Diet Chef

[Emily Case]

Hi everyone.

I'm going through a bit of a tough time at the moment. The doctor found a lump in my throat (very similar to what my mum & gran had) and has sent me for blood tests and an ultrasound scan.

He thinks I'm suffering with an underactive thyroid and a goitre (under/overactive thyroid and thyroid cancer having affected 4 women on my mum's side before me).

I have been watching my eating since 2007 (when I was 14 and a size 14) but since then have ballooned to a size 22 - whatever I do, I can't lose weight. Vigorous exercise 5 times a week to no exercise... it makes no difference. 2000 calories, 900 calories... makes no difference. I lose a little then gain a lot :sad:

I'm waiting on the blood test results and a letter from the hospital for the date of my ultrasound... I'm quite frightened as my mum and gran both had a total thyroidectomy and I'm concerned I will go down the same road :cry:

Anyway, back to the point. I'm not going to give up trying to lose weight, as it's for my mental health as well as physical (I've suffered with depression for 5 years too and being overweight is making me miserable). So I've just ordered a 4 month hamper from Diet Chef... it means I don't have to make the decisions about food except "what do I fancy"!

Has anyone tried it? What were your results like when combined with regular exercise?

Sorry for waffling on guys, I'm really worried that I will follow in the footsteps of the 4 women before me and suffer with my thyroid :cry: - it's really getting me down. Anyone else got a thyroid problem?? It would be great to know how you deal with it...

xxx

 

[emma84]

Hi Hun, firstly I know it's easier said then done but please try not to worry too much, you are seeing professionals which is brilliant, they will help sort out what ever it is and worrying is not going to make it go away. Its just going to make you more down and depressed and like you said a vicious circle, try going out walking increase the amount you walk daily the fresh air will not only do you good but it does help with depression ( trust me I know ) I don't know about the diet chef I have seen it on tv all I can say is good luck with that, my friend has thyroid problems so is on Meds for life and she manages it really well they have juggled around her Meds and have finally found the one for her. I hope some of this may help but I know it's easier for an outsider looking in then it is when your going through it, take each day as it comes and find good things in your life things to be positive about, here I will start you off

1) your alive
2) any problems you may have your getting help for, your making a conscious decision to make a change
3) you've recognised that you want to make a change
4) you have salon geek :0) xx

 

[Emily Case]

Emma that was such a sweet reply, thank you!

I just know how painful and long-winded the whole thyroid thing is... after all, I've watched 3 of them go through it and seeing it first-hand, then realising you are about to embark on that same journey is so hard to stomach :sad:

My mum still hasn't found the right meds for her which is horrible... hers was removed in November and we're both just ploughing on with life (no matter how hard). She's worried because she knows how I feel and how it takes its toll on day-to-day life.

I had a little cry this morning because I'm just so sick of feeling poorly and low. I won't ever let myself slip back into depression, but at the moment I can feel its hold on me and it's difficult to ignore. I'm always cold, my hair is falling out, I have dry/flaky skin, my nails are snapping, really heavy and painful periods, migraines and constipation... it's just horrid.

The only time I feel normal is when I'm with clients... I just need more to keep me going!

xx

 

[pure]

Unless someone has themselves suffered with an underactive thyroid or seen someone they love suffer then they have no idea just how horrible it can be :hug:

I was diagnosed 7 years ago now, and despite meds and countless blood tests on the NHS I finally gave up and went private about 4 years ago.

Best thing I ever did! No amount of effort or being good would help me lose weight before, but once I started on new meds (which the NHS wont prescribe!) I lost 4 stone in just over 4 months without even trying My memory returned to normal, my moods, my energy levels - basically I was me again !!

Basdically I would say to you that you really shouldn't put any pressure on yourself to lose weight until you have a full diagnosis and have started any meds that you may need because to be honest you'll be fighting an unwinable battle which then just has a knock on effect to how you feel about yourself - and frankly you have enough to deal with now :hug:

Btw did you know that depression is a very common effect of UAT?

 

[Emily Case]

Pure, thanks very much for making me feel better. I swear to god that I eat LESS than my slim boyfriend, and I can't lose a thing. It is very frustrating. At least I know though that if I go on this diet I will be eating healthy even if I don't lose weight.

I had no idea depression was a symptom! I've been feeling like a total hypochondriac, complaining about silly things and it just all adds up. My first blood test came back normal so I'm just waiting on the results of the second. It took 29 years for my mum to get diagnosed and even then they only removed her thyroid because they thought it was cancer!

Can I ask where you went for a private consultation? I feel so horrible right now and have been looking for endocrynology/thyroid/ENT specialists to 'refer myself'.

My previous doctor was very rude, she said I didn't have any of the symptoms (despite not even asking me) and that I was "looking for an excuse to be fat".

I must say, I'm just grateful someone has listened and actually sent me for tests rather than just shooing me out of the door! I know I'm poorly - I've never felt so ill and down in my life. I just wish I could wave a magic wand and be "normal" - no weight/medical problems, no mental problems... :sad:

Xxx

 

[pure]

At the top of the very long list of symptoms are excess weight and inability to lose it, lack of energy and depression :/ and many many more.

I'm on my phone at the moment but as soon as I get on the PC I'll pm you a link to a fab site which helped me hugely and also the details of who I saw xxx

 

[pure]

This is a great site for any information to do with thyroid problems - Thyroid Mistreatment, Hypothyroidism Scandals, and Thyroid Treatment Problems | Stop The Thyroid Madness

and this is the private Dr I saw and details of his clinics - Dr Peatfield Metabolic Clinic Schedule

 

[Emily Case]

Pure, thank you so so so so SO much.

That website is great. I've decided to go private... apparently because the NHS is on a budget, they only test TSH, T3 and T4... but there are 5 other things that should be tested for a FULL diagnosis. I will have to pay but that isn't a problem; I just want to feel better again.

On the bright side, my Diet Chef stuff is arriving tomorrow and maybe it will help me to feel better as I'll be eating more healthily than I usually do, whether it helps me lose weight or not!

xxx

 

[pure]

My pleasure

I hope it all works out for you - it might take a while to get the balance of things right but you'll get there, and it'll be SO worth it :hug:

Please let me know how you get on

 

[Angelaznailz]

Good luck with your thyroid problem and on your journey with Diet Chef.
I lost 2 stones with the plan and really enjoyed the food. Even more, I enjoyed not having to count calories, grocery shop or cook .
(All you need is fresh veg or salad and some milk for the cereal.)
It really works.
All the best...........:hug: