Hey, where are you JAN. BEACH BUDDIES of 1/19 ?????

[joesuzzi]

Why don't you starting taking it at the end of a week....so you have the weekend to see how it affects you ???
I have never taken it so I can not be of much help. I sure hope it helps you Margot !
Also, in reading Chulitas' post, my first thought was that she has a pinched nerve from a herniated disc in her neck ! Nerve pain ! Did you think the same thing???
Chulita............does it feel like a knife stuck underneath your shoulder blade with a constant ache? If so, does it help at all to raise your arm over your head while reclining? (meaning sticking your arm straight up in the air while you are lying down)
Everything you mentioned sounded so familiar to me ! If it is a disc....muscle relaxors will NOT help...............and neither will steroids.....or chiropractors......or deep tissue massage,........or rest........ The only way to know for sure is to get an MRI of your cervical spine. You were hitting the gym a lot, right?
I really hope your 2nd opinion gives you some answers. I know I sufferred with mine for almost a year....including a hospital bed in my living room for 3 months......I was a miserable soul ! Surgery took less than an hour and I was 100% CURED when I woke up, AMAZING ! I think God was watching out for me because he lead me to a fantastic spine surgeon (The same surgeon who takes care of the San Antion Spurs neck/spine problems.)
I still do not lift over 10 pounds....but I never did have any headaches.
Keep us posted as to what happens, OK ? Your in my prayers girl.
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Hey Donna !!! So GOOD to see you. I know 2009 was not very kind to you.........you whole life literally changed. You made it through everything like a trooper..........and you are still determined ! I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be YOUR year ! I'll be right here cheering you on. I want all of you to feel the way I feel.............what an experience !!!!!
Sometimes when we are going through something difficult it just does not seem to make any sense! But a few years down the road you can look back and say...OK...Now I understand why I had to go through that and it will all come together.
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So Liebly............do you still have nerve pain from your neck?? Did all the hardware in your neck correct your problems??

[Maralian]

Wow, all that sounds painful, hang in there and hopefully you find the medication that works for you.

I am glad to see a few of us back! well, I was never gone, just on vacations but I became lazy to write. I know now that I need to post to feel the commitement and is the best way to show you that I care, we are family, aren't we?

My second day of this return went ok, a few forbidden bites but nothing major. I went to play tennis today and realized that my arms got big! my t-shirt felt so tight at my arms, that is a waking call, I think each time I want to eat something that I shouldn't I will think about that t-shirt.

[teachermom]

Don't worry about any of that now. I like to take the Scarlett O'Hara approach to life- worry about that if it actually happens. I say try it, start at the lowest dose like you said and just see what happens. If you have side effects you can stop it. They went away almost immediately once I stopped taking it. I know what it's like to live with chronic pain and what it's like to be free of it. If there's a chance I say take it. Of course, I'm not a doctor, I just play one on TV

[liebly]

My husband (who is a podiatrist....and the one who operated on me, as some of you know) told me to QUIT READING ABOUT IT!! At least the last stuff I read last night was positive and the people said it was life changing. I get neck aches almost daily. The littlest things set them off....whiplash like movements....like hitting your breaks a tad hard. I am a wash for 3 days. Going over rail road tracks too fast. I was telling the pain doc in our office about it and he was fascinated. He had many ideas. I said I would start with this one because it was the easiest and cheapest (as it comes generic). I called my doctor immediately and told her of our entire conversation and she said, "Well, I'm going to consider that a consult!" LOL! So, she faxed it to the pharmacy right while we were on the phone AND confirmed that it was not contraindicated with any meds I currently take. I was giddy. Really- you should have seen me. One thing he suggested that helps many people and it's a one time thing for cervical problems like mine- is to get a botox injection in the occipital nerve and then once a week for a month get that muscle massaged to lengthen it. He said usually it stays lengthened and it doesn't ball up and get tight which causes the headaches in the first place cuz the nerves can't get the reception and the muscles are not tense anymore. After my neck surgery, I had OODLES (like 56 or something...no, more than that, because it was like 13 a pop!) trigger point injections in the back of my neck...........CRAP, I wish I had known about this!!!! I love this guy!! He is so nice!! Our conversation should have cost me $250.00 bucks!!
I understand most people rave about the weight lost side effects of the drug- do you I am unphased by that? We eat on schedule without fail. That won't change. It's automatic systomatic!! B S L S D every day!!
I DID drop 3 pounds though......so I am AT LEAST back down to the original FIVE I gained from surgery or something like that. 138 today....which was a HECK of a lot better than 141 the other day!!!

Do you know how much I am glad you guys are in my life?? We share so much.... I appreciate all of you and am very thankful I know you!

Liebly!

[liebly]

PS.

THIS IS FUNNY...........
My husband has a seminar starting this afternoon for 48 hours and they'll have a bunch of crap so he weighed himself today.
He was up four.
He was like THIS ISN'T WORK. WHY ARE WE EVEN DOING THIS?
WHO DOES THAT SOUND LIKE ??

