Tired, Stressed, and sluggish

Hi I'm new to obesity help.com but anyway I had surgery about 4 years ago. I have 70 more pounds to lose before I reach my ideal weight. I'm tired, to tired to exercise. I'm depressed and feel tired and sleepy all the time. Has anyone else had these symptoms and does anyone have any suggestions. Also I had my blood work done last week. My doctor checked my thyroid and complete blood workup. He gave me a B-12 shot and has put me on Foltrin but he said my blood work came back good. So I'm not sure why he put me on Foltrin. Also I'm stopped losing weight I'm actually gained back about 30 pounds. I was only 40 pound from my goal but now its 70. Please help anyone. Thank you sincerely.

hi.  i only have a second before i run out the door but i wanted to let you know that i am almost three years post op and have felt like this before.  i forced myself to get into a routine and after two grueling weeks i was a lot better.  i now run 5 miles every morning and then do another 45 or so minutes at the gym six days a week.  it is hard at first but it soon became a habit for me.  now i feel rotten if i don't do it!   as for losing more, make sure you are getting in enough water.  i drink a minimum of 120 ounces of water every day plus at least 40 ounces of skim milk.  a lot of my h2o consumption is during my work outs, but i get it in anyway.  i have no caffeinee and no carbonation of any kind.  make sure you are getting in enough protein and taking those vitamins daily! stay focused and you will get there.  i am still losing a little even now.  we are all here for you!

Hi Jacking this message!  Hey gorgeous!!!  So good to see you.  Hope things are going well.  We miss you on here.  My pictures are a big hit.  So many wonderful shots and memories.  Thank you so much again.  We went to Florida a month ago to be with Matt's dad in his final days, we were able to share them with him so he could see what a beautiful day we had.  It was priceless and we were able to do it because of you.  Thanks so much. 

Hi there, I can only tell you what I would do but: I looked up Foltrin - it said: What is Foltrin Used For? Iron is the major transporter of oxygen in the body. Vitamin C helps the body absorb the iron. Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) is important to the body for growth, cell production, blood and nerve function. Intrinsic factor enhances the absorption of Vitamin B12. This combination medication is used in the treatment of anemia or iron-poor blood. So your iron results must not be so great and if you have low iron and low B12 you will be tired!! Look at your vitamin regime - are you taking iron and B12 on a regular basis? You need to get a copy of your blood results plus any previous ones and compare them to see what your levels are doing - is the trend downwards on your results?  I never trust a doctor to say they are all within limits - they very well may be but if one of your levels is dropping dramatically, that is a reason for concern.......... and if you are not in the habit of getting B12 shots why get one now? What was your B12 level? Are you still taking protein? If so how much? You may not be taking in enough.... Are you drinking enough water so your body stays hydrated? Are you trying to do some kind of exercise? Are you seeing anyone for your depression?  Are you taking any medicine that could cause weight regain - or cause depression etc Just a few suggestions but it looks like your doctor thinks you are anemic..... Jackie

I thank you for the reply. I told my husband today I was going to ask for a copy of my blood work on Monday. Ok I don't think I'm taking in enough protein because I'm mainly relying on it in food so I think I'm going to have to start taking a suppliment again. Do you have any suggestions. As for the water I'm constipated often so I'm pretty sure I'm not taking in enough water I also bloat in my stomach. Goals. Start walking again try to find a support group that can meet face to face Stop being so hard on myself and just begin again and look toward the future. Since the weight gain I've felt like such a failure Increase my water and protein I think the excercise will help my depression. Most of it is due to lack of excercise being tired all the time and bad diet. continue take the foltrin and B-12 shots. I'm taking the b-12 once a month but I just starting taking it again I've not taken a B-12 shot for 3 years due to finances.  Going to the doctor is not inexpensive.  The last time I had bloodwork was 3 years ago also so I don't really have anything to compare my results with. I know I'm a mess and I can see you shaking your head and saying this girl has let herself go but I am trying to get back into the ring. I'm glad to know I have somewhere I can go now for support and questions. _I try to eat things like cheese, sandwich meat like turkey or ham, fruit, yogurt, skim milk, chicken breast. I was trying to tell you things I eat often to try to get protein. Can you suggest a diet I may go by to help me increase energy and health?   I'm going to start my waking again at least 5 miles a day. Does  it mean anything if I'm hungry often. I think it means my body is lacking something but your brain can play so many tricks. I also often crave chocolate and I tend to eat little pieases and I know that has to stop. In a nutshell I know a lot of my problems I have caused myself because  I've lost my determination through some very tough mental situations in my life and I've a little given up but I can still feel a fight in me that I must ignite again or I feel like I'm in a battle.

