Weightloss and meds

Steroids are the worst when it comes to retaining fluids and increasing your appetite.  When I'm on steroids for asthma, I'm a monster with eating.  Its unbearable.

Since you have other issues, it may be harder to increase your exercise.

Do you have any access to a pool?  I do water aerobics once or twice a week, which is quite easy on my back (previous diskectomy and a couple bulging discs still)

I am very active and exercise a lot, despite my pain.  My back is stable, my docs say its fine to exercise, and I actually find the endorphins kick in and relieve my pain once I start working out.  And the pain relief seems to last half a day or more on days I work out.  

If you can't do anything else, think about water exercise.  It feels really good!

I can do more, in fact, I'm working up to doing two hours of aerobics a day - which works best for the treatment of the disease I have.  Most people with RSD cannot do much, but I've been an athlete for so many years, that it's just second nature.  I currently work out for an hour of aerobics a day, every day - either bike, step or floor - and an hour of calisthenics and weight resistance a day.  I'm back to my normal diet which is about 1500 cals a day.  I do not eat refined sugar and I don't eat fatty foods. .. so I'm at a loss as to why it's not falling off at a reasonable rate of at least a pound a week.. .this just astounds me.  

I do know that when I have a high high pain night, I get incredibly thirsty - so I'm wondering if a lot of this is water weight?

Hi BethAnna,

I stumbled on your journal and just wanted to let you know I can relate!  I'm on neurontin and just finished a course of oral steroids recently.  I have some lovely undiagnosed neurological problem and am in a confusing "wait and see" process.  Whatever it is, it makes exercise difficult as my body temp affects the level of my symptoms.

2 hours a day seems like a LOT, and 1500 cals seems like very LITTLE!  Have you talked to your physician or other doctors about these choices?  I always try to go for goals that I think I can keep up.  But that's just 2 cents for a well-wishing stranger.

I've made some progress since starting to track my weight in May, but I have a lot of weight still to lose.  I hope to continue to make progress even though meds and discomfort get in the way.  I try to eat lot of fresh vegetables and gave up art. sweeteners and alcohol.  I'm a work in progress, but I am workin' hard.  

Best of luck to you!    

I used to work out between four and six hours a day of solid aerobics and heavy weights. . . so two hours a day is something quite manageable for me.  I'm a very small framed person, so I really don't need a lot of calories.  I'm not hungry for them, either.  I eat what I'm hungry for - I never under eat.  I eat until I'm satisfied, not full.  Before all of this, I stayed at a steady 125 eating and exercising about the same that I am now.. .. which is why I'm astounded that the weight isn't coming off.  

Early in my twenties I they thought I had MS - so I had to work around the becoming over heated, as well.  There are cool pack vests you can get (I had one) that will help your core stay cool while you work out.  Swimming is good for that too.  

Best of luck to you too!! They found that I just had some mechanical issues with my spine that the MRI didn't pick up. . .with that fixed, I was back to normal.   I hope the same for you.  Neuro illnesses of any type are so not fun.  

:)
BethAnna