POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: AlanBama on October 06, 2011, 12:27:04 pm
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I had my regular ID visit on Monday; all my lab numbers look great, CD4 645, VL undect (<20 copies) lipids good, cholesterol very good, liver function good....so I was feeling pretty good about myself.
Then, the dietician comes in to do my "body mass" testing. I am unfamiliar with this term, 'phase angle', but mine has decreased a whole point over the past year. This is what I am finding online:
Phase angle reflects the ratio of body cell mass to fat-free mass.
Phase angle is proportional to the ratio of reactance and resistance. Therefore, phase angle is proportional to the ratio of body cell mass to fat-free mass.
This time last year, my phase angle number was 6.6. Monday, it was 5.6. On the scale I see on the internet, 5.0 is "unhealthy" and 12.0 is "very fit athlete". I think what all this means is that I am 'wasting' again, or losing lean muscle mass. My weight had actually gone UP 10 pounds, but it's all fat, and mostly belly fat.
My BMI (Body Mass Index) is 22.47, with is within the limits of "healthy". Anything over 25 is considered "overweight". She would like for me to consume 95 grams of protein each day. That is a LOT of protein.
So all in all, I guess I am doing o.k. but I need to work on my lean muscle mass. Time to pull out the old barbells....I know I don't exercise enough, and am out of shape. This was just a stark confirmation of that fact.
Plus, as a side "rant", I am really feeling like our level of care is going down down down. Mostly, because our clinic is overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of new patients. Longer wait times between appointments, and when you have an appt. it can easily turn into a 'marathon doctor visit'. My appt. Monday was 'supposed' to be at 10 am; the doctor came into the room at 12:30. Now, that is just nuts....I was so ill by then I was just ready to get out of there, and not really discuss my health issues.
Maybe it is just me, but I am feeling lately that LTSers are being moved to the bottom of the totem pole...let's face it, there aren't that many of us. They can't spend a whole lot of effort and money on new research and meds just for our specific needs. I get that....I just don't like it. Maybe this is strictly a misperception on my part, but it is the way I have felt over the past couple of years. The young people in our clinic with HIV have no desire to "get involved", in the way of activism or leadership. Our Patient Advisory Board is mostly us old folks....I don't know about you guys, but I am just plain old TIRED.
I feel like the 25 years I've put in and "contributed for the cause" are enough.
Maybe I'm just having a bad week; a black cat ran right in front of my car yesterday...at least I didn't run over it. LOL
Thanks for listening to me whine...
HUGS, Alan
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Hey Alan, how much protein are you already having per day? You can probably get it up easy by just having a protein shake, but get one from a bodybuilder type store so you can get 35-40g per shake. I think the ones you find in a supermarket are a lot less so it's worth the extra cost.
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Yes, I definitely need to go to GNC, or that type of store; also need some protein bars, which I cannot find at grocery stores....at least the ones we have here (Wal-fart). ;D
The sheet she gave me says 4oz of canned tuna is 26 grams of protein. 4oz of fish/chicken/turkey/pork/beef is about 24-28 grams....but of course, I can't get it ALL from meat....have you ever ate Quinoi? (pronounced keen-wah) ? 1/2 cup has 5 grams...
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sure glad you didn't hit that cat. What a mess that would have made on your tires. :D
The young people in our clinic with HIV have no desire to "get involved", in the way of activism or leadership. Our Patient Advisory Board is mostly us old folks
same problems here. Though the patient count keeps creeping up, it's the same 6 - 10 volunteers (out of nearly 500 clients) over and over. "I" am the Client Advisory Board at this point. ::)
Hopefully you can get a handle on this protein issue ;)
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You mean Quinoa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa
Yes, it's a great food source -- the Incas lived on it, and is 12-18% protein. It tastes and fills you up like a carb/grain but, in fact, it's a seed and good source of fiber. In fact I have a bag of it in my kitchen as we speak. Google some recipes on line for "quinoa pilaf" especially one that mixes in diced spinach and lemon juice. Mark/aztecan will know some good ways to cook it too because he's been eating it for a few years as part of his gluten-free diet. A quinoa pilaf with spinach plus grilled fish is a really good, healthy meal. You can chop/cook lots of different vegetables into a quinoa pilaf and it ends up just tasting like rice to me, and if you're not huge on veggies it makes them more camouflaged.
As far as the protein shakes and bars, I'd also look on line for good prices where shipping is included, at least once you find a product you find tolerable in terms of taste and are ready to buy in a larger quantity.
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Yes, I definitely need to go to GNC, or that type of store; also need some protein bars, which I cannot find at grocery stores....at least the ones we have here (Wal-fart). ;D
The sheet she gave me says 4oz of canned tuna is 26 grams of protein. 4oz of fish/chicken/turkey/pork/beef is about 24-28 grams....but of course, I can't get it ALL from meat....have you ever ate Quinoi? (pronounced keen-wah) ? 1/2 cup has 5 grams...
http://www.clifbar.com/food/products/
Those clif-bars are the bomb, have you ever try any of em' I buy those by the case, they make a great snack in-between meals, just pass-spring I started eating them, and i went form a very lean 183lbs all the way up to a husky 195lbs, I just love the way i look now than I did 6 or 7 months ago, I think miss p turned me on to those protein bars, or somebody did, I forget
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Thanks Dennis; can you get those in stores, or only online?
