Does Sleep Apnea Cause Weight Gain

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Does Sleep Apnea cause weight gain & led edema?
   I found out I have severe sleep apnea..I have been exhausted,headaches,tired all day for 5 years..im 38...my ankles and legs swelled up really bad & I lost leg hair on my left leg..I had blood tests and no other health problems..Doctor says my rapid weight gain is probably from sleep apnea???

   • ANSWER:
     Yes. I have severe sleep apnea and hypoventilation syndrome. Was your blood pressure normal. Headaches are often caused by the build up of CO2. Get the prescribed treatment-cpap, bipap, oxygen or dental device. (or combo treatment) Stay compliant. Use it whenever you lay down or sleep. I use my all of the time. I feel asleep on a plane for less than an hour and felt horrible for days. I lost over 100 pounds once getting on bipap and oxygen. I still need it even with the weight loss. I now have energy to do things, exercise, work, and was able to go back to school to get my doctorate. Before treatment, I came home from work and would sleep, eat, and sleep some more. Make sure the lab you use is accredited. TRY and have an RPSGT who is also an RT. Good luck.

2. QUESTION:
   Mild sleep apnea and weight gain?
   I have been struggling with my weight for some time now. My body fat is stuck at just over 20%. I have a high intensity weight training routine that I do three times a week and a job where I'm very active the whole 8 hours. My diet is very clean and I don't drink at all.
   I have about 15 apnea episodes an hour. Could this be the cause of my plateau? I have been trying to use the Cpap for almost a year now and I'm having trouble tolerating it. I just got a new mask and I'm hoping that I can fall asleep with it on. Has anyone had any experience with mild sleep apnea and weight loss?

   • ANSWER:

3. QUESTION:
   Does excess Biotin cause weight gain?
   I'm an 6'2 18 year old fit male. Held several weightlifting records at my high school, never been overweight. At my peak I was a healthy 190 pounds. This was summer 2010

   In early February 2011 I had a tonsillectomy for sleep apnea (which I had for 2.5 years) ever since then Ive went from 185 pounds to 215 (April 20 2011). I'm trying to figure out my weight gain causes.

   I was about 195 pounds in late march 2011 which was okay because I was putting on a lot of muscle mass from being able to sleep well for the first time in 2 years. However I also accidentally started taking double the recommended dose of Biotin in around March 30th. (This happened because I took a Biotin supplement for the max daily limit which is okay however at the same time my multivitamin had the max daily limit as well so I was taking about 2x the daily limit for around 20 days. )

   I don't know if my weight gain is simply because my body is confused because of all the improved sleep i've been getting from not having apnea, thus causing my body to want to eat more to catch up on 2.5 years of no growth or if the Biotin is causing an increase in appetite.

   I'm eating about 6 meals a day which are all average sized. I don't eat fast food, don't drink and don't smoke. I go to bed every night at 10:30 and get out of bed to go to school at 7:30. This is true 7 days a week. I'm really concerned with my nighttime hunger because it is causing me to wake up at least 3x a night. For instance I eat 2 eggs pasta and a sandwhich before bed (10:00pm) so I can stay asleep without waking up. At 2:00 am I wake up hungry again and eat a thick sandwhich. At 4:00am I wake up again and eat another thick sandwhich. And then I usually wake up around 5:30 again but I'm too exhausted to go make food and even eat it so I go back to sleep and wake up in 30-45 min increments due to hunger until 7:30 am...

   Its annoying because Ive suffered 2 years of obstructed sleep apnea and after curing it by removing my tonsils I and am still waking up every night. (Haven't slept more than 4 hours in a row since 2008.)

   Lastly, I am going to try to see a doctor but I'm taking 21 credits this semester and am swamped in finals/papers for the next two weeks. Aside from that I have a stupid HMO (not my choice) insurance which takes about a month to make an appointment. Additionally I have lost a lot of respect for doctors since they it took 6 different doctors to diagnose me properly for apnea (was misdiagnosed with depression, anxiety, and a few other things before they got it right) . I'd rather have someone whose been in my situation tell me what they did, and try out their recommendation before I go to a doctor.

   Thanks so much for anyone who has the time to read and answer this.

   • ANSWER:
     I don’t think excessive biotin would cause that kind of a problem. As far as I am aware it is water soluble and most of the excess will be passed out in urine. If anything it should help burn fat as is used to metabolise foods.

     Your diet and sleeping pattern are most likely to blame. People often over eat without realising. Count the calories for an “average” day and see if much above your required intake. You are eating too many carbs in my opinion. Don’t eat any pasta or breads etc after 6-8 pm as they are not used for energy and more likely to be stored as fat. So have meals at night’s higher fat and protein.

     I don’t know what supplements you can take in America but in the UK we can get something called 5 HTP and it works wonders for sleep and stress but also reduce appetite, but check with doctors if things like that are ok to take. Hope that helped

     Link to 5-HTP

     http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=200&prodid=229&cid=137&sid=0

4. QUESTION:
   Could stress be the cause of my weight gain?
   I am, and have always been, slightly over weight. I am 5ft 7 inches tall and weight about 155lbs (I just wanna lose about 10-15 lbs.) I CANNOT lose weight. I recently discovered, through searching online, that stress can cause weight gain. Is that true? I am under a lot of stress most of the time. I have a lot of anxiety, it runs in my family, so that is very stressful. I also have a lot of sleep problems (sleeping anxiety, Insomnia, and i think I may have sleep apnea.) Anyway, I know how to diet and I know how to exercise, but it seems like no matter what I do I cannot lose weight. I have been trying to lose weight, with my moms help, since I was about 12 (I'm in high school now.)

   So If anybody can help me I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

   • ANSWER:

5. QUESTION:
   They say using a CPAP machine will help me lose WEIGHT..Is this true?
   I use a CPAP machine to help me with my sleep apnea. They say sleep apnea can cause lots of health problems which include WEIGHT GAIN... 1st QUESTION ----> Why? They say once I start to use the machine and it stops the snoring and the all day sleepiness, I will lose WEIGHT...2nd QUESTION----> Why?
   How does not sleeping well affect my weight gain?

   • ANSWER:
     Sleep Apnea creates lots of health problems for yourself: weight gain, chronic tiredness, lack of concentration and many more up to and including stroke, heart attack and death. Why? It is because you are breathing abnormally all night and never getting your restful stages of sleep (stage 3 and stage 4) because your brain keeps waking you up to breathe. Essentially, if your brain did not wake you up in time, you would stop breathing and could die. It's quite a serious condition that you should see your doctor about immediately.

     These are reasons why not sleeping well affects weight gain:

     1. You receive less oxygen because your breathing supply gets cut off regularly. Once you get the proper amount of oxygen into your bloodstream it will take more energy to burn it.

     2. Less energy equals less propensity to exercise. Once you have energy, you feel like exercising again.

     3. Sleep deprivation lowers the levels of two hormones: leptin (suppresses appetite) and raises levels of grehlin (increases desire for food intake) both said to be important for maintaining weight. If you don't get stage 3 and stage 4 sleep, you do not receive these hormones.

     Good luck and I hope you receive treatment soon.

6. QUESTION:
   Am I experiencing Sleep Apnea?
   Since I have gained weight (close to 45 lbs, yikes) I have noticed that on some nights, I will be falling asleep or have just fallen asleep, when I cannot breathe and wake up. Then I am able to breathe again just fine and reposition myself and go back to sleep. It does not happen very often. But something that has been happening every few days, is that I am almost asleep, or have just fallen asleep, and my heart begins to beat at an extremely rapid pace; so fast that I cannot even count the beats and I get very scared. But then I sit up and after a few minutes, my heart beat will return to normal and I am able to go back to sleep. Could this be Sleep Apnea? Can Sleep Apnea cause damage to my heart? I am working hard to lose weight and have completely changed my eating habits: I've cut down considerably on my caffeine and only eat fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy and whole grains (occassionally). Does anyone know what this might be? I do not lay there and worry or think about anything at night, but could it be an anxiety attack or possibly Asthma?

   • ANSWER:
     Yours is case of tachycardia(fast heart beat) associated with Sleep Apnea syndrome. Have a look......

