What's Your Ailment?

[dannyyankou]

Congrats on your progress. A friend of mine lost 150 lbs. on Wegovy, so there is definitely potential for tremendous success.

I hear you on the Costco stuff. I spent $60 there Sunday on protein (pork, chicken, Chomps, yogurt). I get all of my protein there and all of my fruits and veggies at Trader Joe's.

Oh I love Chomps, it’s been so long since I’ve had them. I’ll stock up on those.

I’ve been eating lots of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch, and Costco a 10 pack of these single servings of cooked chicken bites, which I snack on. Lots of chicken wraps too.

 

[DragonGinger]

Guess I'm acidic now because of too much coffee in my blood 🤷‍♀️

 

[rm5]

Of my many, many ailments there is one I am vaguely comfortable mentioning, which is some recently diagnosed skin condition causing rashes on my face. Can’t remember the name of it.

I posted about this in another thread, but I recently stopped twice daily nebulizer treatments for severe chronic respiratory diseases, so it’s vaguely frustrating how when one thing resolves, another thing crops up.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Congrats on your progress. A friend of mine lost 150 lbs. on Wegovy, so there is definitely potential for tremendous success.

I hear you on the Costco stuff. I spent $60 there Sunday on protein (pork, chicken, Chomps, yogurt). I get all of my protein there and all of my fruits and veggies at Trader Joe's.

I too suffer from fat liver, but 1st stage. Just found out about three or four months ago. But instead of taking medicine for it, my doctor (DO) told me to make sure that I didn't drink alcohol (I used to drink about 2-3 ounces of dry wine with dinner each evening), and also to avoid consuming sugar, specially the sweeteners derived from corn. I probably lost weight perhaps a little over 20 pounds, and feel much better now. I probably had this condition for several years already since I had been borderline diabetic, but was unaware of it until recently. I have done it this way:

-No junk food of any kind (fries, chips, fried foods, and so on)
-No fatty foods, including beef, pork, bacon, sausages. But skinless chicken (breast pieces) without fat is OK if limited to small amounts. No sugar of any kind, specially the ones derived from corn. Keep this in mind: some coffee creamers that are labeled as "sugarless" contain corn sweeteners, but nowhere in the list of ingredients these sweeteners are called sugar. Corn sugar is one of the worsts carbs there is. No nutritional bars (these two are loaded with sugar, including granola bars and such). No soda, specially the diet ones because of the chemical sweeteners they include. Also, I not longer eat corn (corn contains a lot of sugar, and it also interferes with vitamin B3 absorption). No juice of any kind, but sugarless beet juice may be OK. No processed foods of any kind, including white breads and flour. The only oils I consume are extra virgin olive oil, and avocado oil to a lesser degree. Fruits are ok too, specially strawberry, cranberry, and raspberry, but limited amounts of apple and oranges.

I have been eating fish of various kinds, specially salmon, sardine, and limited portions of yellow albacore tuna (supposedly checked for traces of mercury before canned). Tilapia, and other fish, too. Lots of veggies of various colors, legumes (beans of different kinds and colors), green leafy salads, brown rice, wild rice. Broccoli is good, beet root, plain black coffee (no creamer, sugar, etc), green tea, a few drops of lemon juice in your drinking water (a few drops per glass). Plain oatmeal for breakfast (never instant oats). My oatmeal breakfast includes unsalted mixed nuts (CostCo has numerous kinds). If I ever eat yogurt it does not contain sugar or any kind.

Lean meats are ok, too: bison, moose, deer, elk.

 

[Huntn]

Guess I'm acidic now because of too much coffee in my blood 🤷‍♀️

Too much coffee can adversely affect your health. I know of a person who lost their flight status as a pilot from over consumption of coffee.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Too much coffee can adversely affect your health. I know a person who lost their flight status as a pilot from over consumption of coffee.

That's true. I have been drinking too much of a "strong" coffee, and just today decided to have two 5-ounce cups per day, and drink more black and green tea instead.

