Dear Paul, My brother's stats look almost like yours only he's 55. Alot older than you. Also his back and knees are very bad and he is type 2 diabetic.
Now, it was a very long hard road but he is now down to 225 with a goal of breaking 200lb. He's the type that is very husky his whole life, very strong. He follows TSP (sort of Atkins modified) and there is a link to TSP on this site.
I lived in the UK and loved it many years ago but I gained weight over the 6 months I was there. Amazing sweets they have!!
My idea is that somewhere there must be a doctor who advises low carb that you could see. Anyone overweight should be getting medical advise, cholestoral levels etc.
Please, please, don't give up yet, first you must find a doctor to help you. Maybe you could e-mail Atkins in the USA for a referral to a doctor near you.
This will also be very hard but it is imperitive to get moving. I don't know how active you are but I know from experience that just getting around the block can be very difficult. However, it can be done, bit by bit, day by day.
Please keep in touch, I try to check in every day, all the best