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Old 04-09-2010, 04:22 PM   #1  
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Default chronic fatigue syndrome -my diet made me ill

Hello
I have given up on my diet today for the sake of my health and my sanity!
I have Chronic fatigue Syndrome , made worse by exercise and emotional strain. I also have a lifelong weak immune system.
I have a very slow metabolism and started HRT 6 months ago which helped me initially until I started to put on weight fast. My boyfriend was finding me less attractive, he didn't tell me this but I just know that he finds slim women attractive and overweight ones not!
I decided that I would slim before getting bigger and try to get within my BMI as I also have circulation problems.
It took me a long time to find a diet that worked for me as with diets like weight watchers , I simply put on weight due to my low metabolism.
So I went on the Rosemary Conley diet which is healthy I guess, but starts on 1200 calories a day with a lot of exercise and after a couple weeks goes up to 1453 calories a day because of my age and the fact that I can't exercise much.
I lost weight but within days I was ill, blurred vision, unable to concentrate and feeling weak, not sleeping.
Five weeks on I have lost nearly 9 pounds and lost all my energy and peace of mind. It's not an easy diet to follow for me at least and I cannot spend my life counting calories. It is drivng me crazy and I am unable to think about other things in life that matter a lot more. I resent feeling "guilty" for eating and "good" for not eating.
Anyway to cut a long story short, because I have been feeling weak for the past five weeks eversince I started my diet , I went to see my doctor today.
She found I had a serious bladder infection, a throat infection and a bowel infection and told me to STOP DIETING immediately.
Also she put me on different medications and I have two more appointments with her.
So there you go, I lost weight and got ill.
This afternoon after seeing the doctor I bought and ate an entire large chocolate easter egg and a bit more chocolate. I felt so "good" and can't feel guilty about it. My body needed a bit of a treat after 5 weeks of feeling like I am starving.
But now I realise this diet is too low in calories and is making me ill, where does that leave me?
Confused!
I can't exercise and if I eat the right amount of calories for me to lose weight I am getting ill.
Also having to write down every calorie eaten or spent and working it all out is really making me obsessive in a bad way!
All I know is that I need to approach it all in a different way. I refuse to count calories but am going to invent my own simpler system. My intuition tells me that feeling "bad" about eating is not mentally healthy or physically healthy.
Well that's me in a nutshell. Don't know if anyone has had a similar experience.

Last edited by Muse17; 04-09-2010 at 04:29 PM.
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Old 04-09-2010, 05:06 PM   #2  
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Well, I can only speak for myself when I say that I would love to be 154 lbs at 5'6" tall ... glad you enjoyed that easter egg, but it's a good thing Easter only comes once a year, eh?

You could just try to eat normal for now to give your body time to heal. Maybe ask your doctor for an appointment with a dietician who could give you a good healthy plan to maintain your weight now, as that really isn't so bad. Can you do some walking each day? Even around your house? That could help you a bit too ... hope you are feeling better soon!

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Old 04-09-2010, 05:30 PM   #3  
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Ever try a low carb diet? I see that some doctors are prescribing low-carb diets for auto immune diseases. I have heard and strongly believe that low carb diets are great for arthritis and things. On line you can find sources that state that low carb is good for ceiliac, IBS, Chrons, (probably all spelled wrong) and others. The way that chocolate made you "feel better" says to me that you probably have an addiction to it as well. Low carb also allows you to eat fat so you are not as hungry. Usually your calories are reduced because you are not eating the carby junk (noodles, rice, potatos and bread). Hope you look into it.
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Old 04-09-2010, 05:53 PM   #4  
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Is your doctor prescribing you anything for your condition? Have you been formally diagnosed or are you self-diagnosing? The doctor has ruled out thyroid and sleep apnea?

There are medications out there for people who have fatigue issues. I have sleep apnea and even though I use a CPAP and exercise and eat right I have constant sleep issues and am usually tired.