     Tachycardia is often associated with sleep disorder called Sleep Apnea Syndrome(SAS). SAS is a condition in which during sleep the breathing stops for a few seconds when oxygen concentration falls and CO2 rises and the then the person suddenly wakes up. Many heart beat rhythm problems are associated with SAS, some might be serious.

     A sleep test, called polysomnography is usually done to diagnose sleep apnea. There are two kinds of polysomnograms. An overnight polysomnography test involves monitoring brain waves, muscle tension, eye movement, respiration, oxygen level in the blood and audio monitoring. (for snoring, gasping, etc.) The second kind of polysomnography test is a home monitoring test.

     A 24-hour Holter heart monitor can detect the reason for increased heart rate. EKG or Echo can not record these changes. My advice is to undergo investigation from this angle. Good Luck.

7. QUESTION:
   Is it really my fault that I am fat?
   Medically I think I got screwed from the start was diagnosed with sleep apnea when i was 25 they say I have had it all my life. I was born with a small throat, they could tell by all the scarring in my throat. sleep apnea causes weight gain, increased appetite, fatigue, sleepiness, heart attack, all the good things that make you fat.
   I managed to lose 70 pounds last year, i worked at a gym, then got pregnant and gained it all back, now I have diabetes. I am so tired of being hungry all the time. So I am thinking of having that Lap band surgery, BTW I take care of my husband and baby, I also exercise 3 times a week and do yoga, im 32 years old 5'6 and weigh close to 320. I know a few fat lazy people, I am not one of them. What I am saying is some fat people don't have a chance in hell, I believe I am one of them, what do you think?

   • ANSWER:
     If you want to have the lap band surgery, these links will help!

     I had gastric bypass surgery in April 2005. I started out at 268, now I’m 180 and holding, after 1 year and 7 months. These links will help you in many ways to make a decision if this is for you or not. I vote yes, because it made such a difference in my life. I was taking 8 pills a day, and after my surgery, I lost my diabetes. The way they do the surgery, takes your diabetes away. I no longer have to take glucophage, and I no longer have high Cholesterol or high blood pressure. I’m down to 2 pills a day. I went from a size 26-28 to a 16-18.
     Most people struggle with paying for the surgery. Go to this site, it is a great support system for you, because it’s only people who have had gastric bypass. Every insurance program has been rated, and you’ll get tips on how to deal with your insurance company, as well as, surgery tips, food tips, and just support. http://www.obesityhelp.com/

     http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastric-bypass/HQ01465

     http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastric-bypass-diet/WT00007

     http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastric-bypass-surgery/AN01378

     Vitamins I take… you have to be very faithful about taking them after surgery, because you can become very sick if you don’t. There were recommended by my surgeon and nutritionist.

     http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=301120&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod403359

     There is a very good web site by a guy named Basil White. He’s a govt. worker and a comedian. He walks you through everything. Very interesting. He had the surgery and did well.

     http://www.basilwhite.com/gastric/

     Some other helpful links…

     http://dir.yahoo.com/Health/Diseases_and_Conditions/Obesity/Gastric_Bypass_Surgery/

     http://www.stapleclub.com/general_info.htm

     http://www.locateadoc.com/articles.cfm/1454/1337

     http://www.dhmc.org/webpage.cfm?site_id=2&org_id=28&morg_id=0&sec_id=0&gsec_id=35507&item_id=35508

     http://www.mygastricbypass.com/

     http://www.gwdocs.com/health/eHA-eHA_Content_C-Generic_Content_Page_Template_1131123706877.html

     Good luck with your surgery and new life!

8. QUESTION:
   sleep apnea or anxiety?
   The past few nights as well as a few nights in the past I have been waking up just as soon as i drift off to sleep. I wake up having to catch my breath. Its like as soon as I get to the point between being awake and being a sleep I just stop breathing. This is the first time i have did this 2 nights in a row. I have done it before but just once in a while. And the last two nights it seems like I will do it 5 to 10 times before I can actually fall asleep normally. And it scares me. I wake up shaking all over. Then I have to calm myself down and try to fall back to sleep only to do it again and again. When I finally do fall asleep normally I have no other problems. I just wonder if its anxiety related or if its sleep apnea.
   I have severe anxiety to where i only leave my house about twice a month. And before the last year I didnt leave at all for about 3 years.
   I have been prescribed klonopins but I refuse to take them
   I also wonder if it is anxiety because if I drink a few beers before bed I dont ever have this problem.
   Sleep apnea is also caused by being over weight too I think. I have gained some weight since I havent been able to be as active because of the anxiety.
   The main reason I think its not sleep apnea is because I can relax myself by drinking a few beers and not have this problem.. And because This is the same thing that I do when i leave..well not exactly the same...but every time I leave I hyperventilate.
   I wouldn't be able to have a sleep lab done because I cant leave my house because of the anxiety. Plus I would have to go into the bigger city next to mine to have it done and I havent left my town in like five years.
   But i wonder if its really just anxiety?
   What do you all think?
   Thanks.

   • ANSWER:
     I have sleep apnea for 8 months, it started when I used to do projects for robotics in my college and the group have to sleep in double decked bed and it is hard placing yourself to bed as well as you can along with your classmates and I get off with the bed quickly because i feel that can't breathe, then at school I consult my problems with the university physician he gave me a good supplement which is 5-HTP, after taking those for 3 days before sleep I gone back normally.

9. QUESTION:
   Do long term effects go away with better sleep habits?
   In the last year and more, i have been getting little sleep, usually i go to bed around 1-2am, and have to wake up around 7 for school. i am starting to get better sleep habits, but i've wondered i will have a lasting effect from my previous bad habits.

   Here is what i researched about long term effects :

   Long-term consequences can include the following:

   High blood pressure
   Heart attack
   Heart failure
   Stroke
   Psychiatric problems such as depression and other mood disorders
   Mental impairment
   Increased mortality risk
   Relationship problems with a bed partner
   Obesity - (The link between obesity and sleep is an interesting one as lack of sleep can cause weight gain by increasing hunger and affecting metabolism, and extra weight can cause sleep disorders such as apnea which cause sleep deprivation.)

   So my main question is, am i effected in the long term by the little sleep i had, and will they have a lasting effect, so will sleeping more regularly cause the long term effects from lack of sleep to diminish in the end or is the damage done and unrepairable?
   No comprende, kurt. The answer i'm looking for is whether or not i will have the effects of lack of sleep from previous times even with newly better habits

   • ANSWER:

10. QUESTION:
    Could stress be reason I cannot lose weight?
    I am, and have always been, slightly over weight. I am 5ft 7 inches tall and weight about 155lbs (I just wanna lose about 10-15 lbs.) I CANNOT lose weight. I recently discovered, through searching online, that stress can cause weight gain. Is that true? I am under a lot of stress most of the time. I have a lot of anxiety, it runs in my family, so that is very stressful. I also have a lot of sleep problems (sleeping anxiety, Insomnia, and i think I may have sleep apnea.) Anyway, I know how to diet and I know how to exercise, but it seems like no matter what I do I cannot lose weight. I have been trying to lose weight, with my moms help, since I was about 12 (I'm in high school now.)

