Brian, thanks for your kind words.

Guest, what on earth is beach coal?

All, one thing that has worked well for my family is to buy a party tray of cut-up veggies and dip at the local supermarket. We started it to get my 11-year-old daughter to eat some veggies. We just put it out on the table before she gets home from school, and she eats the veggies rather than the junk she used to ask for. It works great for me too, when I feel like I want something between meals. You could certainly do this by cutting up veggies yourself, but I never did, even when I bought them! It's terrific when you're too tired to do anything you don't absolutely have to.

Nancy

....



Last edited by another_guest on Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

I've been meaning to ask: where did you get the moving picture of that beautiful bird under your name? I'd love to add one of an animal I enjoy. Is it hard to do? And what is an avatar?

Nancy

Ah, yes Linda.  "that pesky weight thingy" as you put it is what so many of us have in common.
I was a bit too partial to ice cream, I'm afraid.  

Then, when I suspected that I had OSA, I was able to scare myself into losing some.  There are many excellent diets available.  Poster Deedster mentioned the South Beach diet, which is essentially a combination of the Atkins and the Zone.  Personally, I've had good luck with the Zone diet.  I've been on it 6 months, and intend to stick with it.   It's carefully balanced, and it's the diet that doesn't leave you hungry.

Not a recommendation, of course.  Just sharing one approach out of many valid ones.

Thanks, Linda, for bringing up an important topic, and inviting us to chime in.

Hi regards all  - - Woof

Great idea Linda   I have been struggling with my weight for some time . I have severe OSA, high B/P, high cholestrol,& high uric acid&to top every thing off Iam peri-menopausal. I have been on a low carb low fat diet & I am exercising 1-2 hours everyday. I am still gaining weight. My nutritionist & I cannot figure out why. It is so frustrating I donot know what else to do.My thyroid tests are normal. Does anyone have any suggestions? I forgot to add I have been on cpap for 5 months now,& use it everytime I sleep even napping.

Miss Rumphius wrote:

I've been meaning to ask: where did you get the moving picture of that beautiful bird under your name? I'd love to add one of an animal I enjoy. Is it hard to do? And what is an avatar?

Nancy

Thanks for liking my dove avatar.  I can't take credit fof the creativity of it.  I "borrowed" the use of it from another discussion board (not sleep apnea).
An avatar is a little picture or graphic which is used to identify you, distinguishes you from others, different than a username.  Mine is my moving dove.  

Basically there are four ways to add an avatar, listed on your Profile page:

1.    Upload Avatar from your machine:  
This one you browse your computer for the graphic you want to use and select it.  There are limitations as to file size and number of pixel.
This way you can use your own graphic.  But you may have to crop it down to get it to the right size.

2.    Upload Avatar from a URL:  Enter the URL of the location containing the Avatar image, it will be copied to this site.  
As I understand it, this is where you use a graphic from a URL which is an internet address (http:........) and it gets copied to this site, although I've not used this.  This is similar to method #3 below, but you copy it in.  Presumably that way it is more permanent in case the internet address of this graphic should change.

3.    Link to off-site Avatar:  Enter the URL of the location containing the Avatar image you wish to link to.
This is the one I used.  I found a graphic on another discussion board (they had a gallery of available ones to use), and I used that URL internet address here.  The problem here is if that graphic address should ever change, poof! it's gone and won't appear.  Luckily my avatar remains on that website, the one I "borrowed" it from.

I believe it's possible to utilize one of your own graphics if you have it posted on a website which gives it a URL address.  I use www.photobucket.com for using graphics in this way.  you can use this, or similar hosting sites, to include photos or graphics in these posting windows.
 
4.    Select Avatar from gallery:
You can select an avatar from a gallery with this forum software.


Clear as mud?  


Linda

Oh me too *sigh*.  Until mega surgeries this year, I was doing triathlons 40-50 pounds overweight.  My problem seems to be an extreme case of bad sleep hygiene.  Six and a half-years after starting CPAP therapy, I still stay up too late in misguided attempts to punish myself for nonexistant sins (my own pathological mental issue).  However, four weeks ago, I started working with a personal trainer and trying to get back into shape after foot reconstruction and abdominal surgery.  And, I started trying to get more sleep.  Amazingly (or not so), I have been able to lose 7 pounds.  Feeling good works wonders.

