Oh My! This is my letter! I haven't been on the site in quite a while and decided today was the day to start over. I'm almost 3 years out and have regained 22 lbs. after a 100 lb. loss. My 91 year old mother lives with me and has dementia, which I was learning to deal with. Last January she had a slight stroke and it has been downhill for me ever since. I feel so alone all day long as meaningful conversation is a thing of the past. I am 68 years old and don't have the patience I used to and am just not coping well. And we all know what our old selves did when we couldn't cope...eat. I know it's wrong and I don't feel good, but can't seem to stop my grazing and carb intake. I am going to start the 5 day pouch test today in hopes of getting a restart on my life!

I wish you the best and a positive turn around. Keep us posted

Thank you! I am still a newbie graduate but even now, I have felt myself slipping into old habits. I have started drinking tea again with artificial sweeteners and need to kick that. I have noticed my cravings go up when I am drinking it. So back to water for this old girl. Funny thing is, I don't mind the water, I'm just rebellious.

Cheryl,

Please do not panic. I had RNY in 2002 and now I suffer from iron, B12, and vit d deficiencies. I believe your primary should run the appropriate blood work and then refer you out for care under a hematologist to manage the iron and vitamin and mineral abnormalities. With the iron it is quite possible they may in worst scenario, start you on iron infusion therapy. This is basically you monitoring blood faithfully every 6 to 8 mos initially and they will infuse ( which is just an IV bag of iron and some saline ) as you sit comfortably in a recliner for about 2 to 3 hrs..... You shouldn't have much problem or side effects...and after about a month or so you get blood work done to check levels to see how they held....typically you may do well and may not have to have it done for another 8 to 12 mos... So see....not terrible..not going to have more surgery for the anemia. Wishing you best of luck and hope that puts you at ease a bit.

I work a lot as well and find that pre-planning is how to keep myself under control. I try and cook and container my meals and pre-contain snacks so I can grab and go in the morning. At wor****ep healthy snacks in my desk and a few things in the work fridge/freezer as a back up if I need lunch or a snack.

I would check out the 21 day fix... basically its a "clean eating" plan where you container your foods... I like it because overall its easy and it didn't take a lot of time to container the foods and put together meals. I didn't buy their containers but went to wal mart and bought other colored containers in the sizes they said... since you put foods based on the size of the container you don't have to measure then package.. its a one and done.

Exercise is always key.. I know its hard when you work like crazy. I work 2 jobs.. my m-f job I have been averaging 50-55 hours then I work a part-time job which is Fridays 8p-3a and Saturdays 7p-3a.. sometimes I work only one night, sometimes both nights. When I can I still try and get in some form of exercise.. even if its walking during my lunch break at my main job. I am not one that can wake up earlier to work out so I will try and at least get in 20 minutes after work if I can.

You might want to look up Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and see if the symptoms match what you're feeling. I have it and when i first noticed it it was in the evening. I see a neurologist for medication.