Doctor Vent

[Rawmommie]

I'm SO frustrated right now.

I went to the Dr. (my regular dr. is out, just had a baby, so I saw someone else in her group) to get some bloodwork done.

Background: I was pretty sick before going raw. Five years ago I had been diagnosed with Fibro & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (another dr. in another city) and was told they didn't know what to do for me. So, I went searching on my own and found raw. Within 2 months of being raw all the symptoms were gone. Cured! Unbelievable!

So, I've been raw for 3 1/2 years. The biggest reason I went to the Dr. is b/c I weigh a little over 200 pounds and CAN.NOT. get it off. I exercise 6x a week, I eat well...and I have all these *thyroid* symptoms that are starting to creep back in that I had before (they told me I didn't have a thyroid problem tho). My face is breaking out more and more, still get the facial hair, cold ALL the time...but the weight bothers me most. I don't eat nuts anymore b/c I gain when I eat them, I can't be more meticulous in what I eat.

So, WHAT does she focus on folks? C'mon, this is an easy one. Yep. I've gotten so "extreme" in my eating that my blood levels are probably messed up, she says. (I'll show her! Getting blood drawn this AM). And I could be deficient in vitamins. :rolleyes:

Now this wasn't that surprising to hear, I've been raw long enough to know that...BUT, then she starts telling me I may have had a lot of allergies and that's why I was sick before and I cut too many things out and that's why I'm not losing weight. WHAT?!?!?!? :mad:

Ok, even if I did have allergies before...how would NOT EATING any of those things make me overweight still?

AND, even IF I had low protein or vitamins, HOW ON EARTH would that make me fat? Tell me that????

So, I will go get my blood taken b/c I want to prove to her that it's not my diet and that my diet is only keeping me from being 300 pounds! I have slipped over the past 3 1/2 years and when I do, I can have something as simple as brown rice and gain 5-10 pounds OVERNIGHT. I'm not exaggerating here either. sigh.

After I get the results, I guess I'll be headed to an Endrocrinologist (sp) and see if I can get some answers.

I feel like I'm a bad example for raw vegan's. I'm embarrassed to tell people I'm a raw foodist most of the time b/c they look at me and I know they wonder why I'm overweight. I've watched hundreds of people come through this site being overweight and watched them shrink and shrink while I just sit here and nothing happens. I KNOW it's not raw, it's my body. It's so very frustrating though. :(

[slickerk]

Alot of hypothyroid symptoms are the same symptoms you get with low B12... I just found that out, because I have drastically low B levels. I am also hypothyroid, I have never gained weight like that though. Usually my weight will go up a little bit and stick there, that is how I know that my numbers are off.
I really hope you find out what is going on soon.
Blessings!

[lori ann]

hey there,

you are not a bad example of raw vegans-you will get it all figured out-most doctor's don't understand this diet. I actually work in a doctor's office they all know I eat different and that is about it. I had one doctor come up to me and told me I look too skinney and have I had bloodwork done lately-he thought my thyroid might be off or something and I went got the bloodwork done and everything turned out perfect (ha ha) and he has not said a thing to me since. So I hope your bloodwork comes out well also. Keep going-it will all be fiqured out. Good luck :)

[maui_butterfly]

I feel like I'm a bad example for raw vegan's. I'm embarrassed to tell people I'm a raw foodist most of the time b/c they look at me and I know they wonder why I'm overweight. I've watched hundreds of people come through this site being overweight and watched them shrink and shrink while I just sit here and nothing happens. I KNOW it's not raw, it's my body. It's so very frustrating though. :(

You are a WONDERFUL example of a raw vegan, someone who is taking radical responsibility for her health and wellbeing despite the overwhelming social pressures to conform and just listen to what "they" say. You are a pioneer, a visionary, and someone who is listening to her own body and dismissing any advice that doesn't make intuitive sense or jibe with what you know to be true for YOU, regardless of what a so-called authority tells you. That makes you one in a million!

You cured yourself of FM and CFS, something doctors have a heck of a time even treating! Why, I'd be proud to have you represent me anywhere, anytime!

You live in your body every day. You know what you know about how you felt before raw versus how you feel now. You don't have to prove yourself to that dumb doctor, but you can certainly take the test and be interested in the results, maybe it will lead you somewhere you need to be! Just be open to the information, and not concerned with the doc's interpretation of the results, especially if that interpretation does not make sense to you.

Good luck!!

[lafsalot]

Just a thought, but have they (your doctors) ever considered the possibility that you may have Cushing's? ~ Cathy

[RawHeaven]

You're an amazing woman curing yourself and healing your body! I heard "there's nothing else we can do for you" sermon also and it can be a devastating thing to hear. You feel alone, pissed off and a number of other emotions. I'm not lumping all medical people in with this statement, but the great majority do not get nutrition nor do they understand when someone who has healed themselves is right in front of their face. If I didn't know how to heal myself during my recovery, I'd be a mess right now and still taking prescription pain medication 3 years later.

