13 replies to this topic

[anniegirl2]

Hello Everyone!

I take about 6 different meds daily for:, major depression, fibromyalgia, arthritis and epilepsy. In total I take 12 pills/day. Most of them have the similar side effect, that being weight gain! I have managed to lose 6.6 pounds the first week on JC, but I know that is mainly water. I try to swim a couple of times a week, but its the only exercise I can do as both my knees are sore & weak. My question out there is: how much weight can we expect to lose under these circumstances ?(which I'm sure many of you are in)

[zkmom]

Hello Everyone!

I take about 6 different meds daily for:, major depression, fibromyalgia, arthritis and epilepsy. In total I take 12 pills/day. Most of them have the similar side effect, that being weight gain! I have managed to lose 6.6 pounds the first week on JC, but I know that is mainly water. I try to swim a couple of times a week, but its the only exercise I can do as both my knees are sore & weak. My question out there is: how much weight can we expect to lose under these circumstances ?(which I'm sure many of you are in)

[shari.b.]

Hi, Did anyone reply to your question? Iam new to this-one and a half weeks in and I am also on several meds (5 daily for mixed connective tissue disease and sjogren's). I am very interested in how this program works for people like us. Shari

Hello Everyone!

I take about 6 different meds daily for:, major depression, fibromyalgia, arthritis and epilepsy. In total I take 12 pills/day. Most of them have the similar side effect, that being weight gain! I have managed to lose 6.6 pounds the first week on JC, but I know that is mainly water. I try to swim a couple of times a week, but its the only exercise I can do as both my knees are sore & weak. My question out there is: how much weight can we expect to lose under these circumstances ?(which I'm sure many of you are in)

[I dream of Jeannie]

Hi, Did anyone reply to your question? Iam new to this-one and a half weeks in and I am also on several meds (5 daily for mixed connective tissue disease and sjogren's). I am very interested in how this program works for people like us. Shari

I'm in the challenge with you--over 20 pills a day, weekly injections, and monthly IV. It has been very slow for me, BUT every pound lost is a victory!
I don't exercise, except occasionally I'll go to the pool and walk around in the water for a little bit. I did have a little portable bicycle pedal machine--it can be used sitting down, for arms and for legs--unfortunetly, it was broken by my children. I was given a DVD with TiChi for people with arthritis-it is tough, but I am working on my endurance to be able to get through it.
Have someone go over your medicines with you--what are the side effects? Usually your regular medicines and your current weight are balanced--it is the temporary medicines (like steroids in any form) that change your metabolism/energy/hunger. Once you have lost 10% of your starting body weight, take your medication list to your primary care doctor--ask for a dosage review, and ask when you should return for another review. Some medications are stored in the fat areas, so once it is gone, the blood level of the medication may be changed.
MOST IMPORTANTLY-STICK WITH IT!

[joan719]

Great advice and points made, 'I dream'. As the weight is lost, medication dosages can change. If the dose becomes too high, due to weight loss, it can hinder rather than help. Frequent serum studies by you doctor, say every three months or as outlined by your doctor, can keep abreast of any problems due to over-dosage, or in some cases, under-dosage. If a 'happy medium of therapeutic dosage is met, then, weight loss might become a bit easier to attain. Just my opinion. As I have some medical issues, as well.
Even if an exercise is chosen that benefits a particular medical condition, it still IS exercise. I always let my body, tell me 'its plan', in response to exercise! lol! Best wishes to all, success, as well!

[Unhappy2]

Wow! I came here looking for someone dealing with depression. I only take one med and have days when I don't want to exist. After reading your message and the comments to it, I feel inspired for the first time. Thanks!

[bluestocking]

Wow! I came here looking for someone dealing with depression. I only take one med and have days when I don't want to exist. After reading your message and the comments to it, I feel inspired for the first time. Thanks!

Hi Unhappy, I struggle with the same issues, and am on 4 different meds to help me deal. I am fervently hoping that with weight loss will come magically with more balanced serotonin and dopamine levels. I don't know that to be true, but I did feel a little boost today when my jeans were loose right out of the dryer :-)

I would also suggest that if you still have days you don't want to exist (and I am totally familiar with that), a conversation with your Dr. is merited. It's possible you aren't on the right dosage or med or combination of meds. I take 2 to deal with the major depression and 2 to deal with my bi-polar II. It's taken over a year to get a good combo, but it is totally worth it to be OK on a day to day basis. I even have days where I am capable of having fun again. And seeing weight loss is TOTALLY fun. :-)

[mary816]

Brand new to JC. Am glad to see this topic addressed. Old bulemic anorexic w bipolar and foot problems on numerous meds. Worried about getting exercise and the effect my meds have on my weight. Other than weight gain I am stable on meds and dont really want a change....just dont like the weight. Am thinking about swimming but hate cold water and how I look in a swim suit.

