Hi All!

[Guest guest]

Hi, .

I looked it up, and it is also an antidepressant. There are a number of

antidepressants that are used for chronic pain.

Sharon

[ ] Re: Hi All!

> Hi Suzie - I'll keep that in mind, but I am wondering what the class

> of drug that falls under?

>

>

>

>> >> Hi everybody - I've been away from the computer for a few days

>> >> because I haven't felt well. Last week was a very busy one and

> on

>> >> Friday morning I woke up with everything hurting me at once. I

>> > went

>> >> to PT shere she massaged my neck back and knees while I

>> > practically

>> >> sobbed. I was having horrific spasms in my " gluteus medius " , my

>> >> knees were acting up and I couldn't tun my neck for anything. I

>> > was

>> >> feeling a little better yesterday and managed to get out of bed

>> > and

>> >> go to PT again. She stretched me and told me that she has spoken

>> >> with the doc and they also feel that besides the

> chondrocalcinosis

>> >> in my knees that I also have IBS! Ha! Ha! I thought, " What the

>> > heck

>> >> does Irritable Bowel Syndrome have to do with my knees and

> back? "

>> > I

>> >> cracked her up, it is actually Iliotibial Band Syndrome!!! She

>> > said

>> >> that people prone to it are avid runners (certainly not me!) and

>> >> indivicuals with mechanical problems of their gait. So, I know I

>> >> need to suck it up here - I mean it is not a cancer diagnosis or

>> >> anything, but here I was trudging along thinking I am going to

>> > feel

>> >> better soon and boom...I have another thing wrong with me. I

> feel

>> >> sooooo defective!! Is there anything right in our bodies?? I

> feel

>> >> like my whole body is just wearing down before my eyes and I'll

>> >> never be able to catch up, almost like it is down hill from

> here.

>> > I

>> >> know I am depressing here today and I do apologize for that - I

> am

>> >> NOT looking for anything sympathy, if anything I wish I lived

>> > closer

>> >> to one of you so that you could slap some sense into me! I

> should

>> > be

>> >> thankful that I am not " too " depressed, since I know I am

>> > depressed?

>> >> Does that make any sense? OK, so the point of my post was to

> note

>> > to

>> >> Dianne in RI and Theresa in TX, whose is visiting in

> Connecticut,

>> > I

>> >> am not going to meet up tomorrow. The thought of sitting and

>> > driving

>> >> a car for any extended period of time isn't in my realm of

>> >> possibility at this time. I am sorry as I was looking forward to

>> >> meeting the two of you - I just feel that I have to stop pushing

>> >> myself to the degree that I do at times and take better care of

>> >> myself. I hope you understand. Thanks for letting me vent

>> > everyone -

>> >> and I hope to " chat " with all of you tomrrow night. If it turns

>> > out

>> >> anything like last Wednesday night, I'll be laughing before I

> know

>> >> it!! Take care!

>> >>

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ~

Sorry I didn't put that in my message to you...I thought it but must not have written it! Let me know what you find out! SuzieSharon Green <sharon.green18@...> wrote:

Hi, .I looked it up, and it is also an antidepressant. There are a number of antidepressants Sharon [ ] Re: Hi All!> Hi Suzie - I'll keep that in mind, but I am wondering what the class> of drug that falls under?> >> >> >> Hi everybody - I've been away from the computer for a few

days>> >> because I haven't felt well. Last week was a very busy one and> on>> >> Friday morning I woke up with everything hurting me at once. I>> > went>> >> to PT shere she massaged my neck back and knees while I>> > practically>> >> sobbed. I was having horrific spasms in my "gluteus medius", my>> >> knees were acting up and I couldn't tun my neck for anything. I>> > was>> >> feeling a little better yesterday and managed to get out of bed>> > and>> >> go to PT again. She stretched me and told me that she has spoken>> >> with the doc and they also feel that besides the> chondrocalcinosis>> >> in my knees that I also have IBS! Ha! Ha! I thought, "What the>> > heck>> >> does Irritable Bowel Syndrome have to do with my knees and>

back?">> > I>> >> cracked her up, it is actually Iliotibial Band Syndrome!!! She>> > said>> >> that people prone to it are avid runners (certainly not me!) and>> >> indivicuals with mechanical problems of their gait. So, I know I>> >> need to suck it up here - I mean it is not a cancer diagnosis or>> >> anything, but here I was trudging along thinking I am going to>> > feel>> >> better soon and boom...I have another thing wrong with me. I> feel>> >> sooooo defective!! Is there anything right in our bodies?? I> feel>> >> like my whole body is just wearing down before my eyes and I'll>> >> never be able to catch up, almost like it is down hill from> here.>> > I>> >> know I am depressing here today and I do apologize for that - I> am>>

>> NOT looking for anything sympathy, if anything I wish I lived>> > closer>> >> to one of you so that you could slap some sense into me! I> should>> > be>> >> thankful that I am not "too" depressed, since I know I am>> > depressed?>> >> Does that make any sense? OK, so the point of my post was to> note>> > to>> >> Dianne in RI and Theresa in TX, whose is visiting in> Connecticut,>> > I>> >> am not going to meet up tomorrow. The thought of sitting and>> > driving>> >> a car for any extended period of time isn't in my realm of>> >> possibility at this time. I am sorry as I was looking forward to>> >> meeting the two of you - I just feel that I have to stop pushing>> >> myself to the degree that I do at times and take better care

of>> >> myself. I hope you understand. Thanks for letting me vent>> > everyone ->> >> and I hope to "chat" with all of you tomrrow night. If it turns>> > out>> >> anything like last Wednesday night, I'll be laughing before I> know>> >> it!! Take care!>> >> >> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates>> >

[Guest guest]

Welcome Kim,

There was a discussion about eliminating freedays maybe the week

before Thanksgiving--maybe you could check that out.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I am SO looking forward to

Monday morning (I can't believe I just said that) when I can get back

into the routine. I didn't do terribly, got all my workouts in, but

my plan to have a free afternoon/evening on Thurs and early in the day

Friday (for some leftovers!), actually expanded to include all of

Friday and part of yesterday. Today, at least I got myself pretty

organized for next week.

