Hi, I'm HipsGalore- 36 year old female. I suffer from an autoimmune condition related to muscular dystrophy.

I take some pretty powerful immunosuppressants. I usually weigh around 160-170. But in the last 5 years, I've been on Prednisone and Cyclosporine, plus low dose Zoloft for the depression from steroids. In the past 24 months gained 70 pounds! UGH

I am now off off Zoloft and Prenisone and my neurologist suggested that I try the Atkins Diet. I've been on it since August 13th and have lost 10 pounds already.

My question is....How much success can I expect to achieve with a disease that limits my amount of exercise and the fact I'm still on one of the possible offending medications?

I am so glad I found this group, I need all the support I can get.

Sincerely,
HipsGalore

I am a recently diagnosed diabetic who lost 10 lbs to that disease before I went on Atkins. I have since lost 12 more lbs in the past 3 wks with absolutely no exercise. I am awaiting spinal surgery to fuse my cervical vertebrae so am not allowed to exercise and I am losing weight without it! Also on diabetic meds and doctor cautioned me that I would gain back the initial 10 lbs I lost with the diabetes but I proved him wrong. So do not despair. If you just take this one day at a time, you will lose the weight. I also had taken prednisone several times in my life and I do know how you feel. Keep up the good work and it will be worth it!

The last time I followed atkins I lost steadily without exercise. We are all different, but I notice a good number of people are able to do it with out exercise so don't fret.

Hi HipsGalore
I have no thyroid and until yesterday I discovered that I was in a severe mode of hypothyroidism (my test of TSH was 20 on a normal scale of 0.4- 4). My doctor was really surprised of how I could lost 10 pds (in 2 months) being at that slow methabolism.
So, don't get discouraged. You're loosing already...
Isiar

thank you all so much for the words of encouragement. Having a chronic illness is hard enough to cope with..this extra weight makes it worse.

To know that some of you are "sedentary" (doesn't seem that way when you struggle to do the simplest tasks, right?), really has inspired me.

I hope find my new friends here often and will try to provide support as well as receive it.