Here's the little booger that was my excuse for years:




I would just like to encourage anyone who is battling the side effects of medication(s). I have epilepsy, and to lead a normal life, I must take an anti-seizure medication every single day...it is being put on the medication I am currently on about 10 years ago that caused me to gain weight very quickly-a total of about 100 lbs. in a matter of months.

This medication very quickly became my excuse for being overweight-why, they even told me that weight gain was a common side effect and friends and co-workers told me I looked like zombie when I was first put on it...I felt like my metabolism had come to a screeching halt.

Here's the thing-I am on that same medication today, and weigh 100 lbs. less. As a matter of fact, I am on a HIGHER dose of it today, than I was when I gained all the weight.

Today-know that you CAN fight those side effects of meds, you truly can! You can reteach your body to react differently...you can rev it up, it just takes time and effort.

Today, I choose to be thankful there is a medication that allows me to lead a normal life, and even more thankful that I have learned the lesson of not using it as my excuse to be unhealthy, but rather as a crucial element in my story of success.

Amy

What an awesome message to send to people who will need it for sure. We use so many different things as a crutch and and excuse to not be the best we can be when in reality it is just our fear or our laziness!

Girl you amaze me! Believing is 90% of doing!!!

I believe, FINALLY, that the side effects can be conquered. I always thought that 'steroid fat' was harder to lose than regular fat as if there was a difference but I was dumb. I just let myself get bigger and bigger (granted I clearly had other issues that were contributing factors) but the oral steroids did effect me and triggered a slew of other problems. I'm not on oral steroids anymore, inhaled ones now, but BFL has taught me that steroid fat doesn't exist. fat is fat and it can come off just as easily if I set my mind and focus on doing it.

Looking forward to hitting that 100lbs lost milestone!

"Fat is Fat" I like that!
Yes, mine was "Depakote Fat." Silly us...aren't you glad we realized this?!?!

If someone can help me with the side effects of my medication I would like to hear about it? I don't need to take it but it does make the pain more tolerable I just hate the funky side effects. Everyone knows I have had 7 lower back surgeries (well at least everyone) I have so much scar tissue and nerve damage plus to deal with chronic pain is unbearable. Especially when it comes to exercising I feel like I can barely move so anyways I have Morphine plus Dilaudid for breakthrough pain. I stopped taking it because of the side effects but who am I kidding there are times I should take it. If the Pain Clinic got wind of me stopping it they probably would be upset with me. But what else can I do? One thing though I still push myself to exercise one step at a time.

God bless

Jerome
1 Corinthians 12:24-27

Jerome,

Chronic pain can rule our lives, and you are to be commended for being dedicated to your health despite it. Listen to your body, no one knows it better than you as far as tolerance and when you need something. I will be your prayer warrior through your challenge and pray that medication is needed less and less, as you become stronger and stronger. He is our healer, and part of what Christ hung on that cross for was this very pain your are experiencing. Let's pray He take this pain from you, because we know He can!

Amy

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoFigure Jerome, Chronic pain can rule our lives, and you are to be commended for being dedicated to your health despite it. Listen to your body, no one knows it better than you as far as tolerance and when you need something. I will be your prayer warrior through your challenge and pray that medication is needed less and less, as you become stronger and stronger. He is our healer, and part of what Christ hung on that cross for was this very pain your are experiencing. Let's pray He take this pain from you, because we know He can! Amy

Amy - You are simply amazing.

~ Bella

I've been conversing back and forth with quite a few people since this post about medications.
Wow-some might find it surprising how many are on meds-I say that not as a negative thing, because we all have our obstacles...and this is a huge one for me, both physically and mentally.

I volley back and forth between being thankful for mine, and being mad that I must take it.
I am trying to "change the story" and simply be thankful for the medicinal technology that aloows me to live a normal life. If you're taking something, either as a preventative for something, or an abortive for pain, try and stay positive, become informed about all the side-effects and perhaps what the minimal therapeutic levels are for you, and move forward. It really is amazing how diet and exercise can fight back against medication!

You can do it!