posted
Have an IV in.....total fatigue all of the time...pain daily. I'm gaining weight every day.
I'm thinking about doing Atkins...no carbs, no sugar but I hardly ever have sugar at all anyway. Must admit I am a carb addict and don't like meat.
I don't see any other way out if I can't exercise, and I can't right now. I'm so sick still, but still care that I'm putting on pounds daily. Biggest I've ever been in my life.
Suggestions anyone? I just can't live this way anymore. I feel sick, I look sick, I'm fat and I can't let it go further. :cry:
Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I am crying with you...I am so sad because I understand this terrible disease and the way it destroys not only health but identity...
All I can say is that you must let your survival instincts help guide you. If your body can only heal by putting on pounds then you may need to cut yourself slack and remind yourself that this is not a death sentance and it is not forever.
I try to think of it as a three year sentance. I have given over my old life to this new life of "lyme survivor". I figure if the average time for Dr. B's patients to recover is three years then that is my goal...
I spent four years in college and endured that hell, I can spend three enduring the hell of healing. We are not sprinters here, just slow walkers or some of us can only really exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide and keep a heart beat.
Be proud of yourself every day. Take time to bless the *@#% IV, cause it is saving your life. And be glad that you can even eat at all since many (including me) are on the other side, skeletal and nauseated all the time or unable to eat anything due to food intolerances.
We are all soldiers of a war we did not sign up for and fighting back without any leadership. We are taking a beating by this disease and kicked to the curb by an ignorant society.
Despite this, we can get our lives back and be stronger people---it is our duty now to give back and help others on the same path.
When you are well again, you will be able to excersize and eat better...you will be so grateful for your health that you will drop the weight easily...
Storms will either break a tree or make it stronger. Every day in treatment you are getting stronger.
Set very small goals each day.
"We need to have gratitude in order to feel joy." Carlos Santana
-------------------- We are spiritual beings on a human journey...
posted
Disciplining myself to exercise is a real buga boo for me. And I don't seem to have much willpower against cravings for things I shouldn't eat.
So it's kind of a vicious cycle-the more poor foods I eat, the more lethargic I become. My daughter offered me a "gift" today-she gets up and runs every morning at a nearby track and she asked me if I would like to join her. She knows my limitations and I can only walk.
But having a buddy to encourage me, even if I only walk around once,while she runs circles around me is a beginning. I am hoping it will build on itself, and I will get strong enough and inspired enough to make it a regular habit-again-like I used to.
I am hoping it also will effect my moods, as someone pointed out, and my appetite.
So who could your exercise buddy be-even if your first "walk" is to the mailbox, or from one room to another. Or maybe chair exercises?
You want to be my food buddy? We can keep each other in conscience-and report to each other.Maybe starting tomorrow- I just ate 4 oatmeal cookies.
We can do together, what I can't do alone! Carol
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Health
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6034
posted
Hi,
I have been there, and am there, but have lost a few pounds. I have gained 40lbs, have been fit all my life.
IF you love carbs could be that you have yeast in the gut. If you have candida/yeast overgrowth it can make you...
crave carbs.
Try nystatin, the pills, see how you do. Take on an empty stomach, the nystatin pills/tablets.
Try to minimize carbs or cut them out slowly, and do the nystatin
this should help the candida/yeast.
Possibly you just love carbs, which is not good for you now.
If you just cannot cut out all carbs, then minimize them and do the yogurt, best is homemade I would say.
You can only do the best you can do, and maybe now, you cannot cut out carbs, DONT FRET! still do the nystatin, and then maybe the carb craving will go away, keep trying to cut the carbs back, dont give up, just keep trying,
one day it will start to happen, just dont give up, it will come in time,
I have done the store bought and the homemade, homemade yogurt really is good for the candida overgrowth.
I ferment mine 24 hours most times.
Trish
Posts: 1250 | From Canada | Registered: Aug 2004
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robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
Once you cut out sugar and simple carbs you will lose the incontrollable craving for them. I am not saying you won't want them ........... but it will be wayyyyyyyyyy easier to say no. Takes about a week or so to lose the craving and get your insulin to not spike.
Eating several small meals that have protein throughout the day will help with the cravings.
Also, fat (mostly poly- and unsaturated) helps with the feeling of satiation. If you eat buter, eat the real thing ....... margarine is really a non-food and bad for you.
I follow the gudelines below from the Weston A. Price foundation and cut way down on the fruits and grains. I eat 99% meat,veggies,oil,spices. Oh and the protein shake I ave in the AM with Kefir and Alomond milk.
Really though if you can be 100% strict (yes "just a little will hurt" because it will spike your insulin) with yourself for a week you can learn that what you eat (or don't eat) has a huge effect on what you crave. You should make sure during that week that you have lots of yummy meals to eat and plenty of healthy non-processed frsh food. Nothing in a box,can or package. Never allow your self to get past just a little hungry. The key here is to break the cycle of insulin spikes and regain control of your eating. This can be done and it is not that hard.