Candace

C1 W5 D7

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim and welcome. First off don't say cheat, think of it as a free day or

free meal or perhaps a free dessert. Saying cheat messes with your thought

process and BFL is set up with a free day once a week. You maybe setting

yourself up for MAJOR binges if you don't factor in some free food. It will be

extremely difficult going through the holidays without some free food. Do

yourself a favor and have some free food planned into your week.

I wish you luck on your marathon and your BFL challenge!!

Pam

Teechur20 <teechur20@...> wrote: Has anybody else just started a

12 week program? I began mine on

Friday, Nov. 25--yes, the day after Thanksgiving--go figure! I am

also wondering if anyone else is going at this with no cheats factored

in? I am eliminating sugar, flour, wheat from my diet. Cheats in the

past have not worked for me--it sets up days long binges. I am 5'2 "

and I currently weigh 140 and my goal is 120ish. I'm also training to

run a full marathon on June 3, 2006. I'm hoping to be at fighting

weight by then! I just know I'll need all sorts of support the closer

we get to Christmas and all the holiday junk. I want this to be the

first Christmas that I don't feel bloated, stuffed, and gross for even

ONE SECOND...I hope there are others here that are planning for the

same holiday! Anyhow, I'm a rambler...that's it for now! Glad to be

here! Kim

[Guest guest]

>

>Hi there I will be starting my challenge on Monday Nov 28th. I have

done quite well in the past but have recently had such a hard time

staying on track. I also have a hard time with cheat days. It seems

like it just takes away my motivation and produces guilt. I wish I

could psych myself out to not feel that way but so far it is really

hard.

[Guest guest]

one thing that really stuck with me from the hussman website about free days is

that they are necessary to kick up our metabolism after eating pretty low cal or

lean for six days. Maybe it doesn't take a whole day to rev the metabolism but

it seems like it would at least take a free meal. For me it's a necessity

psychologically. It makes it much easier to eat clean all week knowing i can

splurge a little on sundays.

---------------------------------

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

[Guest guest]

You're right...cheat does mess with the mind a bit, free is a better way to

think of it. The problem I have had in the past is starting with a free meal,

and having that free meal turn into a free day, etc. I will need to work out

something, though, to loosen up a bit at least once a week--especially heading

in to the holidays.

Pamela <angelwolf00@...> wrote:

Hi Kim and welcome. First off don't say cheat, think of it as a free day or

free meal or perhaps a free dessert. Saying cheat messes with your thought

process and BFL is set up with a free day once a week. You maybe setting

yourself up for MAJOR binges if you don't factor in some free food. It will be

extremely difficult going through the holidays without some free food. Do

yourself a favor and have some free food planned into your week.

I wish you luck on your marathon and your BFL challenge!!

Pam

Teechur20 <teechur20@...> wrote: Has anybody else just started a

12 week program? I began mine on

Friday, Nov. 25--yes, the day after Thanksgiving--go figure! I am

also wondering if anyone else is going at this with no cheats factored

in? I am eliminating sugar, flour, wheat from my diet. Cheats in the

past have not worked for me--it sets up days long binges. I am 5'2 "

and I currently weigh 140 and my goal is 120ish. I'm also training to

run a full marathon on June 3, 2006. I'm hoping to be at fighting

weight by then! I just know I'll need all sorts of support the closer

we get to Christmas and all the holiday junk. I want this to be the

first Christmas that I don't feel bloated, stuffed, and gross for even

ONE SECOND...I hope there are others here that are planning for the

same holiday! Anyhow, I'm a rambler...that's it for now! Glad to be

here! Kim

[Guest guest]

>

> one thing that really stuck with me from the hussman website about

free >days is that they are necessary to kick up our metabolism after

eating >pretty low cal or lean for six days. Maybe it doesn't take a

whole day >to rev the metabolism but it seems like it would at least

take a free >meal. For me it's a necessity psychologically. It makes

it much easier >to eat clean all week knowing i can splurge a little

on sundays.

Meredith Brown, one of the top 10 finalists in the first BFL challenge

and featured in Bill 's movie, Body of Work, chose to do

without the free day/meal. I don't know if she has hung onto her

transformation, but at the time; it was awesome.

M.

[Guest guest]

Hi !! Sorry to hear about your dad!! Umph, I sincerely hope he's

doing better now.

and you are exactly right, keep it up and results are sure to follow.

My Dad just had a 4-bypass on his heart this spring, and I don't want

> to have to undergo that. My weight hasn't changed in a couple days,

but

> that's okay, I know that if I keep doing what I'm supposed to be, it

will

> get there.

>

> -mamabear

> 282/278/200

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Nan,

I'm sorry you've been having trouble with anemia, and glad Dr. Bridwell

stepped in and made sure you got the blood. I hope that and the Nexium do

the trick, and you'll soon be feeling much more like your old self.

Feed your body good healthful food. Your job now is just to take care of

Nan.

Sharon

[ ] Hi All!

I saw the posts about the gathering in Oct. & wanted to add my name

to the list of attendees wanting to go. Bonnie, I emailed you about

surveymonkey. I couldn't get it to work today, although I did try

it last week & was in the process of waiting for the school calendar

to see how it would fit into my plans, but never finished it.