The fact is that there could be a thread about fat liver disease in this forum. FLD is rampant around the world, and a lot of people aren't aware of being affected by it; I wasn't. Also there is a pretty good chance that my 38-year old first son died form FLD, and was not aware of this condition. He passed away last year on St Patricks Day. By the time we realized that his liver was damaged to that degree, it was too late to do anything about it. If my wife and I would have known what this disease is, and that he was suffering from it, we would have intervened and done something. But we didn't know what it was until my doctor told me earlier this year that I had stage 1 of fat liver, and eat it was.

Most protein drinks that are sweet, regardless of the type of sweetener used being sold as "for diabetics or not," all result on more "bad fat" buildup in an already fat liver. The same for the already processed energy bars, but it it not sugar alone that increases fat in the liver.

The food industries could very well aid in reducing the incidence of fact liver disease (FLD), but it is cheaper and faster to go by the FDA guidelines than it is to produce foods that are designed to aid FLD sufferers. It is faster and cheaper to produce and use a concentrated sweetener at a lab. But the first thing that was done by the food industries was to have generations of Americans hooked on sugar, fat, and salt. As I mentioned before, any coffee creamer that feels sweet to the taste, even the ones labeled as not having sugar it, contain some type of sweetener. Most of the sweeteners used are "concentrates" derived from corn, while others found in diets soda and liquid proteins are most times lab-created sweeteners of various kinds.

 

[DragonGinger]

Too much coffee can adversely affect your health. I know a person who lost their flight status as a pilot from over consumption of coffee.

How is he now? Did he stop drinking coffee? I'm scared 😬

 

[Huntn]

How is he now? Did he stop drinking coffee? I'm scared 😬

Clarified my post. He had an over abundance of white blood cells as I recall (maybe incorrectly), as this happened decades ago. Abstaining from coffee corrected his blood chemistry but I can’t tell you how long that took. He was not a friend, heard though the grape vine of Navy acquaintances.

 

[Huntn]

That's true. I have been drinking too much of a "strong" coffee, and just today decided to have two 5-ounce cups per day, and drink more black and green tea instead.

The fact is that there could be a thread about fat liver disease in this forum. FLD is rampant around the world, and a lot of people aren't aware of being affected by it; I wasn't. Also there is a pretty good chance that my 38-year old first son died form FLD, and was not aware of this condition. He passed away last year on St Patricks Day. By the time we realized that his liver was damaged to that degree, it was too late to do anything about it. If my wife and I would have known what this disease is, and that he was suffering from it, we would have intervened and done something. But we didn't know what it was until my doctor told me earlier this year that I had stage 1 of fat liver, and eat it was.

Most protein drinks that are sweet, regardless of the type of sweetener used being sold as "for diabetics or not," all result on more "bad fat" buildup in an already fat liver. The same for the already processed energy bars, but it it not sugar alone that increases fat in the liver.

The food industries could very well aid in reducing the incidence of fact liver disease (FLD), but it is cheaper and faster to go by the FDA guidelines than it is to produce foods that are designed to aid FLD sufferers. It is faster and cheaper to produce and use a concentrated sweetener at a lab. But the first thing that was done by the food industries was to have generations of Americans hooked on sugar, fat, and salt. As I mentioned before, any coffee creamer that feels sweet to the taste, even the ones labeled as not having sugar it, contain some type of sweetener. Most of the sweeteners used are "concentrates" derived from corn, while others found in diets soda and liquid proteins are most times lab-created sweeteners of various kinds.

I’m drinking one 16oz mug of coffee per day, black.

I wonder if there is a benefit of drinking green tea as opposed to coffee? Maybe I’ll partially answer my own question… 🙃

Green Tea vs. Coffee: Which Is Better for Your Health?

This article compares many health benefits and a few downsides of coffee and green tea. It also discusses healthy and unhealthy ways to prepare them.

www.healthline.com

Though green tea and coffee both offer health benefits due to their caffeine and antioxidant content, coffee has more than three times the amount of caffeine

 

[dannyyankou]

Ever since I’ve been taking weight loss medication, it’s been interesting tracking my weight everyday. Yesterday I went to a movie and I got buffalo wings and popcorn. And it turns out when you have loads of sodium, your body retains all the water you drink for a long time lol. My weight shot up 5 pounds in 12 hours.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Clarified my post. He had an over abundance of white blood cells as I recall (maybe incorrectly), as this happened decades ago. Abstaining from coffee corrected his blood chemistry but I can’t tell you how long that took. He was not a friend, heard though the grape vine of Navy acquaintances.

