Thread: Hi all, checking in, sorry I've been MIA.... :(

I'm sorry, I've had to take a long break from the board and the hCG diet for multiple reasons. Had a couple rough patches with the hubs, things have since ironed out, but it took a toll on me emotionally.

Then, lovely enough, the flu ran through our family, one member at a time. Started with my son, then my daughter, then hubs, then me. Finally starting to get over it, but it's been really crazy. Doctor appointments and medicines galore. My daughter has mild asthma which does not like the flu, so we went back to her nebulizer breathing treatments. She's all better now.

And recently I had a health screening at work. I work for a company that does support for Pharmeceutical companies worldwide, so we get the free health screenings twice yearly. I was unfortunately shocked to find out that my overall cholesterol is 273, my HDL was 45, and my blood pressure was 130/90. What I thought was going to be a quick "hey, you're just a regular healthy fatty-fat-fat" turned into the nurse giving me all of the information she had about my tests, and urging me to call my doctor immediately. I'm making an appointment soon to get in for a more extensive full cholesterol panel to see if I have to get placed on cholesterol meds. But, part of a heart-healthy diet for lowering cholesterol is pushing whole grains, many fruits and veggies, and cutting out shellfish and red meat. So there goes Phase 2. So I'm trying to figure out a way to handle this, but I really won't know much until my doctor does a full cholesterol panel.

And to top it off, work has been incredibly busy. I'm now supporting 8 different pharmaceutical companies, all with similar software but many differences that make it quite challenging. I applied for a different position as more of a knoweldge engineer, but unfortunately I think I'm going to be rooted in my current position. I support twice as many clients as any other support rep, and I'm the senior rep with the most experience on both Apple and Window devices. Ugh.

So I'm going to *try* my best to come back in here and check in, but I'm going to wait for a while to go back to Phase 2. I just don't feel comfortable until I talk to my doctor about it more. I've been scared ever since I heard this information. My dad has heart troubles, and had his first heart attack when he was 40. I'm 32 right now. I've got to focus on being healthy, regardless of what I have to do to get there.

Thanks to all for listening. I hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all!!

Josie,

I am so sorry you are going through all this. i hope you can find the answer so you can get on the right track with your cholesterol and blood pressure. I hope you will consider getting a second opinion on the diet you are planning to follow. I have done a LOT of reading over the past couple of years as I found out I am Celiac and I had to cut gluten from my diet. It really opened my eyes to learn that many things we have been told are BAD for us are actually very healthy for us. And vice versa. Katt is right....we need lots of high quality protein, fats, veggies......grains, including whole grains, are going to make your problems worse. Please, please, please read up on the Paleo/Primal diet and lifestyle. There are many websites that you can go to for really good info, and one of my favorites is Mark's Daily Apple. Google it. He has lots and lots of success stories from people just like you who were told by their doctors that they should follow a low-fat, high carb diet. This is terrible advice, and if your doctor is telling you to do this, it is time to find a new doctor. Please do some research before you go on any meds....you need to be your own advocate and educate yourself. Too many people are on a variety of medications, when all they may need is to follow the right diet.

Good luck and hope to see you back here soon