My PCP put me in the hospital last week. Severely anemic, she

said. I knew that I shouldn't be feeling as weak as I was at almost

1 mo post op. So, I was admitted and the dr. wanted to run a few

tests to see where the loss of blood was coming from. She did an

EDG (basically a throat to stomach endoscopy) and found bleeding

ulcers. She decicded that because of that she would put me on

Nexuim & high doses of iron instead of giving me blood because she

said my iron level went up a little bit, and sent me home. I felt a

little better, but not yet OK. By the next day, it was worse. I

called Dr. Bridwell's office and they told me to go back in & demand

the iron right away. He said that my count was too low to be

waiting a few weeks for the iron to kick in - that was normal

protocol for the norm, but not for someone a few weeks post op. So

back to the hospital I went. I had to be admitted again, as they

don't give blood in the ER and I had to be typed & crossed again, as

the armband was off, even though the blood tech said that the blood

was good for three days after you have been typed & crossed. I am

feeling better, but I still think that I am weaker than I should be

at 1 month. You know, I knew that everything was just going too

well!

Anyway, I think I have enough energy to sit again, so I will be

posting more.

LOL,

Nan

scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan,

So sorry you haven't been feeling well. What an ordeal but I am

glad you got the blood, iron and I hope the Nexium. Do you think your

meds are what caused the ulcers? I was just wondering. It seems the

short oxycodone gives me severe stomach issues and or reflux, gas,

etc. I stopped taking them after talking to the Dr office. I am

awaiting new perscription meds via snail mail. I hope you are

feeling better soon.

>

> I saw the posts about the gathering in Oct. & wanted to add my

name

> to the list of attendees wanting to go. Bonnie, I emailed you

about

> surveymonkey. I couldn't get it to work today, although I did try

> it last week & was in the process of waiting for the school

calendar

> to see how it would fit into my plans, but never finished it.

>

> My PCP put me in the hospital last week. Severely anemic, she

> said. I knew that I shouldn't be feeling as weak as I was at

almost

> 1 mo post op. So, I was admitted and the dr. wanted to run a few

> tests to see where the loss of blood was coming from. She did an

> EDG (basically a throat to stomach endoscopy) and found bleeding

> ulcers. She decicded that because of that she would put me on

> Nexuim & high doses of iron instead of giving me blood because she

> said my iron level went up a little bit, and sent me home. I felt

a

> little better, but not yet OK. By the next day, it was worse. I

> called Dr. Bridwell's office and they told me to go back in &

demand

> the iron right away. He said that my count was too low to be

> waiting a few weeks for the iron to kick in - that was normal

> protocol for the norm, but not for someone a few weeks post op.

So

> back to the hospital I went. I had to be admitted again, as they

> don't give blood in the ER and I had to be typed & crossed again,

as

> the armband was off, even though the blood tech said that the

blood

> was good for three days after you have been typed & crossed. I am

> feeling better, but I still think that I am weaker than I should

be

> at 1 month. You know, I knew that everything was just going too

> well!

>

> Anyway, I think I have enough energy to sit again, so I will be

> posting more.

>

> LOL,

> Nan

>

[Guest guest]

Nan,

I do hope you perk up a little more now. I remember how spent I was

after the first surgery and but after they gave me another bag of

blood up in ICU I felt like a new woman....well...almost.

It's amazing what a few more red blood cells will do for you!

Looking forward to meeting you in October.

Rest up and eat some chicken liver pate! Cam

[Guest guest]

Go on something to stop or slow down the destruction. I was around your

age with same symptoms - I fooled around with sulfasalazine,

methotrexate and I got VERY SICK. Then my doc convinced me to go on

ENBREL. Do it now. You will be glad you did! T

[ ] Hi all!

Hi all! My name is and I am excited to be able to talk with

other people who have the same condition as me. I have had

Psoriasis since I was 22 years old, and now I am 34 and was just

diagnosed with PA last month. I decided to see a Rhematologist 6

weeks ago because in August, I started to wake up every morning with

very soar joints in a few fingers and a strange kind of swelling on

the side of my left foot. Furthermore, both my feet were so soar in

the morning, I had to limp a little. I thought I had Osteoarthritis

like everyone else in my dad's side of the family, but since I am a

little young for that, I decided to consult a doctor. The MRI and

bone scan showed PA in about 5 fingers,in both my feet, in both my

ankles, and in my right wrist. Since I am at the beginning stages

of it, I have some swelling, but no damage yet, and the pain is

pretty managable with Aleve. However, the Rhemetologist I am

seeing wanted me to start DMARDS immediately to prevent damage. She

wanted me to try Methotrexate, but I was not ready so we started

with Sulfasalazine. I only lasted 3 weeks on it, since it made me

so fatigued and my white blood cell count dropped, I went off of

it. Now she wants me to try Arava. I am thinking about getting a

second opinion because I am not sure I should even be taking these

medicines at such an early stage of my disease. What do you guys

think? Please give me some advive. Did all of you go on DMARDS the

second you were diagnosed? I am young, and I have two kids to

raise, and I will do anything it takes to have the strength and

energy to raise them, even if these medicines are the best route. I

look forward to hearing from you.