    So If anybody can help me I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

    • ANSWER:

11. QUESTION:
    What does Basal Metabolic Rate measure? Please help fast?
    The number of calories the body uses while at rest

    A number that is commonly used to judge whether you are at a healthy weight for your height

    A personal perception of body weight

    The weight and density of a person's bone structure

    4. Which of the following describes Body Mass Index?
    (Points : 1)
    The percentage of overweight and obese people in the United States

    The number of calories the body uses while at rest

    A number that is used to judge whether a person is at a healthy weight for his or her height

    The amount of energy a person expends each day

    5. To calculate an adult's Body Mass Index, all you need is:
    (Choose 2)
    (Points : 1)
    age

    height

    gender

    weight

    6. BMI for children and teens is plotted on gender-specific growth charts.
    (Points : 1)
    True

    False

    7. According to the National Institutes of Health, what percent of adult Americans were overweight or obese in 2005?
    (Points : 1)
    Less than 25 percent

    80 percent

    Less than 60 percent

    About 65 percent

    8. In 2005, _____ percent of American children were overweight or obese.
    (Points : 1)
    about 5

    10

    15

    more than 15

    9. Which of the following are physical health problems that can be caused by being overweight or obese? (Choose 2)
    (Points : 1)
    Sleep apnea

    Asthma

    Low self-esteem

    Discrimination

    10. The low cost and increased availability of foods that are high in calories and fat has contributed to the increase in overweight and obesity.
    (Points : 1)
    True

    False

    11. A measure of energy that is produced by food is called a _____.
    (Points : 1)

    12. While teenage boys should consume about _____ calories each day, teenage girls should consume a little less, about _____ calories each day.
    (Points : 1)
    3500; 2200

    2500; 1200

    2500; 2000

    2800; 2200

    13. Match the risky diet to the statement that describes it.

    (Points : 1)
    Answer Potential Matches:
    : Fad diet
    1 : Usually emphasizes one particular food over another
    : Liquid diet
    2 : Severely restricts calories
    : Diet pills
    3 : Cause bowel movements
    : Laxatives
    4 : Increase urination
    : Diuretics
    5 : Beverages replace food
    : Starvation diet
    6 : Suppress appetite

    14. It is not necessary to talk to your doctor before beginning any weight-loss or weight-gain regimen.
    (Points : 1)
    True

    False

    15. Which of the following is not an effective way to lose weight?
    (Points : 1)
    Taking in fewer calories

    Eating low-fat and fat-free foods

    Getting 60 minutes of physical activity every day

    Eating foods high in calories

    Doing more vigorous physical activity

    • ANSWER:
      What does Basal Metabolic Rate measure? Answer: The number of calories the body uses while at rest

      4. Which of the following describes Body Mass Index? Answer: A number that is used to judge whether a person is at a healthy weight for his or her height

      5. To calculate an adult's Body Mass Index, all you need is: Answer: Height and Weight

      6. BMI for children and teens is plotted on gender-specific growth charts. Answer: True

      7. According to the National Institutes of Health, what percent of adult Americans were overweight or obese in 2005? Answer: About 65 percent

      8. In 2005, _____ percent of American children were overweight or obese. Answer: More than 15

      9. Which of the following are physical health problems that can be caused by being overweight or obese? (Choose 2) Answer: Sleep apnea, low self-esteem and discrimination

      10. The low cost and increased availability of foods that are high in calories and fat has contributed to the increase in overweight and obesity. Answer: True

      11. A measure of energy that is produced by food is called a _____. Answer: Calorie

      12. While teenage boys should consume about _____ calories each day, teenage girls should consume a little less, about _____ calories each day. Answer 2500; 2000 (It will vary with age and physical activity)

      13. Match the risky diet to the statement that describes it. (All of these were right)

      14. It is not necessary to talk to your doctor before beginning any weight-loss or weight-gain regimen. Answer: True

      15. Which of the following is not an effective way to lose weight? Answer: Eating foods high in calories

12. QUESTION:
    Husband with medical issues not taking care of himself?
    My husband has Sleep Apnea and depression. Both have caused weight gain and both are made worse by weight gain. Every doctor he has seen in the past year has told him to get gastric-bypass (weightloss) surgery. He is non compliant with his sleep apnea treatment and is not only retaining fluid but one of his calves is swollen as big as his thigh. Because of the depression and lack of restfull sleep at night he is tired all the time. He will nod off during a conversation. The excess fluid and weight are taking a toll on his knees. He is barely able to walk and uses the scooter stores provide if we have to go out shopping. To top it off he has lost his job and insurance. How do I get him to comply. I can't go to the appointments he has to attend prior to surgery for him. I am doubly frustrated because coincidentally, my mother had similar health issues. She was non compliant and died. We have two young children. Do I push him or do I just watch him die?

    • ANSWER:
      Is he doing anything about the sleep apnea? In my personal case I lost 75 pounds just by getting the CPAP breathing machine and getting use to it! I am 61 now and using the machine for 2 years has turned my life around! I was literally PUSHED PULLED SCREAMING FIGHTING HARDHEADED STUBBORN INSISTING THAT I HAD NO PROBLEM UNTIL MY WIFE JUST FLAT MADE ME GO TO A SLEEP LAB!! MY WIFE MADE ME GO!

      SO MY WIFE SAVED MY LIFE! SOMEDAY YOUR HUSBAND WILL SAY THAT ABOUT YOU!

      DO WHATEVER YOU CAN DO! HAVE PATIENCE WITH HIM BUT JUST KEEP ON BEING STUBBORN ! IF HE IS A HAS A HARD HEAD LET YOURS BE THAT MUCH HARDER!

      HE IS WORTH THE EFFORT!

      I DID NOT REALLY APPRECIATE MY WIFE'S EFFORTS AT THE TIME NOW I CANNOT THANK HER OR SAY THINGS NICE ENOUGH ABOUT HER SHE IS A TRUE ANGEL!

      SIGNED

      A SAVED HUSBAND

      APS

13. QUESTION:
    Serious help needed please?
    My husband has gained 50 lbs since we have been married. For the past 2 years he has had a problem with snoring and recently has started choking and gagging while sleeping. I am almost certain that he has sleep apnea. In addition to his weight gain he has severe allergies that cause him to breathe through his mouth (which annoys me immensely) and has recently started smoking about a pack of cigarettes a day. I have tried showing him that all of these issues are extremely unhealthy. It is so bad that we cannot sleep in the same bed and one of us always ends up sleeping on the couch. I told him that I think it is rude that I can be asleep and he will come and get in bed and snore and cough all night waking me up and keeping me awake. He states that there is nothing that he can do and that it can't be that bad or else our children (who sleep in a room across the hall and two bedrooms upstairs) do not complain. I ask him why I would lie about it. I cannot wear earplugs because we do have children and my husband does not wake up for anything (he slept with the alarm blaring this morning for over 20 mintues). I am seriously at my wits end and I need help dealing with this issue!
    We do not eat/cook unhealthy things in my house. My husband works 12 hour shifts in sales and often skips lunch or eats out. It is funny how some will assume we are eating crap. If that is the case then why is he the only one gaining weight?
    Amy Amy- Elbows are no longer effective. I have moved to toenails across the leg and tapping him on the head.

    • ANSWER:
      Get him some medical help. My dad snored real bad like that and finally, we talked him into going for a sleep study. They have him on a breathing machine and he not only feels 100% better, my mom does not have to sleep with ear plugs anymore. He is a new man.

14. QUESTION:
    How do I explain to my husband that he isn't helping issues?
    I've had weight issues my entire life. I was chubby growing up, and was told by a doctor in my college years that I had an eating disorder (depressive eating). The only effect that my weight has ever had on my health is shortness of breath if I run, so I'm fairly healthy despite being overweight. When I got pregnant with twins (five years into a happy marriage) I was forced into seven months of bedrest. I had assumed that I would gain weight, but I lost fifty pounds during the pregnancy. However, I gained that all back due to post-partum depression eating, and more.

    Now that my sons are older and can go out more often, I'm working on trying to lose weight, but my husband isn't helping at all.

    I regularly forget to eat during the course of the day due to chasing the twins, and so once they get put to bed for the night I'm starving and eat probably more than I should for a single meal. Any time that my husband sees it though, he immediately gripes at me that 'doing that will make you fat', which means that I have taken to putting off eating until after he's gone to bed, so I'm eating even later at night. He also jokes about my weight constantly, calling me nasty names regarding it, and it's only making my depression worse, which causes me to eat less and less healthy foods when I do eat.

    He's overweight as well, doesn't exercise, doesn't eat healthy (even if I cook a nice dinner, he'll pull out a microwave pizza to eat instead), and has severe health issues due to his weight (sleep apnea, acid reflux, ulcers).

    How do I explain to him that if he really wants me to lose weight, then he needs to support me and clean up his act as well? Any time I try to discuss the topic he turns it around into a 'you're fat and I'm fine' thing.

