That's it! I'm tossin' the damned scale!!!

[54anickel]

I'm so depressed these days. Been working my butt off since June trying to loose some weight and get back into shape. Worked up to biking 10-12 miles almost daily, walking 45 minutes a day, or playing on my Trikke (late night infomercial scooter). I've only managed to shave off 4 lbs (I'm a good 50lbs overweight). Went to the doctor and she said I'm probably just eating more than I think. Told her I've been keeping track, I started at 1800 calories and took it down about 200 every couple of weeks when I wasn't seeing results. I'm down to 1200 calories now and refuse to go any lower, I'll keep the obese label thank you very much.

I just hate when doctors give you that :eyes: look, might as well just call me a damned liar. Meanwhile hubby's having great success on "my plan" - he's lost 20lbs in 6 weeks (the lucky bastard!) and his latest lab work shows a complete turn-around. At least his doctor is impressed.

I'm having an MRI on Monday since the ultrasound showed several uterine fibroids and they can't seem to find one of my ovaries. She didn't mention anything about the thyroid and hormone tests in the message, just said my labs were good and I'd get a copy in the mail (which I did but only shows lipid and glucose results).

The weather's turned nasty and I've mainly just been walking with hubby now for the past month. Started doing the YOU on a Diet workout but it hasn't become a regular routine yet. Some days I just wanna say screw it and go back to settin' round on my ass and chain smokin' again. Least I wasn't so down on myself.

[Longhorn]

1. I certainly understand!

For a time, I was riding my bike 34 miles a day, round trip, to work in 90-100 degree heat over hilly terrain! Didn't lose an ounce. I've tracked my diet for months on www.fitday.com or www.sparkpeople.com. Lost a couple now and then.

I'm having lap band surgery in the morning and wondering if even that will work. But I've decided not to weigh myself any more. I'll find out how I'm doing when I visit my doctor or my clothes are falling off!

Congrats to your husband! But don't give up -- you're bound to be improving your health even if the weight isn't coming off. I wish I knew the answer -- I'd be rich! :hug:

[54anickel]

2. Thanks Longhorn. I originally didn't start out to "diet", I just wanted to make

some healthy lifestyle changes - eat smaller portions of healthier food choices and move my body outta this chair more often. I only started keeping a record of what I was eating when I wasn't seeing any weight loss, just to make sure I wasn't eating too many calories in my now what seem to be numerous small meals and snacks. This was a whole new way of eating for me since I used to only eat supper and an occassional small lunch now and then. I didn't want to start into the whole weighing, measuring and tracking game - that's a diet and diets have a beginning and an end. I wanted to make a real lifestyle change. But I started tracking, first for my own benefit and knowledge which started to lead to feelings of frustration. Then I felt I had to continue tracking as evidence that somehow proved I was "being good" (how sick is that!)

Anyway, I'm totally frustrated with my Dr. right now. She shared her frustration with herself since she's been trying to loose 8 pounds for over a year and she's a runner. I guess she was trying to connect but I just felt totally pissed off instead. I've gone from being an obese, totally depressed, unemployed, completely sedentary, chain-smoking, carb devouring, keyboard jockey to an obese, non-smoking health nut and all she can offer for an explanation is that she's having the same problem (on a MUCH smaller scale - 8 vs 50) and that I'm probably still eating too much. :eyes:

So now I'm starting to fall back into that depression mode where I feel I can't do anything right. I've always suffered from being a perfectionist, I believed I could do anything I set my mind to do and I could do it well (or I'd keep at it and beat myself up until I got it perfect!). I really don't want to be put on anti-depressants. We tried that 3 years ago and they did nothing for me other than help me pack on an additional 10 lbs.

Sorry to ramble on and on here, but it does help for me to put it all down into words. I've got to celebrate the wins...I've quit smoking after a 35 year addiction, I'm more active and in the best physical shape (aside from size) of my entire adult life. I was smaller once after losing 55 lbs in 4 months through Weight Watchers (I was in that perfectionist self-beating mode and an obsessive-compulsive calorie counter). I was unhealthy, thin body, thin hair, brittle nails, horrible lipid counts, heavier smoker, and it was a "diet with an end" in my mind so the pounds slowly crept back on. I never taught myself maintenance as a lifestyle change, it was just more of a "watching and dieting" when the weight crept up. After a while I just quit watching.

