Those with chronic illness/pain trying to get fit.

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Replies

  • shelaghcol
    shelaghcol Posts: 165 Member
    shelaghcol wrote: »
    I went a bit drastic this week after too much overeating and stress eating. (Ate 2/3rds of a 10 inch pizza on Monday the same day I got a call from the doctor's office telling me my cholesterol is up.)

    Started on Tuesday going completely vegan and cutting out almost all gluten to sort of reset myself.

    Not surprisingly I lost almost five pounds this week which I'm sure is mostly water, even though I upped my liquid intake too.

    Five days and counting and I do feel better physically and, truth be told, mentally too. For the first time in a long time I've been able to tell myself "no" to snacks and too much of everything.

    Two weeks and I'll start re-introducing more normal foods to my diet. Hopefully the lengthy purge will help me keep on track.

    Reintroduce foods slowly and consciously. You may find an unexpected inflammation trigger in there.

    It's been a bit comical, actually. On one hand, it's easier to say no. OTOH, trying to figure out what to reintroduce means I'm researching about it and that triggers videos on YouTube with recipes galore.
    One intriguing thing was accidentally finding a fat-free vegan potato salad recipe using pureed potato to make the faux mayo. Might try that for Labor Day.
    Finally settled on protein in the form of black beans to add on Tuesday. My protein intake has been extremely low - I don't think it's been much more than 20 on any given day.

    Although that number is questionable because the potato I used for my diary didn't show any nutrients except calories. I didn't realize that until a couple of days ago.
  • Hilogirl2018
    Hilogirl2018 Posts: 687 Member
    Hey, all- anyone still here? It's been a while since this thread was active.
  • shelaghcol
    shelaghcol Posts: 165 Member
    I noticed that too. Thought I might have broken the thread or something.
  • Hilogirl2018
    Hilogirl2018 Posts: 687 Member
    shelaghcol wrote: »
    I noticed that too. Thought I might have broken the thread or something.

    @shelaghcol Nope, wasn't you lol.
  • UglyDucklingmfp
    UglyDucklingmfp Posts: 18 Member
    Please add me to your group I really need it.
    UglyDucklingmfp
  • shelaghcol
    shelaghcol Posts: 165 Member
    @UglyDucklingmfp this isn't a group. It's a thread. You need to bookmark it so you get notifications when others post.
  • Good morning all, I just joined MFP yesterday after a week of using NOOM. I lost 2 pounds in a week but there is zero support over there. I have MS, Fibromyalgia, arthritis in my hands and a severe gluten allergy. It seems I can only walk and hike (I live in CO) and luckily the gluten allergy keeps a lot of unhealthy food off my plate. Looking for exercises I can do that won’t exhaust me for two days to build up muscle and strength. I have a new granddaughter and holding her tires my arms and hands. I absolutely hate going to a gym but I’m able to work out at home. My goal is to lose 25 pounds, no specific time frame but yesterday would be nice!
  • Katmary71
    Katmary71 Posts: 7,041 Member
    Hi everyone. I too struggle with chronic pain, I've had 4 back surgeries and had a surgery for endometriosis go wrong that resulted in burned pelvic and groin nerves from the laser. I purchased a recumbent exercise bike after my last back surgery and it collected dust for years. I went up 50lbs being bedridden for a year after my last back surgery waiting to get my hardware removed. I was diagnosed with diabetes two years ago.

    I lost and maintained my weight over the years and lost 30 last year and 35 so far this year, totaling 90lbs down from my highest. I decided to really crack down and count calories. I finally started using my recumbent bike, I started with 10 horrible minutes and now ride it daily, mostly for mental health and strengthening my body. I started the gym (weights and elliptical) in May. I have to modify a lot for my back, but am able to do stuff I couldn't before like my own shopping, standing longer, and walking further. I was literally bed ridden for years and being able to do this is amazing. It's nice meeting all of you!
  • jo_nz
    jo_nz Posts: 548 Member
    Hi all.

    I am in a pretty good place at the moment, but I have chronic migraines (medicated, and fairly well controlled right now) and some limitations from an ankle break a few years ago - I had the metal removed last year, and have had quite a lot of improvement. That second surgery did leave me with some nerve pain too, though it has reduced over time.

    I am hoping that a bit of weight loss might help - I didn't have migraines before I became heavier, but it may just have been triggered by age and hormones. Only one way to find out I guess!

    I am currently weaning off one of my medications (planned with my doctor) - it was a bit of a multi-benefit magic pill to me. Helped with migraines, depression, nerve pain and sleep issues. So, I am a bit apprehensive about coming off it. I am taking it really slowly to reduce the dosage over the next couple of months.

