What to do?

Hi all my wonderful November friends. Congrats to you all on your success. It always feels so good to read where you all are and to know that I'm going through the exact same thing. I'm not alone in this weight battle! I find it so interesting that we are all so close in our weight loss, the sizes we wear, and food cravings. Ok, so here is my question and plea for advice. I noticed a major change in my energy level and ability to focus at the end of July. Things got pretty bad at work and I started feeling very overwhelmed. I feel like I am just coasting through every day and I honestly can't seem to focus long enough to get my work done. This has become so extreme and so not like me that I've started becoming worried. Today I started to think it could be my iron levels are low. (I go back to the doctor at the end of Sept. to get my blood levels checked) Can low iron cause a lack of focus? I took a break on my vitamins for a couple of weeks because I was having some major issues trying to have bowel movements. It is kind of damned if you do and damned if you don't. I take the vitamins I can't go to the bathroom. I don't take the vitamins and ... well nothing good. So what am I to do? Take my vitamins and take a stool softener every day? Do you know if there is anything I can do to get my focus back and my motivation? I've always been so focused and driven and I really feel confused and loss at how I'm acting right now. It is really an "I don't care" attitude and I've never been like this before. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all. Starting weight = 248 Last week = 152 This week = 150 Total loss = 98

It sounds to me like you are hitting the nail on the head with thinking it may be your iron. It could also be your B-12. I have very low iron saturation (it should be a minimum of 15 and mine is 6) and it is causing me to be very tired all the time and have a lack of concern for everything. I was taking an iron supplement every day about 3 months ago but then eventually slacked off. I'm back on them now and I'm trying to eat iron-rich foods to help also. But I always take 2 stool softeners at bedtime just so I don't get constipated. You may want to try taking iron and some sublingual B-12 and see how you feel. It won't be an overnight cure but after some time you should notice a difference. Don't put off going to the doctor though. Maybe you can get your bloodwork done a little early? Good luck! Susan

I do take sublingual B-12 every morning, so I think I'm good there. Can you please tell me what iron supplements you take, what stool softener, and give me some ideas on some iron-rich foods? Is it bad to take a stool softener every day? I will call the doctor and see if they can get me in a little earlier. Thank you so much for your reply. *hug*

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this. I take the Bariatric Advantage chewable iron in Passion Fruit flavor. They taste like sweet tarts. Any stool softener will work - I am taking the Wal-Mart brand right now. I take 2 of them at night when I go to bed. Here is a link to a list of iron-rich foods: http://www.healthcastle.com/iron.shtml Take care, Susan

I would definitely get back to taking your vitamins... I would take the stool softeners if I were you... It is vital that you get those vitamins in.... It could be low iron or low B-12, or even B-1... I am not a doctor, so I don't know, but I would call my doctors office if I were you and tell them what is going on and see if they can do your bloodwork soon than later... This is not something to mess around with... Vitamin deficiencies can cause permanent damage if it is not caught and correct soon enough... DON"T mess around or wait around on this... PLEASE!!! Call your doctor NOW!!! Keep us posted on what they say and what is going on with you... Take care of yourself.... HUGS, Shawn M.

Kyli, I agree with the other women, call and get your blood work rescheduled. However, I had blood work in early August and it was fine but I, too, have been feeling like you described to some extent. It's been awfully hot and humid here and my sinuses have been acting up but I seem to really lose steam in the late afternoon/early evening. Get it checked out!

This is going to sound stupid but I was feeling the same way. I needed to go to bed soon after I got home. My husband saw how I was struggling and started cooking supper and helping with dishes. I thought it must be my iron levels or B-12 levels. Then I started thinking about my days lately. I realized that I was working 10.5 hours five days a week and working out at the gym 2-2.5 hours. No wonder I was exhausted! You sound like a can-do type of person like me. How's your lifestyle lately?