Thanks again for your kind words of encouragement, maybe someday we'll come up with an answer and be rich AND the correct height at our weight ;-)
We'll have you in our thoughts as you go through your surgery. :hug:

[auntAgonist]

3. It sounds like you

are doing everything right! Could it be that you've developed muscle that you didn't have before? Muscle does weigh more than fat. Please don't be down on yourself. You are working very hard at changing your lifestyle both in what you eat and how you participate in each day!

I can relate to the 'look' you got from your Dr. I had Dr's for years push diet pills on me because they figured I really wasn't making an effort on my own :eyesroll:

It would be interesting to see your lab results, thyroid etc. Has your Dr ever mentioned polycystic ovaries? There are SO many reasons people have a hard time shedding pounds even when they are working harder at it than the average person. '

Best of luck to you and congrats on taking the bull by the horns!!

good health!

:hug:

aA
kesha

[54anickel]

4. Thanks aA. Those eyerolls really get to me. My sister used to get them

all the time too. We both grew up having lots of GYN issues, both put on the pill to help regulate at a young age. She was always thin, started having weight issues after her first child then gestational diabetes with her 2nd. Without going into long drawn out detail, she got a lot of :eyes: ended up an insulin dependent diabetic with crappy endo-care. Finally found a good endocrinologist (30 miles away) that put her on a pump but it was too late for her kidneys. She recently started on dialysis. Amazing the great care and selection of physicians available to her since she went from private insurance to medicare (disability) ----but that's another story I'd rather not get started on. Let's just say we are experiencing that healthcare crisis no one wanted to discuss back in the early Clinton admin days.

I never had kids, and was always on the chunky but healthy side. My GYN-OB retired 3 or 4 years ago, his replacement took me off the pill since I was still smoking and I've been having all sorts of problems ever since. So while no one has ever mentioned PCOS or endometriosis or anything else, both GYNs did tell me that once I was off the pill I would probably experience all the "issues" I was put on the pill for in the first place some 30 years ago. My new GYN did do a D&C and ablation 2 years ago. He didn't want to waste money on images quite yet and said we should try this first. I had some complications and we played phone tag but I haven't been back to him since. I went to my GP hoping for a sympathetic ear and an advocate with my GYN. I liked my new GYN as far as personality and knowledge, it's just that he's part of a very large and busy practice and there's no time for you with him or anyone else in the office (PAs, nurses, even the billing clerk). I've been checking around looking to change but there aren't a lot of good alternatives in this area.

This ultrasound and upcoming MRI are the first I've ever had in my life. I'd never been in a hospital until that ablation a couple of years ago. It appears my GP is now doing all of the right tests though her attitude toward me seems to be "just humor her". I know I've got to cut her some slack and give her a chance. It's "that look" that I just can't stand from any healthcare provider whether it's directed at me or someone else. I'm trying to avoid the health issues that are now slowly killing my sister and when I started to get that apple shape despite the dieting and exercise I knew I was headed for trouble. I went to the Dr for help, not to get a "look" and lecture on Metabolic Syndrome.

Thanks again
:hug:

[Longhorn]

5. I haven't found my PCP or GYN to be very helpful in that department, either.

They either say, "Eat less and exercise more," or they realize that that remedy is, for the most part, bullshit, and they share my frustration! That's why I didn't even go to my PCP first when I decided to do the lap band. However, I did see him last week for my pre-op labs and tests and he was very supportive of my decision. Better than nothing!

I have to say, I'm very impressed at how much you've improved your health! So much for obese people having no self-control, huh?

There is a pretty good book and PBS special out there (now on DVD) that validates your experience: Fat: What No One Is Telling You. (http://www.amazon.com/Fat-What-One-Telling-You/dp/B000OCY65Y)

I'll tell you this: it made me feel a lot better about myself and my efforts!

:hug:

[54anickel]

6. Wow, welcome back! I wasn't expecting to "see" you quite so soon from

surgery. I take it all went well? Thanks for the link, I just found the program available online and am watching it now.
:hi:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/fat/video-ch_01_vid.html?bandwidth=_hi&filetype=wmv

[Longhorn]

7. Yes, everything went fine.

I'm still sore but able to get around. I have a laptop and a wireless connection so I don't have to sit at a desk to get online. :)

I'm glad to know that the program is online and thanks for the link! Something happened to my DVR when I first recorded it and I missed the second half.

[lizerdbits]

8. I did find a gyno who wasn't an ass

and I have PCOS. He said to me 'you're blood fat levels are good, you eat well and exercise, so you don't really have anything to worry about.' It was really a surprise to have someone finally believe what I was eating when writing everything down and how I was exercising. Going by numbers, which doctors do, I'm about 35 lbs overweight but I do a lot of weight lifting so while I do have excess fat I'm not sure I'd be healthy if I lost 35. I don't really care about size, I was just told for years that if I weighed a certain number then all my hormones would magically be normal so I wouldn't bleed for months at a time. (I don't want kids so the possible infertility wasn't an issue for me.)

Have you ever had your testosterone levels checked? Mine is a little high based on the reference values on the copy I get but not all PCOS women (and you may not have that) have elevated levels. And there is variation on who considers what level to be classified as high. I do a low glycemic index type of diet since PCOS is associated with insulin resistance- I don't count anything I just eat mostly foods that aren't refined or highly processed. (And I won't lie and say if there's a birthday cake at work I never eat some!) I tried the standard low fat high carb stuff which for me was a disaster- weight gain and hunger. I plan on watching that video linked below to see what it says but you may want to look into PCOS and see if that's what you have. Most of us are told 'if you lose weight your hormone problems will go away, if you're not losing then you're lying.' I got lucky to get a rec to a gyno who doesn't think I'm a liar and works with me instead of telling me I'm full of shit.

[54anickel]

11. Seems I really do need to find another gyno! I've been going to this same group

forever and they've NEVER done any blood work on me. Matter of fact it was this latest one that sent me to a GP when my BP was on the high side. He wouldn't treat it OR rewrite my BC script until I went to my regular doctor. That group put me on BC, gave me my annual pap and pelvic and sent me on my merry way for over 30 years. This is my 3rd doctor with that group. Not a one of them has ever said anything about my weight much less check or discuss my blood fat levels! :wow:

[knitter4democracy]

9. She hasn't checked your thyroid?

That's usually the first thing Hubby checks in his patients who are having weight loss problems, fatigue, and other stuff. Heck, my doctor's checked mine three times in this last year since my kidney surgery since I have all the symptoms, but it's smack-dab in the mid-range of normal. If it were on the low side, they'd probably treat it and see if it worked at this point.

You are amazing! Look at how you were able to turn all sorts of bad behaviors around and start eating and exercising! That is awesome! Do you know how many of us are stuck in our comfy chairs wishing we had your pluck? ;) Fibroids can mess things up, and that ovary thing is a big concern, and stress alone can stop weight loss. You have a lot working against you, and yet you still keep it up. You rock!

Just me, I'd either give the doctor a talking-to or get a new one. I'm awfully picky on doctors, though.

[54anickel]

10. She ordered the test, just didn't share the results yet. She left a voice mail

message telling me I needed the MRI to find the "misplaced" ovary and touched on the lipid and glucose results since they were being mailed to my home anyway. I'll see how things go after she gets a look at the MRI on Monday. She said we'd talk more once she gets that report, but she wasn't too concerned about it since the CA-125 was normal and all my blood work "looked good". I still wonder if I didn't "blow" something out last year when I was having a lot of abdominal pain. Never ran a fever and a hefty dose of Ibuprofen did the trick after a few hours (recommendation of GYN office nurse) but I've been having that full feeling off and on ever since. I asked her about it and she just looked puzzled. :shrug:

Thank you for the encouraging words, they really do help a lot. I'll remind myself of that "pluck" when I'm feeling down. ;-) I imagine my body has been going through a lot the past couple of years when I think about it. Cut off from BC pills after 30 some years, then went from an extremely stressful job with long hours to no job and mild depression, then I took away the nicotine and am most likely hitting menopause to boot. I just figured all that would have somehow balanced out by now. Guess things don't just bounce back as easily as I get older.

