Broken

November 29, 2011

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, smarty pants, or anyone you should listen to for advice about your health. I am just sharing my experiences and chronicling my journey. 

image via looppi on Flickr

As most of you know, I’ve had trouble with my weight loss since finishing the half marathon in April. Exercise and food were good, yet nothing on the scale was changing. I’ve had increasing fatigue, stress and insomnia. I went to my general practitioner who did blood tests and declared me normal.

I’ve considered giving up, throwing a hissy fit, weight loss surgery, hiding under a blanket until 2012, and accepting that this is how things just are and I need to suck it up.

I felt like I was in an epic battle: Emmie head versus Emmie body. The WILL to do something without the ability to do so. I wasn’t ready to stop fighting, but I was just beating myself up.

I started working with J&M Strength and Conditioning, and Jim and Molly suggested Paleo, which is something I was familiar with from my Atkins days. I have been 80% Paleo for about 90 days now. My workouts have been cut back due to the stress and fatigue (see me talking with Jim about this here), and I started seeing a functional medicine doctor, Dr. Edwards with Balance Health and Wellness.

Over the past few months, I’ve chronicled my multiple tests ordered by Dr. Edwards, from blood to spit to sleep apnea. Today, I finally got back my results. I’m broken. Major.

  • very low adrenal function
  • non-detectible levels of testosterone
  • vitamin D deficiency
  • super low melatonin
  • sleep apnea (only 84% oxygen saturation at night)
  • low DHEA
  • definite allergy to egg whites and yolks, slightly less with beef, and slight with pork
  • super low cortisol levels

I’ve never been so happy to hear that I’m broken. I’ve wanted answers for so long, and for the first time in a long time, I see that there is a path to getting me feeling much, much better, and improving how my body functions. I’ve felt like a walking, stressed out, overtired zombie for months, and the thought of feeling “normal” is so exciting. I told Dr. Edwards “you have no idea how tired I’ve been” and she said “yes I do, I can see it right here!” and I had a eureka moment.

This doesn’t mean that there won’t be work involved. Step 1 is to get a CPAP machine for my sleep apnea, which makes me super depressed. I’ve lost over 110 pounds and per the hubs, stopped snoring, so I had no idea sleep apnea was still a concern. I’ll get the machine in the next week or so.

I’m also on weekly B-12 shots for a month, and am now taking several supplements like Omega 3, Vitamin D, and melatonin. I have my action plan and another appointment to evaluate next steps in 6 weeks.

So, here’s to being broken, and for having a plan to fix it :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=30507236 Alyssa Lofgren Curran

    Wow – It must be so nice to have answers! I hope you feel better soon. I’d love to see a post about adrenal function some time.. I always suspect that mine is low but it’s hard to find reputable information on it. 

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      My doctor is an expert on adrenal function, however I still don’t understand it either. As I go through treatment and learn more I’ll post it for sure. 

  • Anonymous

    Good luck! I feel like I have been broken for a while now, but I just don’t know where to begin to fix it other than to work out for now and see if that helps. I’ve lost 35 lbs so far, and not very noticeably for me, I guess. I’m not feeling much different other than a little stronger.

    So excited to see how things get better for you. I know they will. :)

  • Mary Ann Hawthorne

    I am so glad that you have answers now.  As much as it sucks to be “broken”, you must feel relief knowing these things are fixable and that you have a plan.

  • http://twitter.com/Alesya Alesya

    I’m so happy you’ve figured out what’s “going on”.  I just know with all your determination you’ll move forward from this and come out with a great solution.  Keep focusing on your heath!  There is simply nothing more important.  Thanks for letting us all follow your journey!

  • Maggie

    Good job you in pursuing this and getting to the bottom of it! 

    Do you know more about what these things have to do with weight loss (or lack thereof?)

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      apparently they’re all inter-related. in short, my body is so stressed and out of balance that nothing is performing right and essentially stunting any progress I could make. I’m going to make these changes slowly over the next few weeks, so it will be interesting to see how/if it will impact the weight loss. I’ve been told to just believe in the process and don’t stress about the weight – hard for me to do :)

  • Melissa Fritcher

    Knowing is half the battle. I hope you feel better soon, Emmie!