[OneBite@aTime]

I have been hypothyroid for a little over 8 years now, and everything you said sounds like thyroid diease to me.....although all the symptoms could be explained by other things as well.

Compassion, it's not enough to have it for other people, you must also have it for yourself.

[Rawmommie]

Thank you so much for your support everyone. You had some really great insight I hadn't thought of. :)

In my heart, I believe this is a metobolic issue of some sort. If it's not thyroid, which I have always believed it to be related somehow, then it is some sort of metobolic issue they haven't figured out yet.

I watch other people closely and I see what they eat. I don't eat more and I have tweaked and tweaked until I'm nuts, with no results, so I know this must have something to do with how I process the food I eat. I haven't tried enzymes, I wonder if those would help at all?

[greenday]

Keeping fingers crossed that all works out with your blood results. I'm similar in body type to you - if I don't watch everything that goes into my mouth I gain weight literally overnight! And have a really hard time taking it off. I, too, am CONVINCED had I not found raw this past year I would be closer to 300 and not hovering in the low 2's. I understand your feelings about telling people about your eating preferances, too (I am working on overcoming this). I had bw done in Dec and my thyroid levels specifically checked. It all came back fine and I'm glad. But it does make one wonder how much of the real story this sheet of numbers tells? :confused: Stay positive and keep working at it - you're doing so great!!!!! :)

[Bingo24]

I'm SO frustrated right now.

The biggest reason I went to the Dr. is b/c I weigh a little over 200 pounds and CAN.NOT. get it off. I exercise 6x a week, I eat well...and I have all these *thyroid* symptoms that are starting to creep back in that I had before (they told me I didn't have a thyroid problem tho).
Now this wasn't that surprising to hear, I've been raw long enough to know that...BUT, then she starts telling me I may have had a lot of allergies and that's why I was sick before and I cut too many things out and that's why I'm not losing weight. WHAT?!?!?!? :mad:

I have slipped over the past 3 1/2 years and when I do, I can have something as simple as brown rice and gain 5-10 pounds OVERNIGHT. I'm not exaggerating here either. sigh.
. :(


I totally believe you - I gain weight on brown rice or even healhty grains! Overnight!

I'm hypothyroid too - Hashimoto's Thyroidist - I'm searching for answers also - weight loss even on raw is soooo slow. . . but I keep coming back to it because at least it keeps off weight gain!

Get the blood work done, talk to an endocronologist - see what they have to say, search out a natural doctor too - try everything you can to help - it's your health.

Good luck and keep us updated!

[Rawmommie]

I understand your feelings about telling people about your eating preferances, too (I am working on overcoming this)

Thank you. It is hard. One of my friends actually asked me yesterday (in a VERY kind way) if I didn't pick off the kids food when they were finished or anything like that. She said it b/c that's what she does and just wondered, but it made me feel even more self conscious that people don't even BELIEVE I'm raw or I must be eating crap on the side b/c I'm not losing.

[northernstars]

if maybe you could have a problem with your adrenals! I do and that was the primary cause for me gaining weight which then caused the sleep apnea which then caused my stroke! I had told my conventional doctor that I felt like my adrenals got stuck, but she didn't think there was any problems. I then went to a naturopath where we were working on getting my thyroid up and working properly when I had that stroke last March.

So, I was wondering IF just maybe you are under a great deal of stress and IF just maybe that might not be why you are not losing weight.

[SuBu]

I saw a thread on here the other day by nfracer about Wilson's - a thyroid issue. The talk there was about blood work, but my dil is dealing with this and there's no blood test for it--just have to go by the symptoms. Might check it out too--Dr White on here mentioned something she gives for it. Just offering a smattering of opinion. Hope you find the answer--I know the questions can drive you crazy!

[Rawmommie]

Northernstar, do adrenals only have to do with stress? I'm not really a stressed out person. Life gets difficult and then it gets easier. I'm not really stressed very often.