[knitter4democracy]

13. They never really did much about the pain?

I mean, I'm used to that (ten years of misdiagnosed appendicitis will do that to ya ;) ), but that sounds odd. I'm glad she's doing the MRI now. That sounds like a good idea to find out what's there and what's not and what's going on. I know a fabulous surgeon in Madison, WI, if you end up needing surgery. The Endometriosis Association has a doctor list, too.

You have been through a ton! All that work stuff would mess up a body good all on its own. When you add in unknown body issues and known fibroids, no wonder you're having trouble bouncing back. Be gentle with yourself and treat yourself to something nice (cashmere's my weakness, especially if I find it at a resale shop). :)

She might be waiting to do something about the thyroid to see what's going on with your ovary. All the hormones are related, and she might be worried about messing with thyroid with an unknown hormonal problem in the mix. I don't know, but it makes sense to me.

[54anickel]

17. Nope, that was the gyno. I called the office, the nurse said to try 4 ibuprofen and

bedrest and to go to the ER if the pain didn't ease or I started running a fever. It worked and so I did the same thing the 2nd time around a few months later. Haven't had it again - yet - and that's mainly why I went to my PCP. I wanted her to sort of be an advocate for me with the gyno if I needed to see him. The nurses seem to run interference for the doctors unless you're looking to schedule a regular appointment several months into the future. Figure I'm better off having my PCP do all the initial testing and just bring in the gyno if I need surgery or something. It's a lot easier to get in to see her.

[knitter4democracy]

18. That's a good way to handle it.

Your regular doctor knows more about how all the systems work together in the abdomen anyways and won't just focus on the gyn organs, too. That might end up being a real asset if the MRI shows something else.

I have yet to have an MRI. Let me know if it goes "wocka-wocka-wocka" like the CT does. :)

[54anickel]

22. Holy sh*t! Claustrophobic really bad....had a panic attack and couldn't

even drive myself home - made it to a friends house about a mile or so from the clinic by driving with my head out the window. Not sure what the next step is, ain't no way I can lay in that tube for 40 minutes! Not without some serious dope anyway. My god, I'm still shaking and sick to my stomach 6 hours later.

Oh yeah, I don't remember what sound it made, it was sort of like a hammer hitting a pipe or something....I wasn't exactly paying attention to the sound.

[kdmorris]

23. The only way I was able to do it

(I've had two MRI's) was to cover my eyes with a washcloth or some other type of cloth. Then, they put headphones on me, so I could listen to a CD (I chose Enya). So, I had to pretend I wasn't there. The second MRI I had was of my head. It took them three tries to get me in, because there was this basket thing that they put around my head before even putting me in the tube. I almost freaked completely out. After I covered my eyes and ears, I was able to do it by just going "somewhere else". Heck, the second time, after they got me in there, I fell asleep. I couldn't move, anyway.

The first time they put me in the machine, my eyes were open and I started crying like a baby. I had such a horrible panic attack and I felt kind of stupid, because I was "being such a baby". All I really remember was screaming at him to "Get me out. Get me out.".

They also have Open MRI machines for people like us. If I ever have to do it again, I will definitely choose an Open MRI. Tell your doctor you just can't do it.

It makes a sounds like a hammer beating on metal, exactly.

[54anickel]

24. Thanks, that's exactly how I felt - good to know I'm not the only one! I felt

really stupid and the bad crying didn't start until I was out of there completely and driving in my car. My poor friend, by the time I made it to her house I couldn't talk so she thought the worse and that I got really bad news from the doc. I tried going to my happy place, it didn't last very long. The wash cloth on my face just made it harder for me to breath. Once I opened my eyes I tried to close them again and they just darted around in my head, so I tried to look "up and out" toward the ceiling didn't help. I was such a baby, I didn't even have to be all the way in, my head was sticking out a bit, it ended up where the machine starts to taper in my arms were in up to the shoulder.

