not doing so well

[grannyhotwheels]

Hi everyone,
I'm sorry I haven't talked to ya'll in a couple of days but I've been under the weather.  We had a cold front come through and I think that had something to do with it.  I'm very stiff and my muscles are having spasms.  I'm in a lot of pain and can't seem to get on top of it.

My doctor upped my meds a little to see if that would help.  So far it hasn't.  I'm still up on my feet but it's just from determination because I would feel a lot better in the chair.  I just can't make myself relent to that.

I'm trying to read every one's post so I can catch back up.  It seems like being gone one day and there are a ton of new people to learn about and get to know.

I hope everyone is doing as good as can be expected.

I'll be praying,
Carol

[LLWB]

So sorry you're in pain. Don't be afraid of the chair, your body is still healing from your surgery. The low-carb diet is the only one that works for me. To really follow it right, the first 2 weeks need to limit carbs to 15 a day. Yes, I know that sounds extreme. But after that you can start adding in the fruits. Just think, any meat, bacon, sausage, steak, fish, lobster, etc. Any veg and as much as you want, olives, avocados, tomatos,, eggs, cheese. No fruit or juice for first 2 weeks. Then can add a half baked potato with butter and sour cream. Half & half in coffee. A slice of bread.  I lost 45lbs the summer before I got married 6 years ago. I was never hungry....Unfortunately after I got married, my dear husband thought he had to cook for me every night after I got home from work at 10:30 at night...and it wasn't a meal without potatos, bread etc. He even baked bread for me. LOL! As you can guess, gained back the weight, but bless him he didn't care. I just went back on diet again, and have lost 3 1/2lbs past two weeks. NO SUGAR. I drink lots of diet coke w/lime, and lots of water.  Have been having trouble with edema. Go for the nuclear stress test on Monday, sounds like lots of fun.Yeah, right. Plan on going to Red Lobster night before for lobster and salad, sure hate to miss out on the cheddar biscuits tho. Had to reserve a hotel room for Sun night, as test at 8:30 in am, and 75miles away. Then I'll come home (test takes 4 hrs) and go to work..Say a quick prayer on Monday for me, pleae. Had been worried about you, as hadn't seen your smiling face lately. You take care of yourself. We need to get a chorus line going when we all are svelt again...............hugs & prayers, Maggie

[TonkaSpirit]

Hi Hon,
You are in my prayers for a good nights rest, and some energy and health tomorrow, and the next, and the next...Yesterday I spent pacing back and forth in the kitchen crying aloud (by myself of course) as I was not feeling well either.  Fresh fruits and veges are all carbs and you can eat them to your heart's content as long as they are real and not processed.  Juice is usually too high in sugar and with the fruit and veges, your body has to work to digest them, plus they are wonderful for your body.  I agree with Sally, stay away from the white stuff.  Whole wheat breads and whole wheat cereals without all of the added sugar are good also.  If you can, have some milk daily also and it helps kick in the fat burning mechanism.  Plus carbs feed the brain and make us feel better and think better.  Here's to your health!!!
Love, Terrie

[6-paq]

I'm so sorry that you aren't doing so well and are in pain.  Many prayers that you feel better soon.

Take care!  God Bless you!  Pat :)

[Super_sally888]

Hi Carol,

So sorry you're in pain.  Hope it eases up soon.  Prednisone is a powerful antiinflamatory.  So coming off it could allow your pain to flare up.

Hang in there sweetie.  Love you all too and worry about you when I don't hear from the regulars for a while.

I second what everyone says about conserving your energy to do what counts.  So don't be too hesitant to use the chair, when you need to.  You read the spoon article I posted.  Revisit that.  :)

For the amount of carbs to lose weight, it varies by individual and by energy expenditure. Personally, I don't worry too much about carbs, but steer clear of the white carbs; ie. white potato, bread, white rice, pasta.... use the wholegrain equivalent of these and focus on other veges...

Take care and God Bless.

Sally

[T-lynn]

Wishing you were feeling better.

