Gotta-go-blog

My entire life has been a challenge. I was a latch key kid from age four and needless to say I have few early childhood memories to speak of. I had to be responsible and that meant looking through a window to the outside for years watching other children play while I was kept indoors due to circumstance.

As I matured I sought comfort in food. Food was my friend: my only friend. My mother would leave food on the table, in the frig, in a special cupboard and there was always soda, dessert, and snacks available because I was alone for hours while she worked. Food is not what I hungered for, but, it was the only thing I had to fill the void I craved for: my mother’s company.

The last time I remember being of normal size was age 6 –> size 6. After that it was all down hill. Age 11 –>110 pounds, age 16–> 160 pounds, age 18 –> 180 pounds. It seemed like I was predestined to add a zero to my age and that was to be my weight. Scary as it was: it went that way till I was 23 years old and 230 pounds. 230 pounds was my average weight for years. My body shape changed many times but the weight remained unchanged. Depending on my activity level I managed to fit 230 pounds into a size 16 up to a size 20. I have tried every diet known to man – some were successful for awhile but when I hit a plateau I couldn’t break I would give up the diet and look for a new one.

Bariatric diet challenge

A year ago I got very serious about my weight and as a last ditch effort entered a bariatric diet program through my PCP.

I followed the diet regimen prescribed to a fault, I consumed 90 grams of protein, drank the prescribed 8 glasses of water, exercised no less than 30 min, maintained an intake of less than 1000 calories each and every day for months.

I was prescribed metabolic stimulators at regular intervals in different combinations. The metabolic stimulators proved to be a waste of money. I was placed on Metformin, an oral medication used to reduce blood sugar levels, and wellbutrin an anti-anxiety medication because the side effects of both of these drugs were weight loss. I was immediately taken off of the Metformin as I had an allergic reaction to the medication.

During the second month it was discovered I had Type II Diabetes. My HgbA1c was 6.9, and c. peptides measuring insulin captured in the cells was 1749. I was plagued by severe edema in both legs. I was in trouble and I new it. I was started on Byetta injections twice daily and two forms of diuretics, Furosomide and Spirinolactone a potassium sparing medication.

I was determined and worked even harder. With the support of my best friend, Sarav I gave up cigarettes, caffeine, and sugar at the same time. I ate only dark brown breads. I even cut out all heavy carb vegetables. Withdrawal was evidenced by severe headaches for a total of four days and then all was back to normal. I reduced my caloric intake to 800 calories and used the food supplements purchased at the PCPs office since I could not consume enough protein as I had also gone total vegetarian. I extended my exercise time to an hour daily and week after week I would get on the scale and my weight remained unchanged.

I became frustrated and angry. I asked my nutritional advisor in the PCP’s office, “Why is my body rejecting all my efforts?” Her response was, “You need to make changes.” (Make changes?? What had I been doing for the last 10 months??) I asked her for suggestions and she retorted, “It is for you to decide. “ Why was I paying $75 a month for nutritional advice if it was up to me to decide?”

Well, I decided right then I was done! I was finished with the bariatric diet program. I was through paying someone else for my own advice! Ha! I only wish I had realized it before spending all that money on nutritional advice, prescription drugs, and nutritional supplements, not to mention doctor‘s appointments for reevaluation several times over the last 10 months!

The only thing left was to not eat.

First, I researched and purchased herbal supplements to complete a total body detoxification to cleans my colon, liver, lungs, and internal organs. I practiced 2 minutes of an extremely hot shower alternating with an extremely cold shower twice daily for ten days. This method is used to purge toxins from pores in the skin allowing them to sweat and breath. I literally drained my self. I was weak and exhausted. To my surprise after 10 days my weight was unchanged.

I was broken. I wasn’t sure I could continue the effort. I prayed endlessly. I cried daily and my best friend Sarav who was now my husband continued to give his never ending support and encouragement. I began counseling with a wonderful female counselor in Warwick, Helen Sheehan. She listened intently as I described the overwhelming issue of my weight and weight-loss efforts and made several suggestions. I went home and scoured the internet to locate all the information she had given me about malabsorbtion syndrome.