Re: I'm a little scared

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol~

I was just ready to post an almost identical message. I am six months

out and have been losing very slowly since the end of month 2. I have had

many plateaus already (some that lasted a week; some, like now, that have lasted

more than 3 weeks). Just today, as I was eating chips and dip, my daughter

asked me why I wasn't doing everything possible to make this process sucessful.

I told her that I still haven't conquered my bad food habits. The truth is

I'm afraid that I won't be able to. As time goes on, I seem to want more and

more carbs and am able to eat more of them too.

I really need help. I want to stop. But just like before the MGB I

find myself eating even when I'm not hungry. And when I am hungry, I reach

for...you guessed it, CARBS. Thank goodness I cannot eat much at one

time...right now it's the only thing keeping me from my old pattern of gaining

weight. I

know that I only have a maximum of 18 more months for the MGB to work for me,

and then I am on my own as far as controlling my intake, and that scares me.

Anyone that has advice, I would love to hear it.

Judie in MI

[Guest guest]

Carol,

You need to regroup, and start doing this for your health. Maybe you

should just stay off the scales. I am 3 months out and have lost steadily.

I've

lost 50 pounds, BUT at 2 months I had lost 36. That is only 6 pounds more

than you have lost. We all lose differently. I have a friend who plateaus for

about 3 weeks and then loses for about a week or so and then plateus again.

Just relax. Realize you are healthier when you eat right. The MGB is not a

license to eat anything you want it is a tool to make it possible for you to eat

correctly. Remember you spent a lot of money on this surgery - please don't

sabotage yourself. Have you taken any measurements? How are your clothes

fitting? There are so many more indicators of how things are working besides

just

the scale. Please hang in there and keep on doing this for your health.

Sue (SC)

4-22-03

304/254

[Guest guest]

Carol,

The first thing you need to do is chill out!! It's ok to eat things that you

want to eat. You don't have to deprive yourself of food you really like.

Now that doesn't mean that you always eat a horrible diet and not eat

nutritiously. Also, be careful about what your body can tolerate. If you want

a

desert, eat a little of it. If you want some potato chip, eat a few. But, also

get in your veggies, fruits and healthy proteins. Yesterday, I ate pretty bad.

I had about half of a chicken sandwich and some french fries (my major

weakness) for lunch, and a couple pieces of pizza for supper. Not very healthy.

But today, I had turkey tetrazzini and brocolli for lunch. I loved the

brocolli. The point is don't be so hard on yourself. You can now eat like a

normal

person (whatever normal is) but in reasonable amounts, and eat proteins,

veggies and fruits. Ok, enough rambling already.

By the way, I'm the friend Sue was talking about that goes on a plateau for 3

weeks or so and then drops up to ten pound over a couple weeks. I do that

over and over again. The first couple times it happened, it really bothered me.

But, now I know that it is just my body, and I know what to expect. Hang in

there, you'll be ok.

(SC)

12/16/02

298/213 ( 14 to go and I'll be below 200 - YES!!!!!!!)

[Guest guest]

Hello Judie and Carol:

I hope you don't mind me butting in here, but I just wanted to make a

suggestion.

I understand that you are " wanting " the carbs and can't eat as much of them,

but if that is the majority of what you are consuming in a day, then yes,

you will sabotage yourself and not lose like you would like.

My suggestion is, when you get hungry---eat something high in protein, no

matter if that's what you are craving or not. Or, even eat a veggie or

fruit. This way you will fill up on this and not be able to consume the

carb. Of course, we don't always have to deny a craving, but save whatever

it may be as a treat.

I know this isn't always " easy " , but this is where we have to decide what's

more important----eating something that in the long run will just put us

back to where we were, or loving ourselves enough to do what is best by

eating healthy.

Are you two active? I also find that by staying busy and getting some

exercise in, really helps with keeping the hunger low and because I feel so

good after taking a walk or working out, I WANT to eat something good for

me.

I know you guys will be fine. It will take some " mind " adjustments, but the

outcome you are hoping for (the reason you had the surgery) is definitely

possible.

It will be your choice, and your choice only as to how you will handle your

situation.

I have faith in both of you!

I wish you both the best.

Nov. 6, 2002

376/257

PS: Keep some high protein snacks close by for those times when you want to

reach for something (peanuts are a good thing!)

Re: I'm a little scared

> Hi Carol~

> I was just ready to post an almost identical message. I am six

months

> out and have been losing very slowly since the end of month 2. I have had

> many plateaus already (some that lasted a week; some, like now, that have

lasted

> more than 3 weeks). Just today, as I was eating chips and dip, my

daughter

> asked me why I wasn't doing everything possible to make this process

sucessful.