Seems I get sabotaged a lot though.  I'm having problems with my foot and was awake in pain last night until 4AM.  I started back to work last week in a stressful environment.  My insurance carrier unfortunately contracted with a different and much less helpful DME.  My mask broke 2 weeks ago and I finally got a new one today (I've gone kicking and screaming to notify a patient advocate for my insurance carrier).   Just in time, 'cause the duct tape wasn't working so well.  I mistakenly taped over half the exhaust ports and it took me a few nights to figure out what the heck the problem was.  Another night, my cat got the hose and I left a necessary piece of the mask attached to it when I threw it in the dumpster.  So I was out at the dumpster at 4AM (seems to be a magical time for me) digging it out.  And the final ultimate sabotage, its Girl Scout cookie time and my daughter is a Girl Scout, so I ended up buying 12 boxes so she could get close to her target goal and get a prize.  I think donating them to homeless people is a great idea, except that I'm greedy and I want to eat them all!

I just try to take the hurdles on at a time and with humor.  Time to get my sleep so I'll feel better tomorrow and can get up early to hit the gym.  Y'all hold me accountable for getting enough sleep.  It is too easy for me to stay up too late hanging out here.

Vicki



Last edited by Vicki on Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:18 pm; edited 1 time in total
_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

I have been using CPAP for a 1  1/2 years.  Last May I started having severe problems.  By October I started gaining weight (25 lbs).  I didn't think to looking into  my severe OSA as being the problem.

I was having ungoing abdominal pain, thought it was from ongoing bladder problems.  I have high-blood pressure, cholesterol problems, diabetic problems, and problems with my adrenal gland.    Does anyone know if the adrenal gland can cause weight can.  (I am also very scared that the problems with my adrenal gland could  be caused because of cancer)

I have been trying hard to follow, a low-fat cholesteral diet (eat a lot of fiber), a diabetic diet (I am impaired glucose tolerant), lactose intolerant, and now a low-oxalate diet (takes all fiber out of your diet) all prescribed by my GP.  I have many food allergies (anything with sulfa, sulfites, it's in everything) .  Everything I can eat in the low-oxalate diet, goes against the low-fat cholesteral, diabetic diet, and I am allergic to.   Oh yeh, I am still gaining weight.  Since being on the low-oxalate diet the pain in the lower abdomin  has let up.     I can't say I don't like my sweets.  I have band my husband from buying any.  I avoid that section in the store.   Chocolate is a no-no on the low-oxalate diet.  

I exercise for an hour twice a week.  I chase my dogs around the house, they think it is fun, until I am exhausted.  I do my sit ups daily.  I  make excuses to go up and down the stairs in my home.    I am tired when I get up, but  these exersizes are a chore which  I have to do.  

Linda, this is a good subject, just reading about others and their accomplishements toward their diet may help.   I just want to feel good.  My son who is underweight eats 3 times as much as I do.  I am very frustrated -  I keep trying to keep my OSA undercontrol - I keep trying to lose weight, and I feel daily, my physical well been is further falling apart.  I had doctors mention MS, then tell me I don't have MS.  I have doctors tell me that I had mini-strokes, and then they tell me its all psychological.  About  two  months ago I was told that they discovered a problem with my adrenal gland, and then in a  matter of fact, that I might have to see an oncologist, and then the subject was changed.  

I need to focus on one thing right now.  I need to lose weight.  This might be the only thing I have control on ( or am I kidding myself).  I just don't know where to start.  

Gerri

Gerri,

You said you gained 25 pounds.  Is that over a more normal weight, or was that a gain over already being overweight?
I'm only asking because it seems to me that if it's just a 25 pound gain, that you shouldn't focus so much on your "need to lose weight" as you should your health issues, in my opinion.  

