As I've mentioned on here before, I have a range of health issues caused by my weight that I hope I can either cure or alleviate by losing some weight. I thought I would create this page so that you can find out what these issues are and what they do to me. So, here goes:
1. Type 2 diabetes:
I've been a medication controlled type 2 diabetic for around 6 years now and have had all sorts of tablets and injections to try and control it. I initially started on the standard Metformin, but found that when I hit the max dose it was making me vomit! I had to change to the slow-release version that releases the meds over a 24 hour period. This solved the issue with vomiting.
I believe my severe addiction to sugar-laden fizzy drinks was the main cause of my diabetes. Sugar is such a powerful drug and one which is needed to survive. Unfortunately, drinking 4 litres of full sugar Irn Bru every day destroys your body's ability to get lower your blood sugar, hence the meds every single day.
You can read more about type 2 diabetes here. You can also complete a short questionnaire which will assess your risk of type 2 diabetes.
2. Raised blood pressure (Hypertension):
Despite always being a big bloke, my blood pressure never seemed to be a problem. This always baffled me as I always felt too warm and had the pressured feeling in my head at times, yet whenever I visited my doctor or diabetic nurse my blood pressure readings were within the normal ranges.
When I became diabetic the nurse told me that the glucophage I take for my diabetes had the adverse effect of raising my blood pressure. As a counter measure I now take ramipril each day to make sure my blood pressure doesn't raise to the point that causes concern.
To find out more about blood pressure check out these pages on the NHS website. High blood pressure (Hypertension), and low blood pressure (Hypotension).
3. Raised cholesterol:
Again, I was always surprised that when I had blood tests my cholesterol levels were always within normal range. The reason for being surprised was due to my weight and my reckless diet over many years! It turns out that the diabetes medication can also cause raised cholesterol levels, so I now take simvastatin daily to keep this under control.
I remember reading an article some time ago about simvastatin being a wonder drug. I'm not sure how true it is, but you can read more here.
To find out more about cholesterol click here.
4. Sleep apnoea:
I probably had sleep apnoea for a very long time without ever knowing. I found out when my then girlfriend now wife started to stay over at my house. She would be on pins every night as I began to choke for air in my sleep all night. Along with this, I was having the most vivid nightmares and was convinced they were real. At one point I was so petrified of what I thought was real that I stayed awake for over 48 hours for fear of the dark figures who were out to get me.Of course, all of this was in my mind despite feeling completely real to me at the time.
I probably had sleep apnoea for a very long time without ever knowing. I found out when my then girlfriend now wife started to stay over at my house. She would be on pins every night as I began to choke for air in my sleep all night. Along with this, I was having the most vivid nightmares and was convinced they were real. At one point I was so petrified of what I thought was real that I stayed awake for over 48 hours for fear of the dark figures who were out to get me.Of course, all of this was in my mind despite feeling completely real to me at the time.
It all came to a head when I was in a union meeting with the senior management in my workplace. I was discussing issues with them and the next thing I remember is my senior manager tapping me on the shoulder and asking me if I was okay. It turns out I had fell asleep and had absolutely no recollection of it whatsoever. I started to think to myself; what if that had happened when I was driving? I realised that I needed help.
I went to see my GP who referred me to the sleep clinic at my local hospital. They attached a device to me and asked me to wear it for the night. This measured how many times I stopped breathing during the night and the amount of oxygen I was taking in. Turns out I was hardly breathing all night!! This explained the extreme tiredness and passing out I had been experiencing. The sleep clinic gave me a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which is basically a pump that pushes air through to the lungs. They explained that the extra weigh I was carrying was causing my throat to 'collapse' when asleep which restricted the intake of air.
After the first night wearing my machine I woke up feeling like a new man. I hadn't felt so rested in years! This taught me how important sleep is to the body, and more importantly, quality sleep. I know where my machine every night and have very few apnoeas during the night now. It's strange at first and seems a little noisy, but I got used to it very quickly and my wife doesn't even notice it anymore.
Check out the NHS website for more information on sleep apnoea here.
5. Osteo-arthritis of the knee:
When I was in secondary school my right knee started to ache for no apparent reason. It steadily got worse and worse to the point when I was unable to bear weight on it at all without extreme pain. I was back and forward to the doctors with no real resolve. After some tests and differing opinions, it was decided I was suffering from Osgood-Schlatter disease. What's that I hear you ask? Check it out here.
This eventually subsided after a couple of years and I had a few relatively pain-free years before I started getting aches and pains in my knee again. I went back to me doctors who arranged an xray on my leg. This showed that I had osteo-arthritis in my knee. He told me that this was likely a combination of the Osgood-Schlatter disease in my earlier life, and the extra weight my knee had to bear because of my size.
At the moment this seems to be under control (touch wood!). The weather does seem to affect it a lot and I feel more pain when it is cold outside. Losing weight will help me deal with this much better as my knee won't have to carry as much weight. A good incentive I say!!
