Re: Question about losing weight...

[Guest guest]

Clair, it sounds like your dr is doing block and replace therapy for you. I am

not familiar with it but I am hyperT/Graves and had gained a lot of weight. I

was starting to think I'd never lose this weight I've put on over these past 4

yrs. I suspect I was hypoT before the Graves condition made itself present, so

I knew I had to lose weight, but just never seemed to be able to.

I take Methimazole, 5 mgs now, and 50 mgs of ATenolol, but I have high blood

pressure so till that ceases (if it does) my Atenolol will stay in my daily

regime. I know in the beginning, I was unable to do any type of exercise. I

was just too sick to move. I got that way last year again after being on the 30

mgs of Methimazole which was my starting dose of ATD's from Dec, 2001- thru

March 2002. I was either taken off the meds, or kept on the highest dose, which

made the hypoT problem. I have just now started losing weight and have managed

to get 24 lbs of this off, and I was pleased, but concerned. I dunno how true

it is, but while taking ATD's, the dr had told me to enjoy what amount of weight

I'd lost in the beginning. There must have been something to that, or else it

was being made to go hypoT with the un-adjusted meds, but something definately

packed the weight on me. I was 75 lbs overweight, and I was NOT happy about it!

Somebody should be able to help you with this, since my experience with b & r is

nil, and I'm rather curious about it myself. I was pleasantly surprised, and

excited when I managed to get the weight off that I've dropped. I do know how

it feels to gain and not be able to do much to lose it. It wasn't any fun for

me at all. I do feel much better now, and I'm sure the weight that I've managed

to lose has helped that. I'm crossing my fingers that you are able to do the

same. It's nice for my clothes to look 'too big' for a change.

Sandy~Houston

Question about losing weight...

Guess I'm full of questions lately! Anyway, since starting meds (PTU

specifically) close to a year ago I have gained 25lbs. I hate it. I

mean HATE it. I started Synthroid with PTU about 3 months ago and

was hoping some of the weight which miraculously latched on to me

might just as miraculously start to disappear. No such luck.

Should I expect the Synthroid to have a positive effect on my weight

(i.e., eventually lead to the loss of some of this weight I

gained?). If not, can I diet or take any sort of diet supplements?

Is cardio exercise OK? Will it be harder to lose this weight than it

would be if I was not dealing with this illness or should I expect a

similar weight loss experience as any normal person?

I'm seriously going to cry. None of my clothes fit right anymore and

I just feel so hopelessly unattractive and fat.

Thanks.

Clair

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your input. I'm having one of those extra yucky days

where I just want to cry. 25 pounds doesn't sound like a lot,

especially when I started out thin. But seeing my body with these

unfamiliar proportions is disheartening and upsetting. Trying on

jeans and getting a love handle effect is nothing short of torture.

Like you, I could NOT exercise in the beginning. I could barely do

the dishes without my heart rate soaring and feeling like I might

pass out. And since then, I haven't really tried to work out. I've

never had to so it's foreign to me. And I'm kind of afraid to get

that awful " Graves " feeling with the sweating and tremors and heart

palps and so forth....

I called my husband and he suggested I call my doctor to see if

there's anything I can do. I think I'm going to give that a try on

Monday. I just wish weight gain wasn't part of this recovery

package. I feel so much better than I did before I was diagnosed.

But at the same time, I'm utterly depressed and mortified by the

weight gain. It sounds horrible, but sometimes I wish I was never

diagnosed so at least my self-esteem would be in tact. I know that's

awful and it's really just a desperate thought. I would HATE to be

sick again. But at the same time, this weight thing is so

depressing. Blah.

Anyway, thanks for responding. It's nice to know I'm not alone. And

if anyone has any more info/support, I'm all ears!!

Clair

> Clair, it sounds like your dr is doing block and replace therapy

for you. I am not familiar with it but I am hyperT/Graves and had

gained a lot of weight. I was starting to think I'd never lose this

weight I've put on over these past 4 yrs. I suspect I was hypoT

before the Graves condition made itself present, so I knew I had to

lose weight, but just never seemed to be able to.

>

> I take Methimazole, 5 mgs now, and 50 mgs of ATenolol, but I have

high blood pressure so till that ceases (if it does) my Atenolol will

stay in my daily regime. I know in the beginning, I was unable to do

any type of exercise. I was just too sick to move. I got that way

last year again after being on the 30 mgs of Methimazole which was my

starting dose of ATD's from Dec, 2001- thru March 2002. I was either

taken off the meds, or kept on the highest dose, which made the hypoT

problem. I have just now started losing weight and have managed to

get 24 lbs of this off, and I was pleased, but concerned. I dunno

how true it is, but while taking ATD's, the dr had told me to enjoy

what amount of weight I'd lost in the beginning. There must have

been something to that, or else it was being made to go hypoT with

the un-adjusted meds, but something definately packed the weight on

me. I was 75 lbs overweight, and I was NOT happy about it!

>

> Somebody should be able to help you with this, since my experience

with b & r is nil, and I'm rather curious about it myself. I was

pleasantly surprised, and excited when I managed to get the weight

off that I've dropped. I do know how it feels to gain and not be

able to do much to lose it. It wasn't any fun for me at all. I do

feel much better now, and I'm sure the weight that I've managed to

lose has helped that. I'm crossing my fingers that you are able to

do the same. It's nice for my clothes to look 'too big' for a

change.

>

> Sandy~Houston

[Guest guest]

Clair,

If you are stable and your heart rate is under control and there are no

other health issues to deal with, there is NO reason not to do cardio

exercise. Personally I walk the hills with the dog, swim, do Tai Chi and my

physical therapy routine and try to exercise at least 1 hour every day, in

some combo of those things. It helps a LOT, I don't gain more weight and I

feel physically strong and good, as long as my thyroid levels are OK.