You said, "I was told that they discovered a problem with my adrenal gland, and then in a  matter of fact, that I might have to see an oncologist, and then the subject was changed."  Who told you this, and why was the subject changed?  How did they discover this adrenal gland problem, and are you going to see an oncologist?  I can understand you being scared, but if they suggest you get checked out, then you ought to and as soon as you can.  Perhaps it's some other problem and not cancer.  If they're telling you there might be a problem, please don't ignore it.  I would want to ignor it too, so I understand.  But if there is a problem, then waiting won't solve anything and early detection is imperative.  IMHO, the weight should be the least of your worries at this point, especially if it's a 25 pound gain.  Many of are dealing with much more substantial weight gains.  

And have your doctors determined the source of your abdominal pain?  And also, are you really eliminating fiber from your diet?  And if so, why?  I've been told to take in more fiber, not less.  Plus, you say you've been on cpap for over a year.  Have you been using your cpap regularly and all night?  Might you be having problems with cpap, such as wrong pressures, mask leaks, wrong type of mask for breathing issues, things that might mean you aren't getting the correct therapy for your apnea?  

You say that weight might be the only thing you have control over.  Gerri, I understand why you might feel out of control and stunned by everything that is hitting you.  I know you feel that maybe focusing on one thing, such as your weight, might give you a sense of control.  But let us help you focus on that which might be contributing to your weight gain or other health issues, even if just one focus item at a time.  It would be nice if you knew you were getting full benefit of your cpap, that your apneas are under control and that you are feeling less exhausted and have regained some energy.  This might help give you some more strength to deal with these other issues.  Maybe you need a good sleep doctor (perhaps a pulmonary physician) to help you determine this.  But I suggest you also focus on one of your other health issues at a time, with priority given to the adrenyl gland problem.  It's causing you the most worry, and maybe even needlessly.  You need to get it checked out.  Tell us how things are going.  Don't give up on yourself.  And we're here to listen.  You can even PM me if you like.  But just take a big breath, and keep in touch.


Linda

[quote

Quote:

]You said you gained 25 pounds.  Is that over a more normal weight, or was that a gain over already being overweight?

July 2004, I had a hysterectomy and anterior bladder repair - August 2004, I found out I had severe sleep apnea  - December 2004 - sling put on bladder -   Then all hell broke lose.  March 2005 1 MRI for rotor cuff problems - because of falling - legs giving out -  1 MRIs   - May 2005, second MRI of cervical spine stating I might have MS of cervical spine - Oct. 2005, I had two more MRIs another cervical spine MRI stated that it show MS that I most likely had mini-strokes, and a MRI of the brain which showed lesions, and that MS was suppected again - November  2005 I was admitted to hospital stress related paralysis, I  had 2 more MRIs and lumbar puncture - no MS - mini strokes suppected.
Just before my severe sleep apnea went crazy - I think about last May my weight was about 150, about 20 lbs over weight, but I was doing good with my exercise - I felt good.  This last weight gain of 25 and increasing started about October, I seem to have no control over.

Quote:

You said, "I was told that they discovered a problem with my adrenal gland, and then in a  matter of fact, that I might have to see an oncologist, and then the subject was changed."  Who told you this, and why was the subject changed?  How did they discover this adrenal gland problem, and are you going to see an oncologist?

When I had the last set of MRIs in the hospital in Nov. 2005, they could see the adrenal gland on ly left kidney, which from what I understand, is normally not seen in a MRI.   I have been booked for CT scan for Feb. 17th.  I had to bug and complain to get this appointment.   Dec. 19th  2005 GP told me that I had a problem with my adrenal gland that I was being sent for CT scan.  I didn't hear anything further.  Jan.  asked other CP about adrenal gland problem - she said didn't know what the problem was - she said may have to send you to oncologist - and then went onto a different subject.  When everything went down in Nov.  I  was very tired - comfused - I told them I couldn't  handle knowing about cancer.  (I was refering to cancer of the brain.)  So the GPs took it to mean all cancers and are afraid to approach the subject with me.  I believe they are waiting to see what the CT scan  says before sending me to the oncologist.

Quote:

And have your doctors determined the source of your abdominal pain?  And also, are you really eliminating fiber from your diet?  And if so, why?  I've been told to take in more fiber, not less.