I wonder if decaffeinated coffee would be better than caffeinated? Some doctors say that the problem with coffee is that it increases the PH balance in your body by turning acidic in your stomach. I have been drinking 2-3 cups per day of decaffeinated tea, and sometimes drink decaffeinated coffee too. If it helps or not, I have no idea. I believe that most cheeses also offsets the PH balance in your body (toward the acidic balance), but there is an exception, "cottage cheese."

In my specific case (the beginning of a fat liver), just by cutting on sugar alone I lose weight. I just love dark chocolate (the store kind that's leaded with sugar). The ones I love the most are European brands that don't have as much sugar as the US ones, but after my doctor told me to cut dawn on carbs, specially the ones derived from corn and any type of concentrated sugar (honey, molasses, cane sugar, chemical sugar, and so on), and had to stop consuming "sweet stuff."

How is he now? Did he stop drinking coffee? I'm scared 😬

I remember my mother telling me numerous times that, "eat a little of everything, different shapes and colors, and limit the amount of red meats." Now that I think about it I have realized that drinking "some" coffee is not as bad as drinking a lot of coffee. But the healthiest way is to drink it black (no creamers, milk, sugar, and so on).

As I mentioned before, some coffee creamers are labeled as sugar-free, but if you taste some of these creamers you will notice that they are sweet. You can read the entire label and notice that the creamer does not have any added sugar, but where is the sweetness it it coming from? The answer could be as follows: commercial milk (the ones you buy in the store) contains a pretty good amount of sugar. It doesn't matter if it is organic or not. But the creamer's producer makes the product sweeter by adding a sweetener that is not usually called sugar. When reading the label of the coffee creamer I mentioned before, nowhere was "sugar" added to the creamer, but when I read the list of ingredients located below the label, corn was listed as one of the ingredients.

Ever since I’ve been taking weight loss medication, it’s been interesting tracking my weight everyday. Yesterday I went to a movie and I got buffalo wings and popcorn. And it turns out when you have loads of sodium, your body retains all the water you drink for a long time lol. My weight shot up 5 pounds in 12 hours.

Yes, popcorn contains a lot of salt, and believe it or not, corn also contains sugar. It is only when you give off on sugar and so much salt that you will notice that the store milk, bread, and so on, taste sweet while others salty.

But again, if your liver is in good condition (not fat) a Mediterranean diet (minus the alcoholic drinks), and exercise should work for most people. The main problem with gaining weight relates to large portions, and not fasting between meals. A lot of weight is gained between meals (foraging).

 

[GrayFlannel]

Yes, popcorn contains a lot of salt, and believe it or not, corn also contains sugar.

Popcorn contains very little salt and is sugar-free.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Popcorn contains very little salt and is sugar-free.

I stand corrected about popcorn. But the popcorn sold at the movie theaters contains a lot of salt, and other ingredients that can be unhealthy. Store popcorn usually contains salt, although it is possible that you can find unsalted popcorn somewhere (I don't really know). The best popcorn is the one you can pop at home, since you can control what ingredients to add. However, some of the packaged bags to pop in the microwave oven contain salt, flavors, oils, and so on. You have to decide which one to buy after reading the label, and even so most buyers, including myself, don't know what some of the ingredients in the package's label are. The traditional or original kernel is the best, but there is a "hybrid" kernel that although is not called GMO, it has been modified to produce a higher yield than the traditional kernel. Is it GMO or not? Nobody seems to have the answer. Look...I eat it myself after removing the sal from it, CostCo has some that is labeled organic (No GMO), but I sometimes wonder

The link below is in reference to some of the healthier popcorns. You will be surprised at some of the ingredients "make yourself popcorn" contain. In relation to popcorn being GMO or not, there is plenty of information available by searching the net for it.

9 Healthiest Microwave Popcorn Brands

Dietitians reveal the healthiest microwave popcorn brands you can buy, and also share which ones are best to leave on grocery store shelves.

www.eatthis.com

 

[GrayFlannel]

I stand corrected about popcorn. But the popcorn sold at the movie theaters contains a lot of salt, and other ingredients that can be unhealthy.