I read the thread on Wilson's, I have heard of it before and have the symptoms. My problem is getting TREATMENT for it (or anything else wrong with me). A naturopath is almost completely out of the question. I live 100 miles from STL in the middle of BFE and there are no natural ANYTHING's out here! :rolleyes: They look at you like you are nuts when you want anything other than conservative, conventional treatment. If the tests don't say something is wrong with you...then nothing is. :rolleyes:

I should hear tomorrow or Friday about my tests. I'm very interested in how my numbers came out. Last year I had high cholesterol (it's hereditary, mom has it too...has to be, I don't eat any cholesterol! LOL)

[ManyLittles]

The real reason the doctor said that is because she refuses to give you th real answer, those three little words that most doctors can't get themselves to utter: "I....Don't....Know". Kind of like the other phrase that's not in their vocabulary..."I was wrong." :p

[northernstars]

I have been doing a great deal of searching and reading about the adrenals! My naturopath told me a long time ago that my primary problem was adrenal fatigue. I just hadn't researched that until the recent past. I typed in "natural effective ways to treat adrenal fatique" and did some reading and found some herbal remedies that I hope will work for me. My husband is still miffed that I had that stroke because of the weight gain, adrenal fatigue, and the other issues, so he doesn't want me to go see the naturopath. At least he (the naturopath) had figured out what was causing my problems! The MD I had seen before him had NO clue even though I had told her I felt like I was stuck in a flight or fight situation.

[Carlsbad]

You might want to check out Angela Stokes' website: www.rawreform.com She dealt with a thyroid issue and healed it with raw food. I believe she has an ebook that explains how she did it. It might help you.

Stay strong and confident in your knowledge and intuition, and know that there is a world of fellow rawbies sending you love!!

[Jeannine]

I used to be on Weight Watchers before I discovered raw foods. What helped me back then is known in WW circles as the "Wendie Plan". You can do an internet search to find out the details.

The basic premise is that your body adjusts its metabolism to the amount of calories that you put into it. By having a few higher calorie days in between lower calorie days, your body doesn't adjust to the same caloric intake and you're able to lose weight quickly.

The plan is geared toward Weight Watchers and points, but the idea can easily be transferred to raw foods. Many people have reported successes using this method.

I hope this helps!

[Vivafree2]

Same here - hashimoto on raw is maneageable - but slips or a little more overindulgence ( everything except a green smoothie and a salad a day) results in weight gain.
I loose 1 lb every 2 months on raw.
Doctors didn't have anything to say about tiredness and weight gain. Metabolic spwcialist advised to eat breakfasts - there was not a word from him that my symptoms even on medication are common for thyroid patients. I did my own research to find some answers. Please fight and keep raw - it is better than everything i have tried in last 15 years.

[EZ rider]

In my opinion fresh raw foods and listening to your body is the best health coach you will ever find.

[Nurse in the Raw]

Northernstar, do adrenals only have to do with stress? I'm not really a stressed out person. Life gets difficult and then it gets easier. I'm not really stressed very often.

I read the thread on Wilson's, I have heard of it before and have the symptoms. My problem is getting TREATMENT for it (or anything else wrong with me). A naturopath is almost completely out of the question. I live 100 miles from STL in the middle of BFE and there are no natural ANYTHING's out here! :rolleyes: They look at you like you are nuts when you want anything other than conservative, conventional treatment. If the tests don't say something is wrong with you...then nothing is. :rolleyes:

I should hear tomorrow or Friday about my tests. I'm very interested in how my numbers came out. Last year I had high cholesterol (it's hereditary, mom has it too...has to be, I don't eat any cholesterol! LOL)

You should research Insulin Resistance.

[Queen Bean]

Rawmommie. I have read that if you believe you are overweight you will remain overweight, irregardless of what you do, unless the belief is changed. For some reason, even when you exercise and eat an impeccable diet, you are not at your ideal weight. Conversely, some people can eat whatever they want and not gain a kilogram. They may believe 'I am a healthy weight for me'. Somebody may be too skinny, and will remain so, unless the associated belief is changed, no matter how much they try and stuff themselves to gain weight. You seem to have tried so much at a nutritional, physical level. Maybe, as an experiment, you need to try written affirmations. They are very powerful in changing beliefs. Even if you don't think they will work, try them for a month at least. As you write them, try to stay in the moment. And consistency is the key. Don't miss a day. Maybe try a '30 Day Written Affirmation Challenge'. Take a belief you wish to implant such as:

MY BODY IS SLIM, HEALTHY AND PERFECTLY TONED

or whatever you deem appropriate.

Then write ten negative thoughts (related beliefs) that come up for you about this. Such as

1. It is too hard for me to lose weight.
2. I'll never have my ideal body.
3. I can't eat anything delicious without gaining weight.

etc etc

Then reverse these.

1. It is so easy for me to lose weight.
2. I have my ideal body now.
3. When I eat delicious food my body remains at my perfect weight.

etc etc

So your daily written affirmation would be ten times

MY BODY IS SLIM, HEALTHY AND PERFECTLY TONED

plus the other ten related positive thoughts (unlimited beliefs) relating to that affirmation (once each). (So twenty lines...would take around 10 minutes.)

You've tried everything in terms of diet/exercise. This may work for you. You should be able to enjoy raw desserts, nut milks and other raw treats here and there without being fearful about gaining weight.

I really believe this will work for you.

[Sleek98]

I agree about checking into PCOS and/or insulin resistance.

