shellyb1203
Where do I begin?
I have been overweight all of my life. Growing up overweight you seem to get stuck in a routine of being overweight. I lived my life trying to lose when I wanted but never truly losing weight. Maybe 10lbs at the most. In my mid 20's I weighed anywhere from 230-250 and I am 6ft tall. Yes this is well passed the overweight range, but I didn't have any substantial health problems (that I was aware of).
In 2003, I gave birth to my wonderful son...my miracle baby. I had been told by several different OB/GYN since I was 16 that I would never have children. SURPRISE! He is my pride and joy. Shorty after his birth, I noticed changes happening that I initially chalked up to being a "new mom". However about a year later while walking up some stairs, my leg went completely limp like a noodle. Then things just kept getting stranger.
My face would droop, severe fatigue, legs/arms would go completely limp, and my legs would cramp (like a charlie horse but the ENTIRE leg from ankle up). After many doctor's over almost 4 years, they finally had an answer....Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. Of course by the time of the diagnosis, the symptoms were much worse and other more severe ones (like total body collapse ...but you are still "awake") had begun. Although finally having a dx and knowing what was wrong was a relief...things had just gotten worse I weighed over 300 lbs and no matter what I did I couldn't lose.
Over the next few years my weight steadily climbed. Unable to exercise because any "strain" caused a total collapse, my weight became not only a problem in itself but made everything with the Narc/Cata worse. So after much thought and seeing the scale top 360 lbs.
IT IS TIME TO DO SOMETHING. I have made food changes already in my life but short of starving myself I am lost at what else to do. After doing a LOT of research and talking extensively with my PCP, I made the decision and I am not turning back. My goal...to lose weight so I can do more ...so I can lose more weight....so I can do more.....so I can do more...so...well you get the idea. I owe it to myself and my wonderful son who without him and a wonderful bf I would have given up a long time ago. While my narcolepsy/cataplexy will never be cured, by doing this I hope to manage my symptoms better and prevent any additional health problems
Time to begin a new life. Time to begin a better life.