Last January my doctor prescribed Nuvigil for me- but this is a very difficult drug to obtain- you have to have your doctor show proof you need it and that you have been tested for other ailments. Besides the fact it's very costly it's also a drug that is easily abused. I had to show I had no former history of drug abuse (luckily for me I work in law enforcement!) before my doctor would prescribe it also. Before this pill I would just fall asleep randomly and could barely stay awake at my desk! One time I was in the middle of typing and then all of a sudden woke up- I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep!

I don't know if nuvigil- or provigil (it's predacessor) has been approved by the FDA for chronic fatigue syndrome- but I suggest looking around online to see what others are doing/using to help. And I also suggest looking into other ailments in case- you may have sleep apnea and not realize it- I had sleep apnea for at least a year before I figured it out! The only reason I've been taking my pills is because the CPAP isn't working anymore and despite the weight loss I'm still tired- I have an appointment with my current doctor next month and if I'm still having issues I'm going to be seeing a sleep specialist.

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Old 04-09-2010, 06:44 PM   #5  
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Hello everyone
Thanks for your kind replies.
I have to tell you first of all that 154 pounds is my goal weight!
I am currently 169 pounds last week I was 165 so I don't know if it was the easter egg or water retention! My appartment isn't big enough to walk around but I could do more walking, but my doc told me to rest and stay in bed until Monday at least. But I do walk whenever I am able.
As far as low carb diets go, they don't seem to suit me but thanks anyway. I hardly ever eat anything with sugar in it but i just had to have chocolate after not having any for six weeks!
I still feel better for it several hours later.
Yes I have been diagnosed for my condition, no there isn't any treatment that works. Bedrest is the main treatment. But whenever I am well I try to do as much physical and mental activity as I can.
A few years ago I was so ill for so long even writing this would have been impossible for me.
Now I am doing a masters degree but whenever I have a major piece of work to do I have big trouble with my health.
I found the obsessing about what I could or couldn't eat so depressing , I think I need to be more intuitive about what food and exercise to do. Tomorrow is another day, I enjoyed the chocolate and my body needed it.
Thanks for all your kind replies and I wish all of you the best with your healthy weight loss. I am going to read The French Women's diet.
It's true that French women tend to be very slim without smoking or resorting to diets. I know because my mother was French, when she spent time in France she was slim but with the UK diet she always put on weight. So I'm going to read that a bit and see if it makes me feel better. The doctor told me I must stop dieting for now , and rest, so I am following doctor's orders.
I really appreciate your replies though , thanks!
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Old 04-09-2010, 07:21 PM   #6  
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I'm sorry you're feeling so ill .

I have Lupus and have the opposite reaction. When I don't take care of my body it lets me know! The trick for me is not to diet but to be very very careful of the types of food I put into my body. I have to keep my calories whole food calories (for the most part) or I can definitely feel it. Taking a good Omega suppliment and vitamins B,C,D are also key. I'm also seriously anemic so iron is a must. If I miss any of these things I might as well stay in bed.

Autoimmune diseases are tricky. You have to find a balance between the right amount of activity and not letting yourself get completely worn down.

Getting healthy can only help, honestly.

I hope you feel better soon!
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Old 04-09-2010, 07:53 PM   #7  
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I'm going to lend another vote for lower carb, especially no grains. Certainly worth a read.
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Old 04-09-2010, 07:55 PM   #8  
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Oh and YES I second the lower carbs sentiment. I have trouble sticking to this and I feel it when I've overdone the grains. It definitely makes a difference.
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Old 04-10-2010, 03:41 AM   #9  
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Hello
Thanks again for your replies.
The lower carb thing would be great but the doctor recommends eating a lot of complex carbs with every meal like chick peas ( garbanzo beans), all beans,oats, wholemeal bread, pasta, potatoes, sweet potatoes (yams) and to avoid red meat, cheese and all processed foods. I can't eat soya which would be good otherwise but I can't digest it. I have had this illness since 1987 and usually manage it quite well but I was on a diet of 1200-1400 calories a day and exercise and it just killed me.
I am much happier today, I'm not a quitter and so was very upset at first from quitting my diet but following a strict diet and a strict exercise regime was so bad for my mental and physical well-being. I feel free now to be myself again and find my own way to a reasonably healthy weight.
I wish I had a garden, my exercise would be to grow my own vegetables and fruit but I'll try to find the next best thing. I think I'm going to stop shopping at supermarkets and find alternative ways of getting food like street markets, local small shops and buy in much much smaller quantities and do a lot more "hunting" for fresh local food although I live in an inner city area. Supermarkets just sell too much in too big portions even though they are the cheapest option. I'll let you know how I get on!
Thanks for your support.
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Old 04-10-2010, 02:30 PM   #10  
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I have similar health issues, including fibromyalgia (with fatigue being the more disruptive symptom, but my doctor sees fibro as chronic fatigue with pain, since fibro and cifds are often seen as the same disorder) and autoimmune disease (mixed or of connective tissue, we're not sure - it seems to be almost in remission except for skin issues).

