Weight issues. I rarely talk about this, but I could use your prayers.........
Long story....
As you all know, in 2007 I had a heart attack and CABG x4 (bypass surgery). My life completely changed.
I kept my weight completely under control, ate an excellent diet, and resumed my long-distance walking (4-7 miles daily) pretty soon after my surgery.
Along with heart disease comes quite a few new medications. AND insulin, because the cardiologist wanted me to have very strict control of my blood sugar. He also wanted me to have fruit in my diet. Fruit has sugar. So, insulin shots became part of my daily life.
IN December 2008, our family went with 3 other families to Mexico for a mission trip. We gave out many food boxes and LOTS of clothing. It was a true blessing. However, because I limit my fat intake to UNDER 30 grams of total fat per day, I decided it would be best to take my own food. Plus I was trying to lose those last stubborn 7 pounds to reach my goal weight and a good weight for my build and lifestyle.
I was excited to get on the scale in January after we returned from Mexico. It would be fun to finally be close to my goal that I set with my doctors. But, alas, I stepped on the scale to see that I had gained 3 pounds.
In the next month, I gained approximately 10 more pounds. All the while eating my fresh fruits and veggies, fish, salads, etc. Probably about 1200 calories per day. Tops.
When I hit 15 pounds, and I saw my ankles swell to the same size as my calves, I became fearful that I was in congestive heart failure. The only problem with that was that I had no symptoms other than the swelling. But I headed out to my cardiologist.
the cardiologist did an echocardiogram, and from that I learned that my ejection fraction was back up to 55% (good) and that I had NO cardiomegaly, and that my cardiovascular status was great. Well, that did not answer any of my questions. He told me to limit my salt intake (I never add salt to anything that I cook, and I almost never eat processed meats or other foods).
The weight gain continued -- up 25 pounds -- off to another doctor. Primary care physician -- he took a look at my ankles -- now swollen to where you could not tell when my calf ended and my ankle began.....it was pretty irritating. He would have sent me to the cardiologist, but I'd already done that.....so he sent me to an endocrinologist.
FINALLY -- (up between 25 and 35 pounds by now -- it has taken about 6 months to go to all three of my doctors) -- I got in with the endocrinologist. She took a long time discussing my entire life with me. She finally took a look at my medication list, and started to smile. "I can tell you exactly what is wrong with you!!"
It was the Norvasc, she said. "That Norvasc really affects some people. And sometimes it takes a few years of being on it before it starts to cause the weight gain." She told me that if I got off the Norvasc, I would see results in 2-3 days.
However, she did not want to mess with my heart medications. She suggested that I go to my cardiologist. Well, it was at that time that I decided to change cardiologists. It took a few weeks for me to get an appointment with the new cardio, but finally, by the time I topped out with 40 pounds of weight gain, I saw the new cardiologist.
She changed the medication, because she agreed with the endocrinologist. She said, now your ankles will be back to normal in a couple of days, but I'm sorry, you'll have to lose the weight just like the rest of us do!! Your weight won't melt off just because you're not on Norvasc anymore. So that was late in 2009.
Sure enough, within 3 days of being off Norvasc, I had beautiful skinny ankles again!!! ha ha ha However, I had gained so much weight that I was just so down in the dumps......depressed.......irritated.....and in no mood to diet and exercise the pounds away.
So, there went 2010, 2011, and half of 2012. FINALLY -- my mood lifted, and I was FINALLY ready to tackle losing this stupid weight.
I've lost 15 pounds so far, and I have 25 more to go -- and then those last 7 pounds that I was trying to lose in Mexico!!! ha ha ha
I refused to buy very many clothes, because I was NOT going to make this a permanent part of my body --so I've been wearing the same 4 or 5 outfits plus jeans, for the past 3 years. I can't wait to get back into my nearly new wardrobe that I had back in 2009......LOL After my heart attack, I had donated many of my clothes because I was very self-conscious about my scars and wanted to hide them. so I thinned out my wardrobe considerably and completely changed my style.
SO, there you have it. I have poured out my innermost soul about my weight issues. I ask that if you ever think of me, please say a prayer that I can get through this in a timely manner and back to my "normal" life.
Has anyone else ever had issues with meds??? I never thought that would happen to me -- I used to really poo-poo the idea of medication causing weight gain. However, when it happens to YOU, you tend to change your mind about such things......
Thanks!!!
Dana
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Originally Posted by Diane Likens
Re: Rare conversation for me....
After having seen quite a few people "messed up" with this drug and never having been told of the possible (probable) negative side effects OR the Black Box Warning, I'd caution people to think twice and investigate before using it. Also, that diskus costs about $235 USD. 