Indeed it does because the theater adds it. This should not be a surprise to anyone particularly those who are health conscious or on weight loss medication.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Indeed it does because the theater adds it. This should not be a surprise to anyone particularly those who are health conscious or on weight loss medication.

Just don't forget to look at the popcorn offerings in the link I posted above.

 

[GrayFlannel]

I stand corrected about popcorn. But the popcorn sold at the movie theaters contains a lot of salt, and other ingredients that can be unhealthy. Store popcorn usually contains salt, although it is possible that you can find unsalted popcorn somewhere (I don't really know). The best popcorn is the one you can pop at home, since you can control what ingredients to add. However, some of the packaged bags to pop in the microwave oven contain salt, flavors, oils, and so on. You have to decide which one to buy after reading the label, and even so most buyers, including myself, don't know what some of the ingredients in the package's label are. The traditional or original kernel is the best, but there is a "hybrid" kernel that although is not called GMO, it has been modified to produce a higher yield than the traditional kernel. Is it GMO or not? Nobody seems to have the answer. Look...I eat it myself after removing the sal from it, CostCo has some that is labeled organic (No GMO), but I sometimes wonder

The link below is in reference to some of the healthier popcorns. You will be surprised at some of the ingredients "make yourself popcorn" contain. In relation to popcorn being GMO or not, there is plenty of information available by searching the net for it.

9 Healthiest Microwave Popcorn Brands

Dietitians reveal the healthiest microwave popcorn brands you can buy, and also share which ones are best to leave on grocery store shelves.

www.eatthis.com

Just don't forget to look at the popcorn offerings in the link I posted above.

Hi - i looked at them. Interesting but I don’t popcorn in th microwave. I use a commercial popper parked outside the theater room and buy the premade packets.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Hi - i looked at them. Interesting but I don’t popcorn in th microwave. I use a commercial popper parked outside the theater room and buy the premade packets.

I see. In that case you can control the amount of ingredients. The majority of other store "popcorn" kernels to prepare at home, not only in microwave ovens or hot air devices, already have salt and other ingredients. However, there are lots of them that don't include additives and things like that. Those who for whatever reason are in a low-salt or sugar diet have some options. In my individual case I have not choice but to abstain from sugar and salt, or at least to keep it to a minimum. That said, I am consuming a very small amount of meat, and more fish, eggs, green-leafy salads, and so on. The only dressing I use is extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar, mixed with the usual Italian spices, garlic, and onion.

 

[danb1979]

PCS - post cholecystectomy syndrome

Basically had to have my GB removed last June due to an allergic reaction to a general 2 weeks before; unfortunately had issues relating to 1st op from July last year through to Jan this year; had an op to fix that once and forall.

But as I was on so many painkillers etc my system had slowed right down, not letting me know of PCS until I'd weened myself off the drugs late March this year

After that it's been hell; only 3 weeks ago did I receive colesevlam tablets and the colestyramine was absolutely useless and only now are the tablets working

Its not been fun; waiting for more tests for the docs to try and suss why this is happening...

I'm not confident they will

Bodyweight was, last May, 140kg; I'm now 112kg - lightest I've been since 2002 when I weight 115kg for my 1st ever powerlifting comp!

 

[Huntn]

PCS - post cholecystectomy syndrome

Basically had to have my GB removed last June due to an allergic reaction to a general 2 weeks before; unfortunately had issues relating to 1st op from July last year through to Jan this year; had an op to fix that once and forall.

But as I was on so many painkillers etc my system had slowed right down, not letting me know of PCS until I'd weened myself off the drugs late March this year

After that it's been hell; only 3 weeks ago did I receive colesevlam tablets and the colestyramine was absolutely useless and only now are the tablets working

Its not been fun; waiting for more tests for the docs to try and suss why this is happening...

I'm not confident they will

Bodyweight was, last May, 140kg; I'm now 112kg - lightest I've been since 2002 when I weight 115kg for my 1st ever powerlifting comp!

I hope this clears up for you. 🤞🏼

Cholecystectomy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Postcholecystectomy syndrome - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[dannyyankou]

Oh wow, congrats! I started on July 27, and my starting weight was 240. This morning, I was 224. So it seems like I’m progressing at an average pace, but it’s my 2nd week on 1.0mg and I really feel the appetite suppression kicking in. I just bought a big case of protein shakes and high protein yogurts at Costco yesterday. I’m literally about to open a protein bar right now lol.

