I've actually been preparing for today for about six weeks (ever since my endocrinologist started me on that low-oxalate diet -- bleh -- at the end of May). I saw the doctor this morning and got the results of my latest lab tests. The good news: the numbers are coming down as we've hoped they would. The oxalate levels are now in the 60s, which is much closer to normal (under 30; my last reading was over 270) and the phosphorus levels are completely normal in the high 800s (previously over 2100). So cutting out spinach and (some) nuts and tea has worked enormously in my favor, which hopefully means no more kidney stones in the future. This also means I have to stay on this diet, but so far, I'm managing.
Of course, though, there's a new wrinkle: I have exocrine problems.
Because I was experiencing some GI unpleasantness in early May (I'll spare you the details) and inexplicable weight gain, I got a referral to another specialist who ordered some tests of his own. It's not definitive yet, but the early results indicate that I don't digest fats properly. The culprit behind this problem is most likely the pancreas (again!) -- but this time it's the part of the organ belonging to the exocrine system, i.e., the part responsible for getting fat-digesting enzymes where they need to go.
So I'm now taking these.
This is Pancrecarb, which basically delivers the enzymes I need in capsule form. I take one capsule with each meal, and the tiny pellets inside get released as their container breaks down. So far, this seems to be alleviating the GI symptoms extremely well. Unfortunately, the weight gain hasn't leveled off yet. (Granted, I've only been on the meds for a week, but ... ) While the upward creep of the numbers on the scale has been slow, it has been frustrating, especially since I've been increasing my workout time -- and all that's done is give me sugar lows more often.
The nurse at the GI doctor's office who gave me my test results said that my body may have been hanging on to extra weight because it wasn't getting enough dietary fat (a bit counterintuitive, but certainly possible, I guess) so my metabolism may need to readjust. If that's the case, I'm hoping that happens sooner rather than later. I'm fine with what I weigh now, but about seven years ago I was nearly 30 pounds heavier (out of the healthy range for my height and build) and I really don't want to go back to that. I've worked too hard to get fit only to have a pancreas on the fritz undo it all!
In the spirit of staying motivated, here are a few blogs I've been reading recently that I'd like to add to my list of nominees for the One Lovely Blog award:
- Cranky Fitness, written by Crabby McSlacker and Merry Sunshine
- Refuse to Regain, written by Barbara Berkeley and Lynn Haraldson-Bering
- Back in Skinny Jeans, written by Stephanie Quilao
- PastaQueen, written by Jennette Fulda
4 comments:
Hey, thanks so much for including Cranky Fitness!
And those medical issues must be SO frustrating! It's hard enough to eat healthy without all those restrictions.
CM, your blog had me at the title. The humor is spot-on for my taste!
As for the medical issues, yes, it does get frustrating. I think it's more the idea that even healthy foods end up being off-limits that makes me sad (how I miss eating fresh fruits).
oh dear, it never ends does it? :-(
btw did you find any good coffee to make instead of the instant you had to quit?
HGG, I did find some good coffee -- it's grocery store brand, but it brews nicely. I've heard World Market has great coffees at comparable prices but of better quality, so we may switch to theirs when we finish what we have.
Any recommendations?
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