Hockey

[Editor's Note: Hi . If you have PA in both feet, 5 fingers, etc.,

you are NOT an an early stage of the disease - not even remotely. Since

you are NOT at an early stage of the disease, it makes no sense to be

taking bandaids when you need a cast. Arava, MTX, Humira, Enbrel and

Remicade are important medications in helping to stem the PROGRESSION of

the disease. Just how bad does a person need to feel before they realize

that they have a serious illness that requires serious medication? I am

not your rheumatologist, but I think you should understand that your

disease has spread to a number of joints. This is not the early stage of

the disease by any person's definition except your own. Please listen to

your rheumatologist and start seeing which medication helps you feel

some relief while also slowing down the disease. Hasn't it spread to

enough joints already? Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

That is the route we are going. My Rhematologist wants me to try Humira.

However, most insurance companies will not let you get the injectables until you

try two DMARDS.

Barney <tbarney@...> wrote:

Go on something to stop or slow down the destruction. I was around

your

age with same symptoms - I fooled around with sulfasalazine,

methotrexate and I got VERY SICK. Then my doc convinced me to go on

ENBREL. Do it now. You will be glad you did! T

[ ] Hi all!

Hi all! My name is and I am excited to be able to talk with

other people who have the same condition as me. I have had

Psoriasis since I was 22 years old, and now I am 34 and was just

diagnosed with PA last month. I decided to see a Rhematologist 6

weeks ago because in August, I started to wake up every morning with

very soar joints in a few fingers and a strange kind of swelling on

the side of my left foot. Furthermore, both my feet were so soar in

the morning, I had to limp a little. I thought I had Osteoarthritis

like everyone else in my dad's side of the family, but since I am a

little young for that, I decided to consult a doctor. The MRI and

bone scan showed PA in about 5 fingers,in both my feet, in both my

ankles, and in my right wrist. Since I am at the beginning stages

of it, I have some swelling, but no damage yet, and the pain is

pretty managable with Aleve. However, the Rhemetologist I am

seeing wanted me to start DMARDS immediately to prevent damage. She

wanted me to try Methotrexate, but I was not ready so we started

with Sulfasalazine. I only lasted 3 weeks on it, since it made me

so fatigued and my white blood cell count dropped, I went off of

it. Now she wants me to try Arava. I am thinking about getting a

second opinion because I am not sure I should even be taking these

medicines at such an early stage of my disease. What do you guys

think? Please give me some advive. Did all of you go on DMARDS the

second you were diagnosed? I am young, and I have two kids to

raise, and I will do anything it takes to have the strength and

energy to raise them, even if these medicines are the best route. I

look forward to hearing from you.

Hockey

[Editor's Note: Hi . If you have PA in both feet, 5 fingers, etc.,

you are NOT an an early stage of the disease - not even remotely. Since

you are NOT at an early stage of the disease, it makes no sense to be

taking bandaids when you need a cast. Arava, MTX, Humira, Enbrel and

Remicade are important medications in helping to stem the PROGRESSION of

the disease. Just how bad does a person need to feel before they realize

that they have a serious illness that requires serious medication? I am

not your rheumatologist, but I think you should understand that your

disease has spread to a number of joints. This is not the early stage of

the disease by any person's definition except your own. Please listen to

your rheumatologist and start seeing which medication helps you feel

some relief while also slowing down the disease. Hasn't it spread to

enough joints already? Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

I started too late I think... I have damage in my back, hands, feet, knee's and

most joints in my body hurt... I am on humira shots once a week, sulfasalazine,

methotrexate and I am only 45... You may want to reconsider, as you said you

have two small children to care for, the thing to do is fix it now to be as good

as you can till how ever long you can... Some of the drugs make me sleepy, and

tired, but the pain is worse to deal with so I would rather be as good as I

can... I am disabled now... Unable to work, and I used to be a nanny years

back... Now I am lucky if I can make dinner for me and my partner and do a few

other things while sitting down, walking and standing prove to be a little

harder at times... Hope this helped some, but I would definitely weigh the pain

with the slightly sleepy...

Love always

Shaun and Barb

[Guest guest]

Dear Nan,

I developed a bunion after my revision and have a big toe turning inward. I was wondering, were you on crutches afterward, and how did you do with that? I'd love to get this thing fixed as a lot of shoes hurt now, but I'm affraid of how being on crutches would be.

[ ] Hi All!

I am having some time & thought I would let you all know what I have been up to. As far as my back is concerned, I am doing well. I was supposed to see Dr. Bridwell this past week for my 6 mo c/u, but actually went in a few weeks early as I was having some bad pain. He said that nothing was wrong (at least all that he could see on an Xray & didn't know where the pain was coming from. It seems to start in my right leg & I really think that it is a muscular problem. It almost feels like a muscle tear. When it hit's, I am down. Because of that I haven't been doing as much walking as I should as I am afraid of setting off another bout, but if it is muscular, I know that I have to excercise it, so.. anothe vicious circle. I think that when I see him in Jan., I am going to ask Bernie to set me up an appt. with the PT he uses. She really knows her stuff, and then I can continue to work with one here.I had some minor foot surgery last week. I was asked to wait until after the 6 month mark to have it, and I wanted to get it in before the end of the year & had to start deductibles all over again. I have been having a problem with this foot for awhile now, and I have been postponing it until surgery was really necessary painwise . I have something called hallux rigidus, and in layman's term's it causes your big toe joint to fuse together, so over the years it has caused the toe to move inward. The funny thing is that it usually occurs in athletic people, especially runners as over time your gait is thrown off. My gait problems, obviously, were from my back, but it's ironic as I am the most unathletic person ever. Thank God for good metabalism, or I'd be in trouble.Anyway, that's all the news I have for now (all that's fit to print anyway) HA, HAI am so jealous of you guys & your ability to get together. Please remember that we are all not barefoot & pregnant down here in the South, & we have beautiful mountains & lakes, so y'all come down here sometime! And when you do, call me!Nan

[Guest guest]

>

> Dear Nan,

>

> I developed a bunion after my revision and have a big toe turning

inward. I was wondering, were you on crutches afterward, and how did

you do with that? I'd love to get this thing fixed as a lot of shoes

hurt now, but I'm affraid of how being on crutches would be.

