Feel Like a Failure-Again!
I haven't been here in ages so here is my sob story. Had RNY 10/2005 and lost down to 223 pounds. Not only am I gaining, but I have been having issues with not only my blood sugar dropping(55 was one reading), but my blood pressure is tanking as well(75/57, for example). I have never experienced the energy that most folks do after weightloss, in fact, if anything, I feel worse than I did at 470 pounds. I have less energy than a clod of dirt. I started with a new internist since my old one moved to Alaska and first thing she did was a bunch of labs(5 big tubes). She even checked my cortisol levels and everything came back normal and whatever hormone they check for this told her that I am not in menopause! At age 47 I am really hoping that fun part of life just skips for me. I haven't had a protein drink in ages, mainly because we are going through a rough time financially and frankly we can't afford the fixins for the protein drinks and I take my vitamins and stuff every other day to stretch them out a bit, something hubby doesn't know, so don't tell him. I don't know what to do to start the weight loss again and I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I don't mean to dump on you all, so I am going to hush and watch Michael Phelps swim.
Hugs,
Janie
Hugs,
Janie
(deactivated member)
on 8/15/08 2:12 pm - San Antonio, TX
on 8/15/08 2:12 pm - San Antonio, TX
Ok, first of all, you must absolutely 100% take all of your vitamins all of the time. This is for your health, your LIFE. This is not optional, and will only harm you in the long run. Please please please take your vitamins, please. People come on these boards 10 years out with osteoporosis and MAJOR issues like neuropathy because they didn't take their vitamins. And make sure you are taking the right vitamins, at the right times. Calcium citrate is the calcium you need to be taking. You should be taking iron, and not with food, or with your other vitamins. You should be taking a double dose of a GOOD QUALITY vitamin, and you should probably be taking B-12. These are the basics, and they are not optional. You know this, or you wouldn't be hiding it from your husband. Something else in your budget can be sacrificed instead of vitamins. Skipping them is not being responsible for your health.
Protein from shakes isn't the only way to get your protein. Meat, cottage cheese, milk, greek yogurt. Consider going back to (or starting) tracking your calories and protein grams - try to get at least 100g of protein each day. Fill up on dense protein and fiber, minimize snacking, drink a ton of water and never drink with meals. Back to the basics you learned early out, essentially. Minimize carbs.
As for energy, are you getting enough sleep? Are you drinking enough? Try to double your fluid for a while and see if that makes a difference. I know it does for me. Also, if your B-12 is borderline, consider checking into B-12 shots instead of supplements. There is discussion that the standards for "normal" B-12 are much too low.
Managing the blood sugar is tough - I have problems with it too. It is recommended that instead of 3 meals, have 5-6 SMALL meals throughout the day. These small meals should consist of protein, complex carbs (not sugar, focus on whole grains, fruits, and veggies) and some fat. A good example would be some meat and cheese with a veggie or fruit, or some cottage cheese and fruit. Small balanced meals help to keep your blood sugar level, and fiber especially is important for balancing blood sugar. Soluble fiber like inulin is especially effective.
Blood pressure, I can't help you much there, but you may want to find out of its postural (happens only when you stand up or switch body positions quickly) or if its always low. Postural hypotension can be managed by carefully slowly standing up and holding on to something. Also increasing fluid intake can help maintain blood pressure.
Most importantly, keep pressuring your doctor to try and find a reason for your lack of energy. Get all of those vitamin levels tested, hormones, anything she can think of. Tell her you've been lax on your vitamins. Have her check unusual ones like copper and zinc if she must. Copper deficiency is being reported more and more in RNY patients. Have a sleep test and see if there is something wrong there. Be proactive and insist. If she doesn't take it seriously enough, go elsewhere. There is no reason to be living like this when there might be a solution. Doctors suck, but being run-down and possibly having an undiagnosed health problem is no way to live after all the weight loss you've worked so hard for.
I wish you all the best and hope you continue posting here and updating us with what your doctor says and how you are feeling and doing.