I nearly drowned when I was a kid and can't stand to watch shows with people having any sort of struggle underwater, I find myself holding my breath, having that same "panic feeling" and having to change the channel or leave the room. Not sure if that's where it comes from but it's the exact same feeling. My Dad couldn't do an MRI without being knocked-out. I never understood the fear and thought he was just being foolish - it just wasn't logical. It all clicked into place years later.

Dad developed claustrophobia really bad back in the early 80s. He started having short panic episodes while on morphine for cancer related pain. Even long after being off of pain meds he couldn't stand closed in places - could no longer change the oil in his cars anymore because he couldn't stick his head under the hood much less crawl under the car. He couldn't take a shower without the curtain being left partially open (he used to have shower doors - those came out real quick!) This stuff went on for over 20 years. When he lived with us his final years he told us how he used to have to hide out and manuever around the cities of Holland and Germany in sewers and caves during the war. Suddenly a lot of the shitty parts of our lives growing up made some sense.

Anyway, I'll check into the open MRI's some more. A quick google last night came up with a site based in Green Bay - quite a drive but from the pictures it's one I could easily do. It's that or lights out for me...I don't even think the valium would help - I cry just talking or writing about it.

[54anickel]

25. Well she wants me to try doing it with valium. I'm supposed to try taking it

one night here at home so I know what it feels like and to see if I don't think that will do it. I picked up the pills last night but my trial run will have to wait for the weekend since I've got night classes. I just so want to get this over with, and I've got crap on my calendar all but 2 days next week so I doubt I'll get in until after Thanksgiving! Worse thing is that my bladder keeps feeling fuller all the time, when she put that board over the top of me the first time I felt a lot of pressure. Wonder if I'll be able to get a potty break in between images if I need to? 45 minutes is becoming a long time for me.....

[kdmorris]

26. Just make sure you have someone to drive you home!

I had a cystoscope today, which was one of the coolest things I've ever seen! Every thing looks pretty good and I'm ready for my surgery on Dec. 5th.

Good luck with the MRI! I hope things don't get worse before you get a chance to get it done.

[54anickel]

27. Is that where they check out the inside of your bladder? I didn't realize you

had an upcoming surgery. Good luck on your surgery as well.

Here I feel like such a baby crying to you about my inability to lay in a tube for 45 minutes without freaking out and your going "under the knife"!

[kdmorris]

28. Yes, they look at it through a scope

My surgery and the reason for it are not too bad, though. I'm not in pain. I just have a prolapsed bladder, uterus and rectum. Another thing I can blame on my teenagers. I'm actually looking forward to the surgery because it means I will stop peeing myself when I sneeze, among other issues. I'm having it all put back where it belongs on Dec 5th. Then I will be out of work for 6 weeks (give or take a couple weeks). I'm kind of looking forward to that, too, since I haven't taken a vacation all year.

You are NOT a baby! I can completely understand how scary it is. I almost wasn't able to get the MRI of my head. They have this cage that they put around your head and that was enough to terrify me. You cannot move your head at all. I'm not really sure how I finally calmed down enough to do it.

[54anickel]

29. I got to check out the open MRI machine yesterday and I'm scheduled for

next Monday. It's at some stand-alone imaging center (not affiliated with my docs clinic or hospital). I got to talk to the tech on the phone and he told me to stop by after his last appointment to check it out. Really nice guy, let me ease into it a bit at a time and when I started to panic and wanted out he talked me through and helped me focus on looking outside (beautiful view of a wooded area). I think I'll be OK with the valium added and hubby there to talk me through. The first five minutes was the hardest part - I just couldn't breath and started choking-up. Cried like a baby once I got out, but I made it. The tech put my mind at ease and said he thinks I'll do fine with the valium. From his past experiences people, who need to be sedated can't make it past a minute or two. He said this test was for his benefit as much as mine since it's going to take a bit more than an hour and if I could only make it part way through it would basically be a total loss and waste of everyone's time.