>

>

> [ ] Hi All!

>

>

> I am having some time & thought I would let you all know what I

have

> been up to. As far as my back is concerned, I am doing well. I

was

> supposed to see Dr. Bridwell this past week for my 6 mo c/u, but

> actually went in a few weeks early as I was having some bad

pain.

> He said that nothing was wrong (at least all that he could see

on an

> Xray & didn't know where the pain was coming from. It seems to

> start in my right leg & I really think that it is a muscular

> problem. It almost feels like a muscle tear. When it hit's, I am

> down. Because of that I haven't been doing as much walking as I

> should as I am afraid of setting off another bout, but if it is

> muscular, I know that I have to excercise it, so.. anothe

vicious

> circle. I think that when I see him in Jan., I am going to ask

> Bernie to set me up an appt. with the PT he uses. She really

knows

> her stuff, and then I can continue to work with one here.

>

> I had some minor foot surgery last week. I was asked to wait

until

> after the 6 month mark to have it, and I wanted to get it in

before

> the end of the year & had to start deductibles all over again. I

> have been having a problem with this foot for awhile now, and I

have

> been postponing it until surgery was really necessary painwise .

I

> have something called hallux rigidus, and in layman's term's it

> causes your big toe joint to fuse together, so over the years it

has

> caused the toe to move inward. The funny thing is that it

usually

> occurs in athletic people, especially runners as over time your

gait

> is thrown off. My gait problems, obviously, were from my back,

but

> it's ironic as I am the most unathletic person ever. Thank God

for

> good metabalism, or I'd be in trouble.

>

> Anyway, that's all the news I have for now (all that's fit to

print

> anyway) HA, HA

>

> I am so jealous of you guys & your ability to get together.

Please

> remember that we are all not barefoot & pregnant down here in

the

> South, & we have beautiful mountains & lakes, so y'all come down

> here sometime! And when you do, call me!

>

> Nan

>

You should go get it checked. A few years ago when I first

discovered this, it started out looking like a bunion, but that was

because of the toe turning inward. The doctor had told me I would

be on crutches & that is why Dr. Bridwell wanted me to wait, but

they sent me home with a boot & just told me to use my walker if I

needed to, but try to stay off of it for a week. I have been

getting around fine with the boot. A little slow & limping, but

it's getting better. Let me know what your outcome is.

Nan

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan,

I am glad to hear you are doing alright...although sad that you now

have a fused spine and a fused toe!

I hope you can figure out the leg pain. It really is a trick bag we

are in...I just decided I wasn't going to do walking as my cardio,

after I got past that post op requirement, because I just dont feel

like I can get enough benefit cardio-wise without really wearing out

everything else that is called upon to take over for the

fusion....hips, knees, feet...the works.

As you know, I love to swim....but this fall I got my Townie bike

into the rotation....and I go out and ride a couple days a week...I

love the shock absorber in the seat post...and now I even ride off-

road! Hopefully after you mend you will be able to explore some

other options for exercise.

I would love to visit the south..I will keep you posted.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I'm in the south, too. Right near the ocean, in Wilmington, NC. The beach would be sville Beach, NC, with accommodations right there if you wish. Do your research and let me know! I'd love to host a party at my house. And Wilmington itself is a tourist destination. Lovely downtown, lots of art and music, pretty riverwalk, great restaurants, boutique shopping near the beach and a new upscale, quite nice outdoor mall (Mayfaire Center).

Bonnie

[ ] Re: Hi All!

Hi Nan,I am glad to hear you are doing alright...although sad that you now have a fused spine and a fused toe!I hope you can figure out the leg pain. It really is a trick bag we are in...I just decided I wasn't going to do walking as my cardio, after I got past that post op requirement, because I just dont feel like I can get enough benefit cardio-wise without really wearing out everything else that is called upon to take over for the fusion....hips, knees, feet...the works. As you know, I love to swim....but this fall I got my Townie bike into the rotation....and I go out and ride a couple days a week...I love the shock absorber in the seat post...and now I even ride off-road! Hopefully after you mend you will be able to explore some other options for exercise.I would love to visit the south..I will keep you posted.Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Jill...

That's what I did. I have insurance but I wasn't willing to play all the silly games. I would have had to go for a psych eval to see if I could handle being thin (I'm pretty comfortable that I can!). I would have had to go to a nutritionist to see why I'm fat (I'm pretty sure I already know). I would have had to do a sleep study (I sleep well). Sometimes insurance covers that stuff, sometimes it doesn't. Then there is the six month medically supervised diet where if you miss one month out of the six, you start all over again. Bunch a hooey.

I could have also paid cash in the US. I could have paid double for half the services or I could pay half the cost for double the services in Mexico. I could have had a less experienced surgeon in the US, I could go on an on.

After I was anal about my research on the surgery type and decided on the band then I was anal about research on the surgeon and I decided on Dr. Aceves. Once my decisions were made I called Ruban and scheduled surgery for six days later.

Find a behavior of your husbands that you know darn well he can't control and have him try stopping it for a month. Then ask him why he just doesn't quit doing " X " .

You might or might not qualify for your insurance. A BMI of 40 is good for insurance reasons but often times they require a comorbidity such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease, etc. But many ins co's are good to go with a BMI of 40 or more.

