I am so messed in the head
So the past couple weeks have been kind of weird for me.
To start things off I have suffered off and on from dizzy spells for a while now. Most people and my PCP included just figured this was a hydration issue caused by my training. Well a couple weeks ago it started getting worse to the point on one weekend everytime I would go to stand I would have a dizzy spell but not always right away it could be a few seconds when I was already halfway across the room, and HR wasn't going up when the BP was going down I had one bp that was like 84/49 with a HR of 70. So I got sent off to the Cardio doc where they pulled labs for Cortisol and TSH levels and scheduled a Tilt table test Good news was I was cleared resume training!
Second issue is I have begun to get really bad leg cramps and muscle spasms especially in the middle os the night. You know they are bad when you wake up screaming in the middle of the night with tears in your eyes and you calf rock solid. The spasms make it look like I have something living under the skin of my legs but are more freaky than painful. Was worried that maybe potassium or something else was out of whack. Along with this my energy levels have totally tanked.
So Doc pulled labs B12 was tested a week after my shot and was all good and so were my electrolytes. Another Mystery!
The worst part of this is that now things are really messing with my head! My weight is right at where it was before all of this started (not where I want it) but lack of energy and such makes it difficult on my appetite and my head makes it even worse. Days I have zero energy and eat more normal I feel like everything I put in my mouth is putting a pound on me. I get on the scale and expect to see like 5-10 pound gain when infact once I saw a 2 pound loss.
I try to avoid the mirror lately because well I look tired and fat. Maybe not to others but that is what I see. Sitting on the couch at night I feel like I still weigh 350 pounds but I still have every ache and pain that my new life has brought.
I thought well maybe I should see a therapist to help me through the body and food issues and then tossed that idea away. I have only had one therapist that was able to make any progress with me and thats because she could be in your face when she needed and could tell when she needed, and the issue being worked on wasn't as complex as this. To make the therapy thing even worse is that I was a psychology major in College and am very good at playing that game.
So yeah I am not in a good place and just wish that I could see myself the way others do, because I'm tired of still being fat.
To start things off I have suffered off and on from dizzy spells for a while now. Most people and my PCP included just figured this was a hydration issue caused by my training. Well a couple weeks ago it started getting worse to the point on one weekend everytime I would go to stand I would have a dizzy spell but not always right away it could be a few seconds when I was already halfway across the room, and HR wasn't going up when the BP was going down I had one bp that was like 84/49 with a HR of 70. So I got sent off to the Cardio doc where they pulled labs for Cortisol and TSH levels and scheduled a Tilt table test Good news was I was cleared resume training!
Second issue is I have begun to get really bad leg cramps and muscle spasms especially in the middle os the night. You know they are bad when you wake up screaming in the middle of the night with tears in your eyes and you calf rock solid. The spasms make it look like I have something living under the skin of my legs but are more freaky than painful. Was worried that maybe potassium or something else was out of whack. Along with this my energy levels have totally tanked.
So Doc pulled labs B12 was tested a week after my shot and was all good and so were my electrolytes. Another Mystery!
The worst part of this is that now things are really messing with my head! My weight is right at where it was before all of this started (not where I want it) but lack of energy and such makes it difficult on my appetite and my head makes it even worse. Days I have zero energy and eat more normal I feel like everything I put in my mouth is putting a pound on me. I get on the scale and expect to see like 5-10 pound gain when infact once I saw a 2 pound loss.
I try to avoid the mirror lately because well I look tired and fat. Maybe not to others but that is what I see. Sitting on the couch at night I feel like I still weigh 350 pounds but I still have every ache and pain that my new life has brought.
I thought well maybe I should see a therapist to help me through the body and food issues and then tossed that idea away. I have only had one therapist that was able to make any progress with me and thats because she could be in your face when she needed and could tell when she needed, and the issue being worked on wasn't as complex as this. To make the therapy thing even worse is that I was a psychology major in College and am very good at playing that game.
So yeah I am not in a good place and just wish that I could see myself the way others do, because I'm tired of still being fat.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
I'm sorry you're going thru all of this.
Is it possible you're overtraining? i did multiple half marathons in 2011 and my body finally beat itself down. Honestly, when I took it into overdrive is when all of my issues started. I exhibited similar symptoms and they still can't figure out what's going on (i actually have an appt today).
Is it possible you're overtraining? i did multiple half marathons in 2011 and my body finally beat itself down. Honestly, when I took it into overdrive is when all of my issues started. I exhibited similar symptoms and they still can't figure out what's going on (i actually have an appt today).
Be happy.
It is super hard to face what we "see" in the mirror.... therapist could be a help to accept you are doing great.
I have had some major dizziness as well. We tried increasing my sodium and it helped some. My Bp was also running 88/56. It is still low and my surgeon is talking about sending me to a cardio doc.
Do you think the leg cramps could be potassium?
Hope you are able to get some answers. Keep pushing through and be good to yourself
I have had some major dizziness as well. We tried increasing my sodium and it helped some. My Bp was also running 88/56. It is still low and my surgeon is talking about sending me to a cardio doc.
Do you think the leg cramps could be potassium?