Okay I will try and deal with your points paragraph by paragraph and try to help: Great move to get your blood test resultts - they really should not charge you for this but some may..... ....even if you have nothing to base it against it is a start to have a copy in your hand for the next set of results - they should also have your pre-surgery blood tests - that is a good place to start too.... It also sounds like you need to take a protein supplement - even if it is just once a day to start with - it will get your protein up and that should make you feel less tired..... before you go off walking 5 miles a day, you need to make sure you are up on your protein too....... if you are very tired take your time with exercise and build up to it otherwise you will be more tired than you are now.... If you do not drink at least 64 ounces of water a day you will have a tendancy to get constipated and bloated. You could increase your fiber and drink more. If you are taking iron your constipation may increase so you may need to add in some stool softeners to make going to the bathroom easier. I don't know where you live but support groups are free and it is an excellent idea to go to one.... you will meet people there who will become friends with you and try to help you and give you support. Agreed - the past is the past - you want to move forward now - don't beat yourself up about it  just learn from it... Your goals are great starts... You may be able to take B12 sublingually and they are not too expensive - I am not sure a monthly B12 woud be enough if you are defi****nt - but again I am not a doctor - but I am fairly sure he would not have put you on iron unless there is an issue. B12 is SO important and if you are deficient the consequencies could be permanant - please please do not stop taking it again..... I am not shaking my head - I see someone here who is asking for help and I am more than happy to help if I can......... you did what you did but now you are trying to get back to where you should be - we are all here to help you if we can........ Well I would suggest you go back to basics with three meals a day and two little snacks. 3-4 ounces of protein each meal with some veg and only a little, if any, starch ( I usually stay away from starch) . If you can eat eggs, fish, turkey, minced meats like turkey or beef (I use minced turkey to make chili and mexican style meals ), steak, salmon, tuna, cottage cheese, pepperoni, low fat cheese etc are all forms of protein.  Stay away from candy, sugared things, cakes etc and go back to a similar basic eating plan. I do have a 5 day pouch plan that can help get rid of carb cravings etc but it has two days of liquid and is not easy to follow - with your low iron you may want to try to get back to basics instead.... If you are looking for meal ideas perhaps you can ask this board what they eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner or snacks and you will probably get a broad range of meals that you may be able to use. You could be hungry often because your head is telling you it is even though you know you are not hungry. It may be because you are not eating filling foods if your proteins are too soft or may just be a habit you are fnding us hard to break - try to not eat when your head is telling you by going to do something else to fill your time  - or set times for your meals and snacks and try to stick to those times as you know you will not breally be that hungry - your head is just telling you it is.... You did this before and you can do it again!!! You know you can. Tell the demons to stay away because you are back on track and staying with it. It is hard to get back on track but if you take it day by day you can do it - it is easier to have smaller milestones..... you can then see your accomplishments....... We are all behind you and here to help - please fell free to use me or any of us if we can help. Sorry this is so longwinded - hope some of it is helping... Jackie

Jackie You have been a great help. I look forward to talking more in the future. I am however interested in some of the meals others are eating for breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner. If anyone would care to let me know what meals or kinds of food you eat and combination or foods that has helped you with energy, craving, and losing weight I would love to hear them. Thanks again for listening. Judy