  • http://losing-it.org/ Jess

    Glad you figured out what is wrong! My vitamin d levels were really deficient, and I have definitely felt better after the 12 week regime. Hopefully things get better for you now!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      this is so good to hear, thanks for sharing!

  • http://www.my-crazybeautiful-life.blogspot.com Jillian

    I know that these answers have got to be depressing, but thankfully you’ve identified the problems! Here’s hoping for a relatively quick recovery!

  • ibirgitta

    Hi Emmie,

    I can see how relieved you must be, that you are not “lazy”, but that something is really broken (came back a couple of times in your video as well).

    I still wonder though, what is causing all these low levels? Could you doctor help you with that? I can imagine that somethings may be literally “broken” in your body, but on the longer run, I guess you want to solve the root cause, and not be taking supplements, shots etcetera all the time.

    Anyway, I wish you lots of fitful sleep, I am sure this will an overall effect on how you feel, your mood, energy levels.

    I have been following you for so long now, and I am very proud of you for not giving up, and curling up on that couch (with a bag of chips, undoubtedly) but getting to the bottom of this

    Love from Holland, Birgitta

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      thanks Birgitta (and I’m so glad you could comment here today- yay!) From what I understand, it’s all inter-related and it is like a chain- one link goes, and then another, then another, until everything is out of whack. The goal is to get things back to normal levels, then transition off any supplemental medicines and such. We have to fix it first, then work to see what main issues/allergies/reactions are causing the problems that start the cycle.

  • Stephanie Diamond

    It must be such a relief to have those answers. Good luck moving forward from here!

  • Karen@Waistingtime

    Having answers can be such a relieve.  And as you said, now you can fix what’s broken. 

  • http://twitter.com/copynoll Christina Noll

    I’m not happy to hear you’re having problems, but so happy that you have answers! There is no stress like not knowing what is causing health problems. Keep us posted on how you progress. Here’s to your health! :)

  • http://carolinecalcote.com Caroline Calcote

    So glad you got a diagnosis! I hope you are feeling better quickly. I know it’s a bummer to have to deal with these things, but we all have issues we have to deal with, I think. I have to take thyroid and cholesterol meds despite having been a healthy weight for three years. I’ll have to take those drugs for the rest of my life, regardless of my weight or physical fitness. Hang in there! 

  • Anonymous

    I’m glad you finally have some answers to the problems you’ve been having and here’s to hoping you’re feeling normal soon!

  • http://kclanderson.com KCLAnderson (Karen)

    Having dealt with most of those same issues (and a few others like Lyme and hormone imbalance), I can surely relate…and best of all, I can tell you that it does get better!! So very often we blame ourselves for this kind of stuff…we say it must mean we’re lazy and can’t control ourselves and that’s just not fair. I’m glad you have some answers. BIG HUG!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      thank you for telling me it gets better. I don’t know how it can get any worse, unless I try everything and nothing changes. Need to trust in the process!

  • http://twitter.com/nycpatty Patty

    What a relief to have answers and a plan! You’ve come so far in your journey and now you have to tools to go on. I wish you all the best my friend. I know you can do it! xoxo

  • Claretta

    Sorry you are “Broken”!  The more you know, the quicker you can be fixed!!

  • http://www.sashalosesit.com Sasha

    Broken? Maybe you were, but now in for repairs :) . That’s awesome, so glad to hear you’re getting to the source of your struggles!

  • http://www.alltheweigh.com Kenlie

    Knowledge is power, and you’re going to use it to make yourself even better.  It’s okay to be broken, but I can’t wait to hear that you’re beginning to feel better!  It sounds like you already are..!

  • http://www.facebook.com/SuddenlySlim Amy Thomas Polk

    Awesome news Emmie, I mean, not awesome that you’re “broken”, but awesome that you have some answers and plan to address the issues!

  • Jody – Fit at 54

    I am glad you got answers! I think persistence when we know something is wrong is important. You know your body!