> I told her that I still haven't conquered my bad food habits. The truth

is

> I'm afraid that I won't be able to. As time goes on, I seem to want more

and

> more carbs and am able to eat more of them too.

> I really need help. I want to stop. But just like before the MGB

I

> find myself eating even when I'm not hungry. And when I am hungry, I

reach

> for...you guessed it, CARBS. Thank goodness I cannot eat much at one

> time...right now it's the only thing keeping me from my old pattern of

gaining weight. I

> know that I only have a maximum of 18 more months for the MGB to work for

me,

> and then I am on my own as far as controlling my intake, and that scares

me.

> Anyone that has advice, I would love to hear it.

> Judie in MI

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

get on the protein shakes and bars etc.....chop those bars in tiny

pieces and think they are candy.... dont you sabatoge this!!! you

deserve so much better! MGB is not magic it is a tool you can fix

yourself if you dont use it.

cathy s in va

> Hi Carol~

> I was just ready to post an almost identical message. I am

six months

> out and have been losing very slowly since the end of month 2. I

have had

> many plateaus already (some that lasted a week; some, like now,

that have lasted

> more than 3 weeks). Just today, as I was eating chips and dip, my

daughter

> asked me why I wasn't doing everything possible to make this

process sucessful.

> I told her that I still haven't conquered my bad food habits. The

truth is

> I'm afraid that I won't be able to. As time goes on, I seem to

want more and

> more carbs and am able to eat more of them too.

> I really need help. I want to stop. But just like before

the MGB I

> find myself eating even when I'm not hungry. And when I am hungry,

I reach

> for...you guessed it, CARBS. Thank goodness I cannot eat much at

one

> time...right now it's the only thing keeping me from my old pattern

of gaining weight. I

> know that I only have a maximum of 18 more months for the MGB to

work for me,

> and then I am on my own as far as controlling my intake, and that

scares me.

> Anyone that has advice, I would love to hear it.

> Judie in MI

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I had my surgery on July 31, 2002. In September I went on a VERY long plateau

(about six weeks). I knew I should be losing weight since I wasn't eating that

much but it just wasn't coming off. I too felt that the surgery was failing me

or I was failing it! Then the weight started coming off again. Hang in there.

I have been on several plateaus since and am currently in the middle of one. My

body does change with the weight being redistributed and my clothes fitting

better. I have lost 91 pounds to date. I wish it was 120 but I have to take it

as it comes. Do your best to stay away from the carbs especially sweets. I

find potato chips do not sit well with my new tummy (HOORAY!!!) but sweets do.

I have to keep them out of the house and settle for a bite or two once in a

while. (I do keep small lollipops and have ONE when I just have to have a sweet)

I have no problem with protein so that is a tremendous help. Remember we need

the protein first. Try smaller bites and meat that has been well cooked so it

is very tender. You are not far out so give your body time to heal. Your

tastes will change as the time goes along but don't undermine yourself with your

old bad habits.

Good luck.

Sandy

7/31/02

270/179

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

I still remember the first time I took my three pills, more than 15 years ago.

That day I did a little ritual. I had my best friend at my side, said a prayer,

talked to the pills, thanking them that they were my friends that were going to

help me be healthy, and then swallowed them. I was very conscious that it was

an important step.

A very important part is to realize that the pills are not your enemies and you

shouldn´t fear them doing you any harm. On the contrary, they are your friends

and they are there to help you stay healthy. Be thankful for that, not fearful,

scared, reluctant, or untrusting.

It may sound a little crazy. But I feel it is very important to make the pills

your friends. It worked for me. All these years later I thank God that I am

healthy, take care of myself, religiously take them every single day, and I

haven´t had any serious side effects, other than a little belly fat, and not

much (and may be it´s not because of them...).

Be strong, don´t have any fear. Thousands of us are your company.

A big hug.