Another thing you can try is to limit the high-glycemic index foods. Search

glycemic index on google, and you'll get a list. The high g foods (white

bread, white rice, other low-fiber carbs etc.) can really cause you to pack

on the pounds. I try to eat protein, veggies, fruit (I know I should limit

the fruit more but love it too much) and I only eat dessert in tiny

amounts--sharing with my husband when we go out, etc. I also don't eat

processed foods.

Making sure you stay exactly in the right zone of thyroid levels for

yourself is important--maybe the most important thing. I know when I went

hypO for me (FT4 of 1.1 when the low norm was .8) I gained 10 lbs. in a

week, without hardly eating. I had NO appetite (not my normal condition!).

I've managed over the last 6 months to take 5 of it back off, but also by

doing more exercise have built more muscle (which weighs MORE than fat) and

so I'm a bit less concerned.

I'm one of those people who didn't lose any weight when hyper. Sad state,

far as I'm concerned. I'm not super heavy, but I am on the borderline of it.

And, working as a caterer and being around food all the time doesn't help.

Hope some of this helps you!

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 22:46:44 -0000

> To: graves_support

> Subject: Question about losing weight...

>

> Guess I'm full of questions lately! Anyway, since starting meds (PTU

> specifically) close to a year ago I have gained 25lbs. I hate it. I

> mean HATE it. I started Synthroid with PTU about 3 months ago and

> was hoping some of the weight which miraculously latched on to me

> might just as miraculously start to disappear. No such luck.

>

> Should I expect the Synthroid to have a positive effect on my weight

> (i.e., eventually lead to the loss of some of this weight I

> gained?). If not, can I diet or take any sort of diet supplements?

> Is cardio exercise OK? Will it be harder to lose this weight than it

> would be if I was not dealing with this illness or should I expect a

> similar weight loss experience as any normal person?

>

> I'm seriously going to cry. None of my clothes fit right anymore and

> I just feel so hopelessly unattractive and fat.

>

> Thanks.

>

> Clair

>

>

>

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> intended to replace expert medical care.

> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/17/2003 7:03:48 PM Central Daylight Time,

cas9738@... writes:

>

> Anyway, thanks for responding. It's nice to know I'm not alone. And

> if anyone has any more info/support, I'm all ears!!

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 22:46:44 -0000 " Clair Baca "

writes:

> Guess I'm full of questions lately! Anyway, since starting meds (PTU

> specifically) close to a year ago I have gained 25lbs.

My apologies if I'm confusing you with someone else but are you on any

hormonal regimen in preparation for IVF?

Sorry I can't offer you any concrete suggestions. Diet supplements scare

me. One I've heard advertised explained how excess cortisol contributes

to weight gain; this supplement suppressed cortisol. I don't think

something like that should be done without a really competent dr.'s

involvement.

I've managed to put together a wardrobe I like fairly inexpensively.

Wearing clothes that fit you, regardless of the number at the waist or

collar, will give you a boost. A new haircut and accessories like

earrings, scarves, shoes, etc., which will still fit you when you lose

the weight, will go a long way too. I hope you can get exercise into your

day, especially with the dreariness of late fall and winter looming.

Take care, Fay

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[Guest guest]

Hi Clair,

I too have gained a lot of weight in the last year. Have you tried a

lower-carbohydrate food plan? Maybe not Atkins (too strict, fake food)

but something like Carbohydrate Addicts? Their website is

www.carbohydrateaddicts.com. It's a pretty balanced food plan. My

primary care doctor was all nervous when I first started, but I kept

food logs of what I ate and brought them in one day and they were very

happy with how healthy I was eating. I would avoid the older, original

book and go with either the LifeSpan Program or the Healthy Heart one.

in MA USA

Graves since March 1997

Currently on 0 PTU tablets per day

Was euthyroid from 2000-2002

Will not undergo RAI

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for your support and advice Fay (and everyone else!).

I feel much better. Went shopping Friday night and cured some of

those woes. I'm also going to talk to my doctor about these 25 pesky

pounds. I've never had to diet or exercise so all of this is foreign

to me and I think some medical guidance is in order.

And Fay, yes I am the same person also preparing for IVF. But no, I

am not on any meds as of yet. We meet with our RE in January to

start the process and I imagine by February I will be on the first

round of meds.

Thanks so much for your help and encouragement everyone.

Clair

> On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 22:46:44 -0000 " Clair Baca " <cas9738@h...>

> writes:

> > Guess I'm full of questions lately! Anyway, since starting meds

(PTU

> > specifically) close to a year ago I have gained 25lbs.

>

> My apologies if I'm confusing you with someone else but are you on

any

> hormonal regimen in preparation for IVF?

>

> Sorry I can't offer you any concrete suggestions. Diet supplements

scare

> me. One I've heard advertised explained how excess cortisol

contributes

> to weight gain; this supplement suppressed cortisol. I don't think

> something like that should be done without a really competent dr.'s

> involvement.

>

> I've managed to put together a wardrobe I like fairly inexpensively.

> Wearing clothes that fit you, regardless of the number at the waist

or

> collar, will give you a boost. A new haircut and accessories like

> earrings, scarves, shoes, etc., which will still fit you when you

lose

> the weight, will go a long way too. I hope you can get exercise

into your

> day, especially with the dreariness of late fall and winter looming.

>

> Take care, Fay

>

>

> ________________________________________________________________

> The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!

> Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!

> Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!