Dieting with Obstacles Those with special health concerns such as diabetes, fibromyalgia, pregnancy, etc can post here for extra support and help.

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Old 06-26-2005, 04:13 PM   #1  
sassybrat
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Talking New here, and have fibromyalgia!!!!!

Hi Everyone, I am new to this site, and looking for support and to give support to anyone trying to lose weight.

I have Fibromyalgia, just diagnosed last fall...and meds are really making it difficult to lose the weight

Of course eating chocolate, ice cream, chips ..don't make losing weight any easier either LOL

I have a hubby, who just doesn't help with losing weight, a cute little bichon/shihtzu 2 year old pup and a 20 year old calico cat! My joys.

I am also soon to be a Grams. My married daughter is expecting any day now!! I am so excited. First time for us!!

Love to connect with you all, and make some friends who have similar in common.

Hugs Sass
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Old 06-26-2005, 07:06 PM   #2  
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Hi, Sass!
Out of curiousity, did your doctor check your omega 3 levels for your fibromyalgia? Mine did, and said I was eating too much shellfish, red meat and drinking too much coffee. He had me take omega 3 and I was on a weird diet for a while, which took care of most of my symptons, but then I stopped (my usual diet cycle). I do still take omega 3 though. I was just curious to know if any one else had a doctor who looked at their diet.
I know what you mean about prescriptions and their affect on your weight. They can be rough.
I'm a newbie too, BTW.

Take care!

Last edited by paphs4me; 06-26-2005 at 07:12 PM.
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Old 06-26-2005, 08:45 PM   #3  
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Hi sassy and paphs4me,
I was diagnosed with fibro 23 years ago and have been on various meds for the last 14 years. Except for my complete inability to sleep without meds, I'm pretty much symptom free since totally changing my diet and lifestyle about 4 and a half years ago. I did it to lose weight because of fear of diabetes and general self-disgust, but was really surprised when most of my fibro symptoms and flares disappeared along with the pounds. Now if I could just sleep!

I cut out added sugars, increased proteins, decreased carbs in general to around 30% of my diet and made sure that they come from the least processed sources possible. I also find that wheat, even whole wheat, is a pain trigger. Others have told me that they find the nightshades (eggplant and tomatoes) also are pain triggers, but they don't seem to bother me. My eating now looks almost exactly like it did while I was losing...just a little more food. When I revert to bad old habits, I'm usually rewarded with a flare-up along with a few pounds to deal with So not worth it!

I lost almost sixty pounds and have maintained that loss while taking a slew of prescription meds, many of which list possible weight gain as a side effect. It can be done!

I've also found that no matter how you feel, get up and exercise. Your pain levels will significantly decrease with exercise, no matter how hard it is to make yourself do it. It's also nearly impossible...at least for me...to lose or maintain my weight without significant exercise

Mel
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Old 06-27-2005, 11:59 AM   #4  
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Thankyou Paphs and Mel for replying. Wonderful to know that you can lose weight even on meds that make you gain !! What a relief!!! Paphs, no my doctor didn't check for omega 3 levels,as far as I know...I had a slew of blood work done, three times in a row..and was checked for lupus, lyme and many more things. So not that I know of.

I am trying to change my diet, removing all processed foods, staying with chicken and fish, and the occasional red meat.....only thing I don't really want to give up is my morning coffee. It is organic though, so that should make a bit of difference.

I do know that I need to increase water. That is a difficult thing for me. I am not a water fan. Would it be okay to flavour it, with say.. unsweetened koolaid and splenda?? Or Sugar free Davinci? I am curious if anyone else has done this,and if it effected your weight loss or not?

As for exercise...my job is owner operator of a motel. So I get to do all the bookwork, and clean rooms. After cleaning rooms...I am so stiff and sore, that it is difficult to do anything else...never mind exercise.

But I guess I should try...any suggestions on what to start with???

Thank you both for replying....and Paphs...lets hope we can be as successful as Mel here is!!!!

Hugs to you both
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Old 06-27-2005, 12:41 PM   #5  
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Hello everyone I am new too. I just started exercising and eating right on Sunday. So my start weight is 208 pounds. I do plan on losing 78 pounds. I have to tell myself to take it very slow and do my best. So good luck sass and everyone else who is fighting to better than we've ever been.
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Old 06-27-2005, 01:27 PM   #6  
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Sassy,
I drink one big mug of coffee a day. I gave it up for a while, but it made no difference in either my weightloss or my fibro or sleep. And it made life bearable I drink water nonstop, and put a little bit of lemon juice in it. I used to drink it straight, but one of my meds causes dry mouth and the lemon juice activates my salivary glands. You can use a smidge of crystal light or sf flavored syrup, but you need to see how your body reacts to it. For some, even artificial sweeteners continue to cause craving, others have no problems with them.