    • ANSWER:

15. QUESTION:
    My wife has been asking about adema?
    Hello and thank you all who have been helping my wife with me and my adema situation. We are lost yes I have all the symptoms of heart failure, but yesterday my cardialogist did a echo test and stress test he said I am fine with no heart problems. What else could be causing all this water weight and weight gain. I have gained over 50 pounds in less then two months. It started the day before i have back surgery and now that I had back surgery its gotton worse to wear it hurts now. I only eat once a day. I have sleep apnea and diabetes which doctor said will get better with weight loss, I have start of emphazima, high cholestrol. The pills I have taken are lasiks 120mg a day for two weeks now, percocete for pain and vicodin, I have taken provigil to stay awake, and I have two inhalers I take daily. Anyone with any suggetions or advice or clues to what this might be. thank you all so much.

    • ANSWER:
      The diabetes needs to be gotten under control immediately!!! You need to eat 4-6 SMALL meals per day--good protein, veggies and fruit. Watch your sodium intake (especially be cautious of processed foods--canned, frozen, etc.-fresh is best). Drink lots of water. Watch your carbs--whole grains are best. Diabetes can cause serious kidney damage, which can cause edema. You're taking a high dose of diuretic--maybe a different one would work better for you.

16. QUESTION:
    supplements to keep PCOS in check?
    I was diagnosed with Polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) about two years ago....
    I was one of the lucky ones, in that I was able to have a child, before getting this diagnosis, though i have suffered with it my entire life( irregular/amenorrhea, excess weight, excess hair, sleep apnea)....

    I am trying to avoid Metformin and fertility drugs if possible, to try and get my body back into regulation.... i tried doing the pill, but it just caused me to gain more weight.... (i have been working out for about 90 mins a day for the last 2 months, and still cant seem to drop any weight).....

    I know there are a lot of women out there, who have successfully balanced out their hormone levels, by taking a series of over the counter supplements, such as Vitex (Chasteberry extract)....

    I have started taking Vitex, but think there is more i could be doing in addition to my exercise routine...
    does anyone have any advice, or could you share your personal experiences with PCOS and supplements? it would be greatly appreciated!!!

    Thank you.

    • ANSWER:

17. QUESTION:
    A simple question about?
    I was at the hospital and I do have sleep apnea due to my excessive weight I gained from depression over the year. They provided me with a sleep mask, but I refused because I know I can lose weight safe and fast since I've been active throughout my entire life during high school football, wrestling and track till this depression started which caused me to gain weight and that's when my trouble breathing started, so is it safe for me to lose weight to cure my apnea instead of using the mask temporarily while I trey to lose weight ?

    Reason: I don't want to rely on a mask until I can lose the weight.

    • ANSWER:
      The mask is only going to HELP you loose weight. I gained weight due to diabetes and then I became tired all the time, doctors tried to tell me it was depression but I wasn't unhappy, just tired! Finally a doctor ordered a sleep test and they found that I had sleep apnea. The mask itself sucks, but you get used to it. At first I didn't notice a difference but after a month I can really tell. I have a lot more energy and therefore I am working out more and starting to notice a change in my weight. I really think a mask will only HELP you, not hurt you, so why not try it! Good Luck !!

18. QUESTION:
    any tips? trying to lose the baby weight from my pregnancy?
    my daughter is now 9 months old, and i havent really done anything to try and get back to a healthier lifestyle...
    UNTIL RECENTLY.
    in the last month, i have started working out on my elliptical machine 5 days a week for about 20-25 mins.
    I drink about 64 oz of green tea a day,
    instead of snacking on candy, or other junk food, if i want something sweet, i go for fruit.
    I measure out each portion of food for my meals,
    and i stopped smoking.

    now...i gained A LOT of weight with my pregnancy.
    at least 50 lbs.
    and i had gained about 25 lbs before my pregnancy.
    so i do have a lot of weight to lose.
    a healthy weight for a person of my height, is between 125lbs-145lbs

    i am currently at 220.
    in order to get back to a healthy weight i need to drop abotu 80-90 lbs

    any tips on other things i can do?
    this is for health reasons, my weight has caused me to develop Sleep apnea and diabetes runs in my family, i dont want to get to that point. and i want to set a better example for my daughter while she is growing up.

    any tips?

    (i am also starting in on Jillian Michaels 30 day shred)

    • ANSWER:
      I have started this Diet (lifestyle change) in the middle of November at 140lbs, and now at 117lbs

      Google fruit fast

      A DIET IS WHAT YOU EAT....there for we are all on a diet....
      THINK LIFESTYLE CHANGE

      You got the change the way you think and feel about food

      TRY THIS, and stick to it.

      The first 3-4 weeks are the hardest until your body adjusts to the change.
      Results will be in about the same time

      Fruits and Veggies

      Eat more plants and keep away from stuff that was made in plants.

      Don't eat anything that comes in a can, box or package....
      .....THEY HAVE ADDITIVES IN THEM THAT MAKE YOU ADDICTED TO THE FOOD.....
      If man made it, don't eat it

      NO white BREAD or SUGAR

      NO PIZZA, I am in the pizza business, and it is not good for you, very high in FAT and Calories

      NO FRIED FOOD...

      Stay away from FAST FOOD

      NO POP, SODA or FIZZY DRINKS

      Walk your dog, or walk a friends dog

      Don't think of it as a diet, but think of it as a lifestyle change

      I have lost 28.5 pounds in 3 months, drink lots of water. I usually eat a meal of what ever I want once a week....controlled portion....this really works.........

      Write down every thing you eat

      take a multivitamin at night

19. QUESTION:
    His obesity is ruining our relationship!?
    I'm at wits end here. I do love my fiance, but his weight is ruining everything. He has gained 60lbs over the past two years and just keeps gaining more. I think is ridiculous - but it happens. Problem is, he won't do anything about it. And just to put out there, no he hasn't gained weight due to any underlying medical issues. He's simply gained weight due to not leading a healthy lifestyle. (which he lead when we met) In fact, his weight gain is actually CAUSING medical problems. He was a little chubby when I met him - so this 60 lb. weight gain has him tipping the scales of being moderately obese. (according to his doctor) His obesity has caused him to get obstructive sleep apnea, as well as high blood pressure & low testosterone levels. (not sure if the low testosterone levels are specifically caused by him being obese - but the doctor says that weight loss might bring his levels back around normal)Now we are currently waiting to see if he has fertility issues due to the low testosterone levels. To me that is just the icing on the cake. My biggest goal & desire in life is to be a mother. And now I feel like his obesity is starting to invade in our relationship. I've just gotten to the point that I'm over him being fat and I'm getting to the point that I'm over him. Him being fat has ruined our relationship! We can no longer go to the beach because he feels self conscious, we've had to start buying more food because he eats so much, and not to mention is has completely destroyed our sex life. His low testosterone level has made him uninterested in sex - as well as my sexual advances. In a way I'm happy about this because the thought of him crushing me during sex or having to grab onto his fat rolls simply disgusts me. I'm not claiming to be perfect, so do not take this as me just bashing him. But to get it out there - yes I am in shape, and yes I lead a healthy lifestyle. I have tried everything to get him to follow suit, to no avail. He refuses to go to the gym because he feels like "people are staring at him", he refuses to walk or jog because it's too hot outside (we live in FL), he refuses to diet because he says he doesn't want to be starving all the time, & he won't go see a nutritionist or dietician because he claimes he works too much to fit it into his schedule. His doctor has given him a CPAP machine to help with his sleep apnea, which he does not use - because "it's annoying". And he has refused any help from the doctor in referring him to weight loss programs or the like again to his "busy work schedule". Simply put - he refuses to do anything about his weight, but expects everyone just to deal with him being fat. I have tried the whole "we can exercise" and "we can diet" - which hasn't worked one bit. I have tried not bringing junk in the house, he just goes and buys it himself. I have tried everything, nothing has worked. His sleep apnea has caused us to sleep in seperate rooms (due to me not sleeping well next to his snoring), we have no sex life (it has literally been over 4 months), and our electric bill & grocery bill has gone up due to him always being "hot" and eating too much. Our relationship has dwindled... I love him, but I'm ready to give up. Has anyone been through this or have any advice? (serious only) Just to add, we are not married and have no kids.
    **And I do agree that if a woman does this same thing she is just as guilty. Anyone (man or woman) who becomes this unhealthy and overweight due to pure laziness is wrong. Those who have valid medical causes (ie thyroid, being pregnant, etc) have some room to stand on. But they're ailment definitely shouldn't become a crutch or excuse to continue to be unhealthy.
    Before people jump my case for being a cold hearted b*tch. I do love him, if I didn't I wouldn't have tried in the first place. I would have left him at the first signs of weight gain. To say that I've never loved him or even that I despise him (as one person so kindly put) is ludicrous. What I despise is the fact that he shows a lack of concern for our relationship - and our future. I despise the fact that he'd rather cram a ho-ho down his throat and play video games than do something to make himself healthier. And I despise the fact that there is nothing else I can do. Which is why I'm asking for advice - not insults.