Find out more about osteoarthritis here.
6. Peripheral vascular disease:
Although I seem to have had this for some time, it is only recently that I've had any sort of diagnosis from a professional. In all honesty I don't really know what it is and its something I'm scheduled to see a specialist about on a regular basis from now on.
On discussion with the vascular surgeon at my local hospital he has attributed this to blood clots in my lower legs. Treatment at the moment consists of dual layer compression stockings that must be worn 24/7. They're a bit uncomfortable to start with, but you soon get used to them.
There's some good information on PVD here, as well a picture of someone suffering from this. Yes, my leg looks like that :(
7. Ulcers of the lower leg:
These are probably one of the most painful things I've ever experienced. Being a diabetic means that healing is much slower. This combined with the damage to my legs from the PVD means that the ulcers happen very easily and take months to heal. In fact, the ones I have on my leg now are around 14 months old and are showing no sign of going away any time soon.
I use a steroid cream called Betamethasone to help with this along with dressings and then my compression stockings. This has helped reduce the pain, but when it gets bad in can mean not getting any sleep.
I can only describe the pain as like a burst blister. That horrible mega sensitive bit inside when someone touches it. Couple that with a pulsating type pain that keeps you awake all night!
I am due to start using a 4-layer compression dressing on these to help heal them and have been instructed to keep my legs elevated at all times when sat down (much to my wife's delight!).
If you want to know more about leg ulcers have a look on the NHS website here.
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So, there you have it. My list of health issues that admittedly is quite lengthy. Please don't think I've written this to gain sympathy, this is more to give people an insight on how my health is. This is also serves as a reminder to all about how important it is to look after your health.
If I'd have taken things more seriously and lost weight earlier in life then I would not be suffering from these problems.
One thing not mentioned above is mental health. Having these issues does cause problems with my mental health at times. Sometimes it feels like I'm fighting a losing battle and sometimes I get to the point where I feel its just not worth it anymore. But then I realise I have two beautiful children and a wonderful wife. This keeps me going and will ultimately get me to my goal.
When I was in secondary school my right knee started to ache for no apparent reason. It steadily got worse and worse to the point when I was unable to bear weight on it at all without extreme pain. I was back and forward to the doctors with no real resolve. After some tests and differing opinions, it was decided I was suffering from Osgood-Schlatter disease. What's that I hear you ask? Check it out here.
This eventually subsided after a couple of years and I had a few relatively pain-free years before I started getting aches and pains in my knee again. I went back to me doctors who arranged an xray on my leg. This showed that I had osteo-arthritis in my knee. He told me that this was likely a combination of the Osgood-Schlatter disease in my earlier life, and the extra weight my knee had to bear because of my size.
At the moment this seems to be under control (touch wood!). The weather does seem to affect it a lot and I feel more pain when it is cold outside. Losing weight will help me deal with this much better as my knee won't have to carry as much weight. A good incentive I say!!
Find out more about osteoarthritis here.
6. Peripheral vascular disease:
Although I seem to have had this for some time, it is only recently that I've had any sort of diagnosis from a professional. In all honesty I don't really know what it is and its something I'm scheduled to see a specialist about on a regular basis from now on.
On discussion with the vascular surgeon at my local hospital he has attributed this to blood clots in my lower legs. Treatment at the moment consists of dual layer compression stockings that must be worn 24/7. They're a bit uncomfortable to start with, but you soon get used to them.
There's some good information on PVD here, as well a picture of someone suffering from this. Yes, my leg looks like that :(
7. Ulcers of the lower leg:
These are probably one of the most painful things I've ever experienced. Being a diabetic means that healing is much slower. This combined with the damage to my legs from the PVD means that the ulcers happen very easily and take months to heal. In fact, the ones I have on my leg now are around 14 months old and are showing no sign of going away any time soon.
I use a steroid cream called Betamethasone to help with this along with dressings and then my compression stockings. This has helped reduce the pain, but when it gets bad in can mean not getting any sleep.
I can only describe the pain as like a burst blister. That horrible mega sensitive bit inside when someone touches it. Couple that with a pulsating type pain that keeps you awake all night!
I am due to start using a 4-layer compression dressing on these to help heal them and have been instructed to keep my legs elevated at all times when sat down (much to my wife's delight!).
If you want to know more about leg ulcers have a look on the NHS website here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, there you have it. My list of health issues that admittedly is quite lengthy. Please don't think I've written this to gain sympathy, this is more to give people an insight on how my health is. This is also serves as a reminder to all about how important it is to look after your health.
If I'd have taken things more seriously and lost weight earlier in life then I would not be suffering from these problems.
One thing not mentioned above is mental health. Having these issues does cause problems with my mental health at times. Sometimes it feels like I'm fighting a losing battle and sometimes I get to the point where I feel its just not worth it anymore. But then I realise I have two beautiful children and a wonderful wife. This keeps me going and will ultimately get me to my goal.
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