When I'm coming off the solu-medrol or the prednisone my legs have gotten extremely painful and it was very difficult to walk.

Try to conserve your energy as much as you can.it does pass in time.

I do not like the cold as it causes the spasms to go wonky especially the paraspinal and legs but the heat makes me witchy,sends my vision into a tizzy and my numbness increases.

I like to keep the house around 66 but thats hard with 2 fire places and the kids complain so they'll throw logs in.

Keep up the fight but rest when needed.

T

[pennst8r]

Just saw your post. I'm so sorry you're in bad shape. Glad to see you're not letting it get the best of you though. I'm with Quix with the temperature. I had my office window open yesterday and the AC on today @ work. My staff are coming in to talk to me with winter coats on! They understand though.

Keep fighting it, but don't make yourself worse by not resting when you need to.

Take care. We'll all be praying.

Penn

[grannyhotwheels]

Thank you all for your posts.  I love each and every one of you.  You all have a way of lifting my spirits no matter what.  Thank you very much.

Quix.  My potassium has leveled off but I'm still taking 7 potassium pills a day.  But now that I'm off of the prednisone it is stabilized.  Do you think the pain could be caused from coming off the prednisone?  By the way I do exactly the same way as you with hot and cold weather.

Once again thank all of you for your concern and I'll be praying for each of you.

Carol

[Quixotic1]

I'm so sad that you're in more pain again.  Do you think it's from coming off the prednisone?  And, has comming off of it helped your potassium stabilize?

All sorts of people with all sorts of painful problems, incluing inflammatory ones, complain when a bad weather front (usually a low pressure system) moves in.  It would not surprise me at all if some MSers responded to weather that way.  I know my vertigo really throws me for a loop with some storms.

For me the temperature is a too edged- problem.  In the heat I'm weak and homicidally irritable.  I get hot and I'll bite your head off and hide it!  So I keep the house at a comfy 67degrees, freezing out my poor family who run around all bundled up, while I walk around in baby doll nighties (I know.  TMI)  But, if I get chilled, my back spasms up and everything is more stiff.  I walk like Frankenstein.  But, of the two, I would much rather be cold than even a little too warm.

As far a relenting to the wheelchair, just remember that sometimes the little bit of conservation of your strength will allow you to be better and stronger at another time.  Using it all up and "toughing it out" can be counter productive.  Be gentle with yourself.

Thinking about you every day.  ((((HUGS))))  Quix

[doni54]

Hey, gal!  Sorry the cold weather got that pain started up again.  I'm like Zilla, you are my inspiration and I truly hate that you are having a bad time.

I'll say extra special prayers for you and hope that you will feel better soon.

Love & (((((hugs))))
doni

[sllowe]

Hi Carol,

Just wishing you well, I hope you feel better soon. . . .

SL

[Momzilla]

Hey, Hot Legs~

Stay on your feet, girl!  I know it's tough.  I'm sorry you're having such a hard time.  Whenever I'm feeling weak or tired, I think, if Carol can make it through (and through and through and through...) so can I!

You've had a tough year.  I hope things settle down for you.  I'm so glad to hear your spirit is still kicking!  You inspire me.  I bet that doesn't mean a hill of beans to you.  I bet you'd take a little better health if it meant being less of an inspiration to all of us.  But you are!

I hope the meds start helping, Hot Legs.  Feel better!

Zilla*

[grannyhotwheels]

I was wondering about the south beach diet and low carbs.  How many carbs should you consume in one day to actually loose weight?
I'm sorry I didn't make it to weigh-in on Monday, I was too sick.  I stayed the same.  Didn't loose but didn't gain.  So I'm thinking about trying something different.  Anyone got a suggestion or two?

How is everyone else doing?  Do we have any big losers yet?  Let me know.

I'll be praying,
Carol

[floridamom2]

I am sorry you have not been feeling well!  I will be praying you get some relief so that those Hot legs keep moving!
Take care,
Kristin