    • ANSWER:
      I'm just an outsider looking in, but it sounds to me like both of you need some help. First, I think if you love someone, you love someone. No matter what they "look" like. When my husband and I first started dating, his weight was at about 135. Now he runs between 185-210 depending on what time of year it is. I love him just the same as I always have. I have to say, we are 10 years in, and our sex life is still running on a full throttle. I do think that his lack of a sex drive could be a big problem. I also think that sleeping in searate bedrooms would definitely put a wedge in your relationship. It does sound like he has gotten lazy. His lack of willingness to even try to lose weight is sad. Especially since it is affecting his health. People tend to get comfortable with each other after a period of time and start to let themselves go. I do think you need to give him an ultimatum. Either he starts taking care of himself or your gone. Not because he is "fat" and your not attracted to him. But because you love him and would like to have him around for another 20 or 30 years. Your definitely not in a healthy relationship figuratively and literally speaking. Tell him your going to leave him if he doesnt change his ways, and voice all your concerns you have told us about. The kid thing and his health and the sex. Hopefully that will put a spark under his ass. If it doesnt, then he obviously doesnt love you like he should and you need to end the relationship. Good Luck.

20. QUESTION:
    Can anyone give me info on healthy eating?
    I am trying my hardest to get me and my family into healthy eating routine but I am not sure if I am doing it right for our health needs.
    I am on several medications that have the risk of weight gain and I also need to lower my cholesterol level by lets just say major amounts.I am now at the highest weight I have ever been even when I was pregenate. I am not happy with how I look at this time and I have never been one to worry about my looks. I think it is more my worry about my health.
    My husband needs to lose considerable weight as well. I feel that his weight has affected his back, he has severe back pain. I think it has also caused him to develop sleep apnea but it has not been diagnosed yet.
    My daughter is in athletics and the coaches need her to gain a little weight and put on some muscle mass. She eats all of the time but never gains weight. She eats mostly fruits and veggies but does eat a little meat.
    My son is very small for his age and is very thin. He also eats quite a bit but is also a little picky. He needs to gain weight and muscle mass for sports as well.
    Now that I have covered our basic indivdual needs here are my main questions.
    1. What is the proper calorie breakdown...Protein, Carbs, Fats?
    2. What are some foods that are high in Protein but lower in fats and Cholesterol? (I can not eat eggs or any type of fish)
    3. I have been tracking my foods and activities on Livestrong.com and it takes your weight and activity level to show how many calories you need to eat to meet your loss goal. So does that mean I have to eat all of the calories? ( I have been eating how I feel is healthy but I have not been able to eat as many calories as it shows. It seems I would be eating all the time.)
    4. What are the best veggies and fruits to eat?
    5. How can I hide the veggies that my kids won't eat and have the nutrients still intact?
    6. My kid and I have been eating a lot of fruits! Is that O.K.?
    Well I guess that about covers all the questions at this time and I appreciate anyone who takes the time to give me help with attaining my goals for me and my family to get healthier.
    Thank you all.
    P.S. The reason I am so concerned is that I lost both of my parents to heart disease when I was only a young teenager and I do not ever put my kids through the pain I have lives with all these years. Also I am unable to join a gym at this time so all of my exercise will be done at home with walking, stability ball, tennsion bands, and a few exercise videos.

    • ANSWER:

      http://www.mypyramid.gov/

      This is a great website to start with. It will help you figure out what is right for everyone. Just remember your kids need a well balanced meal and dont play that game with the sports that this one needs to gain this and lose that. Sports can be very dangerous to a kid's heart especially if for instance a boy has to gain for football and then lose for wrestling. Teach your kids to eat well for life so its a life long habit and they are not trying to figure out what you are now. Fruit is great but just remember too much of anything without balance isnt good either. Dark green leafy veggies...use dark varieties of lettuce and make a salad with other veggies and fruits and nuts. Make casseroles to hide the veggies with other meats and ingredients. Fortunately my kids love the veggies...its me that has to hold my nose when I eat them...lol. The disease process is scary it is amazing how all the major dieseases like stroke, heart attack, diabetes, ect. all connect. Good luck. Hope this helped a little.

21. QUESTION:
    Help? Multiple conditions, looking for diagnosis? (cancer/autoimmune?)?
    Hello all,

    I have come to the internet in desperation after years of constant medical problems that seem to have no end. My GP is not very helpful. It is getting to the point where my medical problems have taken over my life and I would like to just know what is wrong (if anything).

    I am an obese 20 year old female. I had multiple ear infections as a child; my ear drum popped twice so I have slight hearing problems in one ear. At seven, my tonsils and adenoids were so large that I suffered from severe sleep apnea, so they were removed as the ENT was worried about brain damage. When I was six, they discovered that I was missing 9 adult teeth and they considered it to be a genetic defect of some sort, the cause was never investigated. Aside from cholestrol issues at 8 (solved through the Atkins diet, ironically enough), I was very healthy from about age 7 to puberty. At this point, I was just a little chubby. Puberty hit, and I gained probably 70-80lbs in a year. Although I developed in all other ways, I never produced a period. This was not dealt with until last year. Around this time, I started suffering from gastro-intestinal distress but it was tolerable, so life continued.

    Around 14, I noticed that my left pupil was constantly dilated. I had multiple test and was referred to many doctors before I was diagnosed. They had suspected a brain injury/tumor (cancer was brought up), but it turned out to be Adie's tonic pupil. Adie's can be caused by lesions on the neurons/muscles that contract the pupil, or it has no cause (like in my case). There is also no cure.

    Then I discovered a large lump on my right foot. Doctors orginally thought it was osteomyelitis, or sarcoma/similar cancer. I underwent multiple tests. They still weren't positive what it was, but they decided surgery was the best option so it was removed in January. It turned out to be an ostechondroma, so they removed it, I spent 3 mos on crutches and they told me that there was less than 5% chance that it would ever recurr. It had recurred by the time I went back for a checkup. Because of it's incredibly fast regrowth, they were worried it had come back as a malignant lesion so I underwent surgery again in August of the same month. Turned out it was just a regrowth of the osteochondroma, so they removed a ton of bone from the surrounding areas as well, so I was non-weight bearing and on crutches for nearly 6 months this time. By the time I went for my 3 month checkup, it had regrown. I was referred to a new, younger orthopaedic surgeon for another surgical option but it was an extreme idea so I declined. The foot is just xrayed 3x a year to make sure it doesn't become malignant.

    At this same time, I also had dental implant surgeries to try and correct my missing adult teeth. Also, my gastro-intestinal distress became so severe that I couldn't function properly so I was sent to a gastro-entrologist as my mother sufferes from Crohns disease and they were afraid I did too. My GP sent me for a blood test for Celiac, but it came back as negative. She suggested I go gluten-free anyways because sometimes the blood test is wrong. I went gluten free and almost all my gastro symptoms disappeared. I went for an endoscope and colonscopy approximately 8 months after I went gluten free, but by then (as the gastro-enterologist explained to me) any damage to the villi from Celiac would have been healed, so no problems were found.

    I had to have my gallbladder removed in Feb of this year due to gallstones, after which I developed GERD. I went to an OBGYN because I was 19 and had never had a period, and testing concluded that I have PCOS, or poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, which explains my excessive weight gain and lack of period. (I do have bad eating habits, but I should not be as large as I am - I have always been a very active person so the PCOS/hormonal imbalance explains some of that).