Hope you are able to get some answers. Keep pushing through and be good to yourself
Don't know what to tell you regarding the dizziness, at least you're addressing it. From your profile photo, you look smashing! I only wish I could run again. My knees and ankles are shot. I admire your motivation. You look like a tall guy so 211 sounds good to me. I'm sure you're muscular from all that running. Don't despair, remain strong. It will all work itself out in the end. Hugs.
Surgery 11/16/11. HW 267.5; SW 250.1; Pre-op wt. 195.5; CW 126 GW 140-160 
Awww Paul, I completely understand the head thing! I am sorry you are in this place right now. I have been here for a few weeks and have been working closely with my therapist. It helps . . .
However, I just wanted you to know you are not alone and there are others-----I have been wondering if there are not times in this journey when we just lay out and let the waves wash over us, when we seek out those who are supportive and accept the success they see in us and finally when we hear the scraping and see the sparks as our beliefs regarding ourselves collide with the truth of who we really are . . .
Hang in there friend and keep you chin up,
Shelly
However, I just wanted you to know you are not alone and there are others-----I have been wondering if there are not times in this journey when we just lay out and let the waves wash over us, when we seek out those who are supportive and accept the success they see in us and finally when we hear the scraping and see the sparks as our beliefs regarding ourselves collide with the truth of who we really are . . .
Hang in there friend and keep you chin up,
Shelly
Shelly Smith 
HW 326 SW 293 CW 180 GW 160
HW 326 SW 293 CW 180 GW 160
Paul, sorry to hear you are not your best.
I had to increase sodium -- and that with a very little of exercise. You may need some micro-elements - that a good quality sea salt (Himalayan sea salt - the pink one works great for me).
Make sure they check your cholesterol. High is bad - but too low - (below 150 total) is not so good either. That may mess up your hormones and your energy level. (mine was at one time 100-110 and while they were telling me - it is great - I knew that it was too low)
Good luck finding out what is going on.
Hala
I had to increase sodium -- and that with a very little of exercise. You may need some micro-elements - that a good quality sea salt (Himalayan sea salt - the pink one works great for me).
Make sure they check your cholesterol. High is bad - but too low - (below 150 total) is not so good either. That may mess up your hormones and your energy level. (mine was at one time 100-110 and while they were telling me - it is great - I knew that it was too low)
Good luck finding out what is going on.
Hala
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
There can be a few. Depends on what is low: the total cholesterol is calculated using HDL, LDL and triglycerides.
1. Depression
2. slower healing
3. low energy
4. low hormone levels (worse menopause- hormonal issue - including - skin issue - due to low cortisone level - like allergies)
5. very low triglycerides - may mean worse RH...
6. mental issue (dementia, etc)
and so on..
Many people do not realize that low cholesterol - may decrease the quality of live for a normal person.
Added: and higher cancer risk....or stroke...
1. Depression
2. slower healing
3. low energy
4. low hormone levels (worse menopause- hormonal issue - including - skin issue - due to low cortisone level - like allergies)
5. very low triglycerides - may mean worse RH...
6. mental issue (dementia, etc)
and so on..
Many people do not realize that low cholesterol - may decrease the quality of live for a normal person.
Added: and higher cancer risk....or stroke...
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
Awww Paul, I'm sorry things are a bit messed up right now. :(
Keep addressing the physical things with your doctor to rule out any specific conditions. Beyond that, though... I really think Kitten hit the nail on the head. Your body wasn't used to this kind of hard work... for a long time, it wasn't used in this manner. After a period of time, it takes it's toll both mentally and physically.
Just dial it back a little bit... and really, cut yourself some slack. You have done amazingly well and physically you can do things that so many of us can only dream of. You are a success story in every way... now let yourself believe it.
Take a rest for a bit, and if you need to, talk to a therapist even if you think you can talk circles around him/her! Things will get better, I promise....
Sending good vibes your way, sir.
tori
Keep addressing the physical things with your doctor to rule out any specific conditions. Beyond that, though... I really think Kitten hit the nail on the head. Your body wasn't used to this kind of hard work... for a long time, it wasn't used in this manner. After a period of time, it takes it's toll both mentally and physically.
Just dial it back a little bit... and really, cut yourself some slack. You have done amazingly well and physically you can do things that so many of us can only dream of. You are a success story in every way... now let yourself believe it.
Take a rest for a bit, and if you need to, talk to a therapist even if you think you can talk circles around him/her! Things will get better, I promise....
Sending good vibes your way, sir.
tori
Paul, sorry you are going through this. Have you had all your iron levels ran including your iron saturation and ferritin? These two are important to dx anemia and possible infusions which made a tremendous improvement in my exhaustion. (Thinking it's time for another round now).
As for the muscle cramps....I am right there with you. I'm getting them very frequently again and what helped last time was upping my magnesium and adding potassium (I've dealt with low potassium several times post-op). I also can contribute mine to not drinking enough; that continues to be a struggle for me.
Do you know if your potassium and magensium levels were also pulled? If so, what were those numbers in comparison to the range....even if on the low end of normal a small dose may be what you need for your optimum levels.
As for the muscle cramps....I am right there with you. I'm getting them very frequently again and what helped last time was upping my magnesium and adding potassium (I've dealt with low potassium several times post-op). I also can contribute mine to not drinking enough; that continues to be a struggle for me.
Do you know if your potassium and magensium levels were also pulled? If so, what were those numbers in comparison to the range....even if on the low end of normal a small dose may be what you need for your optimum levels.
Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05
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