migraines.
As another poster said upthread, I am none of these conditions, though.
I've lost 43 pounds since November. I'm going to be 53 in August and I'm short, so weight loss is a little slower for me than some, but that's okay.
I feel better than I have in years. I exercise when I can. By far, the migraines interfere most with my fitness goals. I can usually get around my issues with fatigue by exercising first thing in the morning, but exercise can trigger migraines. It's a minefield sometimes, but I keep going because it has proven to be the single most effective thing in managing my pain and overall well being.
It's weird. There's this sweet spot with activity, I've found. If I get too much, it's bad for the fatigue issue, and if I don't get enough, it's bad as well. I've also found the same with my diet as well and my carbohydrate intake. Too few and I'm more fatigued, too much, and I'm dragging as well. I feel like I'm always finding balance.
I don't mention pain much in this post, and that's because I don't pay it much mind. I have synethesia, and experience anything less than the most severe pain as sound, color, and shape... sort of. It's hard to explain. I have a very, very high pain tolerance too--confirmed by a neurologist during a nerve conduction test! The wrinkle in this whole scenario is that this caused me to have a lot of my issues go without being diagnosed for YEARS. I was complaining about the peripheral symptoms, because they were what bothered me most.
I like to water jog, walk at an incline on a treadmill, and lift weights.0 -
I have psoriatic arthritis.. Autoimmune disease.. Anyone else sharing the joy with me?0
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I have asthma and am on 4 medicines for it (one being steroid) and have hypothyroidism0
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@mamapeach910 what is water jogging?!0
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@mamapeach910 what is water jogging?!
Oh, it's awesome! I did a half hour today, still got the endorphins pumping.
I wear a flotation belt to keep my shoulders elevated out of the water and basically do jogging motions in a deep water pool without touching the bottom. No impact, but the water gives resistance. Decent calorie burn too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsamCiwQ9Ww
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ME/ CFS has defined me for around 7 years. This week has been my turning point
I was a self defence instructor, then came down with PTSD, ME and DPU (delayed pressure urticaria). Over the course of 7 years, my health and fitness deteriorated to the point that I couldn't walk half a mile, without spending the next two weeks incapacitated. I have recovered from the PTSD and the DPU has stopped but I still struggled to find an activity which I could use to start to build my fitness back up and beat ME.
This week I started swimming and I have done between an hour and 90 minutes every day since! I joined MFP to help track my progress. Returning to good health (as far as is possible) is my main aim but I'd also like to lose what I can of the 18kg I've gained, which has been exacerbated by medication.
Land based activities are still a way off. I don't know how well my pool fitness will transfer but If I can continue swimming daily (aside from weekends - I use those two rest days to gauge any ME response to activity), I will be a far healthier, happier person and mother from here on in.
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I have fibromyalgia and a rare blood disease they aren't sure what it is. I have no immune system. I ended up in hospital last month for 11 days. Had to freeze gym membership for two months.
All I've been doing is eating junk trying to make myself feel better. I need to stop.
I'm only 23 and need to get my exercise regime back into routine
can anyone relate? 0
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