    Finally, for the last year or so, I have been overwhelmed by all consuming exhaustion. I need about 12 hours of sleep to function, and the, and then that can usually get me through class or a bit of work, but then I need about a 3 hour nap if I want to do something in the evening. I was given 2 at home sleep apnea tests - the first came back as indictiative for central apnea (not obstructive!), the second test came back as inconclusive. I am currently on a 2 year wait list to get into our local sleep clinic.

    Recently, I found a lump in my throat. The week later, I fainted at work. The ER doc performed blood work and an EMG, said it was probably heat exhaustion, which doesn't make sense at all. He also checked my throat lump, and said it was likely a cyst so he sent me to an EMT who said tonsil regrowth. I also have frequent dizzy spells, incidents where my eyes shake, recurrent headaches and a recurrent rash in my inner elbows and across my abodomen (not weight related). I am always incredibly flushed and hot & awake sweaty.

    • ANSWER:

22. QUESTION:
    Help: seemingly unrelated disorders, possible underlying condition? (cancer/autoimmune, etc)?
    Hello all,

    I have come to the internet in desperation after years of constant medical problems that seem to have no end. My GP is not very helpful. It is getting to the point where my medical problems have taken over my life and I would like to just know what is wrong (if anything).

    I am an obese 20 year old female. I had multiple ear infections as a child; my ear drum popped twice so I have slight hearing problems in one ear. At seven, my tonsils and adenoids were so large that I suffered from severe sleep apnea, so they were removed as the ENT was worried about brain damage. When I was six, they discovered that I was missing 9 adult teeth and they considered it to be a genetic defect of some sort, the cause was never investigated. Aside from cholestrol issues at 8 (solved through the Atkins diet, ironically enough), I was very healthy from about age 7 to puberty. At this point, I was just a little chubby. Puberty hit, and I gained probably 70-80lbs in a year. Although I developed in all other ways, I never produced a period. This was not dealt with until last year. Around this time, I started suffering from gastro-intestinal distress but it was tolerable, so life continued.

    Around 14, I noticed that my left pupil was constantly dilated. I had multiple test and was referred to many doctors before I was diagnosed. They had suspected a brain injury/tumor (cancer was brought up), but it turned out to be Adie's tonic pupil. Adie's can be caused by lesions on the neurons/muscles that contract the pupil, or it has no cause (like in my case). There is also no cure.

    Then I discovered a large lump on my right foot. Doctors orginally thought it was osteomyelitis, or sarcoma/similar cancer. I underwent multiple tests. They still weren't positive what it was, but they decided surgery was the best option so it was removed in January. It turned out to be an ostechondroma, so they removed it, I spent 3 mos on crutches and they told me that there was less than 5% chance that it would ever recurr. It had recurred by the time I went back for a checkup. Because of it's incredibly fast regrowth, they were worried it had come back as a malignant lesion so I underwent surgery again in August of the same month. Turned out it was just a regrowth of the osteochondroma, so they removed a ton of bone from the surrounding areas as well, so I was non-weight bearing and on crutches for nearly 6 months this time. By the time I went for my 3 month checkup, it had regrown. I was referred to a new, younger orthopaedic surgeon for another surgical option but it was an extreme idea so I declined. The foot is just xrayed 3x a year to make sure it doesn't become malignant.

    At this same time, I also had dental implant surgeries to try and correct my missing adult teeth. Also, my gastro-intestinal distress became so severe that I couldn't function properly so I was sent to a gastro-entrologist as my mother sufferes from Crohns disease and they were afraid I did too. My GP sent me for a blood test for Celiac, but it came back as negative. She suggested I go gluten-free anyways because sometimes the blood test is wrong. I went gluten free and almost all my gastro symptoms disappeared. I went for an endoscope and colonscopy approximately 8 months after I went gluten free, but by then (as the gastro-enterologist explained to me) any damage to the villi from Celiac would have been healed, so no problems were found.

    I had to have my gallbladder removed in Feb of this year due to gallstones, after which I developed GERD. I went to an OBGYN because I was 19 and had never had a period, and testing concluded that I have PCOS, or poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, which explains my excessive weight gain and lack of period. (I do have bad eating habits, but I should not be as large as I am - I have always been a very active person so the PCOS/hormonal imbalance explains some of that).

    Finally, for the last year or so, I have been overwhelmed by all consuming exhaustion. I need about 12 hours of sleep to function, and the, and then that can usually get me through class or a bit of work, but then I need about a 3 hour nap if I want to do something in the evening. I was given 2 at home sleep apnea tests - the first came back as indictiative for central apnea (not obstructive!), the second test came back as inconclusive. I am currently on a 2 year wait list to get into our local sleep clinic.

    Recently, I found a lump in my throat. The week later, I fainted at work. The ER doc performed blood work and an EMG, said it was probably heat exhaustion, which doesn't make sense at all. He also checked my throat lump, and said it was likely a cyst so he sent me to an EMT who said tonsil regrowth. I also have frequent dizzy spells, incidents where my eyes shake, recurrent headaches and a recurrent rash in my inner elbows and across my abodomen (not weight related). I am always incredibly flushed and hot & awake sweaty
    In case it helps, I am on medication for GERD and depression. I apologize for writing such a lengthy question but I seriously hope someone can help!

    Is it possible the throat lump is not a tonsil but lymphoma?

    • ANSWER:

23. QUESTION:
    Hypothyroidism... Am I crazy? Or convince the doctor?!?
    Since around age 17-18 I have begun experiences very profound changes in my body; the most noticeable of which being weight gain and decreased sex drive. I think what tipped me off to something being "wrong" was that I just don't feel right over all, I'm convinced something is the matter and that I'm not depressed without cause or getting fat from over-eating. I have researched many medical conditions and many of my symptoms keep coming back to Hypothyroidism...

    I have gone for blood tests from the walk-in clinic which found nothing to indicate hypothyroidism- I went to the walk-in because my family doctor more or less thinks I'm nuts... Now, I know for most people a negative result is a negative result... But I have researched more thoroughly and found that blood tests often miss Hypothyroidism because while the blood might be A-Okay, on a cellular level things still aren't working out.

    MY REAL QUESTION: How do I convince my doctor to allow more tests? He thinks I'm nuts already- but I'm convinced this is the problem and he's just not looking for obscure options because he doesn't think there is anything wrong. It's my body, and I KNOW there is something wrong! It might not be Hypothyroidism (I’m not a doctor, after all!) but this is to me the most likely culprit for ALL of the symptoms I’ve been having.

    I do also live in Canada, so the “It’s your health and your money” adage doesn’t really apply- sure it’s my tax dollars... But my Doctor is a crunchy old Jewish man who practises in a Mennonite town where sex doesn’t happen before age thirty and condoms happen to other people.

    EXTRA:

    These are some of the symptoms I have complained about over the last 4+ years, and are continuing... (Taken from a Hypothyroidism check-list)

    X I am gaining weight inappropriately
    X I'm unable to lose weight with diet/exercise (NOTE: Some weight, but not what is expected)
    _____ I am constipated, sometimes severely
    _____ I have hypothermia/low body temperature (I feel cold when others feel hot, I need extra sweaters, etc.)
    X I feel fatigued, exhausted
    X Feeling run down, sluggish, lethargic
    _____ My hair is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, falling out
    My skin is coarse, dry, scaly, and thick
    _____ I have a hoarse or gravely voice
    _____ I have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face
    X I have pains, aches in joints, hands and feet
    _____ I have developed carpal-tunnel syndrome, or it's getting worse
    _____ I am having irregular menstrual cycles (longer, or heavier, or more frequent)
    _____ I am having trouble conceiving a baby
    X I feel depressed
    X I feel restless
    X My moods change easily
    X I have feelings of worthlessness
    X I have difficulty concentrating
    X My hair is falling out
    X I have more feelings of sadness
    X I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities
    X I'm more forgetful lately
    X I can't seem to remember things
    X I have no sex drive
    _____ I am getting more frequent infections
    _____ I'm snoring more
    _____ I have/may have sleep apnea
    _____ I feel shortness of breath and tightness in the chest
    X I feel the need to yawn to get oxygen
    X My eyes feel gritty and dry
    X My eyes feel sensitive to light
    X My eyes get jumpy/tics in eyes
    _____ I feel dizzy or have vertigo
    X I have regular headaches
    X I have strange feelings in neck or throat
    X I have tinnitus (ringing in ears)
    _____ I get recurrent sinus infections
    _____ I have vertigo
    X I feel some lightheadedness
    _____ I have severe menstrual cramps

    • ANSWER:
      'which found nothing to indicate hypothyroidism' Are you sure? Most do not even know the correct 'normal' range.