>

> My dr put me on atripla yesterday. I was on the meds for alittle bit back

olate 2003 early 2004. I was so sick from the side effects and couldn't get out

of bed except to sprint to the bathroom. Last night when it came time to take my

meds I just couldn't do it as what I been thru before on the meds. I know the

meds are different now then then. Not near the side effects. But I'm still

scared to start. Please help me

>

[Guest guest]

"It may sound a little crazy. But I feel it is very important to make the pills your friends. It worked for me. All these years later I thank God that I am healthy, take care of myself, religiously take them every single day, and I haven´t had any serious side effects, other than a little belly fat, and not much (and may be it´s not because of them...)."This doesn't sound crazy at all, at least to me. As HIV tends to produce no symptoms until you wake up intubated in an emergency room, or worse, taking pills becomes a daily reminder of an unfortunate reality, even more than the abstract knowledge of a lot of foreign RNA clogging up your system.When symptoms or problems occur, it's somehow common to blame medications for everything.Even though they have produced many problems, HAART is nothing short of a miracle.JB

[Guest guest]

>My dr put me on atripla yesterday. I was on the meds for alittle bit back olate 2003 early 2004. I was so sick from the side effects and couldn't get out of bed except to sprint to the bathroom. Last night when it came time to take my meds I just couldn't do it as what I been thru before on the meds. I know the meds are different now then then. Not near the side effects. But I'm still scared to start. Please help me <Hi, Tammy,I hope over the past few days your emotional outlook has improved. Being afraid of drugs we're prescribed can be a scary feeling, to say the least. I've taken Sustiva twice before, for very short periods of time because my virus developed mutations very quickly to make it useless. The odd thing is pheno/ genotype tests show no drug resistance, which is why I ended up taking it a second time.Others here have written about their experiences with Atripla and in general their relationship with their meds. Like the person who shared his ritual, I too had one. For a couple years I said a little mantra, a prayer of sorts. Whether it helped physiologically is in doubt, but it helped very much psychologically and emotionally. Creating a good emotional space was also extremely beneficial to me the entire time I gave myself twice daily injections

of Fuzeon. Thankfully, I've switched off that painful and burdensome drug.You don't exactly describe the side effects you experienced before which you're afraid now though reading between the lines it seems you felt very groggy and out of things, and perhaps there were also some intense or bad dreams.Maybe an adjustment in the timing of your dose will help? If you took it before in the day, switch to a night time dose. If you're taking it right before bed time, perhaps taking it a couple hours earlier will lessen the grogginess. Please do try the low fat diet recommendations others gave based on their experiences. The types of food can play an important role in how our bodies react to drugs. If you have a high fat diet it may seem incredibly unfair to give up, limit, and otherwise change your diet. We've got this nasty virus in our bodies for the rest of our lives until a cure is found, so why can't we eat whatever we

want? Let me tell you, I never craved crappy carbohydrates so intensely as I did in the period following my diabetes diagnosis! That caused me to re-examine my relationship not just with food, but with my own outlook on myself. So, please consider switching to a low fat diet for your evening meals and snacks if it will lessen side effects and provide an easier transition to taking Atripla. It will also have a healthy benefit for you and your body in the long term. It's not to say you can't indulge on occasion! I don't deny myself ice cream or pizza, but I am aware of the very immediate consequences in my blood sugar, etc. If you had intense or bad dreams before with Atripla....try to take advantage of this side effect. I've read comments before from men taking Atripla who watch porn before taking their dose. You may not care to do that, and that's your right. But there's nothing that says you couldn't watch a comedy, either an episode of

a TV series or a movie (or part of it), or an upbeat romance...or a funny or romantic book. If you don't have a budget for buying or renting DVDs, visit your local library to check out books or DVDs. Most of the DVDs at my library are available for free check out, and just some of the newest releases are $1 per week. Failing all that, try recording episodes of Ellen and replaying them later -- as long as you find Ellen funny, that is. It also comes to mind that perhaps your doctor prescribed Atripla for you again might be because you have some limited drug options based on resistance and or side effects. If this is the case, please know this is something I relate to all too strongly. My virus has numerous mutations, and my drug options were and still are limited, but all things considered, I am the healthiest I've been in the now 14 years of my diagnosis (which was full blown AIDS with only 12 CD 4 cells at the time and now over 600 and

undetectable). If this is your situation, please believe until you can understand and accept it that you are a wonderful and good person in your own way, that you did nothing to cause you to deserve the things you may feel, and if your life seems crappy today, and it may be tomorrow as well, your life will be better. I also have a sense that you are reluctant to tell your doctor your feelings about taking Atripla again, or that if you have, he or she has not heard your words or given them due consideration. If you're reluctant to talk with him or her, I hope you will find the courage to speak up. It may not change the drug situation, but being able to voice your concerns will make you feel better in other ways. Members here are a great resource of information and experiences. I'm very glad to have come across this group and thankful for the help I've gotten in general and specific instances. Please continue to use it for your

benefit as I do. My best wishes to you.Joe