For exercise, I would start with a moderate walking and weight training program. I know this sounds daunting when you are already stiff and sore, but honestly, it was the key to living pain-free for me.

Mel
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Old 06-27-2005, 10:41 PM   #7  
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Hi all! I'm new around here too and I have Fibromyalgia as well. I was only diagnosed about a year and a half ago but have had it for most of my life.

I have been overhauling my diet. Learning not to eat junk when I'm flaring no matter how tempting because that makes it worse.

I'm having such a hard time exercising consistently though. I have been swimming but I'd like to add some resistance training but I'm not sure how. Does it get easier as you go? I know exercise is good for the fibro as well as the weight loss but OW!
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Old 06-28-2005, 06:49 AM   #8  
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Hi guys-try the fibromyalgia site although most of us are at goal weight but we all have those pains-I agree with you about sugar etc-I am also allergic to wheat and milk-once I was given shots for pain in my foot but it was totally caused by dairy. And the pain was real. Omega 3-intersting. It's good for you anyways. Mima
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Old 07-03-2005, 12:34 AM   #9  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sassybrat
I do know that I need to increase water. That is a difficult thing for me. I am not a water fan. Would it be okay to flavour it, with say.. unsweetened koolaid and splenda?? Or Sugar free Davinci? I am curious if anyone else has done this,and if it effected your weight loss or not?

As for exercise...my job is owner operator of a motel. So I get to do all the bookwork, and clean rooms. After cleaning rooms...I am so stiff and sore, that it is difficult to do anything else...never mind exercise.

But I guess I should try...any suggestions on what to start with???
Hello Sassybrat,
Try some fresh squeezed lemon in your water. I would stay away from SF Davinci as it can affect your weight loss. Everyone is different on that. I try not to use artificial sweeteners if possible.

Well as much as I'd like to say that your job is cardio, it is not. Although you need to include it in figuring your caloric intake because you are active all day. Start with 15 minutes of walking, cycling, swimming, etc., 3 times a week. Cardio is different than being active at work. You are doing it straight without interruptions for 15 minutes. It will build strength, stamina and tone you. You'll burn glycogen and fat. Although less fat at a slower pace and to start. Also add weight lifting as muscle burns fat all the time even while you are asleep! Start small. Lots of good information on the web on learning how to do it.

I was diagnosed with Fibro in 2000 and began taking Guaifenesin in 2001. All my aches and pains and fatigue were almost non-existent after 10 days. I had been seeing a pain specialist and he couldn't believe it. He tested me and realized all my pain was no longer registering on his charts. That changed his life and he began to investigate the medication.

I still take the medication today but for Rosacea. It makes it nearly disappear. I occasionally have a slight flair due to hormonal fluctuations.
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Old 07-03-2005, 12:49 AM   #10  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BellaLumina
I'm having such a hard time exercising consistently though. I have been swimming but I'd like to add some resistance training but I'm not sure how. Does it get easier as you go? I know exercise is good for the fibro as well as the weight loss but OW!
I started with 2.5 lb weights and used my bed to protect my body as much as possible. I'm now at 5 lb weights and will soon start 10 lb weights. I've purposely gone very slow. I joined a support list which emphasizes using dumbbells and that has helped me.

There is a lot of info on the web. One good site where you can buy charts and books is:

ExRx (Exercise Prescription) on the Net

It is one of the most recommended sites by the email list. There is also exercise lists, how to do them, myths about fat loss and weight gain, all kinds of nifty tools, etc. Very good web site.

Pain is not necessarily gain. When I cycle my pain [if I have any - usually from eating off my nutritional program] actually goes away. I don't usually get pain after cycling either. I feel relaxed and energized and satisfied. I get a high off it too. It's a pleasurable experience.

Some people do get pain after exercise but it should disappear before you do your next session. If it doesn't don't do your next session, wait a day. The same goes for weight training. If you still have pains or aches from the weight training take a day off. This was an eye opener to me. I always heard about exercise causing all this pain and that you just work through it. Not so. Anyway all this info and more is at that web site.
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Old 07-03-2005, 06:38 AM   #11  
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Please tell me how much guafesin (sp? you take). i started that a long time ago but quit. I was thinking of taking omega 3 because I read it was good for high tryglicerides. Mima
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Old 07-05-2005, 02:57 PM   #12  
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Mima- I tried Guaifenesin for 3 months about 5 years ago. I didn't do a thing for me, except make my sinuses drain constantly (it's a decongestant as well). I guess that's why this is such a frustrating condition; what works wonderfully for some of us doesn't do a thing for others.

Mel
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Old 07-31-2005, 03:11 AM   #13  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mima
Please tell me how much guafesin (sp? you take). i started that a long time ago but quit. I was thinking of taking omega 3 because I read it was good for high tryglicerides. Mima
Every person is different with the doses. I take 400 mg every day. It also takes care of my Rosacea. It is "cured" with Guaifenesin.
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