Not sure what all they're looking for, but he said it's an extremely thorough order of pictures. I suppose the more pictures the more money they can get. :shrug: It's their radiologist that makes the call based on what could and couldn't be seen in the ultrasound as well as the answers I gave during a quick telephone interview.

[kdmorris]

12. I once had a doctor tell me that all women lie about

their diet and exercise habits. He was the 4th in a long line of doctors that I was trying to get to help me fix my thyroid. I had been given a few TSH tests that all ranged from 5.45 (barely in range) to 9.02. But all of these doctors insisted that having a TSH in that range would not cause symptoms. I was eating very well and exercising for an hour every day and managed to lose about 3 lbs in 6 months.

Is your LDL cholesterol high? That was one of the things that should have clued my doctors off to a bad thyroid, as well. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's very common to have high LDL cholesterol when you have hypothyroidism. If I were you, I would start looking around at doctors who believe in you and can help you. Even if it's not hypothyroidism, too much insulin and other factors can cause you to have a hard time losing weight.

It was very depressing, but look at how much you have accomplished! You've changed your exercise habits, starting eating well and that's the first (and biggest step). Did you quit smoking at well? Or did you just cut down? If you recently quit smoking, that can also trigger hypothyroidism, though I'm not sure why. A lot of women end up getting hypothyroidism after they quit.

It's hard and I know you want to give up, but try not to! I've been there and I know how discouraging it is to have a doctor act as if you are a liar. But I finally found one. I was given thyroid replacement hormone (I take Armour, which has T3 and T4 in it) in 2002. I also found at that time that I was diabetic, so I learned to moderate my eating habits even more. And now, 5 years later, I'm back down to 178 from 242. Once I got the thyroid hormone, I maintained the same habits of exercising and eating and the weight just came off. I lost most of the weight in the first year. The normal weight for my height is 162-179, so I'm just barely in range, but I did it.

And you can, too!!! I'm so sorry you are dealing with such a lousy doctor! :hug:

[54anickel]

14. Yes, it seems thorough docs are hard to come by these days. I've been

researching hypothyroidism and am quite discouraged by the stories of doctors only looking at TSH results and not looking any further.

My cholesterol numbers are now perfect. Last time they were checked (3 years ago)they were borderline lousy, both were high but the Total/HDL ratio was just within range. I credit the improvement to diet, exercise and fish oil (that assumption is based on hubby's improvement seen since July when I finally got him to have his first check-up).

As I said, I am worried about diabetes since it runs in the family. My glucose was in the prediabetes range (121), partially due to my BP meds which she said we could change. I also think the cyclical inflammation in my pelvis (due to whatever is going on in there) has something to do with it. 2 weeks earlier at a health fair it was 99. I've been checking it at home and it's been coming back down to normal since the ultra-sound induced my period a week ago.

I completely quit smoking back in April. I hadn't heard of the link to hypothyroidism, not that I'd go back to smoking or anything, but it's an interesting point. I've had swollen glands and ringing in the ears for months and she sort of blew that off as well.

I'm so glad you've gotten things under control! I'll be persistent and look for another doctor is not satisfied with what she comes up with. It's the diabetes that scares me the most since I watched both my mother and sister battle with their weight on their own without any support from their health care providers. Mom died of complications from years of untreated diabetes and Sis is now on dialysis since she found her good endocrinologist a bit too late. If I don't get anywhere with my doctor I'll try to go and see her endo.

Thank you for the encouraging words and information. I've just got to keep looking at all the other health benefits I'm reaping and stop being so fixated on the scale. I keep believing that if I just get the scale to move down my glucose will come down too...guess that's not necessarily true. Looks like I need to be more assertive in my healthcare and start thinking about coping strategies should I end up with diabetes. Right now I've been too focused on running away from it.