You're all moose-cular and stuff....I'm just a skinny old squishy rag doll.... :D
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Thanks Dennis; can you get those in stores, or only online?
You're all moose-cular and stuff....I'm just a skinny old squishy rag doll.... :D
Oh come on now, I'm no Gym Bunnie or Body Builder by any means, just in-shape for my age
I think they call it Height & Weight Proportioned ;D
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You mean Quinoa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa
Yes, it's a great food source -- the Incas lived on it, and is 12-18% protein. It tastes and fills you up like a carb/grain but, in fact, it's a seed and good source of fiber. In fact I have a bag of it in my kitchen as we speak. Google some recipes on line for "quinoa pilaf" especially one that mixes in diced spinach and lemon juice. Mark/aztecan will know some good ways to cook it too because he's been eating it for a few years as part of his gluten-free diet. A quinoa pilaf with spinach plus grilled fish is a really good, healthy meal. You can chop/cook lots of different vegetables into a quinoa pilaf and it ends up just tasting like rice to me, and if you're not huge on veggies it makes them more camouflaged.
As far as the protein shakes and bars, I'd also look on line for good prices where shipping is included, at least once you find a product you find tolerable in terms of taste and are ready to buy in a larger quantity.
Alan hon, sorry you have run into this problem. I guess you and I both know that things pop up when we least expect it.
I am pleased to hear your lipids were good. That, at least, is one strike in your favor.
Yes, I do have quite a few quinoa recipes. I will put some together for you and send them to you. I really like quinoa, it is easy to prepare, cooks quickly, is very nutritious, is low on the glycemic index, so its even good for diabetics, and you can do all kinds of things with it.
Hang in there sweetie. I'm sending positive energy your way.
HUGS,
Mark
(Who can't picture our Alan as being a skinny, squishy rag doll.) ;)
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Alan, I've never heard of "phase angle" either. That sucks! I'm quite flabby myself, and still have effects of Crixivan (and others). That's great that you're going to start exercising, that is always supposed to help. I've heard that "recumbent" stationary bikes are supposed to be excellent. You know I have horrible knees, and my orthopaedist is the one that told me about the particular type of bike. The seat is on the same angle as the pedals, and is supposed to be easier on the joints (I don't know exactly why). I bought one, but it's been sitting the past couple months (I used it for like 4 months).
Good luck with this new journey. I know how you feel about us ltr'ers being pushed to the bottom of the pile. Luckily my doctor listens to everything I have to say to him, but unfortunately doesn't always have an answer.
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I also have not heard the term but I am also putting on kilos which is a shock and it is not muscle, in fact I am concerned as its all on the belly, so its added to the discuss list.
Thanks for the info Alan.
mhtv
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How are you feeling these days?
How are you doing on the quinoa and have you started your exercise regimen?
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I'm doing very well Ron, thanks. I'm exercising 'some' but still, not enough...why do I find this so hard to do? I'm sure I'm not alone. It used to be, when I went to the gym and worked out, I concentrated on arms, chest, shoulders, legs...
Now, I would give anything to have a really strong CORE. My belly is big and uncomfortable, and I feel like it literally drags me down many days. It's not 'freakish', like some I see at my clinic; I'm still in a 34 waist, and I'm 6'2" 178. So I'm not overweight, just mis-proportioned.
Overall, I don't have much room to complain. We have several friends who have been ill and hospitalized recently, one with colon cancer and one with a ruptured appendix (both HIV+). Comparatively speaking, I am doing great, and feel very blessed.
HUGS, Alan
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Time to buy an ab roller. I was having an issue with the mid section and couldn't find a way to get rid of it. With all my exercising, I was toning everywhere but there. I've been using this machine for a month now and am noticing results.
I've never heard of the phase thing either. I used to be a slave to BMI's, weight and calorie counting. but have adjusted my thinking to just being mindful of all of this instead of living it constantly. Tofu and spinach...starting adding it to mostly everything.
Wolfie
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It all seems to be about 'the belly' these days. Everything else is looking good except for 'the belly'...
Good to hear that you are basically in good health. I force myself to stay motivated, it's just a lot easier when you have a workout partner...
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It all seems to be about 'the belly' these days. Everything else is looking good except for 'the belly'...
Good to hear that you are basically in good health. I force myself to stay motivated, it's just a lot easier when you have a workout partner...
Staying motivated is the tricky part. I started volunteering at a local hospital a little over a year ago in part so I could use the machines in cardiac rehab for free. I'm still volunteering there but it's been way to long since I've exercised there. :(