DOES the pain go away and breathing get easier?

[Suz135]

If I weigh 300 pounds and lose some, will I be able to walk without pain? ... or will I always have some pain?

If I you have asthma, does it get better with weight loss?

And ... does anyone know how low-carb affects anemia?

I'm almost 50 and was diagnosed with very severe anemia. I can hardly get any work done around the house and I hurt so much all the time in every joint of my body. I don't know what parts of it are weight related.

I've always been heavy but 4 massive rounds of steroids and asthma treatments and being in and out of the hospital last year have helped me gain almost 80 pounds in 11 months. That's more than a pound a week. Each time I was rushed to the hospital and put on steroids I gained 20 pounds. I've gone from 225 to 302.

Never been this heavy and never hurt so much in my entire life.

Help!

[pescacat]

Hi-

I'm no doctor but I've lost weight with low carb and felt a lot better. Eating low carb helped me with less joint pain almost right away and losing weight helped with my movement, sleep, breathing, etc. I can only say I was miserable the heavier I got and I feel better all the time as I have lost weight. My boyfriend says EHUD-everyone's hooked up differently so your mileage may vary. You might decide to give it a try and see what happens since you're not feeling well as things are but I have no idea if low carb is right for you. I also have no idea if low carb will help with anemia-I'd say check with a doctor on all those issues before doing any lifestyle and eating changes. Best wishes to you!

[Hildebeest]

Like pescacat, joint pain lessened right away for me, as well as improved my movement, sleep and breathing as well. I can't comment on the asthma or anemia either, and I'm also not a doctor - but I am thinking that the rapid weight gain from the steroids didn't give your joints any time to adjust to it. You poor thing!! I have always been heavy, so my joints have sort of been 'used to it' and I never had *severe* joint pain, but what little there was, was made almost instantly better by losing just a few pounds, and I'm feeling better and more flexible every day.

I concur - talk to your doc (hopefully a LC-friendly physician) ask lots of questions, and don't give up. Hugs and feel better soon!

[ravenrose]

so sorry you have this trouble, Suz! *hug*

every pound helps, and every pound you do NOT gain in the future keeps it from getting worse. keep at it!

do you take iron supplements? I totter on the edge of anemia, just below the normal range, now, but it's not too bad. I do feel tired, but not like I did before when I was fatter. I think it will get better for you. the tiredness is probably not JUST anemia, you know? being overweight by that much makes everything harder.

good luck!

[Passion68]

Suz, lifelong asthmatic here. Been on steroids dozens of times throughout my life.

I find when I eat less carbs, my tummy isn't bloated, therefore there is less pushing on my lungs. On good days, when my peak flow is normal, I walk the treadmill. The longer I walk, the better my asthma gets, I am less wheezy, and use less inhaler. My doc told me as I lose weight, my lung capacity will increase.

Luck to you.

[Suz135]

Thank you everyone, but especially Passion. I've had asthma for about 10 years now but these past 4 have been much worse with last year being a record setter for me.

The doctor also diagnosed me as a diabetic and said if I didn't lose weight she would have to put me on meds. What the doctors didn't tell me was that albuterol messes with your blood sugar. When the nurse told me that, I was like ... geesh.

Anyway, I'm not on medicine for the diabetes yet and the asthma is 'mostly' managed but I'm having to do a lot of treatments. 2 nebulizer treatments a day with Advair following.

It's so hard to get the house clean and watch the grandkid and keep going when my body wants to just sit down and quit. And it is hard to start a diet when you have a household of 7 to take care of and cook for and none of them are interested in starting an eating plan with you.

If anyone here believes in prayer, please pray for me.

If I can just get my will power (or round tuit as Dad calls it) together ... maybe I can get back on low carb. Right now I am failing.

Thank you again so much.

[debkeversole]

going from 370 to under 300 has helped me breathe much better and it is way easier to walk
for the anemia also look into B12 shots can really really help with that
you can do this aand as was stated earlier in the thread every pound gone is less pain!

[Suz135]

Deb, thank you for the response. The doctor put me on a very high dose Iron Supplement ... and it has helped, but I did think about getting the shots. I have a friend here who took them and she said they made all the difference. I will have to check and see how much they are.

I just can't tell what is causing me to breathe so heavily ... the asthma or the weight. I'm just over 5 feet tall, so you can imagine what 302 looks like on my frame. LOL I could almost roll as well as walk.

Love this board. I need to hear from people who are more in my shoes than someone who just needs to lose 35 pounds. Make sense?

Thanks again Deb

[Passion68]

Oh, Suz.

