posted
I've gained so much weight over the years I've been sick that I don't even recognize myself.
I have been more inactive of course, but the weight gain is disproportionately distributed.
Have hypothyroid, meaning slow metabolism, and the weight tends to collect around my middle and hips.
I was never this heavy, have a small bone structure and look like Humpty-Dumpty or a much larger self when pregnant.
Nothing positive about this except maybe the fat has smoothed out the wrinkles on my face.
Sure is a self-esteem buster! None of my docs or ducks have mentioned this much, even though I have complained.
LLMD said I might lose weight when tackling co-infections. Anyone out there have that experience?
I wear mostly sweats nowadays because they are the easiest to replace. When I worked it was always skinny suits and heels.
Exercising for me is housework and I do break quite a sweat and get short of breath. I did some yardwork this past summer and really thought I was going to die, especially in the heat.
Now it's turned cold and I freeze for a while and then have drenching sweats......but that's another story.
All this extra weight could not possibly be good for the joints and heart. Would love to hear from someone who was able to lose weight and how they did it.
-------------------- DISCLAIMER: No information presented above should be considered medical advice or take the place of advice given by a medical professional. Links to other sites are provided merely for ease of research. Posts: 287 | From Tennessee | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Janet, I've also gained a ton of weight. Wish I could respond about losing it.
I also get the cold and sweats, many times every hour. I actually look like an old lady, literally, as I have to wear a shawl so that I can flip it on and off as the temps in me rise or fall. Always dramatic.
It's 30 degrees here and I pretty much stay in rooms of the house with the heat off. I'd much rather be cold than hot.
If you see my other post about another possible tick bite, when I took a pic, I couldn't believe how sickly I look, almost 20 years older in 2 years and my quadruple chin in the pic almost made me cry.
Some people I haven't seen in years don't even recognize me when they see me. It's not just the weight though, it's the circles under my eyes, the sagging skin, the thinning hair and the awful sickly palour (sp?) of my skin.
I hate seeing myself anymore. I'd be happy to be heavy if I was a healthy heavy. Now I'm just a sickly fat old ugly hunched back sack. Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Poorhouse, Honey I know, I know! Just have to remind ourselves that our bodies have been fighting a major WAR and it shows. But the people I've known with chronic illness have a kind of wisdom behind the eyes that I don't see anywhere else.
Having my body "fail" me has forced me to pay attention to my spirit which I believe trancends the physical.
By the way, I really like your idea of a shawl. I am forever tearing off my clothes only to get really cold a few minutes later. And shawls are so stylish these days (at least they were the last time I was in a store that sold clothes!?!)
Maybe someone will post here for some ideas about how to change our bodies or at least our body images.
Until then, or despite that, I know the pain you feel when looking at photos or into mirrors. And I know that I need to remind myself almost daily that I am NOT MY BODY and I am NOT MY DISEASE.
Try to think of that. And know that so many of us are challenged this way. I figure life is just a school and we're taking a really hard class right now.....
You are loved
Janet
-------------------- DISCLAIMER: No information presented above should be considered medical advice or take the place of advice given by a medical professional. Links to other sites are provided merely for ease of research. Posts: 287 | From Tennessee | Registered: Sep 2006
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dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
I've got a picture of myself on my fridge from 12 years ago. People say "who's that?"....that just about says it all.
DLL
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
I sympathize with all of you; I've gained a lot of weight, but there is ONE BENEFIT......
I had the same problem with weight. It got so bad, even my dad's sweat pants didn't fit me anymore ( I was professional athlete before getting sick 12 years ago).
In last 6 month I recovered 90%. What a surprise when I look at my pictures from my travels - I look 10 years yonger again! I fit in size 4 again!That happened with no diet, just living normal life out of bed almost every day.
So don't worry. Once you get better the weight melts away so fast!
Good luck! Petra
Posts: 89 | From Vail, Colorado | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I compare pictures of my 2 children. I look back and can see how sick they looked. I look at current pictures and realize they are getting better. My daughter loooked very ill 2 years ago. The pictures make me realize they are both on the road to recovery
Posts: 488 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2004
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
There is hope with treatment.
I don't compare pictures, but people keep telling me I look healthy. Nobody bothered telling me I looked sick before...
It first started about 16 months after I started treatment. I think it might be that I treated Bart, as it was after around of Levaquin.
I went home for the Jewish Holidays, and friends of the family kept telling my mom how healthy I looked. Plus, the NP at my LLMD's office told me. She said I looked so sick when I first came, the difference was amazing.
Then this summer I started taking amino acids, B-12 and lots of Vitamin C. Something is working because people keep telling me my skin looks great. Before anybody said anything, I looked in the mirror and realized I look younger.
My LLMD also mentioned something at my last visit. She said it was clear that something was working.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 07 November, 2006 01:56 AM I sympathize with all of you; I've gained a lot of weight, but there is ONE BENEFIT......
We do NOT blow away on windy days! --------------------------------------------------
AND.............Fat People Are Hard To Kidnap.
I cringe everytime I see a picture of me, but then again, I always did.
There's no doubt this disease takes its toll on our bodies.
Posts: 158 | From PA. | Registered: Jul 2006
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Jellybelly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7142
posted
Yah, don't loose heart though. I have pictures that I always take to new doctors. They start when I first got sick, and show the progression of me going down into the black hole, to the point that I looked like an anorexic with cancer after chemo.
But, now, after finding the treatment that worked for me, I think I look pretty darn healthy for someone who just turned 50! Often people tell me I don't look like I could be 50 and the grammy of 4.
So, don't give up. Keep turning over every rock. You will find your path to good health again.
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Getting the right treatmentS is key (abx, adrenal support, liver support, quality sleep, detox, good diet etc). I look better today than I have in years- no more bells palsy, hair isn't falling out, skin is better. And I don't look tired all the time. I am starting to exercise more and that is producing good results as well.
There is hope, keep at it until you find what works for you.
Best wishes.
Posts: 925 | From California | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I carried my daughter's school picture from when she was well to all the doctors we went to looking for an answer. I would hold it up next to her (taken 3 months prior) and say "look at her, something is wrong".
fatiqued15..so nice to hear from you and your childrens progress.
Posts: 263 | From Georgia | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Well, I actully look better since I have begun treatment. I was overweight and lost I've 55lbs so far. I started on a yeast free diet and supplements for yeast control previous to lyme treatment. Its been 3 years now since I started loosing weight.
My main diet before treatment was basically bread and sugar! I was gaining 10lbs a year.
And people do comment about how "good" I look, because I don't look sick. So I have to remind them that when they (my friends) actually see me its on a "good" day!
But I've actually been taking more pictures of myself now then I ever have in the last 10 years!
So it may get better for all of you. But I really think it depends on how well you take care of yourself.
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