Several years before I got Lyme, I lost 100+ pounds by learning how to control my appetitie. Losing weight was NOT a matter of willpower. I am not that stong. If you rely on will power you mostly likely will fall off the wagon. You have to learn how to eat. Discipline is involved in retraining yourself and your body in what is nourishing and healthy. The way we eat in this country is appalling. Really we don't need to worry about terrorists .......... we are killing ourselves slowly. Look at all the fat kids ........
I was one of them. When I finally figured out the problem (processed garbage), I was able to take my life back and lose weight. You can too!!
Dietary Guidelines of Weston A. Price w/ my comments after several of the gudelines.
1. Eat whole, natural foods.
2. Eat only foods that will spoil, but eat them before they do.
3. Eat naturally-raised meat including fish (only if you are SURE it is mercury free), poultry, beef, lamb, game, organ meats and eggs.
4. Eat whole, naturally-produced milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw and/or fermented, such as whole yogurt, cultured butter, whole cheeses and fresh and sour cream.
I do not eat dairy unless I am on an ice-cream binge. I eat only Home-made organic Kefir ....... no other milk.
5. Use only traditional fats and oils including butter and other animal fats, extra virgin olive oil, expeller expressed sesame and flax oil and the tropical oils--coconut and palm.
6. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, in salads and soups, or lightly steamed.
I rarely eat fruit because of yeast.
7. Use whole grains and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid and other anti-nutrients.
I eat nuts, but no grains (too many carbs/turns to sugar/feeds yeast).
8. Include enzyme-enhanced lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis.
Kefir is one of these ........ I am working on incorporating others. These are probiotic foods. Very important.
9. Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb or fish and use liberally in soups and sauces.
10. Use herb teas and coffee substitutes in moderation.
11. Use filtered water for cooking and drinking.
I drink 100 oz. water per day.
12. Use unrefined Celtic seasalt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
I use Redmond Real Salt. Most healthfood grocers have it. Table salt is bad news IMHO.
13. Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and expeller expressed flax oil.
I don't use salad dressing ..... vinegar is bad if you have yeast.
14. Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, dehydrated cane sugar juice and stevia powder.
I only use Stevia and xylitol. Cane juice feeds yeast ......... hney and maple syrup does also but there may be some other benefits to honey. I would use it sparingly, if at all, if you have yeast.
15. Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals.
Not for Lymies!!!!!! No alcolhol!!!!!!!
16. Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass or good quality enamel. Teflon and non-stick is like inviting cancer.
17. Use only natural supplements.
18. Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light.
19. Think positive thoughts and minimize stress.
20. Practice forgiveness.
This is just my opinion ........... perhaps you will find this kind of eating can help you too.
Be well, robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
Have your hormones checked. If you are gaining weight especially in your middle then you may be having problems with your adrenal glands. When they produce too much cortisol then you will most certainly gain lots of weight. Your adrenal glands will have problems when there is an infection in your body.
Posts: 547 | From Maryland | Registered: Mar 2005
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Health
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6034
posted
Lymeindunkirk,
You are so right, I read this and experienced this before. I bet that is why I have the weight gain now too, not all of it, but some.
What would I do without this site!
thanks!
Trish
Posts: 1250 | From Canada | Registered: Aug 2004
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I can empathize as I have gained about 25-30 pounds and look so chubby compared to where I have been most of my life. Haven't ever really had a weight problem.
I am recently remarried and my sweet husband never says a word about my weight. He will walk with me (very slowly) and is very encouraging. I agree that a buddy to help encourage would be great. My two dogs are always up for a stroll and they don't mind going slow either.
There have been many times that I stretch and exercise in bed. You can still lift arm weights and do leg lifts. One or two at a time is a start.
I know it is discouraging but remember what a beautiful person you are inside and try not to let the weight issue get to you.
I did find out that part of my weight gain was related to yeast in my gut. Nystatin and Diflucan reduced that and a lot of the bloating in my internal organs went away. That was good for a couple of pounds!
Keep posting and try to eat as healthy as possible.
Posts: 460 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
It took me years to realize that Lyme was a big reason I gained 70+ pounds. I craved bad carbos. I didn't have the energy to exercise and I slipped into a deep depression.
There have been past posts discussing the bacteria's need for fat, collagen, etc. I believe it is one of its' survival techniques.
That said....FIGHT BACK!
I have also developed systemic yeast so that diet and my desire to undermine the Lyme bacteria has helped me loose over 70lbs. I still don't have much energy to excercise regularly so much of the weight came off through diet.
I also craved carbs...you have to cut them out...it's hard at first but the cravings will stop.
The Yeast Connection Handbook by Dr. Cook helped me. Also the website yeastconnection.com
I pretty much limit my food to sauteed chicken, fish, broccoli and other good vegetables. I use cocunut oil exclusively for cooking. It is an antifungal and makes the chicken and vegetables taste great. Try sweet potatoes sauteed in coconut oil.
Other info given is valuable.....protect & heal the gut is especially important. Mine was shot for years and is just now recovering. If you have a leaky gut food/poison leak into your blood stream and you can't absorb the nutrients your immune system needs.