Thanks again. :hug:

[kdmorris]

15. Saw in your profile that you are in Wisconsin

I don't know if any of these are close to you, but here's a good site that has a list of doctors who are, at least, willing to help:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/wisconsin.htm

Having Diabetes isn't what I would call a whole lot of fun, but if you catch it early, you can avoid complications. I cried for a month when I was finally diagnosed. I thought I was going to die, plus I thought I could never be this organized and keep track of everything that I needed to in order to succeed. But I got it under control and, for two years, stayed off medications with diet and exercise.

I did eventually progress to taking medications (Metformin and just got put on Januvia), but if you have a doctor tell you that the most important thing to do is eat low-fat, don't. I'm convinced that trying to get all my calories from carbs (because of my high cholesterol) is what finally pushed my pancreas into retirement. I now have no more than 45 grams of carbs per meal and 15 for snacks. Avoid ANYTHING that has High Fructose Corn Syrup in it.

Oh, yeah, after I got a copy of all the blood tests I had been given since 1998, I found out that I had a couple of glucose results that were 122 or 124. I was never told that, but what can you expect from a doctor that thinks 8.78 is a great TSH score and discards your complaints about fatigue, dry hair, freezing all the time, unable to work a full day without a nap, and gaining weight like that.

Good luck to you in your search. It's hard, but the results can be so rewarding. I drive 40 miles to see my doctor (he calls himself a holistic doctor, which everyone thinks means prisms and occult medicine, but all it really means is that he tries to fix the underlying cause, not all the symptoms).

[54anickel]

16. Thanks so much for the link! Yeah, I cried when I saw that glucose number...

I'm hoping I can head it off, but I think I need to accept the notion that I just may end up a diabetic. Thank you for sharing your experience, it helps to hear from someone who is doing well with diabetes.

High Fructose Corn Syrup has been banned from this household since early spring and we avoid simple carbs as well. Our carbs come from veggies, legumes, a limited amount of fruit and an occassional breakfast of Kashi or oatmeal.

Thanks again, I will definitely change doctors early in the game if I seem to be going no where with this one. I'm in SE WI so there are quite a few available in that list. I'm interested in the bio-identical hormones as well and I see there's someone listed that works with those too.

[knitter4democracy]

19. Excuse me?! I'd fire his ass so fast!

I have gotten to the point that I just don't put up with crap from my doctors anymore. I'm lucky in that I'm in an area with decent options and am married to an internist who makes sure I see the good ones in the first place. If a doctor told me that I was lying about my food journal or whatever, I'd tell him off and walk out. I mean, honestly! Grrrrr!

[kdmorris]

20. Oh, I did.

NEVER went back to him. I went through 5 more of the same stripe, fired them all, too, before I found a doctor to help.

The doctor I have now, I've had since the beginning of the year. He's the best. The years of doctors treating me like that have left their mark, though. I didn't realize how much it had affected me until a couple of weeks ago. I went back to him with glucose results in hand. I've been on Metformin for several years now, and I take Prandin as needed. I've been having to take more Prandin lately, which has caused increased insulin, which has caused me to gain weight. I had to approach him about finding something else that would increase my insulin without causing weight gain. I was almost having a panic attack thinking of telling him and having him yell at me.

He was very understanding, and discussed Byetta and Januvia with me. We (I want to emphasize WE) decided to try Januvia and, if that didn't work, go to Byetta. But he never accused me of lying or doubted me when I said I really didn't know what was causing my glucose to spike (I was having some fasting readings over 150 and post-prandial was spiking up to 200, unless I took the Prandin). He never treated me like an idiot or did anything that wasn't helpful.

THIS is how doctors should be.

[knitter4democracy]

21. Now that's a good doctor!

You're right--it should be a team effort. I don't like doctors who don't treat me like a member of a team instead of just some pawn to mess with.

[54anickel]

30. Well, it's finally moving ever-so-slowly down, about 10 lbs since the OP. It's been strange

trip - nothing, nothing, nothing then bam a couple of lbs. I've finally crossed the great divide from being labeled "obese" to "overweight". Basically, I've lost 15 pounds since I started this lifestyle change back in June.