So a little update on this. My weight this morning was 217.9. So basically a 6 pound loss in 38 days, which honestly isn’t that impressive. Lots of brunches the past month, lots of trips out where it was more difficult to eat healthy. Still progress nonetheless.

But that’s not why I’m giving this update. When I started in July, my ALT and AST levels, which are enzymes released as a result of liver damage due to fat, were 71 and 32, respectively. Healthy ALT and AST ranges are 10-49 for ALT and < 34 for AST, and I’ve had AST levels as high as 42 recently.

I did bloodwork in August, and my ALT dropped to 65 and my AST dropped to 28. I did more bloodwork yesterday and they dropped to 56 and 24. So the ALT levels aren’t quite in the normal range yet, but the progress has been very good! At this rate, I’ll reach that point in a couple months.

Honestly, if I had no other health issues, I wouldn’t even bother with Wegovy. I’m only taking it because of the fatty liver, and the fact that this medication is completely reversing that is amazing. The weight loss is just a bonus.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

So a little update on this. My weight this morning was 217.9. So basically a 6 pound loss in 38, which honestly isn’t that impressive. Lots of brunches the past month, lots of trips out where it was more difficult to eat healthy. Still progress nonetheless.

But that’s not why I’m giving this update. When I started in July, my ALT and AST levels, which are enzymes released as a result of liver damage due to fat, were 71 and 32, respectively. Healthy ALT and AST ranges are 10-49 for ALT and < 34 for AST, and I’ve had AST levels as high as 42 recently.

I did bloodwork in August, and my ALT dropped to 65 and my AST dropped to 28. I did more bloodwork yesterday and they dropped to 56 and 24. So the ALT levels aren’t quite in the normal range yet, but the progress has been very good! At this rate, I’ll reach that point in a couple months.

Honestly, if I had no other health issues, I wouldn’t even bother with Wegovy. I’m only taking it because of the fatty liver, and the fact that this medication is completely reversing that is amazing. The weight loss is just a bonus.

That is good news. Just keep in mind to not starve yourself. You can find lots of good advise relating to diet in YouTube (one example of numerous). Fat liver disease in the US, and probably around the world, is similar to an epidemic these days. It is this way in Alaska, primarily in the young adult population. I cut sugar from my diet, stopped eating pork and other sausage that have lots of fat, bacon, fruit juice, coffee creamers, milk, anything that contains corn sweeteners and starches (including soy starches, etc.). And yes, granola and other energy bars are processed. These contain lots of sugar and soy/corn derivatives (sweeteners, starches, and so on). Remember that some coffee creamers that are labeled to not contain sugar are very sweet. Some of the sweeteners from corn, soy, and other lab-created sweeteners aren't called "sugar."

Good foods: legumes, green-leafy salads of all kinds, extra virgin olive oil (avocado oil is OK, too), brown rice after being in the refrigerator for at least 10-12 hours (cook, refrigerate 12 hours, then re-heat and eat a small portion), sardines (look for fresh sardines, or at least canned with olive oil and a low salt content), tuna, salmon, and more fish. Green and black tea, and two small cups of black coffee without creamer and sweeteners are OK too. Wild game meat (if you hunt), lean and skinless chicken breasts, fruit (pineapple is too sweet), cranberry, blueberry, not salted mixed nuts (you can rinse the salt off if you don't find the unsalted kind, but CostCo has numerous kinds). Eggs are good. Take turmeric supplements with foods that contain fat (it is fat soluble). The same can be said for vitamin D3 and K2/k3/k7. But if you are taking blood thinners, make sure to check with your doctors before taking vitamin K.

