Tuesday, March 3, 2009

What Do You Mean, No Ben & Jerrys?

Okay everyone I confess, I am a sugar mama (no, NOT that kind of a sugar mama)! I love sweets from popcorn to cakes, to cookies and ice cream, I love my sugar and yes, I am aware that it isn't good for me, but sweets are my downfall and second helpings and pasta and breads, oh, lets face it, I am DOOMED!

I saw my Rheumatologist today and we had a really nice visit, except for the end when he told me in three months he would like to see me back and at least 15 pounds lighter. Then he grinned and told me between 10 & 15, but not where I am now or more.

He's right and I know it, I am over weight and it isn't helping my Fibromyalgia or arthritis at all. He also changed my medications a bit by taking me off of one NSAID that wasn't working at all to another that worked in the past but caused me to wake up with fluid retention. He told me to take the new one every other day and if I start retaining fluid to stop and call him and we will change again.

He has me on a muscle relaxant to help me sleep at night and another one during the day, but agree'd it isn't going to help much since I can't take it while I am teaching. Try taking it when you are in more pain than usual and don't wait until it gets out of hand he told me.

I really like my new doctor because he is up front honest. He told me Fibromyalgia is a stumper, what works for one person, won't work for another and unfortunately, it isn't like writing a prescription for penicillian.

My tests came back very good this time. My vitamin D level is great. My RA Factor hasn't changed since last year and my bone density scan remains unchanged. Yes, moving from Phoenix to Washington will cause me to be in more pain on very cold days (try to stay warm and bundle up)...I didn't tell him I still wear sandals in the winter time! Yes, I need to take a calcium supplement (due to having my gall bladder removed) and no, I don't have to drink milk(as hubby says I should), he told me, let your husband drink it!

So, I went out and bought myself some walking pants and a sweatshirt type shirt and some new walking shoes. I am hoping this will motivate me.

I also need all of you to pray for me, send me positive thoughts and keep me honest and motivated. Yoplait did that this evening when I opened a Light Thick and Creamy Cinnamon Roll, oh my! It was the most heavenly tasting yogurt I have ever tried, so that might help me with the Ben & Jerry cravings.

I would love to hear from all of you. If you have any good exercise tips for those of us who don't move very well. I used to walk 5 miles a day, but with plates, pins & screws in my foot and my back pain, it isn't to walk at all. But I am willing to try suggestions & no crunches!

I will begin the Flat Belly Diet in earnest and that calls for giving up my morning coffee. Cigarettes was easy compared to my coffee!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, keep them coming!

3 comments:

grammy said...

You're going to give up COFFEE?? What are you saying? My head is swimming! Say it isn't so.

Seriously, I do some gentle stretching and yoga exercises because of joint pain and old injuries. My RA doc wants me to get into a water walking class, and I'm going to see if my insurance will pay all or part of it.

Sharon said...

My Dr told me that any movement you do during the day is good. He said you can start by walking a few minutes in the morning and then again in the afternoon. I don't try diets anymore because once I lose and go off them, I gain again. What I've been trying to do is eat smaller portions and I don't deprive myself of any foods I like, just try to be sensible. I have one cup of real coffee in the mornings and try to drink more water during the day which is hard because I LOVE sweet tea! I try to just drink the tea at supper.
Keep up the good work and I hope the new meds will work for you!

Judy said...

I've cut back on my coffee, but added hot tea in the afternoons for a pick me up...I'm not sure that counts or would help you. I've got fibro, too...and have opted to treat it with flexeril for the past few years instead of all the "designer drugs" they want us to try. I take it at night when I am really hurting to help me sleep and in the daytime when I hurt to the point of distraction. I don't have a problem functioning normally with it. Is that what you are taking?

My diet sounds like yours...carbs, carbs, and more carbs. That's tough...and I will be thinking of you and praying for you as you try to curb the carbs and drop some pounds. It would be great if you would pray for me, too.

I'm sure sorry to read we have this in common. ((((hugs))))