Choreographing your own food/life plan (Pushing the doctors)

[Phoenix]

Hi again-

I have no thyroid courtousy of thyroid cancer, have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis (both knees replaced), severe depression, chronic and very severe candidiasis, all known digestive problems (G>), and the list goes on. I was first diagnosed as obese at age 8 months! I am currently 267.5 lbs and 65 yrs old (but don't look it! <G>). I can not exercise due to my various handicaps which leave me far too weak to barely make it through the day. This concerns me greatly.

I am, I'm sure, putting a lot of doctors (past and present) - from specialists to quacks' children through college.

My psychiatrist gave me a blank stare when I asked him if he could recognize if there needed to be a reduction of my anti-depression meds; my endocrinologist said to just adjust my meds according to my BS levels (forgot to mention I have Type 2 Diabetes); and my internist said she had no problem with my trying this diet and as I opened my mouth to ask for guidance she walked out of the room. None of them showed any interest in following me, monitoring me, or helping me with this.

Consequently I am calling them for permission to reduce (e.g. diuretic after symptoms of dehydration including night spasming of muscles) some meds, etc. They don't seem to be available. (My friend is using, basically, this format for eating and has lost 78lbs since December with ALL of her blood levels jumping to normal within the first month! She is being followed by a specialist which I simply can't afford to do.) I'm going to insist that someone at the very least give me a thorough blood test once a month. I haven't dared approach my internist about magnesium yet; but I intend to supplement to the level deemed appropriate in this program.

Anyone else in this boat?

Any ideas what to ask to be tested for other than CBC, calcium and magnesium levels,ketone levels and thyroid levels (plus an A1C every 3 months)?

Any thoughts would be appreciated here as I really feel alone doing this; and I might add a little scared. Forgive me if I've overwhelmed you with too much information all at once.

Phoenix

[Missy]

Phoenix....bare in mind, this is just a suggestion for you to consider. BUT perhaps it would be worthwhile for you to SPEND the money on the specialist IF they've got a good reputation for understanding these things...then it is to spend money and effort for blood tests for doctors that only casually give them a passing glance and don't offer really useful suggestions, understanding, or guidance.

I personally pay (mostly) out of pocket for my terrific Dr who's not a "primary" Dr in my medical plan...but the man knows his stuff. SO, I get quality help/information and feel listened to and taken care of..and well, in my book, I'm getting far and away more value for the added cost then I EVER got from my $20 co pay Dr. Who, in my opinion, I was just a number.

This is, just my opinion though.

I do know that alot of what your mentioning in your symptoms can be improved with proper diagnosis and treatment with the thyroid meds...but you have to have a Dr that's "on top" of thyroid....and sad to say a lot aren't! And A LOT can be helped with your food choices, after all our food is our FIRST and MOST VITAL medicine.

Do you have the Protein Plan books? If not, I suggest you get them...as they will spell things nicely! There are two main ones Protein Power, and Protein Power Lifeplan. Both excellent!! Both worth the investment.

Not to mention the "help" and information you'd find here on this board.

[Mitra]

Welcome :).

If your diuretics are bp related, then it's very likely that you'll have to adjust them. Most, though not all, people with high blood pressure find that it drops substantially when they reduce their carb intake. If you don't adjust your medication to match, you can end up with it going too low.

As Missy said, it's very helpful to have the books - they suggest supplementing with potassium in the early days of high fluid loss, which might well help with your night leg cramps.

I sympathise with the difficulties in getting input from your doctors, but with all your various health problems, it is important to keep them informed - so do keep trying to talk to them.

[Phoenix]

Missy -
You don't understqnd - I literally CAN'T afford a doctor who wouldn't be covered by Medicare and most of the "diet docs" aren't. I've checked. I've been disabled for more than 10 years and have no money left. Period. It's a stretch just trying to figure out how I'm going to pay for a plan that requires so much expensive food.

Yes, I have both the mentioned books; and have browsed through them. The first muscles in the body that go from fatigue are the eye muscles so I can't read much at a time. I usually "read" books on tape which I get free from a library for the blind or disabled. But I'm getting through them at as fast a speed as I can.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Phoenix

[WakefieldWendy]

My DW has chronic pain. I'm not sure if or how that is related to chronic fatigue, but I know that she finds that high magnesium is a great benefit in pain reduction. So that works well with pp.

My other thought, as you stated that you couldn't exercise, was water. Would exercise in a pool (could be swimming, but could also be high or low level aquafitness, in deep or shallow water, or simply walking in the shallow end of a pool) be possible? Hard core swimming is brutal on shoulders, but for the regular person, water supports weight allowing us to exercise without overburdening knees and so forth. And you can do it at whatever pace you want.

[Phoenix]

Thanks for the welcome, Mitra,

I certainly intend, as you suggested, to keep my doctors up to date and as well informed as possible. Hopefuly as they see the changes in me they will take more of an interest (if I don't croak in the meantime <G>).

Potassium supplements sounds like a good idea.

I'm eating and drinking so much I feel as though I couldn't possibly be losing any weight or doing my body any good! I'm used to starving - not having gallons to drink and bucketsful of food!! Strange feeling.

Phoenix

[Phoenix]

Exercising in water would be a great suggestion if it were a matter of low strength levels and not total lack of energy. I would be almost unable to raise my arms after getting to the pool and putting on a bathing suit (much less taking a wet one off). I'm hoping this way of life will help the chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia enough that I can do some of the exercising. I used to weight lift ( for strength - not bulk) and got great enjoyment out of it. I miss a lot of activities I could once do and can no longer.

Phoenix

[Missy]

I do understand Phoenix. I do. As you understand how one doesn't know someone's entire circumstance! So I do apologize.

Worry not though....there is A LOT that you can do for yourself on your own....:D

[Phoenix]

Missy -

Absolutely no apology necessary. Just filling you in on my reality and what is and what is not possible. Boy do I wish I could go somewhere and be pampered and massaged and cooed over! Wouldn't that be nice!!? A huge feather bed, some cute guys pulling out my chair at the posh diningroom wouldn't be too bad either?

Nothing wrong with my imagination <G>.

Phoenix

[Missy]

LOL WORKS FOR ME!!!!!! :D :D :D The dining room wouldn't necessarily havvvvve to be posh! lol :o :D

[Synetos]

The Protein Power Life plan is also available as an audiobook. I enjoyed listening to it on my ride into work.