Hope this helps. You are in the FIGHT OF YOUR LIFE against this bacteria...view it this way and it may help you shed the pounds. MA
Posts: 58 | From SC | Registered: May 2004
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tabbytamer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3159
posted
quote:Originally posted by Carol B: So who could your exercise buddy be-even if your first "walk" is to the mailbox, or from one room to another. Or maybe chair exercises?
You want to be my food buddy? We can keep each other in conscience-and report to each other.Maybe starting tomorrow- I just ate 4 oatmeal cookies.
We can do together, what I can't do alone! Carol
Can I be a walking food buddy too? Could we start a thread where we sign in to report our activity or whatever?
posted
I can so relate! I'm fat AND going to the poor house as a result of this disease!
I also don't like meat. I do try to eat mostly 'good' carbs.
Like others who have posted here, I seem to have almost total exercise intolerance, and I used to be an active person.
If I do much of anything (including everyday stuff like clean the house, etc.) I feel horrible and often will crash and sleep for hours. I can get this reaction from stretching too much as well.
Like chroniccosmic, I also stretch and 'exercise' in bed. Not much, I know, but maybe you could give it a try while you're in this place.
Good luck with the IV! Make sure your LLMD is looking out for your gallbladder if it's rocephin.
monkeyshines
Posts: 343 | From Northern VA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
I think the walking buddy/good food buddy is a great idea! Although I have lost the weight I still battle yeast EVERYDAY. So I'll but my lastest slip on a new thread and also my walking goal for today. Let's update the thread with our activity and pump each other up!!!! MA
Posts: 58 | From SC | Registered: May 2004
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Carol B
Unregistered
posted
Let the Buddy System Begin!!!!!!! See you there. I love it! Come on everybody--and I repeat- WE can do together what I can't do alone! Committed in Balto, Carol
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"Successful control and elminiation of a Candida Albicans overgrowth requires a multifaceted program as described below. Failure to follow ALL the steps simultaneously will result in slow progress and will lengthen healing time significantly. The program should be tailored to the individual and must balance the need to eliminate the Candida and deprive it of its food source while insuring proper nutrition for the individual."
Five Steps to Candida Elimination:
1. You must starve it into submission by eliminating its food source.
2. You must kill it with anti-fungal herbs and supplements. [e.g....garlic, onion, caprylic acid, Pau D'Arco capsules or tea, clove, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf extract, oil of oregano, tea tree oil, Echinacea, Goldenseal, black walnut, MSM, barberry root, uva ursi, neem leaf, biotin]
3. You must reestablish the proper balance and quantity of probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract. [...multi-strain lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus capsules with FOS should be taken between meals to maximize repopulation of the digestive tract by beneficial bacteria.]
4. You must reestablish proper levels of all B vitamins (yeast free) and utilize other immune enhancing supplements to boost immune system function. [e.g ... B complex vitamins (yeast free), biotin, beta 1-3 glucan, colostrum, maitake mushroom, vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium]
5. You must cleanse and heal the digestive tract to promote proper elimination of toxins and Candida and assimilation of nutrients. [e.g...chlorophyll, MSM, omega 3 fatty acids found in flax seed and salmon oils, GLA found in borage, evening primrose and black currant oils. Pantothenic acid, digestive enzymes between meals]
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96220 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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I've gained 15 lbss since getting Lyme & I wasn;t skinny to begin with.
I've been on a strict anti yeast diet and right now that is keeping my weight stable. When I go back on tetracycline I gain 1/2 lb a week no matter what I eat. That means 12-15 pounds each year.
I think if I hadn't been on the anto yeast diet I would have gained at least twice as much.
Now the good news: I feel so much better on the anti yeast diet. All cravings have disappeared and my digestion is better. I don't get gassy or bloated and I know I'm eating a really healthy diet. I quit caffeine too and that helped even out my energy levels & reduce cravings.
I'm more active than last year but not enough yet to lose the weight. Right now getting better is my top priority and it just might not be possible to loose weight yet. There really is no junk to cut oout of my diet.
hatsnscarfs
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Hi everyone .... I totally relate. A couple of years ago I gained close to 40 lbs in about 3 weeks. Just recently I put on 15 lbs for no reason. I do have some edema and am being tested for possible causes. Also my thyroid is full of nodules ... I've been on meds since June.
I was always so active and skinny until I got Lyme 16 years ago (but was not treated until 2001.) I have not been on any IV's (orals have chewed up my stomach) since last year. I'm fighting with Medicare and new DR who wants me to drive 3 hours twice a day to his office for the IV tx. I THOUGHT HE WAS KIDDING!!!
I am also inactive at this point ..... had back spinal fusion surgery couple of years ago and then last year took a direct hit in a car accident (damn drunk drivers) so now I need a cane and back brace just to make it inside a store where I then use the cart to help me walk. I've also had four surgeries since the beginning of the year so it was actually good that I was not on IV's or I would have had to be weaned off of them.
It's very depressing carrying all of this extra weight. But we have so many extra health issues that the Lyme disease causes. I think it is part of the disease and once we are on the right track as far as meds ... then hopefully, we can get our bodies back to what they were.
Take care, Deb
-------------------- Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain. Posts: 830 | From Endicott, NY | Registered: Aug 2001
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