The FastDay Forum

Hi all,

I haven't posted for quite a while, mainly because there's just been too much going on in life. I haven't stopped fasting but there's been no weight loss since Christmas, just maintaining.

Some of you might remember me saying last year that I had a knee problem, caused by injury in Winter 2012/13. I never went to the doctor at the time as I just thought it was strained and they'd only advise rest for it. Well it never got better and then at some point over this Christmas I did further injury to it - not sure how, but the pain became much worse. So in January I finally went to the doctors and they booked me in to see a specialist. Ultrasound and MRI later and now I know that last year was a torn cartilage, which has failed to heal properly and has now developed into a 5cm internal cyst. So all of that has led to a lot of inflammation, pain and broken sleep. I can't take painkillers for it, because when I do I then do things that cause more damage. I'm walking with a bit of a limp at the moment so exercise is down to the absolute minimum. So I think that is one reason why fasting has not led to any more weight loss in the past few months.

Anyway, I'm booked in for keyhole surgery next Thursday, so hopefully that should sort things out.

On top of that my dad's vascular dementia has progressed further and since the end of January we have been expecting the endpoint at any moment. He's been bedridden since September, but now all the basic functions are shutting down. So I feel like life is on hold because of that. He has been ill since 2007 and it's just dragged out for so long. My mum is still caring for him at home and it's hard watching her cope with it all. So I'm stressed with that too.

So yes, losing weight and posting on here hasn't been high on my list of priorities. I have kept popping on every so often, just haven't felt like posting. I'm hoping coming back will help me in my recovery though.

Hello no more mrs Michelin . Sorry to hear about your knee and your dad. Good for you to keep with fasting. Take care and I look forward to hearing from you after the surgery.

Hi and thank you for keeping us posted no more Mrs Michelin. You and I have similar trajectories I notice. Well done on your achievements in health so far.good luck with you op. From everything I've been listening to and reading if you were to reduce inflammation then perhaps reduce processed carbs. I may be wrong but this seems to be a recurrent theme from Nurosergeon Dr Perlmutter " Grain Brain " and the other book " wheat belly" I forget which cardiologist wrote that book. I think Dr William Davis. From listening to them both on podcasts they were both sick of treating patients with brain and heart disease and both have come to the same preventative conclusion-avoid wheat and grains. Sounds so easy when you say it like that doesn't it. Not so easy in real life. But I thought I'd mention it because I truly believe these specialists and I feel much better for eating real food and limiting processed carbs.
Xxx.

Sending you a hug and well done for keeping going, maintaining is better than gaining. You've done really well with all you've had to deal with. I hope you knee gets better quickly (2 of our teachers have keyhole surgery on their knees and recovered well). Sending you symptathy and hugs about your dad; such a difficult thing to have to deal with.

Claire x

My thoughts are with you,no more mrs Michelin ,went through the same thing with my dad a few years ago,it's so hard
Big hug!
Hope the op goes well
X

[Betsysgr8]

Good to see you again and sorry to hear all that has been contributing to your absence. I understand very well how life can cause someone to put the forum on a low-priority list but just remember we are all here to offer our support, virtual shoulders and hugs when you need them (even a laugh can be thrown in on occasion) . Good luck with the surgery and prayers going out for you family and this trying time.

Hi there honey and big hugs {{{+}}} to you and your family.
Some 30 odd years ago I tore my right foot tendon just going over a kerb, my foot and ankle were in plaster for six weeks and physio for a further two months. It still gets weak moments so I understand your pain. Be very gentle with yourself, it takes time to heal once the docs have had their way with it, but it will be worth giving it that time.
The low carbs thing is probably a must, loads of info here and on marksdailyapple.com site, but I've found keeping below 100g carb a day really helps even with low exercise, and of course 5:2 fasting.
Very best of luck m'dear :0)

Well done fasting with so much going on. Sorry about your dad (((hugs))). good luck with the surgery.
Dee

Nice to see you back, sorry about your dad these at awful times for you and your mum
Glad you've managed to keep on with fastdays what with everything else going on around you so well done on the maintenance, best of luck with the surgery that should put you right, you'll be back to some form of exercise very quickly especially with having key hole surgery.

So sorry to hear about your knee and your dad. No wonder you haven't been on. Sending hugs and positive thoughts your way. I hope your surgery goes well - please let us know, ok?

Welcome back, not easy with all that's going on in your life, stay with us this time if only for support, we all need an emotional outlet sometimes, hugs to you and your parents, especially your mum, really hard on her.

Ballerina x

Much sympathy - my dad has been cared for by my mum with a degenerative disease since 2010 and it is very very hard to watch and be able to do so little.

You've done a fantastic job maintaining, especially with the knee problem to cope with as well. Ballerina's right - stick with us on here, as there will be someone who has experienced similar, and can offer real support, and the rest of us to vent to if you need to.

Good to see you back here NMMM Well done to keep up the fasting, good results you have there considering the stress you have endured

Must be difficult seeing your mum and your dad in this situation and his deteriorating slowly over a protracted time. It's a hard one all around and takes so much love care and attention.

Nothing worse than having to deal with difficulty walking either. You don't realise moving freely is fundamental to everything you do, then having to deal with injury, the chronic nature of pain and impacts on you in many ways and especially sleep. All this while getting on with your own busy life. We can be here for you albeit virtual. it is one of the lovely parts of the forum you can get support from around the world

All the best with your surgery and recuperation. Keep in touch

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It's lovely to have such a supportive group.

Went to see my parents yesterday as I won't be able to drive for a few weeks after the op. Every time I see my dad I'm aware it may be the last time, but I do think that it really won't be long now. He has very little awareness of his surrounding now, so it's a case of just trying to keep him comfortable until the end. My mum has said that he would still want me to have the op and not postpone it if anything should happen in the next few days. I know she's right, so I shall carry on...

The comments on low carbing - well I do that anyway on my fast days, and I don't eat excessive amounts on other days. I don't eat processed foods anyway and have a rule that only home-made baking is allowed. I think that a lot of the problem is actually with modern manufacturing methods and additives, rather than necessarily wheat itself. For my knee the inflammation level is mainly affected by the amount of exercise I've had to do. If I've been walking or stood up more, then the swelling goes up, regardless of what I've eaten.