Ah, ha, ha, ha stayin' alive, stayin' alive . . .

[CheriYM]

[COLOR="Purple"]I'm here for support to try and at least maintain and even try to lose weight while on immunosuppressants (high dose steroids) to treat a lupus flare. It's a long story - was diagnosed in '76 when I was 14 - will post more in the health issues forum later . . .
As for diet - the steroids will wreak some havoc. Years ago one doc told me that they give you a pathological desire to eat - and they decrease metabolism and increase fluid retention and redistribute fat and while I'm on them I am temporarily an insulin-dependent diabetic. Once off them that will go away. So, I am going to use fitday and basically try to do a low glycemic, high fiber food plan - kinda makin' it up as I go. I'd do Atkins/SouthBeach, but I don't think being in keto-acidosis would necessarily be good for my body with the lupus and all the drugs and such.
So, that's my plan . . . [/COLOR]

[CheriYM]

[COLOR="Purple"]Having a good day - blood sugars are under 140 and food has been pretty good. Have some chicken leg quarters in the crock-pot to nosh on over the rest of the weekend and just takin' it easy.[/COLOR]

[CheriYM]

[COLOR="Purple"]Woohoo!! Weighed in at 210 this morning Down ~ 4 lbs. Probably mostly water, but hey, I'll take it. Saw the doc yesterday. No reducing the prednisone yet. Probably in another 2 weeks. Food has been pretty good - DH and I went out for Indian food after the docs yesterday - mmmm! Love the curry and spices and did splurge on some nan.[/COLOR]

[Antonya]

Hi Cheryl! Just passing through and noticed that you lump Atkins and SB together as causing ketosis...just fyi, SB actually doesn't do that. It's higher carb and lower fat than Atkins.

Good luck in your journey to wellness!!!

[CheriYM]

[COLOR="Purple"]Thanks, Antonia - I kinda did lump them together incorrectly. I probably could do the SB with no ill effects - will look into that some more.
I started on my Cellcept (chemo drug to suppress my immune system so that the lupus stops attacking my lungs) 2 days ago. So far no major ill effects. Kind of a funny coating on my tongue and feeling some fatigue - which might balance the hyper-ness from the steroids if I'm lucky
Food has been good - although I usually do Sundays as a "free" day. Made blueberry scones for breakfast - mmmmm. Fresh blueberries are plentiful and cheap right now and had blueberry smoothie a couple days ago - gotta love summertime!
My latest challenge is juggling my meds and eating schedule. I usually take my thyroid meds first thing when I wake up to pee, then go back to bed. Then whenever I get up I can have coffee/brkfst. Now I also have to take cellcept on an empty stomach 2x/day and have to wait at least an our to eat after taking it - so will be working on figuring out all that . . .[/COLOR]

[sheryl0423]

Good Luck Cheri!!!!

[CheriYM]

[COLOR="Purple"]Back after a bit of a break - needed to take a little time away from dealing with all my health crap - gets a little overwhelming sometimes. Am up about 10 lbs - due to steroids and retaining extra fluid from the CellCept - edema in legs and ankles. Docs have reduced steroids to 40mg and will come down to 30 next week
Have been feeling pretty good - a little tired - but doing ok all things considered.[/COLOR]

[CheriYM]

[COLOR="Purple"]Ok - am going to go back to using FitDay in order to be more accountable for my food/carbs . . .[/COLOR]

[CheriYM]

Wow - has been a long time since I was here - have continued to have crazy health issues - lupus, heart, thyroid - but am hoping to get healthier and drop some lbs!!
I am down to 10 mgs on the prednisone and still full dose on CellCept. Have had some major fluid retention issues with the cellcept, but that seems like maybe it is getting better.
Have not been watching my food - except for low sodium. Have not been totally horrible - but not careful carb/sugar-wise.
Will start doing fitday again to start . . .

[hotchick818]

Best of luck to you Cheri! Your cat is a cutie