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649848 tn?1534633700

Medical Issues and Weight Loss

I’m seeing a lot of people with certain medical issues (cancer, thyroid disease, etc) asking questions about losing weight, diet pills, ways to eliminate excess fluid, etc.

Some of you may know that I, personally, have a thyroid problem (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) and have struggled for some time with my weight, along with other issues.  I take thyroid meds on a daily basis (2 different ones throughout the day) and my situation is different from some other people who are trying to lose weight without an accompanying medical issue.  

There are a lot of other medical issues that can cause weight gain/retention, including insulin resistance, other hormone issues, a variety of meds, (the list is probably endless).  

The purpose of my post is this:  for those of us that have medical issues causing our weight gain/retention issues, things might be different and we can’t always do the same things that everyone else can do and if we can do them, we don’t necessarily get the same results.  

If you have a condition that causes weight gain/retention or are on certain meds, your needs will not be the same as someone who does not have that condition or is not on those meds.  If you are facing certain medical testing/blood work, you will most likely not be able to do things that people that don’t have these issues can do.  

I caution everyone with a medical condition to consult with their doctor prior to trying any alternative solutions.  Likewise, if you are on meds (whether it be thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure, etc), please be aware that even “natural” solutions can have side effects and may not be compatible with your meds and you could have adverse affects.  

In addition, I strongly suggest that anyone who has either a medical condition or has symptoms of a medical issue to consult with their doctor prior to embarking on anything but a very simple weight loss/exercise journey.  

I’d be interested in knowing how many we have here who are dealing with medical issues – whether it might be from some type of disease, injury, meds, etc.  

I’ll go first; as I said – I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis/Hypothyroidism (diagnosed in Jun '08) and it has caused my whole life to turn topsy turvy.  Nothing works like it did before (including maintaining/losing weight) and the mental challenges are just as great as the physical ones.  

Thank you all for "listening" and understanding.  

  





11 Responses
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
TrudieC and dai3symae, it's good to hear from both of you.  I know from my own experience that hypothyroidism presents it own special problems and when there are additional issues to deal with, that makes it that much harder.  

I hope you both get your issues worked out and thank you for sharing.    
Helpful - 0
579258 tn?1250649343
You are all so brave and courageous to face these complicated medical issues and stay committed to your general health and well being by watching what you eat, exercising and staying involved in this community.  That's what MedHelp is all about!  All of US TOGETHER .. being supportive, sharing information and helping each other through our treatments and difficulties .. and jumping for joy and shouting out our successes.

PLEASE .. do not lurk in the shadows!  We are NOT tired of hearing from you and never will be.  That's what "Support" is all about!  Don't you realize that "Holding" your weight or doing the best you can and gaining a little now and then .. it's all part of the process of learning new behaviors and working within the confines of our ailments.

Of all the places in the world, this should be a place where you can voice your need for assistance and here, your teammates .. those who have written above .. will embrace and support you.  You are not alone!

wonko - Please know that by you posting about your Lyme disease, this information was passed on to a dear friend who did have the bullseye rash but didn't think it was important .. despite pleas to seek help.  After your description of what you have felt, he saw the correlation and has made an appointment to be seen.  Thank YOU for sharing; you helped another person.

EACH of YOU help other people .. people who come here and for one reason or another are afraid to post.  The information you share and the sincerity in which you post, helps encourage others to do the same.  

Thank you for being here on MedHelp and in the WL&D community.  I am in awe at the strength, poise, perseverance and bravery you each display every day.
Helpful - 0
479581 tn?1317757488
I also have a thyroid problem (hashimoto's) which seems to have flucuated to a hyper phase at the moment....I've had to stop all meds for 8 wks and then retest.

I have struggled with fibromyalgia for the past few years....mainly muscle spasms (some have lasted for months), morning stiffness and migraines.

My weight loss is slower than I'd like because of foot problems....my surgery is next monday.  Hopefully by May I'll be able to exercise.
Helpful - 0
483733 tn?1326798446
I am hypoglycemic and have hypothyroidism.  I had ulcerative colitis for 10 years when I was younger and surgery to remove my large colon and rebuild my rectum was done to give me back my function.  As a result my weight is messed up from all the steroids I took while ill and I have to be careful on what I eat since my nutritional needs are a bit different and too much fiber causes issues.  I am going through another flare up of bloating, water retention and joint pain and they are trying to figure out the source.  I'm finding that this has caused me to avoid exercise but I have started to work through it.
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Thank you for sharing with us.  I do remember your post regarding lyme disease.  I've never known anyone who has/had it, but from your description, it must be miserable. My daughter was tested for it, but thankfully, the tests were negative.  

Just think how much stress your disease, along with the meds you take, put on your system....  then think of the added stress from weight loss efforts (cutting calories, changing the types of food we eat, added exercise, etc) and we've just doubled our stress factor.  Our bodies are most likely not equipped to handle this.  

I truly believe that when we have a medical condition such as yours, mine or anyone else's, we must first treat that condition and get it under control PRIOR to embarking on a serious weight loss journey.  

Of course, I don't want anyone to get the idea that I'm advocating that you continue to drink sodas and eat junk food, because I'm not, nor am I suggesting that anyone remain/become a "couch potato".  We just need to get our priorities in the right order.  

