Disabled & Determined

[maude~flanders]

Hello,

I am new to this and excited to start the diet! I need to lose over 100 pounds, so I understand that this will be a long journey. Therefore, I thought it would really help me to get some support.

I am a stay at home mom and I homeschool my two teenaged boys. I have a rare, chronic pain condition which makes it difficult for me to use my right arm and hand and keeps me from being active. I have gained weight steadily since this condition struck me. I am hoping that weight loss will provide me with some more flexibility and better general health. A struggle for me may be that I take large amounts of pain medicines each day which can affect my judgement as well as making me need to eat frequently to buffer my stomach. But, I am determined and excited in spite of the obstacles!!

I am looking forward to getting to know people here!

Maude

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Disabled & Determined

Is your rare chronic pain disorder called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)? If so, Atkins will be the best medicine you ever took for it. (if it is RSD, please know that it affects the part of the brain controlling metabolism, causing weight gain)

I have suffered for 12 years with this disorder on my whole right side. I started Atkins in 2005 needing to lose 150 pounds. I could barely walk with two quad canes and they wanted to use the kind that clamps on the forearm. I was on 17 prescription meds, 29 pills a day. I had been forbidden by my docs from any kind of exercise.

I got fed up and decided to do it my way. I lost 102 pounds in 10 months (120 total) and that alone relieved much of my pain. Carbohydrates cause inflammation, so I was some better right away. I started decreasing and eliminating meds (I can do this because all my docs know I know more about RSD than they do. Don't try to do it without doctor supervision). I started exercising very gently after two months of dieting. I have not used any assistive devices for walking in over three years. I can power walk again and do other kinds of exercises as long as I pace myself and avoid overdoing it. I still sometimes cause a flare from being too gung ho, but it feels so good not to spend most of my time in bed.

I now only take two prescription drugs, and those two are way less potent than any I took before. I am not cured, but I am so much better that my pain management docs just shake their head at me.

Welcome aboard. You will get lots of support and good advice here.

Sunny!

[liv]

Re: Disabled & Determined

Sunny is quite an inspiration.
Welcome to you too. And so glad you decided to make a change. Sounds like you are motivated. Now eating frequently will not be a problem. It is actually a good thing to do. As long you are sticking to the fat/protein side.

[imagood1]

Re: Disabled & Determined

Hi and welcome Maude -- Sunny is such a wonderful person, listen to her advise, she knows what she is talking about!!!!

To help get you started here is a little information:

It’s a good idea to get a copy of the 2002 Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) the book we use for reference on this site. Until you can get a copy of the book check the stickies (information posts) at the top of the induction page - http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/77558-atkins-diet-induction-faqs.html – it’s a condensed version of everything you’ll need to know. Even through the stickies are a good start they don’t detail the entire program, so that’s why we suggest you have the book to follow. The plan works if you follow it the way it is written and don’t try to do it “your way” – obviously “your way” doesn’t work or you wouldn’t be here.

Before you start:
*take your measurements and get on the scale so you have accurate numbers to start with - don't weigh again until the end of your 2 week induction.
*Eat a variety of meats, cheeses and vegetables. Also make sure you get your fats, carbs and protein in daily – www.fitday.com will help you keep track of this.
*Drink 64 ounces of pure water -nothing added daily (Legal water is considered Filtered water, Mineral water, Spring water and Tap water).
*Take your supplements and start an exercise routine today.

The Atkins shakes and bars are not legal on induction – there are non-induction ingredients in them and they are not listed on the acceptable food list. If a food isn’t listed on the acceptable food list it doesn’t belong in your mouth – no exceptions!

The recipe sites are a helpful meal planning tool – just make sure you use Induction Recipes to begin with.
Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html (Induction recipes)
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html (Induction Recipe Basics)

If you need anything we’re here to help you!! Good luck.

[maude~flanders]

Re: Disabled & Determined

Wow Sunny,

Your post brought tears to my eyes! Thank you for the inspiration!

I do not have RSD, I have TOS, which stands for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. It is a condition in which the nerve that feeds into your arm becomes trapped between your first rib and collarbone. It causes major amounts of pain, along with a multitude of strange symptoms. Many people with it develop RSD, especially if they have the surgery for it. The surgery to fix the problem is to remove part of your first rib and it is only successful about half the time. My doctors do not believe that I would be one of the few with good surgical results, so I am doomed to a life of pain and pills. But, after reading your story, I am inspired and filled with hope that there may be a little pain relief if I get rid of the excess weight. I am in the process of waiting for a series of nerve block shots, including a Stellate Ganglion Block (which you may have had), to help give me some relief for a while. Thank you for your kind words!

Maude

[chinadoll]

Re: Disabled & Determined

Welcome Maude and good luck with the nerve blocks. I hope that brings you some pain relief. (hug)