      You need testing for ANTIBODIES as well as TSH. TSH ‘norm’ should be .3 – 3 (w/ most feeling best at < 2) but would not matter if antibodies are present. Indicative of Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Thyroiditis…main cause of HypOthyroid & is worse (...OR Graves Disease - HypERthyroid).

      WARNING: Doctors seem not to want to find thyroid disease. You may have to go to more than one doctor before you get the right tests, interpretation, and treatment. Best wishes.

      Ck these:

      http://thyroid.about.com/bio/Mary-Shomon-350.htm

      http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

      http://www.thyrophoenix.com/index.html

      God bless

24. QUESTION:
    What do you think it is?
    I have Interstitial Cystitis, Endometriosis, Hypothyroidism, Acid Reflux Disease, Migraine's, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Mono, Sleep Apnea, Gall Bladder Disease, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Eczema, Osteoarthritis, Anxiety, and I have been having other problems that have me worried.
    I can't go see my doctor because the bills I owe him, and we don't have insurance because hubby got laid off.
    Anyway, I was wondering if anybody out there had any ideas on what could be the underlying problem here with me. I've only had these problems as far as I can tell (and been diagnosed with) in the last 3+ years. They all hit me so fast and hard, and it seems there may be even more problems now.
    I'm feeling awful! I don't know what to do!
    I used to be an avid athlete, in superb shape, very active and energetic, a go-getter, a leader. I did ROTC, town swim team, hiking/rock-climbing, kickboxing and other martial arts, and more.
    Now I'm super fatigued, in constant pain, very quickly gaining weight, weak, and feel very sick all the time.
    Could there be a virus that would cause all of these? Or something that I can do to get rid of them that would cause all of these diseases? I know that most, if not all of them, are auto-immune diseases. So what on earth does that mean? Can I fix it??
    HELP!!!

    • ANSWER:
      Sounds like you took a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. The common ones are Cipro, Levaquin and Avelox, but there are others. When they affect somebody, often the damage is extensive. It's called FTS - Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome. Don't underestimate the capacity for these antibiotics to do severe damage. Check your pharmacy for a record of what you took 3 years ago. The records usually go back 5 years. I took avelox 4 1/2 years ago and it made me so sick i missed a year's work. The Mayo Clinic couldn't tell me what was wrong; and neither could any doctor because they don't look for ADRs to medications. The FQs break up an enzyme that bacteria need in their DNA to replicate. But when things go wrong, the FQs get into your DNA of your mitochondria and disrupt the processes that go on there....thyroid and insulin absorption are two. FQs change the way your P-450 pathway in your liver processes food and chemicals you come in contact with. Causes allergies is putting it mildly.
      It's possible that something in your diet can be causing you to feel worse - that was the case with me. Alot of "floxed" victims are sensitive to soy and wheat.

      Check the following websites:

      www.Fluoroquinolones.org

      www.fqresearch.org

25. QUESTION:
    How to Help With Fatty Liver Disease?
    This is both a mental/disease question. So I'm not the one with it but I'm trying to help someone through it. My boyfriend was diagnosed about a year ago. He's around 5'10'' and getting close to 275-300lbs, so the doctor said it is most likely due to his weight. The problem is it's starting to affect him mentally and I'm trying to find ways to help him out without being pushy. About 6 months after he was diagnosed with it, he found out he had sleep apnea(and has to wear a sleep mask now) which is also believed to be due to his weight. So it made things worse finding that out. He went to the doctor again and found out that he'd gained more weight, despite working out and taking pills to fix his thyroid(which is also causing weight gain). They figured out his pills weren't working so they gave him a new prescription. So it's a year later and he's found out he has all these health problems and he's only 21. I figured I could help with the eating healthier part because he knows how to workout. I'm not sure exactly what he or I can do to fix the fatty liver disease besides working out and losing weight, which wouldn't bother me since I'm overweight too. But I don't know what to do about the mental aspect of it since it's stressing him out and leading to depression. So I just wanted some tips or suggestions from anyone who might have fatty liver disease or who might have tips on how to help him deal with it. thanx

    • ANSWER:
      You've already answered your own question. He needs to lose weight, 100lbs or more, to prevent progression of his health problems (including fatty liver and sleep apnea) and prevent the occurence of others (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, joint problems, and heart disease). Depression is a separate issue, and can be managed with medications and/or therapy. If your boyfriend feels depressed he should consult his doctor or seek out a psychiatrist.

26. QUESTION:
    Depression / Divorce?
    I've been married for 20 years to the same wonderful woman. We have been together since 1987 (high school). This year (March) she came to me in tears and explained "I can't take it any longer, I love you as you are the father of my children but I'm not in love with you any more". I instantly took this as she was having an affair or some other thing that had caused her to feel this way.

    Last year I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and learned I may have had it for 6 years. I gained 70 pounds last year and became an absolute mess. I was physically and emotionally drained. I pushed my wife away socially, physically and simply "survived". I could tell she was saddened by my condititon and she begged me to get medical help and try to regain my life. I simply ignored her. I ignored her until I heard "I can't live like this any longer".......

    She was kind enough to say "If you can get help for yourself maybe we can fix the marriage". Like an idiot, I just allowed my condidition to worsten for another month and moved out, joined a gym and began losing the weight I'd gained. The apnea decreased and I had renewed energy. However, I still didn't understand what was the issue with my wife.

    Back in September she asked me to leave again (we got back together in June) after I blew up over some minor issues not worth discussing. I was again shattered. My wife said "I need space from you" and I did the single worste thing you can do, I took advice from friends that I knew were not "good at marriage" and listened to them. They explained that when a wife says she needs space that she's really just delaying divorce. I don't believe that was the case at all now. I truly believe she just needed to clear her head and allow me to do the same. Regardless, I just went crazy. I would call her daily, stop by unannounced and once I stopped by and argued with her and accused her of cheating with me because I saw unfamiliar cell numbers, only to find out it was a friend of mine (female) offering to help her with the kids.

    I called and told her how much I loved her then would yell at her for not feeling the same. I was out of my head. I rarely curse and NEVER have cursed in front of my kids yet I used language in front of them I'd never use again. Again, I was simply out of my head.

    My wife felt she had no choice and got a domestic protective order against me. When the deputy arrived I knew the help she had asked me to seek was not a gym or a medical doctor but a trip to the psyciatric hospital. I spent 7 days and learned so much about myself. I now see that my problem all along has been that I suffer from severe depression. I can't point the blame at anyone but me but my psychiatrist explained that with medication and therapy, I could be as good as new in time.

    My wife is a great wife, mother and daughter. Unfortunatley however I don't think she'll have any sympathy for depression as she probably feels like so many others and that is that it's a cop out.

    Our problems certainly didn't start this year, it simply has built up for years. I never considered a therapist. In the weeks since leaving the hospital, I've learned so much about myself and depression.

    WHAT CAN I SAY TO MY WIFE TO MAKE HER UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE THAT I CAN CHANGE????

    Also, she has filed for divorce but in our county it could be as far off as May 2010 before the courts get to us. We are suffering from financial problems due to our home based business being destroyed by the economy. She has stated she is not interested in taking my 401K or touching my retirement. She's sincerely a good woman.

    Would it be out of the question to offer to live with my parents and help her with the kids (running her ragged taking to activities- remember the dvp) and allow her to keep 90% of my paycheck for 9-12 months to prove the therapy and meds are working. I'd have to understand that at the end of this period if she's not convinced or simply can't find the love she once had for me, we'll have to move on. We are both 40 years old.