You are a good example of the many women who look after so many, and there's no time or energy left for you.

When talking to a friend last summer about all the volunteering I do, she asked me: "When are you going to volunteer for you?"

My new year's resolutions are just that. I started the low carb lifestyle. I went to the doc for a check-up. I got new contacts. Currently, my resolve is to leave the office at a decent hour so I have time to walk on my treadmill in the evenings. I started slow, just 10 min at 2.0 MPH. I'm up to 20 min right now. I also walk up and down the stairs at the office to the ladies room, instead of walking a straight shot down the hall. Tomorrow for the first time in 9 years, I'm bringing my walking shoes to walk the path near my office building at break.

My point is, you can do this! You can overcome these burdens. Start slow. I literally say "baby steps".

We are here with you.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by Suz135

Deb, thank you for the response. The doctor put me on a very high dose Iron Supplement ... and it has helped, but I did think about getting the shots. I have a friend here who took them and she said they made all the difference. I will have to check and see how much they are.

I just can't tell what is causing me to breathe so heavily ... the asthma or the weight. I'm just over 5 feet tall, so you can imagine what 302 looks like on my frame. LOL I could almost roll as well as walk.

Love this board. I need to hear from people who are more in my shoes than someone who just needs to lose 35 pounds. Make sense?

Thanks again Deb

you are so welcome!
oh my YES it can be your weight as well as your asthma! at 370 i could not sleep in any way but on my side with my arm laid on my hip because there was just soo much pressure on my chest and i could not get air! i know even losing 10 pounds can help with that kind of breathing problem IDK about the asthma though

[debkeversole]

wanted to invite all of you all over to say Howdy if you want to
300+ Support Group~BLOOMIN' EXERCISERS !~MAY 2012

[Suz135]

Originally Posted by Passion68

Oh, Suz.

You are a good example of the many women who look after so many, and there's no time or energy left for you.

When talking to a friend last summer about all the volunteering I do, she asked me: "When are you going to volunteer for you?"

My new year's resolutions are just that. I started the low carb lifestyle. I went to the doc for a check-up. I got new contacts. Currently, my resolve is to leave the office at a decent hour so I have time to walk on my treadmill in the evenings. I started slow, just 10 min at 2.0 MPH. I'm up to 20 min right now. I also walk up and down the stairs at the office to the ladies room, instead of walking a straight shot down the hall. Tomorrow for the first time in 9 years, I'm bringing my walking shoes to walk the path near my office building at break.

My point is, you can do this! You can overcome these burdens. Start slow. I literally say "baby steps".

We are here with you.

Passion, not taking time for myself is definitely adding to the tension. I'm not complaining, but it has been a VERY hard year. I've been hospitalized for asthma without insurance and had numerous trips to the doctor and tons and tons of test ... paying for everything out of pocket and doing pretty good until the company my husband worked for went bankrupt and he was laid off March 30 this spring. I blew my van up the next day and his dad passed away the day after that. Not joking ... it actually happened that way. My oldest daughter is borrowing my car every day to get to work and back so I'm stranded while baby-sitting my other daughter's 2 year old. Hubby is doing his best trying to work some at home.

I really can't complain though. We called a family meeting with all the kids who are still at home and suggested we all chip in on the bills. Without hesitation they all said, "sure" and we divided everything up INCLUDING my medical bills (so thankful) and we haven't been late on anything yet.

But there is no extra for 'fun' ... and I can't get out of the house for some alone time anymore.

I'm VERY proud of my family for the way they have stuck together and so grateful. But even they deserve some time and haven't been able to take it. This is just a stressful time.

But I KNOW you are right. I've been here before when the kids were small and things were way too tight. I learned the hard way that if you don't take some type of break ... you'll break.

You've encouraged me to make some time for myself. I am going to do it. I'm going to follow along with you guys and be accountable. If you say it can be done then all I need to do is believe you and start walking.

I'm starting right now.

Thanks

[Suz135]

Originally Posted by debkeversole

you are so welcome!
oh my YES it can be your weight as well as your asthma! at 370 i could not sleep in any way but on my side with my arm laid on my hip because there was just soo much pressure on my chest and i could not get air! i know even losing 10 pounds can help with that kind of breathing problem IDK about the asthma though

I'm glad you share that about sleeping. I was wondering if I was weird. I bought about 4 pillows last year to add to the one I was sleeping with and sleep on all 5 of them every night. My hips hurt if I lay on one side too long and my knees hurt when I'm sitting or sleeping.