On 3/18/07, Jill <jjworswick@...> wrote:

Hello to all of you,I am new to this site and I hope to get all of the information that I need to convince my husband that banding is something that I need. He still seems to think " Why don't you just eat right and exercise??? You know that's what you need to do. " Easier said than done I tell him and his pound of See's a night hundred and fifty pound ass! He just has no idea what it feels like to live in this 250 pound body. Anyway I have read all of your messages and looked at all of your photos (very impressive) and the one question I have is why did you all choose to go to Mexico for this surgery?? Was it because you were not elligable per your insurance or something. I am 246lbs and 5'6 " tall about a 40 BMI I don't have any major health problems other than being obese, so I am not even sure that my insurance would cover this kind of surgery for me or not. I am just starting my research and I have found your stories to be so inspiring. I almost feel as if I should just charge the surgery with Dr.A and get it done rather than try to go through my insurance and deal with all the hastle. Any feedback on this feeling would be nice. Thanks for all of you inspiration.Jill

[Guest guest]

Jill, Welcome. I can only speak for myself but I would imagine that most people on this message board went to Mexico for the same reason I did. My insurance, which is some of the best available, wouldn't cover the cost of lapband surgery. They will cover bypass surgery but not the lapband (which I think is ludicrous!) so I had to search out other avenues of help which eventually brought me to the greatest surgeon on the face of the earth...Dr. Aceves (maybe I'm a bit biased??? lol). As far as your husband is concerned, I think his thoughts are the same thoughts most people without a weight problem have. Everyone thinks that they know the secret of weight loss...eat less and exercise more. Yep, that's it. NOT!!! Those of us WITH the weight problem know that there is so much more to it than that! You need to order the book, Anatomy of a Food

Addiction: The Brain Chemistry of Overeating by Anne . This will help you explain to your husband that there truly is much more involved than he realizes. Ask him sometime what he thinks drug addicts or alcoholics should do to stop taking drugs or stop drinking. If he says they should get help, THEN tell him about food addiction....the brain chemistry is the same! Anyway, don't get defensive with him....TEACH him. Also encourage your husband to read messages on this message board so he can see how our lives have changed. Show HIM the pictures people post. Have him read about our journeys to better living. Perhaps if he can see the changes that we have been able to make within a year of our banding, he will be more in favor or be more supportive of your desires. One year ago, I could barely move. Walking was miserable. I ached all the time and the various

prescriptions I took to help me sleep, help aleviate the arthritis pain, try to keep my blood sugar regulated didn't really help. My health was on a downward spiral and I felt I was loosing ground almost daily. My mother died of obesity related complications and I knew I would not be far behind her if I didn't do something quickly. I wasn't ready to die...I wanted to watch my children grow up. I wanted to hold my grandbabies (many years away!). I was scared of dying! This fear was the catalyst behind my decision to have this lapband placed. Now, a year later, my life has made a complete turn around. I just completed my second 2-Mile run in a local race. I run and work out with weights at least 5 times a week. I am the most active person in my family which is a huge switch! My husband and 2 sons are all competitive swimmers and have always been very active. I have stood on the sidelines

watching them and cheering them on for years. NOW, it is MY turn! Now THEY stand on the sideline and watch and cheer for me. ONE YEAR!!! ONE YEAR since my band! Perhaps your husband is right. If we eat less and exercise more we will lose the weight but I literally could NOT have moved like I do now. That eating less and exercising more makes perfect sense to skinnier people....hell, it even makes sense too me NOW but I couldn't be where I am without my band. Why go through more time of that yo-yo dieting we have all done so many times when you have the option for a lapband? Now I know that I will get to watch my boys grow up. I know that I will get to hold my grandchildren one day. Because my health has improved so much, I am proud to say that I am on no medications. My blood sugar levels have been normal for 10 months. Simply put, the lapband saved my life. If you think your husband would like to talk with my husband, email me privately and we will set that up. I wish you luck in your decision. Get that book and TEACH him what he doesn't understand. Jenni Currie DOB 2/23/06 247/231/151/145 3 fills 2 unfills Jill <jjworswick@...> wrote: Hello to all of you,I am new to this site and I hope to get all of the information

that I need to convince my husband that banding is something that I need. He still seems to think "Why don't you just eat right and exercise??? You know that's what you need to do." Easier said than done I tell him and his pound of See's a night hundred and fifty pound ass! He just has no idea what it feels like to live in this 250 pound body. Anyway I have read all of your messages and looked at all of your photos (very impressive) and the one question I have is why did you all choose to go to Mexico for this surgery?? Was it because you were not elligable per your insurance or something. I am 246lbs and 5'6" tall about a 40 BMI I don't have any major health problems other than being obese, so I am not even sure that my insurance would cover this kind of surgery for me or not. I am just starting my research and I have found your stories to be so inspiring. I almost feel as if I should just charge the surgery with

Dr.A and get it done rather than try to go through my insurance and deal with all the hastle. Any feedback on this feeling would be nice. Thanks for all of you inspiration.Jill

Don't get soaked. Take a quick peek at the forecast with the Search weather shortcut.