Search for and talk to a good nutritionist. Some of my friends have done that and have recovered already. My DO also is a nutritionist, and I have lost over 30 pounds and doing well. I loved a cup of wine with dinner since I was young, and stopped as soon as my doctor told me that I had the first stage of a fat liver

 

[Huntn]

Ailment related…Medical plan decision time...
I’m currently on a secondary Aetna Medicare PPO plan (covers in and out of network), considering on changing to a Aetna Medicare HMO Plan (in network or nothing) everything about it looks better, but based on what little I know about these plans, my impression is that doctors dislike the HMO plans more than PPO, and there maybe less availability with network only. However my dentist dropped out of the PPO plan I’m on and crown went up 80% from $600 for a crown to $1000, and I’m switching dentists.
Any thoughts on the choice?*

 

[jz0309]

Ailment related…Medical plan decision time...
I’m currently on a secondary Aetna Medicare PPO plan (covers in and out of network), considering on changing to a Aetna Medicare HMO Plan (in network or nothing) everything about it looks better, but based on what little I know about these plans, my impression is that doctors dislike the HMO plans more than PPO, and there maybe less availability with network only. However my dentist dropped out of the PPO plan I’m on and crown went up 80% from $600 for a crown to $1000, and I’m switching dentists.
Any thoughts on the choice?*

If you have doctors that you know/like - check if they accept that plan, esp your PCP.

And I’m sure you know that you need a referral to a specialist from your PCP with the HMO.

Most importantly imho compare the coverage, deductibles and other benefits that each plan offers.

I am new to Medicare for a few months now, I chose an advantage HMO plan at no addl cost to me, offers vision, dental and other benefits like eg $100/quarter for OTC

 

[Doctor Q]

If you are willing to switch dentists to get one that's in the plan you choose, then that problem is solved.

I don't think the opinions of doctors matter much for the choice you're making. It's just a matter of which providers you'll be covered for and how much you pay for the policy.

You can check which providers in your area are covered by the HMO plan, starting with your current health providers. It may be a particular hospital or group. You can probably save money on the policy if you're willing to get your services from that group. You might no longer have one primary care physician, and instead it'll be whoever is on call when you visit. If you need specialists, you'd get referrals, and the specialists would also be in the group. I've heard stories of HMO patients waiting a long time for specialist appointments or procedures, but I don't know how often that happens.

If the HMO plan would cover dental and vision care too, that's a plus.

Your PPO plan probably costs more, but gives you the freedom to see almost any provider, including the ones you are used to, typically without referrals.

Medicare Part B doesn't cover the entire cost of provider care. You'll still have a deductible, copays and coinsurance. Some people buy a Medicare Supplement plan to cover the copays and coinsurance, and that's a tradeoff depending on how much health care you require.

There's also a peace-of-mind consideration involved. Some people are willing to pay more to feel that they can get the health care they want, from whom they want, when they want, or to know that surprise costs will be covered.

 

[Huntn]

If you are willing to switch dentists to get one that's in the plan you choose, then that problem is solved.

I don't think the opinions of doctors matter much for the choice you're making. It's just a matter of which providers you'll be covered for and how much you pay for the policy.

You can check which providers in your area are covered by the HMO plan, starting with your current health providers. It may be a particular hospital or group. You can probably save money on the policy if you're willing to get your services from that group. You might no longer have one primary care physician, and instead it'll be whoever is on call when you visit. If you need specialists, you'd get referrals, and the specialists would also be in the group. I've heard stories of HMO patients waiting a long time for specialist appointments or procedures, but I don't know how often that happens.

If the HMO plan would cover dental and vision care too, that's a plus.

Your PPO plan probably costs more, but gives you the freedom to see almost any provider, including the ones you are used to, typically without referrals.

Medicare Part B doesn't cover the entire cost of provider care. You'll still have a deductible, copays and coinsurance. Some people buy a Medicare Supplement plan to cover the copays and coinsurance, and that's a tradeoff depending on how much health care you require.

There's also a peace-of-mind consideration involved. Some people are willing to pay more to feel that they can get the health care they want, from whom they want, when they want, or to know that surprise costs will be covered.

The PPO has in network and out of network rates. Out of network is substantially more expensive as with my Dentist. I am switching dentists, but saw that with Aetna there is the PPO which I’m currently on, and the HMO which includes equivalent Coverage at a lesser rate, but here you are restricted to in network. So I’m researching to understand what the draw back of the HMO plan, besides less choice. One question would be is the lesser coverage, numbers of providers in the netwrk result in a hardship of choice? So far the doctors I’ve checked if they accept the PPO plan, also accept the HMO plan… so far.