I felt silly when I told hubby that my bra was squeezing the life out of me, but when they rushed me to the hospital the first thing the doctor said was to make sure when I was struggling to breathe to remove my bra. lol

Have you ever had trouble with your face being swollen every morning? I was doing that too. It has let up a lot since using all these pillows but I'm not sure why. I mean ... I literally woke up with HUGE bags HANGING under my eyes for about an hour til they went down! It was embarrassing.

You guys have been a great encouragement to me. I came in here depressed and thinking I would never make it. So confused lately. But now it feels like I've found someone who understand how my body feels.

Imagine living in a house where all your family except 1 isn't overweight! LOL Sometimes if just feels as if they think me and my oldest daughter (also obese) are over-eating and defective.

When I talk about pain they just look at me like I'm crazy. My doctor does the same thing. She's precious but I think you just have to be here to understand how it REALLY feels. It's like being trapped and in jail.

Thanks for listening and especially for talking this out with me.

[Passion68]

Suz, thank you for sharing your story.

My first thought is you can do things with the 2 year old. Depending on your home set up, you could play ball in the back yard at first. You could do stairs on your deck or porch. You could move on to walking the kiddo in his/her stroller. The possibilities are endless.

It's easy to give up. Focusing on your health is important.

Before I started low carb, my hips hurt. My knee made a noise just walking. I was sore and tired all the time.

Baby steps.

[Passion68]

Also, re: food and family: When I first started getting serious about the low carb WOE, I made myself my own shelves of food in the pantry. I put off limit food in DH's cupboard. I'm not tempted anymore, (when I'm focused), but I don't have to look at it.

[debkeversole]

[Passion68]

Suz, I just posted this on a different thread, but I wanted to share it here, too:

"I want to share this with all of you: For the first time in 9 years, I just walked the river pathway near my office. I only went for 10 minutes (I'm at 20 min on the treadmill), but the point is I did it, and I did it without stopping. I brought my walking shoes and sports socks to work and changed into them. The pathway is better than walking a main road or track, INHO, because it is camouflaged with trees and I didn't feel like people were "staring at the big girl". The birds sounded beautiful and there is a slight breeze today so that was pleasant. I am a bit sweaty now, but I just dabbed my forehead w/ a tissue, no big whoop."

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by Passion68

Suz, I just posted this on a different thread, but I wanted to share it here, too:

"I want to share this with all of you: For the first time in 9 years, I just walked the river pathway near my office. I only went for 10 minutes (I'm at 20 min on the treadmill), but the point is I did it, and I did it without stopping. I brought my walking shoes and sports socks to work and changed into them. The pathway is better than walking a main road or track, INHO, because it is camouflaged with trees and I didn't feel like people were "staring at the big girl". The birds sounded beautiful and there is a slight breeze today so that was pleasant. I am a bit sweaty now, but I just dabbed my forehead w/ a tissue, no big whoop."

KUTGW!

[Suz135]

Wow Passion! That's a GREAT report. I'm so proud of you and hopeful for me.

Sorry I didn't think to check here until now. I have been cleaning out the cabinets and trying to make space for me. Also, I'm trying to make out menus for the week and get the cooking behind me for the most part for hubby and the rest so I don't have to be so tempted.

This is hard for me but I think it's because I am so out of practice and it all seems so new. But at least it seems do-able. That is a massive improvement.

Even tho I haven't eaten low carb yet, I've let ALL my sugar go and soft drinks. That in itself is a BIG deal for me.

I'll try not to be a lurker and keep everyone posted.

Take care!

[Hot Tamale]

Hey Suz - It sounds like you're doing the right thing letting go of the sugar and sodas... I have been where you are PLUS almost 100 pounds more. I could barely get to sleep (and I had terrible sleep apnea to boot...) and I was in lots of pain of varying degrees all the time. I could only fall asleep on my side (laying on my back felt like I was being crushed by my own weight...) and I literally slept way propped up on about 8 pillows minimum. I also didn't have asthma or anemia, but I can tell you losing weight makes it much easier to sleep and the pain does go away! You will be amazed in even 20 or 30 pounds how much better you feel. It is really tough getting there but it is so worth it when you do! Good Luck!!!

[debkeversole]

[ebeads]

Hello everyone. My general pain and breathing are better, but I always have my fibromyalgia pain and back pain from degenerating discs. It is a trade off. Exercise makes me hurt a lot, but I know if I can hang in there, the muscles will not hurt as much.

I just have to learn how to just endure.

[Suz135]

I am thankful for every response here. Hot Tamale, you've done extremely well. I was on Atkins year back and lost down to 220 from 276 but it was so hard. I can't seem to find the will power anymore. But if I can just give up the cokes (which seems almost impossible in my mind because I LOVE them) and give up the sugar, that's a start.

