A lot has happened in the past seven years. Work has gotten crazy busy, so more stress. Plus a promotion so more responsibilities. I dropped the nutritionist after about a year because I wasn't learning anything new. I've developed some health issues and became more sedentary in my lifestyle. My weight bounced back up to over 320#.
Six years ago, I was exposed to mold and chemicals at work that resulted in severe bronchitis. I never fully recovered from the bronchitis. For two years, every month or so I went into the doctor and he put me on steroids and I would get better but not all the way better. After 2 years, my husband had enough. He told me to demand to be referred to a Pulmonologist. I have Asthma!!! My pulmonologist wouldn't say work caused the asthma but he did say it most likely triggered it. Especially if there was chemical exposure.
On top of that, the excessive use of steroids for the previous two years triggered diabetes. I never knew how dangerous the excessive use of prednisone was.
Then a year ago the pulmonologist heard a murmur. Cue an echocardiogram. I had a slightly enlarged left ventricle and a leaky valve. That was a little upsetting. I was told that there was nothing we needed to do and it would have to be monitored.
It has caused some changes in my life to be sure. Add to that my doctor died in a farming accident the summer of 2019 and I was at a bit of a loss. But the doctor that took over the practice seemed to be really encouraging. She addressed some issues that she felt were being ignored.
For the past year, I've been working lots of hours and totally lost the work life balance I was trying to have. I wasn't quilting, I wasn't doing anything but coming home and dropping into a chair or bed. I've been exhausted. Of course with the whole Covid-19 pandemic going on, I ended up being tested several times and I was always negative. I was just "tired" Finally, I decided enough, I went to the doctor and demanded some referrals.
I got referred to a cardiologist, who was happy to inform me that the slightly enlarged ventricle was most likely several years old and nothing to be concerned about. In fact after some more tests he felt that my heart was really healthy and was pushing for me to lose weight and start walking. He told me that all of my health issues would go away if I would get the weight off.
I had PFTs done and my lung function had improved from the previous PFTs. Of course, the previous tests were done while I was in an asthma flare. This last ones were when I was feeling and breathing well. But I am still struggling with attacks, mostly at work. My asthma is not in control and won't be as long as I work where I do. They won't say Occupational Asthma though and I have bills to pay. The PA had the nerve to tell me I was making the choice to not get my asthma under control by choosing to work where I do. After 30 years in the food industry, that is where my skill set lies and all plants are going to have the same issues as the one I work at. They did put me on a stronger Asthma medicine and it seems to be helping.
I was referred to an endocrinologist. I am happy to say I love this doctor. First she told me how fantastic it was that my blood sugar is well controlled. I don't have an damage so common with diabetes. So I must have caught it early. (I did thanks to my Husband) She also said we were going to get me off the diabetes meds. She made this all about us working together to get the weight off and changing eating habits to have a healthy life. It is all about a partnership between us to make it happen. It didn't hurt that she is diabetic and is off the meds and controlling it with her weight and diet.
I got a home sleep study done, and it turns out that I have sleep apnea. So I need a C-Pap machine. But I need to do an in lab sleep study to get the settings for the C-Pap machine before I can have it. That won't happen until February 2022. I was really hoping it would be sooner so I could start getting some sleep. But I just have to be patient.
As for losing weight, I am not eating starches. (Per the endocrinologist) I can handle no rice and even no potatoes but no Pasta and bread is hard for me. I do get cheat days but I try to keep them few and far between, like birthdays, and holidays. I have noticed a difference in how much I eat and I am snacking less. It seems to be paying off. I've dropped from 304 last April to 264 now. The last 20 of which have been in the last two months after seeing the endocrinologist. It's a start.
So here's to trying to get back on the path.