    My mom kept telling her doc something was wrong & he kept blowing her off. 8 months later a different doc diagnosed her with cancer & we lost her 6 months later.

    Do what you know is right for you! Hope you feel better soon!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Jody that completely breaks my heart about your mom. Sometimes we need to be tough advocates for ourselves, and I hate that you (and she) had to go through that.

    • HollyG

      The exact same thing happened to my grandmother. I miss her all the time… :-( That situation is so heartbreaking. 

  • http://gilliansactivelife.ca Gillian

    This is going to sound weird, but I’m so glad you found out what was wrong with you! Unlike a lot of other people, you didn’t just assume you were meant to be this way, you made sure you got answers, and now you’ve got a definite plan of attack to get better. I wish you all the best for the future.

  • http://twitter.com/gettinfitbritt Brittany

    Yay! Glad you’re finally getting answers! Modern medicine is a beautiful thing! One day at a time sista! Let’s do this! Love you!

  • Elise

    I totally get it — it’s GREAT news when you feel like something’s wrong, and get it verified medically.  It gives you the power to DO something about it, which feels tremendous.  Here’s to being broken, and to piecing yourself back together!

  • http://dietschmiet.wordpress.com/ Deb (Schmiet)

    Great to finally have an answer. I hope things start to improve now. Good luck!!! And well done on hanging in there!

  • Debra Wilson

    I am so glad you finally got an answer to what’s going on with your body. Sucks there’s so many things going on, but you have answers now so can stand finding solutions.

  • http://www.dietgirl.org Shauna

    Glad you have some answers dear Emmie, knowledge is power as the old chestnut goes. Hope you start feeling a little better soon, hang in there comrade! xx

  • Katdoesdiets

    I know this sounds strange, but yay! I’m so glad you’re figuring some things out. Knowledge gives you the power to fix it!

  • Jen Cywinski

    Knowing what’s up is great :D

  • Natasa

    I admire your courage and positive attitude! Lots of people, including me, would say and think “I’m broken” and feel so bad about themselves, but you see it as a starting point to get better!
    You are truly an inspiration!

  • http://twitter.com/TheBoldBlend Barbara Davis

    So so glad you got some answers.  You will get un-broken.  In the meantime, you have a plan and will rock at it. 

  • D …

    It’s hard to accept this sort of news especially after you have put in so much effort and come so far, I really understand this. I think it’s great that you have gone out and proactively sought answers, sounds like your going to grab this by the balls and forge ahead! You’ll smash through this, I know it!

  • http://twitter.com/legalofficeguru Deborah Savadra

    You must be so relieved to have a diagnosis and a path forward! Hey, I’m relieved FOR you!

  • http://twitter.com/ItsTheLadyKeks Lady Keks

    I can totally understand. It is so frustrating to know there is something off, but nobody can find anything. Really really frustrating.

  • shanypatch

    Hey Girlfriend! glad I found your site.  I had a complete blood work up two years ago and my tryglycerides were through the roof, to much bad colesterol, to little good colesterol, vitamin D way to low. I ignored the doctor and took my pills for my tryglycerides. I had a hysterectomy then another surgery for another tumor and decided its time to get serious about getting healthy. I take 1,000 in vitamin D every day and a melatonin at night. I hate taking pills but I now have more energy than I know what to do with and lost 6lbs in 1 1/2 weeks with just a diet app on my android and half hour of wii dance every night. A nurse friend of mine said the trick with the melatonin is you have to have a build up of it. I hate taking pills but I hate even more how I felt before I started taking them. Good luck and follow what your doctor says

  • Spainter

    I have sleep apnea also.  You will be amazed at how much better you will feel and how much better your sleep will be.  Good luck Emmie!

  • Litia

    I have severe obstructive sleep apnea and have NEVER snored! There are some health conditions that contribute to SOSA like PCOS and also some adrenal conditions no matter what your size. I, too, was discouraged to get the diagnosis even after losing 40lbs but it sure made sense when I did!

Previous post:

Next post:

Copyright Skinny Emmie © 2013

Disclaimer