Protein from shakes isn't the only way to get your protein. Meat, cottage cheese, milk, greek yogurt. Consider going back to (or starting) tracking your calories and protein grams - try to get at least 100g of protein each day. Fill up on dense protein and fiber, minimize snacking, drink a ton of water and never drink with meals. Back to the basics you learned early out, essentially. Minimize carbs.
As for energy, are you getting enough sleep? Are you drinking enough? Try to double your fluid for a while and see if that makes a difference. I know it does for me. Also, if your B-12 is borderline, consider checking into B-12 shots instead of supplements. There is discussion that the standards for "normal" B-12 are much too low.
Managing the blood sugar is tough - I have problems with it too. It is recommended that instead of 3 meals, have 5-6 SMALL meals throughout the day. These small meals should consist of protein, complex carbs (not sugar, focus on whole grains, fruits, and veggies) and some fat. A good example would be some meat and cheese with a veggie or fruit, or some cottage cheese and fruit. Small balanced meals help to keep your blood sugar level, and fiber especially is important for balancing blood sugar. Soluble fiber like inulin is especially effective.
Blood pressure, I can't help you much there, but you may want to find out of its postural (happens only when you stand up or switch body positions quickly) or if its always low. Postural hypotension can be managed by carefully slowly standing up and holding on to something. Also increasing fluid intake can help maintain blood pressure.
Most importantly, keep pressuring your doctor to try and find a reason for your lack of energy. Get all of those vitamin levels tested, hormones, anything she can think of. Tell her you've been lax on your vitamins. Have her check unusual ones like copper and zinc if she must. Copper deficiency is being reported more and more in RNY patients. Have a sleep test and see if there is something wrong there. Be proactive and insist. If she doesn't take it seriously enough, go elsewhere. There is no reason to be living like this when there might be a solution. Doctors suck, but being run-down and possibly having an undiagnosed health problem is no way to live after all the weight loss you've worked so hard for.
I wish you all the best and hope you continue posting here and updating us with what your doctor says and how you are feeling and doing.
Dunny said it all!
A few ideas for doing things on the cheap---check out Sam's or Costco. You can get a big honkin' bottle of chewable vitamins (store brand or Centrum) for cheap and double the normal dose. Check out Walmart or Drugstore.com for sale on B-12 sublinguals.
Both of the above also carry Whey protein pretty cheap and Sam's also carries RTDs like Atkins shakes. A good "home made" protein shake that will get you about 15 grams per cup is Carnation Instant Breakfast NSA mixed with milk.
Protein/low carb/water/exercise----it still works.
Good luck!
A few ideas for doing things on the cheap---check out Sam's or Costco. You can get a big honkin' bottle of chewable vitamins (store brand or Centrum) for cheap and double the normal dose. Check out Walmart or Drugstore.com for sale on B-12 sublinguals.
Both of the above also carry Whey protein pretty cheap and Sam's also carries RTDs like Atkins shakes. A good "home made" protein shake that will get you about 15 grams per cup is Carnation Instant Breakfast NSA mixed with milk.
Protein/low carb/water/exercise----it still works.
Good luck!
Karen
"All we must do is decide what to do with the time given us."--Gandalf, LOTR
"All we must do is decide what to do with the time given us."--Gandalf, LOTR
Hi Janie,
Dunny summed it up beautifully. Just want to add that you are not a failure you are experiencing a minor set back.
I would keep pursing the hormonal thing. I am not a doctor but I think if we had the test everyday we would get a different reading.
Just hang in there and follow Dunny's advice. Along with many of the other ladies here on this board, she is a superstar and a realy inspiration.
Jeanne
Dunny summed it up beautifully. Just want to add that you are not a failure you are experiencing a minor set back.
I would keep pursing the hormonal thing. I am not a doctor but I think if we had the test everyday we would get a different reading.
Just hang in there and follow Dunny's advice. Along with many of the other ladies here on this board, she is a superstar and a realy inspiration.
Jeanne
Most Active
Recent Topics