Prior doctors have also given me a lot of recommendation for complex carbs (especially whole grains). Then my current doctor suggested low-carb, but said "not too low," but admitted he didn't know what too low was. Doctors don't get a lot of nutrition training (often not even an entire semester), so if you can get an appointment with a dietitian, I'd recommend it.

I am not at all suggesting you try my diet. Or that you not follow your doctor's recommendations. I am only telling you what I found out for myself when I experimented.

Grains, most especially wheat seemed to be aggravationg most of my symptoms. For a while I went entirely grain-free and was shocked at the difference. I don't know if it's an allergy or an intolerance to wheat or gluten, or a reaction to grains in general, so I've been experimenting.

I found the research linking grain consumption to autoimmune disease, fibro and cfids, very compelling, especially with my experience with wheat. I am not suggesting though that you give up grains without talking to your doctor (and ideally a dietitian too). Just sharing my experience.
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Old 04-11-2010, 07:14 PM   #11  
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Hello Kaplods

Thanks for your post. Sorry if I am a bit slow in answering. I hope you get better and thanks for respecting my choices.
I went on an anti-candida diet after seeing a nutritionist ( no wheat or sugars or fruit or gluten or alcohol or dairy or anything containing yeast or fungi or chemicals) for a year. I lost lots of weight and cured a longstanding candida infection but I also got so ill. I'm never cutting out any one food again!

I think just a healthy diet is good, plus I need to minimise fats and sugar. I don't go for extremes and so I am going to do my French Women's diet based on my experiences in France. They eat everything that's home made and fresh, mainly organic,but in really small quantities and they always try everything unless it makes them unwell. I find alcohol ,coffee, garlic, soya, quorn and sugar can make me worse. But as long as I don't eat lots and lots of wheat , or rather wheat products mixed with yeast, then I have no trouble with it.
The thing is when I study and have to do a lot of mental work, I just need complex carbs and fish oils to get my brain going. So I will have salmon and baked potatoes for instance, but a small bit of salmon and a medium potato and lots of salad without dressing. ..and when I need it, I'll buy a small bit of chocolate not a whole bar or a whole Easter egg as I'm not disciplined enough to sit at home and not eat the whole egg!

But I am losing weight. Even though I've stopped dieting since friday I have lost 1 pound just this weekend. I am not following a diet,instead I am just eating what I like as long as it's healthy and in very small portions. I think that when you are ill you have to listen to your body rather than follow a diet that was written by someone else.
I am on quite a heavy course of anti-biotics and anti-spamodics right now and I feel a lot better although tired.
I will have to cut out wheat and the sugars to stop me from getting candida.
I will think about what everyone said about carbs and wheat, so I won't eat too many of them. Mainly because of their calorie contents!
Good luck with your health and weight loss.

Last edited by Muse17; 04-11-2010 at 07:24 PM.
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Old 04-11-2010, 07:18 PM   #12  
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Something I learned for the Candida was coconut oil is a MIRACLE! You can use it topically and I also take a tsp. every now and again to keep things in check. It's amazing stuff. Just make sure you get the extra virgin unfiltered stuff . I use it in most of our cooking too.
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Old 04-11-2010, 07:53 PM   #13  
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Hello ValRock
Thanks for that tip. If the anti-biotics leave me with candida then I'll try it.
I see from your weight ticker that you've lost a lot of weight , congratulations!
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