PACKING ON THE POUNDS

It’s a rare day when a woman wants to talk about her weight, unless she is bragging about her weight loss.  Well, I am here  to tell you about all of the weight I have gained over the years, how miserable I am, and the probable cause.

I started gaining weight when I was 40, averaging about 10 pounda a year.  By the time I weighed 268 pounds, I decided to get Lap Band Surgery.  It was wonderful at first.  I lost a total of 50 pounds, which isn’t very much for a person having bariatric surgery.  That loss caused me to Lose my gall bladder, having emergency surgery in 2007.  Then I started gaining weight again.

Keep in mind, with a lap band, you can usually only eat a cup of food at a sitting.  So why was I gaining weight.  Of course, the death of my husband caused a lot of stress, but really?

I went to my doctor and told her I had gained 10 pounds in a month, and that it hurt.  She ran some blood tests and said I had a slightly low thyroid.  Getting thyroid medication did not help me, and the pain persisted. In the next two years I made three trips to the ER with severe pain and difficulty breathing.

And the beat goes on.  Still no answer.  My legs were swollen like tree trunks, and my abdomen was so swollen, it was difficult to bend over.  The doctor I was seeing here in Tukwila told me to go home and drink herbal tea and calm down.

Last year I qualified for Medicare and joined Group Health.  The doctor I was set up with was okay, but pretty much the same old thing.  Then she retired and I was placed with a Physician’s Assistant.  I went to see her about getting off my blood pressure medication since it was making me cough.  She looked at my records and said “You take Mirapex?  It’s notorious for causing edema.”  A year and a half ago I had gone to a neurologist for that reason, since the medication is for restless legs.  I have been taking it since I was 40.  The neurologist I saw who was not with Group Health, said there was no connection.

So.  Here I am now, I weigh more than I did when I had my lap band and I am miserable.  It could take quite some time for the edema to subside, but I am hopeful.  I want change over night.  I’m transitioning to a new medication and that has made the condition worse.

I need your good vibes and prayers to give me the strength and optimism to get through this.  It has been a long haul.

HASHIMOTOS WOES

It's been difficult to have a positive attitude lately.  We have been having a hard time getting my thyroid kick started.  In November and December, things were going well, and then I had a setback.  The meds weren't working, and I reacted adversely to any new ones we tried.  I had gone down two sizes, but gradually took it all back in.  My worst problem with this disease is the swelling from inflamation.  The edema is so severe, it is painful.  I know when I wake up each morning how I am going to do by how badly my ribs hurt.  My toes feel like I could poke them with a pin and they would squirt water.  I wish it were that easy.

HOWEVER,

I think I sabotaged myself.  I gave up on my diet, truly believing that what I ate did not affect my symptoms.  I continued to be gluten and dairy free, for the most part.  I love tomatoes, and I wanted to not be affected by them.  Dumb, but I finally have to admit that the nightshade vegetables are a big issue for me.

So, I am back on the Paleo Leap again.  I am also drinking 10 ounces of coconut water a day to help with the swelling.  I was whining the other day about how yucky it had gotten to be, when my husband started singing "Put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up".  Well, darn, if it doesn't make it more palatable.  I had been adding lemon, but lime is much better.  In addition to the coconut water, I am taking 400mg of Potassium at night.

I had a family event to go to on Saturday, and I could not fit into any of my clothes.  I went in to Nordstroms, where I don't usually shop, but I needed help.  I started crying when I told the clerk what I needed.  She was amazing, and set me up with a beautiful orange skirt, an aqua tank top, and a multi colored floral cardigan.

Three days later, I am down two sizes again.

Yesterday I went on my Monday hike with the Tukwila Trailers, a group of senior women who go out hiking for two hours every Monday, rain, snow, or shine.  I love this group.  I was dismayed to discover I had very little energy, and found myself bringing up the rear.  Fatigue is my second worst symptom.

After we hike, we all go out to lunch.  This is also very difficult, since it is hard to find something on the menu I can eat.  I'm finding a bacon burger without bun, tomato or cheese will be good.  Or, a salad is a good option.  Yesterday the fist bite of my salad told me it was from a bag, and often, those bagged salads have sulfites in them.  I swelled up on the way home in the van.

Sigh.