I've been much less fixated on the scale since my OP and paying more attention to the glucose monitor since I'm obviously what they'd call pre-diabetic. Tried the no/low carb stuff but my morning fasting glucose was always running high (115-125, hit 135 once). Tried all the "tricks" -snack before bed, vinegar before bed, cinnamon, chromium, etc. I begged my doc (yeah, same one) to let me try Metformin.

First she said she didn't believe in prescribing it for weightloss, but after being persistent about my AM glucose, her "official" test result of 121, and my family history of diabetes, she finally agreed. I sat on that script for weeks, afraid that maybe was right about not starting on it before being diabetic. That and my not wanting to use a diabetic drug. I guess in my head, taking it meant the battle against diabetes was over and I lost. I asked the opinion of several professionals - 2 pharmacists, my GYN and his NP, my sister's Edno's NP and they all assured me that it made sense to try adding it to my regime and that it wouldn't make my body dependent on it. So I'm into the 3rd week and have started to see 80s and 90s after my walk during the day. AM numbers have started to come down a bit (110-115) as well.

Everything I've read about pre-diabetes says if you loose weight you can either reverse it to prevent diabetes or at least delay its onset. I'm hoping the Metformin can buy me some time to loose the weight (since it seems to be taking "for-freakin-ever" to take it off). My plan is to use it for 3 months and hopefully I can average about 1 lb per week for at least an additional 12 lbs. That would put me at about a 15% weight loss - well over the 7-10% they claim can reverse pre-diabetes. Reversing my pre-diabetes has become my New Year's Resolution. Wish me luck! :hi:

Oh yeah, I think I've found a pretty good replacement doctor - he's a DO - still doing some "research" before I make the change. Can anyone offer any advice on how to change doctors? How do you go about testing the waters with one? Guess what I'm asking is how do you shop for a doc? I've never done it before. Thanks for any advice you might have.

[AZBlue]

31. I asked for recommendations from friends.

When I wanted to change docs over the summer I sent a blast e-mail to a bunch of friends and co-workers and asked them if they liked their doc and if they did, who was it? Some were too far, some weren't on my plan and one really worked! I was referred by two people to the same person - and she's fantastic!

As for weight loss - have you considered the foods you're eating, not just the calories. I know calories are most important, but you could be like me: carb sensitive. Starchy carbs slow down my weight loss - same caloric level of the "good" carbs helps me lose weight faster. Or maybe you need a higher protein ratio (again, that works for me). Food allergies could also be a problem. I'm also learning more and more about the "Volumetrics" approach to weight loss - low energy foods vs. high energy.

There are so many factors that go into weight loss - I'm considering seeing a naturopath as well as my regular doctor. They just look at the big picture and consider every possible aspect, not just the obvious ones. If your insurance covers it, you might want to look into naturopathy too.

[54anickel]

32. Heh, so far most of my friends have asked me to let them know if I find a good one! Seems

none are too happy with their PCP. I'm working on getting a referral to an endocrinologist recommended by my sister - she's "seen 'em all" (is diabetic and hypothyroid)and loves the one she has now.

Our food plan is low-carb --- no starchy veggies, breads, sugars, processed foods. Almost everything is straight from the outer aisles of the store. Fresh veggies, meats/poultry/fish, low-fat dairy. Pretty much South Beachie stuff. It's working great for hubby, not so well for me as far as weight-loss goes. Then again I'm female, into that peri-menopausal stage with fibroids and pre-diabetes. So if not thyroid, definitely a lot of hormonal stuff going on. :crazy: I'm just happy to see both the scale and the glucose monitor heading in the right direction for now.

I haven't thought about any food allergies - hell at my age I figure they'd have been weeded out by now. I just started seeing an acupuncturist that shares office space with an MD recently turned naturopath (she gave up her family practice). Heh, not sure if my Qi is the problem or not but that was the most relaxing couple of hours I'd ever spent. ;-)

[AZBlue]

33. Well, then they're no help, huh?!

LOL!

An endocrinologist is a good idea. I hope you get your referral quickly!

And you're right - we all get to that age where it just becomes harder to lose it. When does it become harder to gain?!?!?
:silly: