RE: Exercise and Diet - Sue

[Guest guest]

I'm glad they're not going to put me on iron then! I certainly don't want

an increase in appetite.

Sue, I really appreciate all the weight loss hints. I've done a lower carb

higher protein diet before, and I've lost weight on it. Best of all, it

keeps me satisfied. When I eat a lot of carbs, I'm always hungry. Last

night we went out to dinner and as an appetizer we had lettuce wraps: asian

chicken in bibb lettuce. I think I'm going to make that for dinner at least

once a week. What a great diet food. I like your idea of shakes for

breakfast. I've done that too with whey protein and I add frozen berries in

the blender. I'm not eating dairy (for the arthritis) and the soy milk is

a good idea. I've got turkey breast with rice cakes - an old standby for

me - and I use lean shaved ham on rice cakes too.

As far as exercise I either do 20 minutes of walking, yoga, or tai chi. I

think the stationary bike is a great idea because it is easier on the

joints. Maybe I'll look into one.

Much love,

Carol

Re: [ ] Anemia - Iron Level

on 9/2/02 7:51 PM, a at paula54@... wrote:

> Anemia has many possible causes and comes in many forms. The most common

in

> rheumatic diseases is Anemia of chronic disease (ACD), which is triggered

by

> persistent inflammation.

Last year I had iron-deficiency anemia. I was taking methotrexate,

prednisone, and a double dose of Aleve. The PCP said that since both my HCT

and HGB were low, I was probably having blood loss. I had been having mild

stomach discomfort, so he assumed that I had an ulcer. My iron level was 35

(normal 42-135) and saturation was 12 (normal 20-55). I stopped taking Aleve

and took samples of Prevacid and Prevacid as well as prescription iron for a

few months. My HCT, HGB, and iron levels returned to normal.

But that prescription iron gave me such an appetite! That's how I managed to

gain weight instead of lose while undergoing radiation treatments. I really

think that the ulcer was a blessing in disguise.

Sue