    My main exercise is generally walking the dog, but I am also doing an introductory trial of reformer pilates classes and really enjoying them so far.
  • lois1231
    lois1231 Posts: 330 Member
    I also have chronic pain. I have arthritis in both knees my back, both feet, one wrist, and a messed up ankle. I am looking at 2 surgeries in the future which is why I have to get remotivated. Last time I was on here I lost quite a bit of weight by walking and going to the gym besides tracking everything I ate but now I have so much pain in my ankle and knees I don’t know if I can do that. I started at 275 last year got down to around 218 pounds and now I am weighing in at around 250. I need a total knee and my doc wants me to lose about 20 pounds first. I feel bad that everybody has so much pain. It makes things harder and not much fun.
  • Hilogirl2018
    Hilogirl2018 Posts: 687 Member
    edited September 2019
    @Katmary71 This struck me: "surgery for endometriosis... that resulted in burned pelvic and groin nerves from the laser." Can you tell me more about this? Message me if you'd prefer, but I believe I'm in your exact situation, and it's been terribly frustrating to have doctors refuse to believe/treat me! I had my first endo surgery over a decade ago and have had CHRONIC burning pelvic and nerve pain ever since. Because my endo has been so aggressive (I've had 5 endo surgeries overall), doctors have insisted all my pain was due to endo. Logical enough, except my horrible burning pain first occurred *after* that first surgery.
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    shelaghcol wrote: »
    All my life I've always been able to get myself moving - I was a dancer, a martial artist, rode horseback, worked out on my own, even started a personal stair climb challenge.

    The last three years, my body has been betraying me making strenuous exercise next to impossible. Last fall, I participated in a yoga for weight loss study and practically had to drop out because of problems with my wrists and elbows.

    Yet, even with all that I could still go out and walk whenever I wanted.

    A few months ago, I started having frustrating pains in my Achilles tendons and any walking is difficult.

    I can't for the life of me figure out what exercise I could possibly do now. I used to love my legs. Now I can't stand to look at them. The only possible thing left would be swimming, except I can't afford the cost of a gym membership - the only places that have lap pools.

    I'd be very grateful for support, motivation, suggestions of any kind.

    Thanks for starting this thread.

    First, see a doctor. You may have an autoimmune disease.
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    [
    @shelaghcol I was wondering if you'd ever been tested for a connective tissue disorder because a lot of what you're describing is common to CTDs. I have a CTD called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Syndrome hypermobility type and one of the ways it manifests is through joint and tendon problems. It's hereditary, but it's not unusual to get to a certain age without too many symptoms and suddenly fall apart.

    Another possibility: if you've been treated with ciprofloxacin, it has a black box warning for tendon rupture.

    THIS

  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    edited September 2019
    I have hypothyroidism, have been treated with cipro (but it was decades ago), and am having all kinds of unexplained tendon problems, especially in my feet. it is quite frustrating because I don't have any diagnosis other than lists of tendons currently affected by inflammation. I am hoping it is not autoimmune.
  • I have endometriosis and lost the weight I needed to, and am in maintenance now. Hi everyone!
  • shelaghcol
    shelaghcol Posts: 165 Member
    LAT1963 wrote: »
    shelaghcol wrote: »
    All my life I've always been able to get myself moving - I was a dancer, a martial artist, rode horseback, worked out on my own, even started a personal stair climb challenge.

    The last three years, my body has been betraying me making strenuous exercise next to impossible. Last fall, I participated in a yoga for weight loss study and practically had to drop out because of problems with my wrists and elbows.

    Yet, even with all that I could still go out and walk whenever I wanted.

    A few months ago, I started having frustrating pains in my Achilles tendons and any walking is difficult.

    I can't for the life of me figure out what exercise I could possibly do now. I used to love my legs. Now I can't stand to look at them. The only possible thing left would be swimming, except I can't afford the cost of a gym membership - the only places that have lap pools.

    I'd be very grateful for support, motivation, suggestions of any kind.

    Thanks for starting this thread.

    First, see a doctor. You may have an autoimmune disease.

    I have fibromyalgia.
  • shelaghcol
    shelaghcol Posts: 165 Member
    LAT1963 wrote: »
    [
    @shelaghcol I was wondering if you'd ever been tested for a connective tissue disorder because a lot of what you're describing is common to CTDs. I have a CTD called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Syndrome hypermobility type and one of the ways it manifests is through joint and tendon problems. It's hereditary, but it's not unusual to get to a certain age without too many symptoms and suddenly fall apart.

    Another possibility: if you've been treated with ciprofloxacin, it has a black box warning for tendon rupture.