[Sleek98]

So, I've been raw for 3 1/2 years. The biggest reason I went to the Dr. is b/c I weigh a little over 200 pounds and CAN.NOT. get it off. I exercise 6x a week, I eat well...and I have all these *thyroid* symptoms that are starting to creep back in that I had before (they told me I didn't have a thyroid problem tho). My face is breaking out more and more, still get the facial hair, cold ALL the time...but the weight bothers me most. I don't eat nuts anymore b/c I gain when I eat them, I can't be more meticulous in what I eat.
:(

This totally sounds like PCOS! The doctors should put you on metformin, or if you wanted to treat it without, you would most likely need to really watch your sugar intake.

[Rawmommie]

UPDATE!!!!! :)

Got the numbers back (and boy did she have to swallow hard to repeat it to me! Neener!)

After 3 1/2 years raw:
PROTEIN LEVELS ARE GOOD!
NO VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES! (I do not take ANY supplements)

CHOLESTEROL is 177!!! (last year it was at 241, I think that was a mistake or something)

No thyroid problems, kidneys working great...

She did say my white blood cell count was a little low, but didn't seem alarmed by it, said I may have had an infection or something recently.

Basically, my blood/urine says I'm the picture of health. I'm REALLY happy about the cholesterol being down from last year (I was very upset last year that I had been raw 2 1/2 years and had high cholesterol)

BUT...I know, I know I should be content with being healthy...

I'm STILL 200 pounds and I still have breakouts and I have to workout daily and avoid nuts and avocado's just to maintain my weight. Sigh. I wish it were easy. I know when I started raw and ate whatever I wanted, as long as it was raw, it was so enjoyable and easy for me. Now, it's like a chore and I struggle to keep the weight off.

Anyway, I'm going to have to head to an endocrinologist to see if something is up with my hormones b/c I'm not sure I can just accept that I have to work 10x harder than everybody else just to learn to accept my 200 pound body.

It was GREAT to hear her eat her words though and she struggled to tell me...mumbled something about how it's not typical to be so healthy with the way I eat...yada, yada...:rolleyes:

[SuBu]

Victory is sweet! I still think Wilson's might be an issue. My dil said there's no blood test. It's about taking your daily temperature (registers low) and other symptoms. Dr White on here said she gives her clients Iodoral. ???

[raweater]

Rawmommie:
I haven't read all replies but thought I'd try and give some info. Here are some things I read can prevent weight loss:
-Candida yeast overgrowth (due to too much sugar in your diet, this includes natural raw sugar like grains, agave, dates, bananas, and other sugar rich foods), the cure is to cut ALL sugar, even things like carrots, for at least 30 days to kill the candida "infection", this is automatically killed by sugar starvation, you can then re introduce a normal amount of sugar and should be ok
-Tap water, do you drink tap water? The chemicals added to it are well documented to cause weight gain (and fatal diseases like cancer and heart disease, the 2 leading causes of death after conventional medicine)
-Other sources of fluoride like toothpaste and black or green tea, fluoride disables the body's weight control system (and causes fatal diseases)

You asked how low vitamins can make you fat, well the link is direct, the least vitamins in your diet, the more weight you gain (because you need to eat much more calories to get the amount of vitamins necessary to turn off your hunger signal), the more vitamins in the food oyu eat, the more weight you loose (because you need much less calories to reach the amount of vitamins that turn off your hunger). But here I'm talking about the vitamins in the foods you eat, not the ones a blood test would show. So try and focus on vitamin dense foods, greens should be specifically good, which fill you up faster than low vitamin foods like grains.

You mentioned seeing an endo...whatever-ologist? I would HIGHLY recommend staying away from any conventional doctor, NONE of what they are "taught" (brainwashed into believing lies) is based in true science or for your benefit (they know that if they cure your problem, they can no longer exploit you for profit, which is the health care system's one and only goal, eventhough your doctor may have good intentions, her "education" is in no way for your benefit, it is crucial to understand this as I kept suffering from my disease until I myself understood this, so their treatments are made specifically NOT to cure you, so if you want to be cured, a conventionally trained doctor is not someone you should be seeing, it is the most corrupt and inhumane industry on the planet, they were letting me suffer from my disease and killing me with chemotherapy for profit when my disease was a direct result of a toxic diet and the only cure was a healthy diet, I've been off the chemo and cured for years now). The drug industry has COMPLETE CONTROL on what doctors are taught and allowed to do.

If you want honest help, the best way is to educate yourself, www.naturalnews.com is a great place to start, no doctor will be more honest and trustworthy than if you become your own doctor as I did. The 2nd best choice is probably seeing anaturopath but even those doctor's education is slightly corrupted as their nutritional info is based on the corrupt food guide, but I'm sure you can find one that would support your raw diet.