  [color=green]The low-oxalate diet eliminates most high fiber from your diet.  It is working, I don't have as much abdominal pain.  I thought for a long time it was related to my bladder.  I was put on this diet after they found crystals in my urine.
[/color]

Quote:

Plus, you say you've been on cpap for over a year.  Have you been using your cpap regularly and all night?  Might you be having problems with cpap, such as wrong pressures, mask leaks, wrong type of mask for breathing issues, things that might mean you aren't getting the correct therapy for your apnea?  

I thought I was very lucky.  I had the right mask - the right pressure - my cpap machine became my buddy the first night  I used it.  I use it all the time  - I have a backup generator - so I would not be without my buddy if the power goes out - which if often here.  But last May something caused my apnea to go crazy.  Today  my severe sleep apnea is (AHI is  12 and AI 1.2 my pressure is at 14 with no leaks).  I am still feeling very tired.  I am 52 could be menopausal (spelling error)

Quote:

Maybe you need a good sleep doctor (perhaps a pulmonary physician) to help you determine this.

  It's funny you suggest a pulmonary physician - a nurse practioner suggest having pulmonary testing done - this was done yesterday - the technician said it would be a week before I know the results of this test.  Maybe the GP and everyone is working behind the scene to determine what is going on.  I wish I didn't feel so out of the loop, and in more control of what is going on.

Quote:

But I suggest you also focus on one of your other health issues at a time, with priority given to the adrenyl gland problem.  It's causing you the most worry, and maybe even needlessly.

   I am hoping that the adrenal gland problem is not cancerous.   I can live with one adrenal gland and one kidney.  So what if I have to take more medication.  I just feel the GPs are working at a snails pace.    Just being able to communicate with someone helps.  I appreciate very much your thoughts, and your help in getting me to focus what is upmost  important  of my priority list.  Thank you   Linda

Gerri, you're doing a great job coping considering all that you're going through.
I know I couldn't do so well if I were experiencing all of that.

But I had to grin hearing that you've been told to reduce the fiber, and here I am being told to increase fiber.
It's all so confusing.

I think we need a smart nutritionist here!!  lol


Linda

Gerri,

With an AHI of 12, your apnea level is now mild, but still there.  Did they increase your pressure to 14 after your weight gain?  Weight gain frequently calls for an increase in pressure and with continued apnea, it sounds like it might need to go up some more.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Hi Linda thank you for the PM I will be communicating further with you.  


Hi Vicky the pressure was put up to 14 to get my sleep apnea down from AHI  38.1.  It has helped but I am beginning to think the pressure has to be put up further.  I see the sleep specialist again in April.  Waiting to see if after the pulmonary test I had yesterday, if I have to see a pulmonary specialist.    

I just so very tired.   Thank you both for being there for me.

Brian wrote:

I have friend with IBS and it ain't no joke. From what he tells me though, the treatment is pretty easy and usually quite successful. Thanks for the kind words. Today I was talking to the health and safety co-ordinator where I work.(I'm going back next month) I was telling her that I am starting to have a lot of problems wanting to smoke. She said that didn't make any sense as I have been off them almost a month now. She said she is running a smoking cessation program and I should come. When I asked if she has ever smoked the reply was no. So I asked her what she thought she had to offer me? I think I pee'd her off. My point was that all the stratagies in the world are just words unless you've been there.

Brian

Brian, i smoked for 7 years in my late teens and early 20's.  The way i quit was by being so disgusted that I couldn't quit.  I decided, there is no way in **** these **** things are going to own me, and I'm quitting.  So i got very stubborn with it, and I just refused to allow myself another cigarrette.   I'm not going to lie about it, it became very painful physically for a couple of days, and mentally every time i wanted one, i said to myself "NO way".  It was the hardest thing i have ever done in my life, but I did make it through.  

Oh well, just thought i'd share that story since i haven't thought about it in a few years!

Arial Moon wrote:

I have also quit smoking at the end of November. I can't say it was easy. Coffee and cigarettes at coffee break is what has kept me alive (awake) at work for many years, more particularly these last few months.

Arial Moon

That reminds me, when i quit smoking years ago, i also had to quit drinking for several years. Somehow in my mind they went hand in hand, and every time i had a beer, i would begin smoking again.