I GIGGLED GOOD!!!

[joesuzzi]

Hi Guys....I am just checking in !
Got off of work about an hour ago and I have a PTO meeting in 15 minutes !!!!!!
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Liebly...I LOVED your giggling at your hubby........tell him to hang in there !

[teachermom]

Hey guys,
Suzi- I just went to my diet journal from the beginning of last year and you had commented several times, encouraging me etc! I knew you looked familiar when I came to this thread

Liebly-Did you stop by the pharmacy?

Had a good day today. Tried shredded wheat w/ splenda for afternoon snack and LOVED it!

[Maralian]

Hi friends! I've been feeling good, just still eating a few illegal things but I am not losing control and that is really great! I could not do that last week!
And tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!! YEAH!!!!

[donnam]

Good news for me is that I did not gain a pound from the cruise last week, or if I did they are gone now!! I am stepping up my exercise for now. I am trying to do cardio 5 times a week betwween swimming and Zumba. Also 3 times a week class for muscle conditioning, abs and glutes. One of these days I will figure out how to do the ticker so I can post my weight lose!! Glad to see we are all still hanging in there. I can't believe it has been a year!! And I like Friday weigh in. Back to work now.

[Maralian]

Wow Donnam, not a pound in a cruise!!!!! you are my hero, I would gain at least 20 pounds with all that food in front of me, way to go!

[joesuzzi]

Me too Donna......those midnight buffets always got to me...and all of those desserts !
You did AMAZING !!!! Your exercise schedule is crazy...............you are a better woman than me if you can stick to that ! Keep us posted as you go.............because the pounds are going to just fall off of you.
Jocie................Yes, I remembered you too as soon as you joined us ! I always tried to post in new peoples journals just so they would know that they were not alone !
My 2nd trip to the beach was so lonely..........I posted dailey in my journal and in several others journals too...but never a response.from anyone ! I only lasted 2 months with cyber pals.............I really felt alone. The buddies are EVERYTHING to me............without the support & giggles....I would fail. I am SO GLAD you decided to join us here
Rereading your journal should make you realize how far you have come??? I do that too when I need to be uplifted!
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Maralian......jusr knowing that YOU are controlling you food (and that your food is not controlling you) is priceless..............feels good to have control, doesn't it ?
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Liebly......did you start your ned meds???
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Kitty??? Where are you?? I hope you are not sick???
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Also Chulita.................did you get your 2nd opinion? Are you feeling any better?
You have been in my thoughts and my prayers.
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I am 1 pound down............so I gotta go change my ticker ! It was not a huge surprise since I am burning over 3500 calories per day..and 14,000 steps per day too !
Only 8 more days before the shop is cloed for good. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. is tough.........but we are having fun too.
I am pooped ! Going to try to get to bed early tonight.
Hope you all have a beautiful beachy weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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[kittyfyinc]

Still here and reading the posts.
I hurt my back a week and a half ago and it hurts me to stand up, or anything but lay down. The doctor says it can take up to 3 weeks if it is only a strained back. I also have a very tender bottom of the spine,with arthritis.So I have been on pain killers and naproxen every day.Just haven't felt like posting,sorry.

I weighed in on wed and was up 1/2 lb. getting tired of this yo-yo weight.

[liebly]

HI-
Just stopping in to say HI.
Had had the worst head ache since Wednesday and not been myself. Haven't been cooking or doing much of anything so not much to say...but I didn't want you to think I wasn't here!!!! I think it may be letting up a little bit; so MAYBE just MAYBE this new medicine can get a CHANCE to TRY and work!!!

[QueenJean]

Hello buddies of 1-19 ! I have reading your posts and love the continuity! I started 1-17, but am having a hard time seeing anybody post daily. I love the motivation and encouragement, and the recipes and friendship! I see you haven't had too many newbies join, but may I be the exception? Today is day 7 for me and I am going strong ! I too have back issues (4 months out of major spinal surgery) and am exercising as hard as I can tolerate on the treadmill for 20 mins daily. Tomorrow is weigh day, I am trying to keep my expectations under control! I so look forward to reading your posts and seeing your progress! Have a fabulous day!

[teachermom]

Hey guys,
Just saying hi as well. Ate some white bread, and fried cheese out on my "date" with my hubby this weekend. I'm trying to get back in a loser mentality and didn't want to be that flexible this early, but we were starving and had a gift card so we ended up with an appetizer. I certainly am not being hard on myself but just being honest for the accountability factor.

Maralian- good to see you. Wish you'd stop in more often!

Liebly- sorry bout the headache. I know how it is. Hopefully it's worn off by now. Do you have a rx for Flexaril? I'm looking so forward to seeing your improvement on the Topamax!

Queen- Congrats on hitting the beach! It's been amazing for me and I really think it's the healthiest way to eat.

Hi Suzi!