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Posted 3/2/2017 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

It's been a while since I was here. Since the last time, the disease has moved to my shoulders, hip and left knee (in terms of joint pain). I also have had more fatigue in the past month and a half than before.

The biggest issue I am having, however, is the unchecked weight gain. I spent 5 days in NYC and clocked an average of 19k steps per day .... I ate very healthy (Gluten and dairy free) and gained 3lbs....

No matter what I seem to try, I can't get the weight off. They say all of my thyroid tests come back normal (same with my Lyme tests) but, I am at my wits end.

It's like one step forward and 4 steps back. When I do walk, I have to have a recouperation day just to be normal again. With my job, that's not always possible.

Advice please!? I also have struggled with an eating disorder since i was 14 years old (I am now 37) and so, this is causing a GREAT deal of mental anguish - on top of the disease ......
Posted 3/2/2017 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
LymeTrez - have you posted your thyroid test results on this forum?

Some Dr.'s aren't very good at reading them...

Did you have the thyroid antibodies tested?
Posted 3/2/2017 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Also did you have your adrenals tested?

The thyroid and adrenal function go hand in hand.

The best test is a 4 point saliva cortisol test.
You don't need a Dr. to get this done...there are labs online that you can use. (they provide test kits)
Posted 3/2/2017 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
LymeTrez, I am in your boat... my thyroid is fine... adrenals are spot on. I feel ya...

We have not fixed the problem yet, but my issue seems to have boiled down to my inability to break down sugar into energy. Even though I don't eat sugar, that inability to utilize sugar is killing any shot at weight loss... I assume we have to fully fix some other issues like Lyme/parasites etc. and then perhaps we can flip this back to normal. I also have exercise intolerance which indicates this is a true cause... if I workout I feel tired and weak, not energized. I have no fuel to burn. So, it can be deeper than thyroid and adrenals as I have discovered...

I actually have seen a dramatic workout improvement since I started my new protocol. It's encouraging, and while I am still putting on weight, I almost feel as if it good muscular weight and not just fat like before. i am hopeful. Ever hopeful smile
Posted 3/2/2017 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Excellent point 3Humped. While you exercise more your fat can turn to muscle and muscle weighs more. It is better to do measurements.

I gained when I was sick with lyme. Then I had no symptoms and lost weight - I worked at it. And now I am holding steady.

Have no fear, this will turn around.

We've known for some time that stress is connected to weight gain, because a high level of the stress hormone cortisol has been shown to up the appetite.

So use the small saucer plate instead of the huge dinner plate. When it is done. Stop. I have trouble with the signal from my stomach to my brain that I am full. I have to quit eating and wait awhile for that transmission to get through to my brain that I am full.

Slow old woman's body is what I got!
Posted 3/2/2017 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
That is great news for you, 3HumpedCamel. Are you on ABX or herbal?

Has anyone heard of Protandim? I've been told this suppliment is working wonders for some?
Posted 3/2/2017 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
bump
Posted 3/2/2017 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
I actually lost weight when i was sick, and really fast. I lost like 12lbs in three weeks when I was at my worst and didn't start treatment yet (bc obviously the Drs didn't believe me).

I am trying to understand this - why did i lose so much weight when some people only gain? Most people who are "sick" are thin and frail looking - that's how i was. i had circles under my eyes, i was pale, etc....

trust me, i believe that there are probably more people who gain rather than lose based on the stories that i have read......
Posted 3/3/2017 2:40 AM (GMT 0)

Chapelle said...
I actually lost weight when i was sick, and really fast. I lost like 12lbs in three weeks when I was at my worst and didn't start treatment yet (bc obviously the Drs didn't believe me).

I am trying to understand this - why did i lose so much weight when some people only gain? Most people who are "sick" are thin and frail looking - that's how i was. i had circles under my eyes, i was pale, etc....

trust me, i believe that there are probably more people who gain rather than lose based on the stories that i have read......

You and I had a similar experience. Lost weight after getting lyme. I too wonder why some lymies gain weight and others lose weight.

I think it's thyroid/adrenal related. Because this problem can go in either direction. Hypo v Hyper. And lyme causes one or the other in lymies. So some of us gain weight while other lose weight.

That's best educated guess I've come up with.
Posted 3/3/2017 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
ok, you may be right on that one!

but for me, my thyroid levels were fine. by the time i was at my worst, i practically felt like i had morning sickness bc i was waking up extremely nauseous every morning. i had absolutely no appetite. my dr said it was a combo of the sickness (i had bart too which causes stomach issues) and the fact that my immune system was on complete overdrive - so i was burning calories like crazy trying to fight off the illness.
Posted 3/3/2017 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
It's hormone related, but not just thyroid and adrenal hormones.

I've always struggled with my weight - but I've also been infected nearly my entire life too. I gain easily and don't loose weight easily. Now, when my adrenals and thyroid went south, I gained 40 lbs in 3 weeks. As my thyroid and adrenals come back into balance, I'm slowly loosing that weight and hope to be at a good weight for me before the year's end. Fingers crossed.
Posted 3/3/2017 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
LymeT I am on herbals.

