I have never posted or been in a group such as this and I am turning 30 this year. The turning 30 issue along with many physical health problems prompted me to get angry at my doctor and myself. Why is it that when a woman is "sick" it may not be taken seriously and when a man is "sick" they look at him differently. I explained to the doctor that I was stressed out and depressed and beginning with some anxiety because I WAS NOT SLEEPING SOUND DUE TO....

Carpel Tunnell Syndrome (diagnosed and have had since I was 15 years old), chroinic pain in my neck and shoulders and back, chronic sleeping at the wheel while DRIVING and fearful to travel far (Sleep study revealed nothing but was "inconclusive" but a bill for 600 for me and one for my insurance company), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Diagnosed), heart palpitations, he had just diagnosed TMJ which was severly enflamed sending shooting pains in my head. I asked him if he did not find it interesting that at my age I was having these problems (Keep in mind I began taking responsibility for some health issues. I was working out 3 times a week, had lost about 20 pounds and I felt just as bad if not worse) that seem to be mostly related to neurological or muscular issues. He said, well, you should see a massage therapist. I told him that I have been seeing an excellent massage therapist faithfully for the past three years and drive an hour one way to see him for treatment. He said, well you should have a nerve conduction test and I said I did have a nerve conduction test about seven years ago (when I had health insurance) and they recommended surgery...... I have to do something and I want to know why all these problems are not somehow related to one another??? He said, have surgery. I said, what if we are treating a symptom but not the cause??

I found out about a environmental medicine doctor who is a family practicioner as well as an allergy doctor. He has changed my life. He said that I can help you but you have to do what I tell you to do.......... First after meeting we are peeling back layers of issues. First problem diagnosed was Candida (no carbs or sugar allowed & Diflucan-maybe forever), second was long term Mono (take a monthly peptide injection), next thing we are working on is looking at body temps for Wilson's Thyroid Syndrome because its not showing up on the blood work but I still have some indications that there is still some problem occuring in my body preventing my optimal health but now I am working on changing my mindset.

After only six months, by the way, I saw dramatic immediate results.
I have no Carpel Tunnell.
I have no IBS.
I have no problems sleeping better at night.
I have no depression or anxiety.
The Fibro symtoms of the tightness and aching are gone.
I still have sleepiness on occassion and some overall tiredness. But I have seen a dramatic improvement.
I am also struggling with small flair ups of the TMJ.

I need to remember that this is a new lifestyle not a "diet" I cannot pig out even once on pizza, chinese food or fries.... because if I do I will pay for it and I will want it every day....Its time to learn how to: "eat to live, not live to eat." After 6 months it seems like it is getting harder. I need help and encouragement on new things to eat because I am struggling with what to eat. I work a full time job, part time job and am going to graduate school. I live with my two cats and I cook for only myself. This makes it trickier?!!!! Any encouragement or advice would be very kind. Also If I could answer any questions about my journey and insights thus far, Let me know.

Hello Candida!

Welcome to this forum, you will be amazed at how much info & encouragement you will find here! This is one of my favorite sites I have come across...ever!

About the comment on finding new things to eat...you have come to the right place! There are tons of recipes here! I haven't even had a chance to finish looking thru them all!

Sounds like you've been doing awesome! Keep up the great work! Best thing to do is to start a journal on the "Journal/Bootcamp" forum. Its an awesome way to meet new people & for them to stop by in your journal & say hello. You can check mine out!

Have a great day!

Hi Candida! Welcome to the forum!

First of all, congratulations on your success so far! Not just on your weight-loss success, but also your success in beating some of the things that were ailing you, and improvements in some of the others.

I was also going to suggest starting a journal. Use it as little or as much as you'd like, but I've found it's a great tool to use for keeping in touch with your new LC buddies... it's the best place for them to reach you (and you can reach others by posting to their journals)

I'm about a year older than you, and I'm also in graduate school (qualifying exam coming up in June... ugh!) I've only been doing LC for about 2 months, so I guess I'm still filled with that initial enthusiasm (although this forum has helped a lot with that!) I'm also not bored with eggs for breakfast or my usual salad for lunch (not yet, anyway). I try to mix it up a little for dinner.

As for ideas on new things to eat, take a look at the recipes section of the forum. Also, take a peek into different users' journals, since many people use their journals as food logs as well.

All the best to you!

Welcome to the forum...

Hello and welcome to the forum

I'm sure you'll find this site very informative. And the support you'll get here can't be beat!!!

Best of luck to you

I wish you the best of luck with your health problems. And welcome to the forums, I think you will really enjoy and learn alot from them.