Tags: medical
[x-posted] Alli Warning
I don't post or comment a lot - hell, I haven't used my own journal in a month or so... but I had some news that I felt it was too important not to share in this and similar communities.
I've used Alli off and on over the last couple of years when I've gotten on the wagon and for the most part, it worked for me with few to no side effects (because I heeded their warnings and when i cheated food wise, I didn't take a pill).
I've had some other medical issues going on in my life through those periods and every time I've had blood work drawn while taking Alli, my liver enzymes levels were insanely high. I RARELY drink and I don't take Tylenol, etc... so my doctor was baffled. When I gave up on weight loss for a while, I had blood work done for something else, it was back at wonderful low baseline numbers.
When I restarted my plan in February, I began taking it again. In June, blood work came back with levels higher than before. Testing for hepatitis was negative though an ultrasound showed inflammation.
My doctor and I began working through every detail and when I told him I was taking Alli, he perked up. There's no confirmed link between them, but Alli is coming under scrutiny for long term use. In May this year, the FDA issued press releases and required Alli to adjust its packaging to include potential liver risks. According to the FDA there are 13 documented cases of SEVERE liver damage in relation to Alli.
Anyway... I'm OK and only found out about it because they were testing other stuff on me. Had I not known however, it could have been bad for me. They say initially that it seems to be a rare effect but to be careful while taking it. I think people just haven't been looking for it until it became a big problem.
I just wanted to share in case any of you are using it. Get yourselves checked!
Nervous
Intro and question
Hi there! Long time reader, first time poster.
Name: Stella
Age: 29
Height: 5’9”
SW (starting weight): 277.0 lbs
CW (current weight): 247.8 lbs
GW (goal weight): <200 lbs at the moment
So my reason for weight loss is my sister. I wasn’t really fed up at the weight I was at, just sort of annoyed, and I was still really active and I felt alright. About four years ago my younger sister came down with very serious liver problems and we’ve been on the wait list for a donor since July of this year. They wouldn’t consider me or my younger brother even though we’re both matches because of how heavy we both are. Enter weight watchers. My brother and I have both been doing really well and we’re hoping that one of us can give her half of one of our livers if light enough.
I also have a question. My blood sugar has always been on the low side (was prone to hypoglycemia until I started eating like 60g of beef/fish/chicken/beans/etc. per day) and I’ve found that since starting WW some days I wake up with a screaming headache (not having eaten for 8 hours and all). Anyone else have this problem and found ways to counteract it? The only way I've found so far has been to save some points until right before bed, and even then the headache is sometimes still there, just not as bone-shatteringly awful.
I hope everyone has a fabulous day!
Teeth!
So just a heads up to you sugar lovers!
Pregnancy
What I am wondering is other experiences people had while getting pregnant in the middle of their weight loss journey.
I have my doctors appointment set up to ask her all about weight gain/loss during pregnancy. Since I am still quite obese (350lbs) I think that I should be fine trying to maintain my weight or possibly losing some during the course of my pregnancy. But i was hoping to find some people who have gone through this before.
So my major question, is has anyone gotten pregnant while they still have a lot to lose, and what did you do about your weight while pregnant. What did the doctor tell you about your weight while pregnant?