Eating "good for you" food that will assist in a weight loss effort, will also help make your body stronger to fight your medical condition.  Additionally, mild exercise(such as walking) will keep your muscles strong and flexible.  

wonko, I commend your current efforts and I'm sure you will succeed both in getting well and your weight loss efforts.  I know how you feel about "lurking" on the site, I did the same thing for a while and still do to a certain extent because I'm like you - I feel like I sound like a stuck record.  

Just remember - we are all here together and though some problems may be a bit unique, we can still get/give support.  
Helpful - 0
428506 tn?1296557399
Well, this post is interesting, and I'm moved enough to come out of "hiding" on this forum.

As I've shared here before, I have Lyme disease.  While the common picture of Lyme is a tick bite, rash, and maybe a swollen joint or two, my experience is rather different.

My case went undiagnosed for at least 1.5 years.  I don't recall a tick bit in my life, and never had the classic "bulls eye" shaped rash.  Also, my illness initially presented with neurological symptoms often associated with late stage disease.

On top of my central nervous system involvement, which includes "paresthesias" (tingling, burning sensations from misfiring nerves) and cognitive problems (inability to concentrate, problems with short term memory), many other parts of me are affected.  I have widespread joint pain and stiffness from inflammation.  I have  palpitations, sever acid reflux, abdominal pain, and nausea.  My eyes have pains, I see flashing lights (like cameras) when I move my eyes in my head, and I've had mild double vision since May.  There's other stuff too, my point is that it is a multi-system disease.  

In the fall, I also developed a serious fatigue, the likes of which I've never experienced before. Since then, I have found it hugely challenging to maintain my weight, let alone lose more.  That's why I've faded into the background on the forum, I feel like a stuck record repeating that I'm at the same weight after months.

I got diagnosed in late Nov, and I've been on an aggressive treatment for about 2 months.  My doctor thinks my recovery will take a year or so, but I should see improvements sooner than that.  The treatment is tough, I often get more sick after taking my medication, and go through cycles of feeling a bit better for a few days, then getting very sick again for a few days.

I recently reflected on the fact, influenced by previous insight from Barb135, that I've been putting too much emphasis on my weight loss at this time.  I know my eating plays a role, but I've also felt that my body is resisting weight loss at this time.  Instead of beating myself up, I've backed off for now.  I'm determined to not regain, and to keep my weight withing a few pounds of where I am.  But my top priority needs to be navigating treatment and staying positive about my recovery.      

I hope everyone is doing well and that I'll be back to a state of health where I can be a bigger participant in our 2009 challenge!
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow - thank you for sharing.  When I originated my post, I had no idea what I was going to run into, but I knew I couldn't possibly be the only one with a medical issue.  

It's awesome to know how others might be meeting the challenges they face.  

  
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Rest assured that I know hypoglycemia has it's own challenges.  I also deal with that, plus I have a son who dx'd with juvenile diabetes at the age of 10, so blood sugar issues have been something that I learned to deal with in a big way.  

Thanks  
Helpful - 0
703362 tn?1427766328
Agreed Barb!  Awesome post and you are so correct....those of us with medical issues are in a bit different place with certain elements related to weight loss.  Thank you for being so brave to go first.....I'll add my medical issues here as well so that others can possibly relate to us and realize, as stated by yourself and Ranae, that when you are attempting to lose weight with medical conditions, your medical health providers are vital partners.  

I personally have a seizure disorder.  My seizure disorder was caused by a fall from a treehouse at age 9 in which my head landed on a very unforgiving rock.  Most would think that the damage would be the area actually striking the rock...but alas, not my problem.  The difficulty arises with the inertia of the force of the blow sending my brain forward and causing it to strike the front of my skull.  The left frontal lobe of my brain that took the force of the blow with the skull is the area where I have my permanent brain damage...Now everyone knows why I am 'dinged'...hehehehe!  I am very well controlled with medications, so seizures are incredibly rare for me at this stage in my life.  Unfortunately, the medications that I take to control the seizures is where the difficulty with weight loss enters.  One medication in particular, depakote, makes losing weight extremely difficult....Difficult, but by no means impossible.  

Aside from this difficulty, I also have asthma and high cholesterol.  The cholesterol meds do not seem to have effected me with weight loss either way, but the periodic steroids for asthma do make me gain weight when they are needed.  

All that said....nothing shall deter me from the final finish line....with my races and my weight loss goals.  There are many health care providers that I utilize in my efforts.  They are vital to my success.  ; )  
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
I love your post, Barb. I knew Ranaesheart would like it too! :)

What you say is true. What works for me may not necessarily work for you and that is precisely why we need to consult with a doctor before putting ourselves in danger.  I don’t have any medical conditions other than I am hypoglycemic.  I always carry a piece of candy with me. And I have to keep in mind that if I don’t start to eat like a normal human being, I’ll start to feel bad as my blood pressure will start to go lower and lower. Everyone has their own special way of meeting our goals and this includes any health conditions, time and schedule, and other external factors like stress and depression which can certainly prevent us from reaching the summit.

Good Luck to you. :)
Helpful - 0
579258 tn?1250649343
Great post, Barb, thanks for your concern and the reminder.

We all stay connected by our common weight loss goals, support and motivation, however it is important for us all to take into consideration the underlying/additional medical issues that can affect our weight gain/loss.  Our physician(s) are a partner in this endeavor.

Best wishes everyone!  
Helpful - 0
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