[Guest guest]

Losing weight is one thing, being able to keep it off is another. Anyone can go to weight watchers etc. and lose weight but being able to keep it off is another. I am sure there are people that have lost with these programs and done really good but I would say that 90% end up putting the weight back on plus some. With the band not only are we able to take the weight off but will not put it back on. The yoyo diet is very bad for your health also, but we do not have to be on a diet for the rest of our lifes, we can eat like normal people just less than what we were eating before being banded. Sure there are things that does not set well with our bands, (different for everyone) but those are things that we learn to stay from because there are so few that it does not matter, but it is not like having to stay away from all the good foods that we enjoy because we are having to diet just to lose a few

pounds and keep them off. ShirleyJ Currie <giftedtch@...> wrote: Jill, Welcome. I can only speak for myself but I would imagine that most people on this message board went to Mexico for the same reason I did. My insurance, which is some of the best available, wouldn't cover the cost of lapband surgery. They will cover bypass surgery but not the lapband (which I think is ludicrous!) so I had to search out other avenues of help which eventually

brought me to the greatest surgeon on the face of the earth...Dr. Aceves (maybe I'm a bit biased??? lol). As far as your husband is concerned, I think his thoughts are the same thoughts most people without a weight problem have. Everyone thinks that they know the secret of weight loss...eat less and exercise more. Yep, that's it. NOT!!! Those of us WITH the weight problem know that there is so much more to it than that! You need to order the book, Anatomy of a Food Addiction: The Brain Chemistry of Overeating by Anne . This will help you explain to your husband that there truly is much more involved than he realizes. Ask him sometime what he thinks drug addicts or alcoholics should do to stop taking drugs or stop drinking. If he says they should get help, THEN tell him about food addiction....the brain chemistry is the same! Anyway, don't get defensive

with him....TEACH him. Also encourage your husband to read messages on this message board so he can see how our lives have changed. Show HIM the pictures people post. Have him read about our journeys to better living. Perhaps if he can see the changes that we have been able to make within a year of our banding, he will be more in favor or be more supportive of your desires. One year ago, I could barely move. Walking was miserable. I ached all the time and the various prescriptions I took to help me sleep, help aleviate the arthritis pain, try to keep my blood sugar regulated didn't really help. My health was on a downward spiral and I felt I was loosing ground almost daily. My mother died of obesity related complications and I knew I would not be far behind her if I didn't do something quickly. I wasn't ready to die...I wanted to watch my children grow up. I wanted to hold my

grandbabies (many years away!). I was scared of dying! This fear was the catalyst behind my decision to have this lapband placed. Now, a year later, my life has made a complete turn around. I just completed my second 2-Mile run in a local race. I run and work out with weights at least 5 times a week. I am the most active person in my family which is a huge switch! My husband and 2 sons are all competitive swimmers and have always been very active. I have stood on the sidelines watching them and cheering them on for years. NOW, it is MY turn! Now THEY stand on the sideline and watch and cheer for me. ONE YEAR!!! ONE YEAR since my band! Perhaps your husband is right. If we eat less and exercise more we will lose the weight but I literally could NOT have moved like I do now. That eating less and exercising more makes perfect sense to skinnier people....hell, it even makes

sense too me NOW but I couldn't be where I am without my band. Why go through more time of that yo-yo dieting we have all done so many times when you have the option for a lapband? Now I know that I will get to watch my boys grow up. I know that I will get to hold my grandchildren one day. Because my health has improved so much, I am proud to say that I am on no medications. My blood sugar levels have been normal for 10 months. Simply put, the lapband saved my life. If you think your husband would like to talk with my husband, email me privately and we will set that up. I wish you luck in your decision. Get that book and TEACH him what he doesn't understand. Jenni Currie DOB 2/23/06 247/231/151/145 3 fills 2 unfills Jill

<jjworswickmsn> wrote: Hello to all of you,I am new to this site and I hope to get all of the information that I need to convince my husband that banding is something that I need. He still seems to think "Why don't you just eat right and exercise??? You know that's what you need to do." Easier said than done I tell him and his pound of See's a night hundred and fifty pound ass! He just has no idea what it feels like to live in this 250 pound body. Anyway I have read all of your messages and looked at all of your photos (very impressive) and the one question I have is why did you all choose to go to Mexico for this surgery?? Was it because you were not elligable per your insurance or something. I am 246lbs and 5'6" tall about a 40 BMI I don't have any major health problems other than

being obese, so I am not even sure that my insurance would cover this kind of surgery for me or not. I am just starting my research and I have found your stories to be so inspiring. I almost feel as if I should just charge the surgery with Dr.A and get it done rather than try to go through my insurance and deal with all the hastle. Any feedback on this feeling would be nice. Thanks for all of you inspiration.Jill Don't get soaked. Take a quick peek at the forecast with the Search weather shortcut.

8:00? 8:25? 8:40? Find a flick in no time with the Search movie showtime shortcut.

[Guest guest]

Hi Jill, I have a friend who is going through this right now with her

husband. she went to a seminar to learn about the surgery, and get

this..... her insurance pays for it in the US!!!! and after the

seminar he looked at her and said " why dont you just get serious and

make some lifestyle changes and loose the weight " !!! and the thing

for her is that she has to go on a doctor supervised diet for three

months before the insurance will allow her to start the other hoops

she has to jump through. and she said she was going to listen to her

husband and try to diet. and I told her she needs to get her butt to

the doctor and start that doctor supervised diet too! that way after

three months of trying on her own " again " she can tell her

husband, " see I tried again and I Need the extra help " at least that

way she will be one step closer to the surgery. she is almost 400

lbs and I am afraid if she continues on the path she is on she will

have some serious health issues! For her I dont think she is ready

to give up food, period, end of sentence!!!!! she loves her ding

dongs and her crap food! because I tell you what if she was ready

she would be running down to the doctors office to get her process

started, and I think she is using her husband as a scape goat to not

start the process. that is just my opinion. But we all have to come

to that place where we are ready to give up food, because I am

telling you with the band your relationship changes so drastically

with food. and she has seen that with me. some days I can eat very

little, and I think that she doesnt want to do that yet. but I think

the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices that you make. Food may seem

like a friend but it is not a friend, it is what got us in trouble in

the first place! food is only to sustain our bodies so we can get

the nutrients we need to live our lives.

well I hope that you can get your hubby to get on board. It sure

does help to have that support. But if my husband wasnt on board I

would do this all over again anyway, because once he sees the way it

changes your life he will get on board! My husband loves that I did

this, he cant keep is freakin hands off of me!!! lol :-)

best wishes,

hugs,

> Hello to all of you,

> I am new to this site and I hope to get all of the information that

I

> need to convince my husband that banding is something that I need.