[jmcape]

I am on several meds for Fibro and depression/anxiety. I am having a very hard time losing but I rarely exercise. After many rounds with my JCC and center director we contacted nutrition and finally landed on the fact that I can expect to see a 1/2 lb or so loss a week if I strictly adhere to the plan. Now the decision becomes is it worth a .4 or .5 loss a week to spend all this money when frankly I could probably lose that small amount on my own?

[I Called Jenny]

jmcape, on 08 September 2011 - 06:39 AM, said:

I am on several meds for Fibro and depression/anxiety. I am having a very hard time losing but I rarely exercise. After many rounds with my JCC and center director we contacted nutrition and finally landed on the fact that I can expect to see a 1/2 lb or so loss a week if I strictly adhere to the plan. Now the decision becomes is it worth a .4 or .5 loss a week to spend all this money when frankly I could probably lose that small amount on my own?

If you can lose that weight on your own, why haven't you?

I'm not trying to be mean but I also don't want to see you use this as an excuse either.

I have health issues but fortunately I'm not dealing with conditions as serious as the ones you're describing. But even being relatively healthy, most weeks I only lost a half pound or so. But so what? I lost it to the tune of 45 lbs. because they do add up.

Most of us can't do it on our own or through other diets which is how we ended up at JC to begin with. Maybe it's the structure. Maybe it's the convenience. Maybe it's the support and accountability. I don't know.

I do know it works and even if I only lost a couple of ounces a week, it sure as heck beat GAINING a couple of ounces a week.

Yes, it's not cheap. But as we've discussed over and over, when you add up what we normally ate, the cost isn't that high.

And you ARE seeing results. Perhaps they're not as high as you would like them to be (and who wouldn't want to see a greater weight loss each week) but you are seeing it.

You have to decide what's best for you, of course, and if you SINCERELY BELIEVE that you can do it on your own, then try. But if you can't, come back to JC. We'll be waiting for you with open arms.

Phyllis

[jmcape]

Thanks Phyllis. I have 4 more weeks to think it over and you do make excellent points

[jamie79]

I have disabilities as well. Aspergers which is a high functioning autism, add, tourettes and a fainting disorder where I get dizzy. I also deal with depression and anxiety once in awhile. Ive tried lots of meds. Im on zoloft and trazodone now.

[Mrs.Richmond]

Hi, I have SLE, (Lupus with mostly effects on my central nervous system) and small fiber neuropathy of my legs and right arm. I take 22-25 pills a day. The initial start and process of getting me regulated on my pills caused a large weight gain. Now that I am regulated I am having a tough time taking it off. I just joined Jenny with the approval of my doctor and the approval of his dietitian (funny how my insurance gives a discount for Jenny but wouldn't approve for me to see a dietitian). So I am hoping this will bring me down to my pre-medication weight so that I will hurt less when I walk, I think am in so much more pain because I am carrying around 30+ more pounds that I am used to. I am a small girl so the 30 pounds is a great deal for my already damaged legs. I am hoping to find support and understanding through here. I have a very supportive husband but he works so much and I get very depressed that I can't do the things I once loved doing because of my disease, the weight gain and the pain. I am hoping that if I lose some of the weight I will be more comfortable swimming again, at this point I'm too embarrassed to even get in a swimsuit.

[Kristin82]

I understand where all of you are coming from. I started taking meds when I was 12 and as the years went on my health got worse and I am up to 6 pills a day now. I know some of them have caused some of the weight gain I had. Other parts of my gains were from the fact that I have mild cerebral palsy on one side and no balance skills. My leg aches and my arm is week. Luckily I have been able to found 2 forms of exercise. I can walk on a treadmill if I hold tightly to the hand bars and I can swim. However, only swim in the summer. I am not a fan of swimming at the gym. I use my parents pull when I can. The only advice I can give is do anything you can. Even if you lift you arms over your had some or lift your legs while sitting you are doing something that is burning more calories than not doing anything at all.

Talk to your doctor about what you can do. He should be able to give you ideas of what you can do. As for the meds he should be able to help you with that some. He might be able to change a med that might be less of a pain on your weight loss. When I started I was not working out at all and did not start for the first month and still lost 10lbs. Keep the faith and remember your consultant and your doctor can help through these hard times. I hope this helps.