One week before Thanksgiving and I’m writing about weight? Yes, friends I am. I have had a barrage of appointments over the past two weeks, and this topic garnered many discussions between me and my providers. I’ve never been one to weigh myself. With a background in the performing arts, I had enough of that scale( before every class) as a teenager. Once I decided the stage would not be my professional career, I vowed to not have a scale in my home, other than to measure my food, and I don’t. America’s obsession with weight & numbers has always been rather disturbing to me. Nonetheless, I couldn’t help but notice how my weight fluctuated over the past few years. Prior to diagnosis, I always assumed I should just ease up on the desserts when I was gaining and figured I needed to better manage my stress level when I start rapidly losing weight.

The past 15 months have been a weight roller coaster for me. Some days I can’t hold anything down and other days I feel as if my stomach is a bottomless pit. My clothing fit comfortably as usual—-until it didn’t. Bit by bit I began to notice, and family did too, that my weight seems to be increasing. Not in a shocking, oh dear call for help way, but it was and is noticeable. On my most recent doctor’s appointment, the nurse gently asked if what she saw on the scale was my “normal” weight. No, no it's not I replied. She then asked, what was my normal weight. I don’t know I said, but I do know I’m bigger (and I’m okay with that). We went over my eating habits, food intolerances etc., and I inquired about the science behind Sjogren’s and weight gain.

I was delighted to know I wasn’t imagining these new inches. There is a medical correlation between Sjogren’s as an autoimmune disease (aside from the steroids) and increased weight. My doctor told me the chronic inflammation that’s common with this disease, combined with reduced physical activity from extreme fatigue and reduced ability from my neuropathy and arthritis all play significant role. Add onto that pile the fact that I am over 50 and you ‘ve got a recipe for disaster. This was/is new territory for me since I had always been no larger than a size 6 and that took some years to arrive at that point. While Sjogren’s itself does not directly cause weight gain, it’s all the other aforementioned symptoms and issues that make managing your weight a headache for the ages.

So you might be wondering, is all lost? Is there anything I can do? Well, of course there is. First and foremost, know your body and give yourself some grace. Some people can eat a dessert buffet 7 days a week and gain not one inch, while others can look at a French fry too long and gain 10lbs. Every single body is unique. Remember that. Secondly, monitor what you’re eating. If like me, you have no immediate desire to cut cheesecake from your diet, then understandably, you may carry a few extra inches a bit longer. However, if your diet is balanced and you’re not on an immunosuppressant or steroid, it’s time to have a chat with your provider. There could be something else going on behind the scenes that needs immediate attention. In this season and after the year I’ve had, I chose to focus on only things that bring me joy and keep me inspired. The immunosuppressants and steroids have become a regular part of my life and I ‘ve accepted that I just have to live with that. Steroids will make you fluffy and that is a given. Can’t do much about.

I’m so grateful to be on this side of Heaven in spite of all the many, many challenges and hard days. I will not allow a few extra pounds to dampen my day and neither should you. I have been more conscience of incorporating anti-inflammatory foods (alongside the cheesecake) and other nutrient rich foods into my diet, to help specific issues such as blood flow and kidney health, but I will not become a scale obsessed person. It’s the holiday season and that means food everywhere you turn. I plan to thoroughly enjoy my family, friends and food without any hint of guilt, and I sincerely hope the same for you, my friends. Be blessed, stay grateful and have a very happy Thanksgiving.

Enforcing Boundaries

The holiday season has arrived and it’s time Spoonies to be sure you protect your peace and enforce those boundaries we discussed a few weeks ago.

The DOE just announced that a string of healthcare professions will soon lose their status as “professionals”. On the surface you may not feel that applies to you if you don’t work in the field of nursing or audiology, but you are. Sjogren’s patients require regular maintenance appointments not just with their primary doctor but various specialists as well. There’s already a shortage of rheumatologists (took me 4 months to get an initial appt). and other specialized providers, and the thought that those who assist them most, nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists etc. have now had their professions downgraded is a blow that will severely impact all of us.

The net on this decision has been widely cast. Social workers, case managers, audiologists and more face tremendous challenges with these latest announcements. For those of us that rely on these professionals, this may mean even longer wait times in getting the care we must have to survive. In this moment there seems to be little we can do other than reaching out to your state senators and DOE directly asking them to consider the risks and potential harm to communities everywhere, especially to those living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. I will suggest that you keep a close relationship with your current care team.

Now may not be the best time to go changing providers if you haven’t done so already. It is likely to become even harder to find the care needed in the not-so-distant future. Build your community and keep in regular communication. Begin to seek out resources and places that offer complimentary services such as Sam’s Club and the hearing tests or COSTCO and the optometry services. Getting familiar now, may save much time and money down the line.

Healthy Recipe

All of this talk of food and weight and food…I wouldn’t leave you hanging in the balance friends. There are many fall favorites that are not only delicious but also offer some really healthy benefits, cutting the guilt quotient by half. Clearly, I love a good dessert and anything with apples and caramel will do just fine by me. This pic is courtesy of the fine folks over at Eating Well. Apple crisp with cranberries. A sweet treat is actually kind to the stomach. Apples give us fiber and typically don’t upset the stomach, and cranberries help protect the kidneys. A win win all around if you ask me. Eating Well has compiled a list of sweet treats that help support gut health and will still please a Thanksgiving Day crowd. Link to complete list is below. Enjoy ;0

#guthealth #healthydessert

This newsletter provides a springboard for a healthy and happy spring season. Remember, consistency is key!

By incorporating these tips and tricks into your routine, you can cultivate a vibrant and healthy lifestyle that flourishes throughout the year.

Until next time :)