He

> still seems to think " Why don't you just eat right and exercise???

You

> know that's what you need to do. " Easier said than done I tell him

and

> his pound of See's a night hundred and fifty pound ass! He just has

no

> idea what it feels like to live in this 250 pound body. Anyway I

have

> read all of your messages and looked at all of your photos (very

> impressive) and the one question I have is why did you all choose

to

> go to Mexico for this surgery?? Was it because you were not

elligable

> per your insurance or something. I am 246lbs and 5'6 " tall about a

40

> BMI I don't have any major health problems other than being obese,

so

> I am not even sure that my insurance would cover this kind of

surgery

> for me or not. I am just starting my research and I have found your

> stories to be so inspiring. I almost feel as if I should just

charge

> the surgery with Dr.A and get it done rather than try to go through

my

> insurance and deal with all the hastle. Any feedback on this

feeling

> would be nice. Thanks for all of you inspiration.

> Jill

>

>

>

>

>

>

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

> Don't get soaked. Take a quick peek at the forecast

> with the Search weather shortcut.

>

[Guest guest]

JILL, Hello, Some people go because they do not qualify for the surgery in the states. Most go because they would have to self pay and it is much less $ wise in Mexico. Others because their insurance doesn't do the band. I live in Southern California and have Kaiser. They do not do the band and it could be years before they do. I do not have that much time. I have been overweight for the last 40 years and, like you, have those around me that have absolutely no idea what it is like to be so overweight. It is like...where do you even start. I always hate it when someone says just do it! When you are so much overweight it really seems like a losing battle so...we quit

on ourselves. I read something very interesting today. The article said to look down at your legs and feet...by the fourth of July they will be replaced. If you start today working out and watching what you eat (with the band) you can replace those worn out cells with vibrant, healthy new cells. I haven't been banded yet but do expect to...I will definitely go to Dr. A. I have researched now for 6 months and I know he is the best! Good luck. JM Jill <jjworswick@...> wrote: Hello to all of you,I am new to this site and I hope to get all of the information that I need to convince my husband that banding is something that I need. He still seems to think "Why don't you just eat right and exercise??? You know that's what you need to do." Easier said than done I tell him and his pound of See's a night hundred and fifty pound ass! He just has no idea what it feels like to live in this 250 pound body. Anyway I have read all of your messages and looked at all of your photos (very impressive) and the one question

I have is why did you all choose to go to Mexico for this surgery?? Was it because you were not elligable per your insurance or something. I am 246lbs and 5'6" tall about a 40 BMI I don't have any major health problems other than being obese, so I am not even sure that my insurance would cover this kind of surgery for me or not. I am just starting my research and I have found your stories to be so inspiring. I almost feel as if I should just charge the surgery with Dr.A and get it done rather than try to go through my insurance and deal with all the hastle. Any feedback on this feeling would be nice. Thanks for all of you inspiration.Jill

Bored stiff? Loosen up...Download and play hundreds of games for free on Games.

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

I just think that he thinks that it's a waste of money (as if

dieting all the time isn't). I am going to get that book that

giftdtch (I am still learning everyones names) told me about and see

if that helps. I also want to get him on here to see some of your

before and after photos. Sometimes seeing is believing. I know that

he would be happy with the results I think he is scared of the

surgery part. Although he watched me have two c-sections and I lived

through those. I have just started researching this so I am hoping

that once I have enough information I can present a better argument.

Also he wants me to talk to a " real doctor " about my weight before I

do anything else but I am not to keen on all of those goofy hoops

they make you jump through either. I did a Dr. supervised

phendimetrizine diet for a year where I lost 45lbs in about 6 months

and gaind it back in 4 while still on the pills. I found out that

you can build up an intollerance on those things. After doing that

for so long I don't want to go through another yo-yo to prove that

this is something I need. Anyway thanks for your kind words. Every

bit of advice I get from you guys makes me want this even more.

Jill

> > Hello to all of you,

> > I am new to this site and I hope to get all of the information

that

> I

> > need to convince my husband that banding is something that I

need.

> He

> > still seems to think " Why don't you just eat right and

exercise???

> You

> > know that's what you need to do. " Easier said than done I tell

him

> and

> > his pound of See's a night hundred and fifty pound ass! He just

has

> no

> > idea what it feels like to live in this 250 pound body. Anyway I

> have

> > read all of your messages and looked at all of your photos (very

> > impressive) and the one question I have is why did you all

choose

> to

> > go to Mexico for this surgery?? Was it because you were not

> elligable

> > per your insurance or something. I am 246lbs and 5'6 " tall about

a

> 40

> > BMI I don't have any major health problems other than being

obese,

> so

> > I am not even sure that my insurance would cover this kind of

> surgery

> > for me or not. I am just starting my research and I have found

your

> > stories to be so inspiring. I almost feel as if I should just

> charge

> > the surgery with Dr.A and get it done rather than try to go

through

> my

> > insurance and deal with all the hastle. Any feedback on this

> feeling

> > would be nice. Thanks for all of you inspiration.

> > Jill

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

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

> > Don't get soaked. Take a quick peek at the forecast

> > with the Search weather shortcut.

> >

>