Good am, You've gotten some great replies and questions asked. I've been anemic or have dealt with anemia for several years. Specifically the last 3 have been tremendously tiring, scary and frustrating. My situation is quite a bit different in that I had an underlying medical issue as to why I have been anemic. You might consider asking your doc to sit down with you and review your labs and ask why he's put you on Foltrin. Many folks take the B12 shots and many take the Sublingual which dissolves on/under the tongue. I don't know the side effects of the Foltrin as explained by a doc or pharmacy but in researching it there are many including severe stomach pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, coughing up blood, constipation, loss of appetite, hair loss, peeling skin, warmth or tingly feeling, changes in menstrual periods, weight loss, severe headache, muscle or joint pain, severe back pain, blood in your urine or stools, black and tarry stools, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness, shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse, pale skin, blue lips, and seizure (convulsions). Perhaps you might call your doc and discuss the weight gain as well. What period of time have you gained the 30 lbs in? Depression is an issue as well and should be addressed as soon as possible. The indicators you've mentioned in your post seem to say your body is going through a lot and you need a good work up done (check up) to determine what's happening. All best!

My advice runs the same as most of the others.  Make sure you are getting in your protein, water, vitamins and maybe check to see if you are taking in too many carbs in, since they will make you sluggish.  Are you getting in enough calories?  I recently found out that with my nutritionists standards I was not getting in enough calories, too many carbs not enough protein and had to make some changes.  Due to some illness I got out of my gym routine and it has been difficult to get back into it but after a few days I do feel so much better once I do get in it.  Keep trying and remember we are all here for you.

Hey There..... Ok...take a deep breath.  WE can do this together! You have gotten some great advice already.  But, I'm going to add a few more things that might help you. As Jackie said...go back to basics.  Increase your protein to 80 - 100 grams, get your carbs down to about 50 - 75.  My personal opinion is that anything lower isn't good for you.  But, others will tell you otherwise.  That's your decision.  Make your carbs the good kinds...fruit, veggies, brown rice, sweet potato.  Keep away from anything white - ie bread, rice, potatoes, etc. Inorder to get your proteins up, you will need to use a supplement of some sort, whether it is a shake or a protein bullet.  You will need to get it up there.   You need to be accountable.  fitday.com and sparkpeople.com has some really good "journals" that you can use to log in your weight, exercise and food intake.  I highly suggest that you start writing down what you eat and do, simply because we tend to have selective memory when it comes to that kid of stuff.  And, studies show that those who are successful journal...and we want you to be successful! Increase your fiber if you are having problems with constipation.  Dr. Oz recommends that we intake 25 grams a day (this is my new thing).  It's actually very easy to do.  South Beach has come out with drink mixes (like Crystal Light) that contain 3 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber (for 30 calories).  I drink 2 of these a day, eat a Fiber One bar as a snack and 3 servings of fruit a day.  My carb count is higher than I suggested above, but, I work out alot and need them for maintenance. Also, really look at your vitamin regime.  Are you taking all of your vitamins?  It sounds as if you may in fact have a Iron and/or B12 problem.  Definately look into this. As for exercise.  IF you can jump into walking 5 miles a day, that's great.  BUT...make sure that your body is prepared for it.  If you are tired now, it may make it worse.  So, really look at everything before you do that. Lastly, are you getting in enough sleep?  I know, sounds weird, but your body is changing and it may require more sleep than what it needed a year ago.  I go through periods were I need 8 hours of sleep, but all other periods I only need 5 or 6 hours.  Plus, when you sleep, are you getting the deep slepp or is it a restless sleep?  That also will make a difference. But, the bottom line is this.  WE are here for you.  DO NOT feel like you are alone.  We all have our demons that we carry on our shoulders, and we are all experienced in knocking them off from time to time.  Heck...I even got pink boxing gloves for Christmas to knock demons out - haha.   Please come here for support and accountablility, because as you know...it takes a village to raise a child! (((hugs)))