Thank you Traveler for reiterating the fact that it can be more than thyroid/adrenal issues. My issues are certainly not related to those hormones, and I dwelled on them for years. I had to look far deeper and farther up stream. Now, to understand how to fix it... it can be quite complicated, really, and for me it's very frustrating when folks who don't have the issue say "all you have to do is x or y or z" -- makes me want to scream because it isn't that straight forward for many of us.
Posted 3/3/2017 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I've been steadily gaining the last 6 months. I just saw an LLMD this week and thought I'd mention he started me on Dr Gundry's diet protocol to prep for treatment. I went to his website and it does mention weight loss in addition to improving immunity.
Posted 3/3/2017 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
YES 3HumpedCamel. That is my BIGGEST pet peeve. Everyone tells me that I'm just not doing enoughof A, B or C. When I tell them all of the things I've tried, I typically get "well, keep trying sport! It takes time...." That is NOT always the answer. 30lbs in 2 months - with only added diet restrictions/excersize - just to ATTEMPT to keep it normal? Nope. that is not normal at all.

What herbs are you taking? I have a friend who can help with getting me herbs/essential oils. I just don't know what is best for this specific issue
Posted 3/3/2017 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
There are herbs and spices that can help with losing weight. But I swear my metabolism just went on vacation when I got lyme. I admit I was lethargic. And I did not adjust my calories incoming to that lack of activity. So on went a few pounds.

I added in Cinnamon and spiced up my foods with peppers - all kinds. I made a lot of my meals very ethnic with the spices.

Garlic - gosh I can't rave about it enough. I finally found organic garlic granules and they don't give me breath..... but alas, nothing is a potent as a real clove of garlic. And it is a powerful medicine for many aspects of health.
Posted 3/3/2017 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, PeteZa, tried all that, too... tons of spices, garlic pills... you name it and I've done it. Lethargy has never been my problem. I have never stopped exercising, and I struggle to eat enough calories. I keep track of the protein/carb/fat ratios as well as calories. So, it was clearly something else. MSH,LDH and some other issues are at the tip of my problems. I just simply wish I could find a fix for the deficiencies and flip the switch as I know other things would improve like my joint cracks and pops and inflammation.

LymeTrez - I am on custom homeopathy. The latest thing I added was high dose borage oil (4 grams per day) -- I feel you and wanted you to know that you aren't alone, and we aren't crazy.

A story: After my knee surgery, which was 3 months on crutches and 6 months before I could walk normally, a friend and I began our fitness trek together. She had the same operation a few months earlier. I was doing 2 lifting sessions per week plus 3 HIIT plus 2 yoga workouts plus 2 mile dog walks daily each week... she was doing HIIT and lifting also. We were on myfitnesspal together and logged our food and calories and ratios. She lost 12 inches and 20+ pounds in 4 months (she was already skinny), and I put on 2 inches around my waist alone and gained 10 pounds (I was already 40 pounds overweight)... I then started looking farther into how this could happen.

I am not closer to successful weight loss. I simply understand where the problems are deeper than adrenal/cortisol/thyroid... but I feel alright knowing the why and knowing I am not crazy. I am different...

I have been able too fix the exercise intolerance to the point where I don't feel sick after working out, and I don't have weakness.
Posted 3/3/2017 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
The other thing we have to remember - and something I struggle with a lot - is that if we don't eat enough food each day, the body can 'believe' that it's not going to get enough food for a long time and will go into what is sometimes called "starvation mode". This is where the body won't loose weight because it's slowing down the metabolism to prepare for long periods without enough food - so food reduction can be counter productive - not to mention incredibly frustrating!!

Quite simply stated, I hate food. I don't want to eat and never get hungry, and I don't like to cook, which definitely complicates things. LOL. But, I also know that if I'm not careful, I'll never loose any weight because my body seems to have an affinity for being in that 'starvation mode' - surely due to my not liking to eat.
Posted 3/3/2017 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Traveler, you are correct... it's why I diligently keep tabs on everything in to my body via myfitnesspal... it's the only way I could see how little food I was actually eating because I eat so many veggies that have no calories. Great reminder.

1000Daisies, yes I have no yeast issues at all any longer. It was an issue years ago, but now I am free and clear of that, too. You are very correct on inability to lose weight if yeast is an issue.
Posted 3/4/2017 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
What herbals work for yeast? that may be an issue with me.

Also, any thoughts on Protandim? I was just suggested this by my doctor....
Posted 3/5/2017 3:25 PM (GMT 0)

Chapelle said...
and the fact that my immune system was on complete overdrive - so i was burning calories like crazy trying to fight off the illness.

Ah yes, my LLMD also said something similar as a possible reason.
Posted 3/5/2017 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
What purpose was your doctor recommending Protandim for? It's being marketed to reduce oxidative stress.
Posted 3/5/2017 6:13 PM (GMT 0)

LymeTrez said...
What herbals work for yeast? that may be an issue with me.

Also, any thoughts on Protandim? I was just suggested this by my doctor....

Is your Dr. selling this? I read it was a multi-level marketing supplement.
Posted 3/5/2017 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
The doctors/nurses at my local hospital are suggesting it, saying they have seen great results with Lyme patients .... So, I don't know. I mean, $40 a month, they say it takes at least 3 months .... I don' tknow...
Posted 3/8/2017 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
bump
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