Ebeads, I wish you luck at your efforts. I know what pain is. I'm very familiar with it. For that reason, my heart goes out to you and all those here who are working to recover their lives back. I'm going to keep going and I hope you will too.

Today I was thinking, I've done well at leaving the cokes behind and the sugar ... now if I can conquer bread.

I promise not to quit.

[Suz135]

Just came back in to add ... I have been very surprised at how many of you have told me you had trouble sleeping just like me ... and ... how many of you have felt like you were smothering when you were laying in bed.

This point alone gives me great hope because it is at night I seem to suffer the most from asthma attacks. Every attack that almost took my life last year was at night ... so ... if I lose weight, maybe my nights will go much smoother.

I need to remember all this pain so I don't ever gain all this weight back again. I mean, just to be out of pain is enough reason to lose even if I never get small. :0

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by Suz135

Just came back in to add ... I have been very surprised at how many of you have told me you had trouble sleeping just like me ... and ... how many of you have felt like you were smothering when you were laying in bed.

This point alone gives me great hope because it is at night I seem to suffer the most from asthma attacks. Every attack that almost took my life last year was at night ... so ... if I lose weight, maybe my nights will go much smoother.

I need to remember all this pain so I don't ever gain all this weight back again. I mean, just to be out of pain is enough reason to lose even if I never get small. :0

[Passion68]

Suz, my asthma attacks usually happen at night, too. Mine are usually the result of allergy attacks, a cold/flu, stress, or a combination of these.

I have no health insurance. My last trip to the ER and weekend hospital stay was $16K. Thank gosh I was on DH's medical insurance at the time (I removed myself because I could no longer afford the $300/mo).

What I do to avoid attacks is take a combo of my rescue and long acting inhalers, take an allergy pill before bed, I take vitamins, try and avoid being around ill people, wash my hands or use anti-bacterial gel after shaking hands with someone, keep up with my walking, and get 9 hours of sleep a night. If I party too much, or am really stressed at work, that's when I start to get in trouble. If I get tight, I use my nebulizer and take extra strength Musinex.

[ebeads]

No health insurance here, either. It's ok , after all my years of being dissed, doctors are not my best friends. They have been telling me I am gonna drop dead for 40 years. I am still here and most of them have gone to the great beyond. :-)

I will have medicare when I am 65, so hopefully that will be some coverage in my later years. Honestly, I do not miss going to doctors. Some of them were not all that smart about obesity or fibromyalgia , my two "conditions"

Passion68 sounds like you have a good action plan! Bless your heart.

[debkeversole]

[ebeads]

Where did that day go? LOL Happy Tuesday!
I'm not losing. I am going to try a week without sweetener and see how that goes. I just priced out seltzer water. Will spend money I dont have (LOL ) for a weeks worth because I can't stand tap water. I am my own experiment. There are so many differing opinions on the board about coffee, sweeteners, cheese. So I have to see what is my own bugaboo. I am using ****** and I am keeping all my food in line I have a suspicion it may be one or all three of the things I mentioned.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by ebeads

Where did that day go? LOL Happy Tuesday!
I'm not losing. I am going to try a week without sweetener and see how that goes. I just priced out seltzer water. Will spend money I dont have (LOL ) for a weeks worth because I can't stand tap water. I am my own experiment. There are so many differing opinions on the board about coffee, sweeteners, cheese. So I have to see what is my own bugaboo. I am using ****** and I am keeping all my food in line I have a suspicion it may be one or all three of the things I mentioned.

checck for hidden sugars in EVERYTHING as well i was soo mad at myself my favorite bacon had sugars in it!
here are a few names to look for on the labels , some are obvious some are sneaky OH and always be wary of HFCS and MSG

barley malt
beet sugar
brown sugar
buttered syrup
cane-juice crystals
cane sugar
caramel
carob syrup
corn syrup
corn syrup solids
date sugar
dextran
dextrose
diatase
diastatic malt
ethyl maltol
fructose
fruit juice
fruit juice concentrate
glucose
glucose solids
golden sugar
golden syrup
grape sugar
high-fructose corn syrup
honey
invert sugar
lactose
malt syrup
maltodextrin
maltose
mannitol
molasses
Panocha
raw sugar
refiner's syrup
sorbitol
sorghum syrup
sucrose
sugar
turbinado sugar
yellow sugar

oh and another one spice blends!! they sneak sugar in those too no wonder the whole nation is addicted to sugar! i have good homemade spice blend recipes if anyone is interested