Re: Stupid questions

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/30/2002 8:18:31 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

john.codling@... writes:

> Can somebody let me know what t4 does in you rbody and what t3 does

Hi ,

Here's a little info to get you started:

" The body temperature is in large part regulated by the thyroid hormone

system. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to produce Thyroid

Stimulating Hormone (TSH). TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T4

(thyroxine) which is the raw material or precursor used to make the active

thyroid hormone T3. T4 is also converted to RT3 (reverse T3) which is

physiologically inactive.

" T4 is not the physiologically active hormone and needs to be converted by an

enzyme called 5' deiodinase to become the active hormone T3, or

liothyroinine. At least 80% of the body's daily production of T3 is produced

in this way, not in the thyroid gland, but in the tissues of the body (liver,

kidney, etc.).

" T3 is the physiologically active thyroid hormone and is four times more

potent and three times shorter-acting than T4. T3 is what goes to all the

cells in the body and tells them how fast to operate, and that determines the

body temperature. 5' deiodinase has two jobs. It converts T4 to T3 and it

converts RT3 to T2. 5' deiodinase (as opposed to 5' deiodinase) is the

enzyme that converts T3 to RT3.

Doctor's Manual for 's Thyroid Syndrome, 4th Ed., pp 20-22

[Guest guest]

Ray,

A few years back when I was very ill and in the hospital, I felt I was

asking a lot of stupid questions. A very kind nurse set me at ease, by

telling me, " The most important question may be the one you didn't ask. " .

That has stuck with me, and encourages me to ask whenever I need

clarification.

[Guest guest]

Well, Bluebelle, that " seizing up " sure sounds familiar, if it's any consolation

to know that another flatbacker has it. For me, if I try to walk too far, my

muscles seize up, and there's definitely lower back/buttock involvement, though

when I first had trouble I only felt it in the calf/back of thigh. All the

muscles on the back of my legs and lower back tend to cramp up. I don't exactly

limp, though I do take stairs one at a time (left leg first, then right leg on

the same step). For some reason it hurts my knees if I try to take them the

normal way. I really believe this is all related to my back.

I too lean on grocery carts and have toyed with the idea of a handicapped

permit, though I think I can still walk somewhat farther than you.

I'm the one who was just diagnosed with " probable " MS, and at first I thought my

widespread muscle pain problem might be the MS, but since I've had the muscle

pain for 20 years with no other clear neurological problems, I think it is much

more likely that the leg and lower back pain are coming from the flatback,

especially since I've talked online with other flatbackers who have that symptom

(or had it before revision).

I wish I had a good answer about how to get to a doctor. I had no insurance

when I first had hand pain, and I know how scary it is.

Sharon

Stupid Questions

Okay,

I have started limping. I know it is on the right side and it is

getting much worse. By that I mean about a year ago I only limped if

I had been sitting down for a good while and then got up. I would

limp until I got the kinks out. NOW I am limping MUCH more

throughout the day and especially when I am tired or if I have tried

to walk very far like shopping for groceries, etc. I can walk much

farther holding onto a grocery cart than I can without one.

Now here is the stupid question part. How do I tell if this is

because of my lower back, my hip, or my knee? They ALL give me

trouble. If I have been walking or standing, my lower back/upper hip

sort of seizes up into knots and spams so much so I have to stop. It

gets MUCH better if I sit down.

Do any of you think something like a cane or walker would help? I

feel kind of stupid even asking because I usually start out walking

fine, but I can't make more than a half a block without trouble. I

hate to admit this, but I am even thinking about asking for a

handicap parking permit. But I don't know if I can get one. My

husband usually drops me off at the door.

I don't have ready access to a doctor or insurance, and will have to

try to convice Texas Rehab for services (yeah right they haven't

even given me what they promised me). I do have an old cane I used

when my knee was killing me years ago, but I have no clue how to

properly use it or if it will do more harm than good for my poor back.

The one bit of good news is that I made it into a clinical trial for

knee accupuncture. I am in the controll group right now, but get to

have the real deal for 6 weeks starting sometime in March. I'll let

you all know if that helps. I have arthritis in my knees.

I know none of you are doctors, but if any of you have any " free "

folk wisdom I sure could use it! LOL (This doesn't count all the

neck pains and throbs between my shoulders, we will leave them for

another day!)

Txbluebelle

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your comments Sharon,

I have NOT been diagnosed with flatback. At least if I have no one

has told me. I think my fusion only goes down to T12 or L1, but the

RODS on the x-ray extend to L2. So I'm guessing my fusion may be too

high to be true flatback? I do know I have disc narrowing below the

fusion. That is all I got out of the doctor.

I have been double stepping stairs for YEARS and it definitely hurts

less that way. I don't care what people think. I think part of it is

I fell down a flight of concrete steps when I was in elementary

school. I never looked at stairs the same way again!

My calves don't seem to cramp up too much, but my FEET hurt a lot

especially in the arches. I do have osteoarthritis in LOTS of places.

It runs in the family.

I am NOT in a lot of pain as long as I don't " do " anything and I have

my Bextra. The problem is I'm doing less and less.

Speaking of your probable MS. I have known several people with it.

Most have done quite well with only periodic flare ups. One girl is

in remission. She had needed a cane at one time. So hang in there and

good luck with your new meds.

Txbluebelle

> Well, Bluebelle, that " seizing up " sure sounds familiar, if it's

any consolation to know that another flatbacker has it. For me, if I

try to walk too far, my muscles seize up, and there's definitely

lower back/buttock involvement, though when I first had trouble I

only felt it in the calf/back of thigh. All the muscles on the back

of my legs and lower back tend to cramp up. I don't exactly limp,

though I do take stairs one at a time (left leg first, then right leg

on the same step). For some reason it hurts my knees if I try to

take them the normal way. I really believe this is all related to my

back.

>

> I too lean on grocery carts and have toyed with the idea of a

handicapped permit, though I think I can still walk somewhat farther

than you.

>

> I'm the one who was just diagnosed with " probable " MS, and at first

I thought my widespread muscle pain problem might be the MS, but

since I've had the muscle pain for 20 years with no other clear

neurological problems, I think it is much more likely that the leg

and lower back pain are coming from the flatback, especially since

I've talked online with other flatbackers who have that symptom (or

had it before revision).

>

> I wish I had a good answer about how to get to a doctor. I had no

insurance when I first had hand pain, and I know how scary it is.

>

> Sharon

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The regulations may be different from Canada, but I got the handicap parking

pass because I needed to have the door wide open to get in and out and now I

have to use a walker if I go into the store. I was limping, even with the

cane but the walker seems to even my gait more. If I have even a greater

distance to go or I'm too sore or tired, than I use the scooter to get

around.

I view the parking pass, cane, walker and scooter as " tools " to keep me

going in relative comfort, otherwise I would be stuck at home, probably

going even more crazy and in pain than I already am. I was even able to get

Disability Pension on the first try, but that was because I listed

everything, even problems unrelated to scoliosis, and medical information

papers on HARMS. I will admit that it was a hard thing to get myself to

apply for and there was a " grieving process " because admitting the loss of

former independence but life is full of changes.

Llweyn

Re: Stupid Questions

Well, Bluebelle, that " seizing up " sure sounds familiar, if it's any

consolation to know that another flatbacker has it. For me, if I try to

walk too far, my muscles seize up, and there's definitely lower back/buttock

involvement, though when I first had trouble I only felt it in the calf/back

of thigh. All the muscles on the back of my legs and lower back tend to

cramp up. I don't exactly limp, though I do take stairs one at a time (left

leg first, then right leg on the same step). For some reason it hurts my

knees if I try to take them the normal way. I really believe this is all

related to my back.

I too lean on grocery carts and have toyed with the idea of a handicapped

permit, though I think I can still walk somewhat farther than you.

I'm the one who was just diagnosed with " probable " MS, and at first I

thought my widespread muscle pain problem might be the MS, but since I've

had the muscle pain for 20 years with no other clear neurological problems,

I think it is much more likely that the leg and lower back pain are coming

from the flatback, especially since I've talked online with other

flatbackers who have that symptom (or had it before revision).

I wish I had a good answer about how to get to a doctor. I had no

insurance when I first had hand pain, and I know how scary it is.

Sharon

Stupid Questions

Okay,

I have started limping. I know it is on the right side and it is

getting much worse. By that I mean about a year ago I only limped if

I had been sitting down for a good while and then got up. I would

limp until I got the kinks out. NOW I am limping MUCH more

throughout the day and especially when I am tired or if I have tried

to walk very far like shopping for groceries, etc. I can walk much

farther holding onto a grocery cart than I can without one.

Now here is the stupid question part. How do I tell if this is

because of my lower back, my hip, or my knee? They ALL give me

trouble. If I have been walking or standing, my lower back/upper hip

sort of seizes up into knots and spams so much so I have to stop. It

gets MUCH better if I sit down.

Do any of you think something like a cane or walker would help? I

feel kind of stupid even asking because I usually start out walking

fine, but I can't make more than a half a block without trouble. I

hate to admit this, but I am even thinking about asking for a

handicap parking permit. But I don't know if I can get one. My

husband usually drops me off at the door.

I don't have ready access to a doctor or insurance, and will have to

try to convice Texas Rehab for services (yeah right they haven't

even given me what they promised me). I do have an old cane I used

when my knee was killing me years ago, but I have no clue how to

properly use it or if it will do more harm than good for my poor back.

The one bit of good news is that I made it into a clinical trial for

knee accupuncture. I am in the controll group right now, but get to

have the real deal for 6 weeks starting sometime in March. I'll let

you all know if that helps. I have arthritis in my knees.

I know none of you are doctors, but if any of you have any " free "

folk wisdom I sure could use it! LOL (This doesn't count all the

neck pains and throbs between my shoulders, we will leave them for

another day!)

Txbluebelle

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

Hi again, Bluebelle. Sorry I assumed you had flatback. That's only one of the

problems we scoliosis surgery veterans encounter.

That's interesting about the stairs. Was your spine injured when you fell?

I've talked with a couple of people who say their scoliosis was caused by trauma

to the spine. I've simply found that when I climb stairs the normal way my

knees make " cracking " sounds, and later they hurt, particularly my right one.

By trial and error I found that always leading with the left foot keeps the pain

down. I certainly hear you about doing less and less! We do what we have to do

to prevent pain, and then the doctors think we're ok because we aren't suffering

in the 8 to 10 range. Then again, I know if I go to the right doctor I'll be

offered surgery, and I'm not at all sure that's a better option.

Thanks for the encouragement regarding the MS. I know that many people get mild

cases, and with the disease-modifying drug my prognosis may be even better.

Take care.

Sharon

Re: Stupid Questions

Thanks for your comments Sharon,

I have NOT been diagnosed with flatback. At least if I have no one

has told me. I think my fusion only goes down to T12 or L1, but the

RODS on the x-ray extend to L2. So I'm guessing my fusion may be too

high to be true flatback? I do know I have disc narrowing below the

fusion. That is all I got out of the doctor.

I have been double stepping stairs for YEARS and it definitely hurts

less that way. I don't care what people think. I think part of it is

I fell down a flight of concrete steps when I was in elementary

school. I never looked at stairs the same way again!

My calves don't seem to cramp up too much, but my FEET hurt a lot

especially in the arches. I do have osteoarthritis in LOTS of places.

It runs in the family.

I am NOT in a lot of pain as long as I don't " do " anything and I have

my Bextra. The problem is I'm doing less and less.

Speaking of your probable MS. I have known several people with it.

Most have done quite well with only periodic flare ups. One girl is

in remission. She had needed a cane at one time. So hang in there and

good luck with your new meds.

Txbluebelle

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

I just don't KNOW if I have flatback. I might. I really don't know

what the problem is. I do lean forward more and more. I'm still

waiting for Rehab to find the results of my MRI for October! The

doctor's office doesnt' want to give it to me without me making an

appointment, which I can't afford to do. Besides, I'm not so sure

they have the results either. I think they are LOST.

I don't think I was hurt in that fall down the stairs all those years

ago except for a few bumps and bruises. I was in a BAD rear end

collision in the mid 70s about 7 years after my scoliosis surgery. I

had a horrible whiplash that caused severe pain for months and a

lower lumbar strain. I think that has added to my woes throughout the

years.

As far as stairs go. I usually step first with the right leg, clutch

onto the rail to help pull myself up and then double step with the

left. I have started getting much more winded lately too. I thought

it was just because I have gained weight and I'm so badly out of

shape from not doing anything, but I found out I have early premature

ventricular contractions. I found that out trying to get into a

clinical trial. They wanted me to get it checked out, but of course I

can't. I told my husband to mention it to the emergency room guys if

I completely fall out. They'll have to see me for free then! LOL

The bottom line is my warranty is up and I'm falling apart!

Txbluebelle

-- In , " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

> Hi again, Bluebelle. Sorry I assumed you had flatback. That's

only one of the problems we scoliosis surgery veterans encounter.

>

> That's interesting about the stairs. Was your spine injured when

you fell? I've talked with a couple of people who say their

scoliosis was caused by trauma to the spine. I've simply found that

when I climb stairs the normal way my knees make " cracking " sounds,

and later they hurt, particularly my right one. By trial and error I

found that always leading with the left foot keeps the pain down. I

certainly hear you about doing less and less! We do what we have to

do to prevent pain, and then the doctors think we're ok because we

aren't suffering in the 8 to 10 range. Then again, I know if I go to

the right doctor I'll be offered surgery, and I'm not at all sure

that's a better option.

>

> Thanks for the encouragement regarding the MS. I know that many

people get mild cases, and with the disease-modifying drug my

prognosis may be even better.

>

> Take care.

>

> Sharon

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joe,

You might have a time of it getting an Endo to treat you for low testosterone

your levels in my units is 419 ng/dL most Dr.'s will not do anything unless your

below 300 or below the bottom of the range. One thing that I see that can bring

your levels back up is to get your Estradiol " E2 " down your SHBG is on the low

side so if you could get your E2 down between 15 to 20 pg/ml your T levels can

go back up some 200 to 300 Points in my units. And your high E2 levels will

kill your sex life most of us getting this down we get night time and morning

wood back and don't need a pill for sex.

Your Cortisol is very low and this is dangeres if you get upset of have a death

in the family and feel shaky and sick to your stomach go to the ER.

It can very will be your working out 5 yrs and starting to lose your gains that

your Adreanls are stress out to the point they can't make enough cortisol. Along

with this your Thyroud can be off you need to test Free T4 and Free T3 to know

for sure. With a TSH at .67 if your FT3 and FT4 are below mid range it can be a

pituitary problme your brain sends TSH to your Thyroid to tell it to make more

thyroud hormones. Also it would be good if your LH and FSH was tested with your

Testosterone levels if they are low it's a pituitary problem meaning your

Secondary.

Bottom line here is you need to know why your low before treating this once you

go on Testosterone meds you can't tell because your HPTA gets shut down. Your

brain will see the added T in your blood and stop sending the LH and FSH

messages to your testis to make T.

For you low Cortisol levels I would now do a 4x's in a day Saliva test to see

how your cortisol rhytum looks like it should be high in the morning and low at

bed time. In this link you can order this test your self if your rhytum is bad

then I would get an ACTH stim. test to tell if it's your adreals that are bad or

your pituitary that is bad. Your pituitary tells your Adrenals to make

Cortisol. I would take a break from working out until your figure this out.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/recommended-labwork/

If you can't get your Dr. to treat you high levels of E2 get some Indolplex/DIM

it's slow OTC and works dam good.

http://www.ritecare.com/prodsheets/PHY-15336.html

You would take one tablet at dinner time in about 2 weeks you sould get your

night time and morning wood back this is a good gage to tell you your levels are

at there best.

Co-Moderator

Phil

> From: Joe Portale <jportale@...>

> Subject: Stupid questions

>

> Date: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 8:43 PM

> Hello,

>

> I have been lurking on this group trying to gain

> information. Well,

> this week is my big week, I finally get to see the endo.

> Without

> going into detail, my blood work shows that my Test is,

> 4.19ng/ml on

> a scale 1.75-7.81, Estradiol 37.0 on a scale of

> 11-44pg/ml; TSH .67

> on a scale of 0.4-4.00; SBH 26 scale 18-47; Cortisol levels

> 8.5 (no

> scale)and Growth Hormone of 0.1 (no scale given although

> info found

> on line say this is terribly low).

>

> My problems are pretty common. Weight massing on my chest

> and belly,

> I have been lifting weights for most of my life and been at

> it pretty

> steady for over 5 years and have actually seen a marked

> DECREASE in

> muscular ability. The reduction in muscular ability

> (actually losing

> muscle mass) and a carb heavy meal gets me sleeping almost

> immediately is what are the biggest concerns. My blood

> glucose is

> slightly elevated, but according to the lab, not flagging

> excessive.

>

> What I am poorly asking is what can I expect at my endo

> appointment?

> Yeah, this is a bot of apprehension and expected the worst.

> This endo

> guy worries me. It takes three months to get in to see this

> guy. He

> has very strong credentials from what could be found on

> line. It took

> me almost a year to get my regular doc to stop saying

> " you're getting

> old " and throwing Viagra samples at me. My concern is

> when a doc is

> that busy, they have a tendency to call you a crank and

> blow you off.

>

> So accept my apologies for the complaining. What should I

> be aware of

> on a first visit to the endo?

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Lottie,

I feel much better now - the butterflies are leaving quickly! Just this one post

has given us a lot of ammunition for the next appointment (only the third so

far.)

The doctor is very kind and helpful so I feel confident he will happily endure

" me " !

Thanks for helping me with my baby steps.

PS (I am hopeful that you will be a candidate for the knee replacement soon, I

will be thinking of you. A few years ago my Mother had two full knee

replacements, only 6 months apart, and she is a new woman with no pain!)

>

> Dear (the newcomer),

> Please don't feel like you are asking stupid questions. There are only stupid

answers like: " Why do you want to know? " A good doctor should be willing to

answer all of your questions. If he feels it is unimportant, his answer should

be that you needn't worry about it at this time. I look at my CBC results and

look at the white blood count, the red blood count, hemoglobin, hemocratit and

platelets. The white count till tell me if I am neutropenic, the hemoglobin and

hemocratit tell me if need a blood transfusion, or if you are lucky enough to

qualify for Procrit injections. The platelets are what keeps us from bleeding

too much as our blood is thinner. When mine go below 50,000, then they usually

withhold my treatment until it recovers. I was scheduled for total knee

replacement a few weeks ago and did not not have it because the oncologist who

is not really my oncologist found my platelets in the 40's to be too low.

>

> So those are the things I look for to see if I am on target, well not exactly

because my counts are always suppressed. My wbc is pretty stationary at 2.4.

It has been as low as l.0 when I was on Inteferon, one of the older treatments

for CML. It's up to us to question the doctor when we are puzzled at anything

we see that doesn't seem normal. In time, you will learn the acrynoms used in

connection with CML. Since were once newbies ourselves, we stood in your shoes,

so ask all the questions that come to mind and we won't think you are stupid; if

we did, we would be casting stones at ourselves. Hopefully soon, you will be at

ease and the butterflies in your stomach will be gone.

> Blessings,

> Lottie

>

>

[Guest guest]

I also drink about a gallon of water daily.

> >

> > I am new to vitamix.

> >

> > 1. I was hoping to loose weight which I am not. any tips?

> > 2. I have a fruit smoothie in the morning which I think may be why, after

all who would really all that much fruit in one serving? I use a strawberry

coconut keifer, any apple peelings my kids havne't eaten and a full orange. so

I am cutting down but any other suggestions?

> >

> > 3. for lunches I have been taking leftover salad and making a veggie juice

but find my self having to add so much salt and extra tomatos to make this

drinkable. Why couldn't I just eat the salad? (I actually hate salads so

this works for me but it seems silly)

> >

> > 4. I just get the impression although healthier I am eating twice as much

(not calorie wise although I eat three times as much since it is low cal and it

takes a bunch to make a full drink) and not getting as filled up.

> >

> > I was just looking for some tips. Not doing green smoothies just becuase

right now I am at a good level with my coumadin and want to continue to eat the

same right now to avoid more frequent trips for blood draws.

> >

> > Am I going about this all wrong?

> >

> > Also is it true you will loose your ability to digest if all you eat is

smoothies?

> >

> >

> > Theresa

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I'm going to kick up my water intake. I probably don't drink enough to flush the toxins from the additional fiber I've been drinking. I feel fantastic, healthy and more have more energy... just need to get rid of the extra fluid.... From: Vizualized1 <vizualized1@...> Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2012 10:58 PM Subject: Re: Stupid questions

I also drink about a gallon of water daily.

> >

> > I am new to vitamix.

> >

> > 1. I was hoping to loose weight which I am not. any tips?

> > 2. I have a fruit smoothie in the morning which I think may be why, after all who would really all that much fruit in one serving? I use a strawberry coconut keifer, any apple peelings my kids havne't eaten and a full orange. so I am cutting down but any other suggestions?

> >

> > 3. for lunches I have been taking leftover salad and making a veggie juice but find my self having to add so much salt and extra tomatos to make this drinkable. Why couldn't I just eat the salad? (I actually hate salads so this works for me but it seems silly)

> >

> > 4. I just get the impression although healthier I am eating twice as much (not calorie wise although I eat three times as much since it is low cal and it takes a bunch to make a full drink) and not getting as filled up.

> >

> > I was just looking for some tips. Not doing green smoothies just becuase right now I am at a good level with my coumadin and want to continue to eat the same right now to avoid more frequent trips for blood draws.

> >

> > Am I going about this all wrong?

> >

> > Also is it true you will loose your ability to digest if all you eat is smoothies?

> >

> >

> > Theresa

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I don't eat a lot of carbs (celiac disease) and I don't do a lot of sugary stuff

other than fruit. I know some people can't tolerate even fruit sugars. I have

cut down my orange to 1/2 and i hit the gym almost every weekday. Not much

just 3-4 miles on the eliptical machine. but I am not use to any exercise so

its a start. I will just wait for things to kick in. I know I am doing

healthier and that my body will respond soon I was just hoping for like what you

said that little miricle pill to loose weight. I am only 20 pounds over ideal

weight so I guess I thought it would be easy.

Theresa

> >

> > I am new to vitamix.

> >

> > 1. I was hoping to loose weight which I am not. any tips?

> > 2. I have a fruit smoothie in the morning which I think may be why, after

all who would really all that much fruit in one serving? I use a strawberry

coconut keifer, any apple peelings my kids havne't eaten and a full orange. so

I am cutting down but any other suggestions?

> >

> > 3. for lunches I have been taking leftover salad and making a veggie juice

but find my self having to add so much salt and extra tomatos to make this

drinkable. Why couldn't I just eat the salad? (I actually hate salads so

this works for me but it seems silly)

> >

> > 4. I just get the impression although healthier I am eating twice as much

(not calorie wise although I eat three times as much since it is low cal and it

takes a bunch to make a full drink) and not getting as filled up.

> >

> > I was just looking for some tips. Not doing green smoothies just becuase

right now I am at a good level with my coumadin and want to continue to eat the

same right now to avoid more frequent trips for blood draws.

> >

> > Am I going about this all wrong?

> >

> > Also is it true you will loose your ability to digest if all you eat is

smoothies?

> >

> >

> > Theresa

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Theresa,

Don't focus on weight loss. Focus on health gain!

Good luck!

Fran

In a message dated 6/15/2012 10:56:05 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, gates78@... writes:

Thanks for the suggestions.I don't eat a lot of carbs (celiac disease) and I don't do a lot of sugary stuff other than fruit. I know some people can't tolerate even fruit sugars. I have cut down my orange to 1/2 and i hit the gym almost every weekday. Not much just 3-4 miles on the eliptical machine. but I am not use to any exercise so its a start. I will just wait for things to kick in. I know I am doing healthier and that my body will respond soon I was just hoping for like what you said that little miricle pill to loose weight. I am only 20 pounds over ideal weight so I guess I thought it would be easy.Theresa> >> > I am new to vitamix.> > > > 1. I was hoping to loose weight which I am not. any tips?> > 2. I have a fruit smoothie in the morning which I think may be why, after all who would really all that much fruit in one serving? I use a strawberry coconut keifer, any apple peelings my kids havne't eaten and a full orange. so I am cutting down but any other suggestions?> > > > 3. for lunches I have been taking leftover salad and making a veggie juice but find my self having to add so much salt and extra tomatos to make this drinkable. Why couldn't I just eat the salad? (I actually hate salads so this works for me but it seems silly)> > > > 4. I just get the impression although healthier I am eating twice as much (not calorie wise although I eat three times as much since it is low cal and it takes a bunch to make a full drink) and not getting as filled up.> > > > I was just looking for some tips. Not doing green smoothies just becuase right now I am at a good level with my coumadin and want to continue to eat the same right now to avoid more frequent trips for blood draws.> > > > Am I going about this all wrong?> > > > Also is it true you will loose your ability to digest if all you eat is smoothies?> > > > > > Theresa> >>