    Thanks so much!

    Personal email on this subject gladly taken at ei_beachhouse@yahoo.com

    • ANSWER:

27. QUESTION:
    which of these surprises you? and why?
    I'm just curious.

    •Adults 18 and older need 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days a week to be healthy; children and teens need 60 minutes of activity a day for their health.
    •Significant health benefits can be obtained by including a moderate amount of physical activity (e.g., 30 minutes of brisk walking or raking leaves, 15 minutes of running, 45 minutes of playing volleyball). Additional health benefits can be gained through greater amounts of physical activity.
    •Thirty to sixty minutes of activity broken into smaller segments of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day has significant health benefits.
    •Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Physically inactive people are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease as regularly active people.
    •37% of adults report they are not physically active. Only 3 in 10 adults get the recommended amount of physical activity.
    •Poor diet and inactivity can lead to overweight/obesity. Persons who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and some types of cancer.
    •41 million Americans are estimated to have pre-diabetes. Most people with pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, unless they make changes to their diet and physical activity that results in a loss of about 5-7 percent of their body weight.
    •Obesity continues to climb among American adults. Nearly 60 million Americans are obese. More than 108 million adults are either obese or overweight. That means roughly 3 out of 5 Americans carry an unhealthy amount of excess weight.
    •The percentage of adults in the United States who were overweight or obese (body mass index greater than or equal to 25) in 1999-2002 was 65 percent. Overweight and obesity cuts across all ages, racial and ethnic groups, and both genders. A new study in the Netherlands found that excess weight cuts years off your life.
    •16 percent of children and teens aged 6 to 19 were overweight in 1999-2002, triple the proportion in 1980. Fifteen-percent of children in the same age group are considered at-risk for overweight. The percentage of overweight African American, Hispanic, and Native American children is about 20%.
    •More than 10 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5 are overweight, double the proportion since 1980.
    •Health risks associated with being overweight or obese include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis.
    •The major barriers most people face when trying to increase physical activity are time, access to convenient facilities, and safe environments in which to be active.
    •School and worksite interventions have been shown to be successful in increasing physical activity levels.
    •Physical activity among children and adolescents is important because of the related health benefits (cardio-respiratory function, blood pressure control, weight management, cognitive and emotional benefits).
    •According to a study done by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE), infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily and should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time except when sleeping.
    •One quarter of U.S. children spend 4 hours or more watching television daily.
    •Young people are at particular risk for becoming sedentary as they grow older. Encouraging moderate and vigorous physical activity among youth is important. Because children spend most of their time in school, the type and amount of physical activity encouraged in schools is important.
    •Only 25 percent of students in grades 9 through 12 engaged in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more of the previous 7 days in 2003.

    • ANSWER:
      Wow you must be really curious to write all that. You're facts seem right on.I myself work out for 1 hour 5 times a week at my workplace. I think the workplace should encourage exercise and also the schools like you mentioned.

28. QUESTION:
    How to Help With Fatty Liver Disease?
    This is both a mental/disease question. So I'm not the one with it but I'm trying to help someone through it. My boyfriend was diagnosed about a year ago. He's around 5'10'' and getting close to 275-300lbs, so the doctor said it is most likely due to his weight. The problem is it's starting to affect him mentally and I'm trying to find ways to help him out without being pushy. About 6 months after he was diagnosed with it, he found out he had sleep apnea(and has to wear a sleep mask now) which is also believed to be due to his weight. So it made things worse finding that out. He went to the doctor again and found out that he'd gained more weight, despite working out and taking pills to fix his thyroid(which is also causing weight gain). They figured out his pills weren't working so they gave him a new prescription. So it's a year later and he's found out he has all these health problems and he's only 21. I figured I could help with the eating healthier part because he knows how to workout. I'm not sure exactly what he or I can do to fix the fatty liver disease besides working out and losing weight, which wouldn't bother me since I'm overweight too. But I don't know what to do about the mental aspect of it since it's stressing him out and leading to depression. So I just wanted some tips or suggestions from anyone who might have fatty liver disease or who might have tips on how to help him deal with it. thanx

    • ANSWER:
      Thyroid problems, if it is hypothyroid can cause a person
      to easily gain weight. His metabolism is alot slower and
      this can effect every organ of the body. It can make a
      person extremely tired and feel like they are walking around
      in a fog.
      Let me explain about the thyroid and then I will proceed:
      Two glands are involved with the thyroid, the pituitary gland
      in the brain and they thyroid gland. Both of them make a
      hormone. The pituitary makes the hormone known as
      TSH or Thyroid stimulating hormone. The thyroid makes
      a hormone known as T3 or T4 which is Thyroxine.
      If the thyroid is producing too much thyroxine, the pituitary
      glands decreased the amount of the TSH hormone it makes.
      If the thyroid is producing too little thyroxine, the pituitary
      gland increases the amount of TSH hormone it makes so
      that it will stimulate the thyroid to make more Thyroxine.
      It is like a balancing act. The doctors have to try to
      adjust the medications so that it replaces the Thyroxine
      in a certain amount to keep it in normal range in the blood
      at all times. It takes time to adjust this medication and
      watch the blood tests he has done to determine how much
      he needs in tablet form.
      Here are a couple links about the Thyroid:

      http://www.allthyroid.org/disorders/index.html

      http://www.thyroidmanager.org/

      Now for Fatty liver disease. There are different causes
      of fatty liver disease. Weight gain (obese), fast weight
      loss, being mal nourished, diabetes, insulin resistance,
      alcohol consumption, metabolic problems, hereditary
      problems and others. He should be seeing a
      gastroenterologist about this.
      Fatty liver disease can be "Simple", meaning the fat
      is there but it isn't causing damage. However,
      this can change, if the fat increases to cause damage
      to the liver cells. When the liver cells become damaged,
      the immune system of the body responds to this damage
      and cause inflammation inside the liver. This is then
      no longer Simple fatty liver...it is known as
      Steatohepatitis (steato means fat, hepat means liver,
      and itis means inflammation). If the cause can be
      founds and stopped, this can be reversed to where
      the liver cells can heal. If not, it can progress to where
      the liver cells start to die off and form scar tissue inside
      the liver which can block the flow of blood. It is known
      as Cirrhosis.
      It would be best to ask the doctor to refer him to a
      dietitian. The reason I'm saying this is because the
      dietitian will take into account all his medical conditions
      and make up a diet that is special just for him. That
      way he is sure to get all the vitamins, minerals, proteins,
      and other things from the foods he eats and not have
      to take supplements.
      However, a simple diet to follow is like this:
      Fresh fruits and vegetables (always washed as others
      handle these in the stores) If not fresh, than frozen.
      Avoid canned. Good oils like olive oil or canola oil.
      However, it is best to broil, bake, boil foods instead
      of fried. Lean cuts of meat, fish (no shellfish or uncooked
      fish), take skin off of poultry. Avoid open salad/food bars
      as people can accidentally cough or sneeze into them.
      Try to stay away from fast food, food with alot of
      preservatives (like hot dogs, lunch meats, salami),
      and foods prepackaged. Go "lower "on the amount of
      salt (sodium) used.

      The problem with his breathing is also a cause for
      concern. If the body isn't getting much oxygen, he
      will become more tired and his body will heal slower
      and he may have difficulty sleeping at night. The
      breathing problem can come from the thyroid problem,
      also.

      He definitely isn't feeling well and it is hard to relax when
      this takes place because of all the things you have to do
      in a days time. Trying to help him with his daily chores and
      doing other things that may be enjoyable instead of what
      he feels he "has" to do..is a great help. Making him
      realize he isn't going through this alone and that you are
      there to support him is always good. I hope this
      information has been of some help to you.
      Here are a few more links to click on. This is about
      Fatty liver disease:

      http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060601/1961.html

      http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/fatty-liver.html

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_liver

      http://www.gastro.com/Gastro/liverdisease/fatty_liver.aspx

      http://www.medicinenet.com/fatty_liver/article.htm

      Best wishes