    THIS

    Actually nope. I take almost no chemical medications. And no prescription meds.
  • nunasdreamnz
    nunasdreamnz Posts: 5 Member
    I have Ankylosing Spondylitis so I get backpain often but trying to work out and lose some extra KGs. Feel free to add me as a friend. It's good to have friends for motivation :)
  • Hilogirl2018
    Hilogirl2018 Posts: 687 Member
    shelaghcol wrote: »
    LAT1963 wrote: »
    [
    @shelaghcol I was wondering if you'd ever been tested for a connective tissue disorder because a lot of what you're describing is common to CTDs. I have a CTD called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Syndrome hypermobility type and one of the ways it manifests is through joint and tendon problems. It's hereditary, but it's not unusual to get to a certain age without too many symptoms and suddenly fall apart.

    Another possibility: if you've been treated with ciprofloxacin, it has a black box warning for tendon rupture.

    THIS

    Actually nope. I take almost no chemical medications. And no prescription meds.

    @shelaghcol A lot of EDSers also have fibro, so you may still want to look into EDS. As far as I know, there's no connection between fibro and tendon rupture.
  • CourierSixx
    CourierSixx Posts: 46 Member
    I have an unknown issue. My side hurts all the time, my stomach hurts sometimes making it too hard to eat, every few weeks my whole body will hurt, it feels like deep bone pain and during that time, I feel too weak to get out of bed. My ANA test was positive, doc did more test and they were positive. Went to an rheumatologist and he just said I was fat and to lose weight. Despite all this, I ride my bike 4 times a week, pulling a 25lb dog and we 25 miles.
  • kttyson
    kttyson Posts: 77 Member
    Hi! I’m also a chronic illness fighter that’s trying to get fit. I’ve had 4 endometriosis surgeries and have a bleeding disorder. As well, fibro and POTS.

    Getting fit can be difficult but I’m looking for support to get there. Especially from people who understand!
  • AmandaManana
    AmandaManana Posts: 1 Member
    Hi!

    I have an M.E/CFS type condition but have much improved this over time, however my chronic pain conditions (Trigeminal neuralgia, other cranial Neuralgia’s, migraines, vertigo/dizziness, neck issues, arm, spinal, complex pain syndrome, nerve pain, plus a dysregulated nervous system that fires all the wrong stress chemicals and disables me when it feels unsafe or threatened by my symptoms, thanks body!) make it really difficult to even move about in an ordinary way let alone excercise, I am mostly housebound and often sofabound, often the only calories I’m burning are when I’m preparing food!

    When I’m in a flare up like now I have to be careful of how I move my body, but when things simmer down I do make an effort to stay on my feet more and get involved in things around the home, even dance around my bedroom or some gentle yoga, but have to be careful as even the smallest wrong movement can give me great payback and start off complex pain around my body.

    Anyway, I’m glad to hear of people getting results from calorie counting alone as that’s going to be my only constant that I can rely on to lose weight.
    I’m lucky in that I was/am a chef, writing a cookbook (plant based) so I can make something new and interesting to eat every day.. I had always focused on nutrients/vitamins/minerals/healing elements of food but this is my first time looking at calories.
  • MoKaaz
    MoKaaz Posts: 162 Member
    edited October 2019
    I have a medical issue (PoTS) the pretty much prevents me from doing cardio or any excersises that raises my heart rate over 120bpm. As you can imagine that limits my choices greatly. I've discovered weight lifting to be a good alternative, it's no cardio but it's better then nothing!
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    I am on prednisone for the first time, think I may be addicted (joking, this is day 6). Haven't felt this good in 20 years (but still waiting for my ortho injuries to heal--this is a tactic to quench recalcitrant post-injury inflammation).
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    edited October 2019
    Amanda I had CRPS limited to one limb that burnt itself out over a period of years, so I grok your situation (partly, from having a subset of what you deal with), really awful for you.
  • Iamfocusingonme
    Iamfocusingonme Posts: 15 Member
    I have Lupus Sjogrens and MCTD along with other disorders. My body goes up and down in a cycle so I will try really hard and then my body will crash. I’ll lose some when I’m able and then when I’m down I can’t cook and it’s all up to my husband who doesn’t usually cook healthy food. It makes it really hard. I’d love any friends that know what I’m going through!
  • Katmary71
    Katmary71 Posts: 7,041 Member
    @Katmary71 This struck me: "surgery for endometriosis... that resulted in burned pelvic and groin nerves from the laser." Can you tell me more about this? Message me if you'd prefer, but I believe I'm in your exact situation, and it's been terribly frustrating to have doctors refuse to believe/treat me! I had my first endo surgery over a decade ago and have had CHRONIC burning pelvic and nerve pain ever since. Because my endo has been so aggressive (I've had 5 endo surgeries overall), doctors have insisted all my pain was due to endo. Logical enough, except my horrible burning pain first occurred *after* that first surgery.

    Hi! I sent you a long private message then read people aren't getting messages unless they're already friends. It's not super common to end up with nerve damage from pelvic surgeries but there definitely are people who've had some sort of pelvic surgery and suffered damage. Not sure whether or not you received the message where I covered a lot so I'll leave it there, just didn't want you to think I was ignoring you.