One big challenge I have had is remembering to eat in the morning. Sr,. Wharton at Wharton medical clinic is big on not going to long without eating especially in the morning. You have to take thyroid medication ( I take Synthroid for under active thyroid) on an empty stomach and not eat for an hour.

I think this is one reason why I have been all over the map.

Mt routine has always been ( pre medication) to get up and while making tea eat some yogurt and then have apple or other fruit with my morning tea. I then work for a couple of hours in the morning ( I do IT consulting very part time).

While laking the thyroid medication I am thrown off and end up drinking tea and forgetting to eat.. not to mention I am STARVING.
A girl friend of mine had a suggestion which Ii am trying and it seems to work okay but not perfect. She takes her thyroid medication as soon as she wakes up- it is on her bedside table so first time she get up to use washroom or get drink of water she reaches for he thyroid meds. I have been doing this for about 2 weeks and works so-so- mainly because I get up at such weird times.

Dr. Wharton was a pharmacist before he was a medical doctor so I will ask him about this and if maybe you can eat or can only wait half an hour.

• higher dose of synthroid seems to be working #

I saw Dr. Wharton last week and had my medication for hypothyroidism increased. I was taking .75mcg of Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium_ and started taking .100 mcg of Levothroid. Not sure why the brand change- its seems they are all them thing , levothyroxine sodium.

I think on my last blood text my TSH levels were better- 3.0 but my T4 count is lower end of normal and I still feel pretty crummy.
I literally cannot move and head feels cloudy. Also gained 6 pounds in about 3 weeks. I spoke to pharmacist and asked why I would feel worse after starting the thyroid medication and the only answer he cold come up with is that my thyroid problem got a bit worse. This is the most reasonable explanation I can find for why I have felt SO much worse then before.
Aside from feeling worse- thick and slow.. I did also noticed I am not cold all the time any more. I used to have to have a HOT bath every night to get warm and I have been fine.

Hard to tell if I feel any better- I had bad flow and it has been very hot here- as well as more stress than usual. Pharmacist said I would feel better for about 6 weeks and blood test should be done at 4 week mark.

No hair falling out, thank goodness and no other side effects that I can perceive from the Synthroid.

• nw post- http://tinyurl.com/5qhq46 #
• revamping blog #
• started taking 15 mg of meridia #

One of the strategies Dr. Wharton has taken is to increase my dosage of Meridia. I have been taken 10 mg a day since last September. My weight loss has totally plateaued and not only that- I gained 6 pounds in the last month ( which I chalk up to my thyroid issues.. but more about that later)
He didn’t seem discouraged about the weight gain. He think adding a protein snack before eating to boost metabolism will help and also re-testing my blood for TSH and T4 levels for my thyroid.
I was nervous about the higher does of meridia as I had HUGE sleeping issues for the first 2 months that I took it in the Fall.

I have also been going through HUGE stress( stressors?) and my eating has been very sloppy. Hopefully going to the clinic every 2 weeks will help.

One of my weight loss goals was to get insurance through my husband company this June- I need to be weigh 250 lbs to be eligible and I really thought I would. I mentioned this to Dr. Wharton and he said not to worry- it will be September instead.

So- started new meal plan- which adds a protein snack before eating a main meal. Needs to be about 75 calories and have protein. He recommended these bars but now I can’t remember their name. Was a small Canadian company that makes them.

I think I will make and post a list of snacks that have protein and are 75 calories later this week. I am aware that there are no recent pics- will take care of that , too.

Very sorry I couldn’t and didn’t write about my appointment with Dr. Wharton at the new clinic last week. I was crazy busy and then had the flu for the last few days.

The Wharton Medical Clinic for Weight Loss

Lots to report.
First- the new clinic. The old location was The Canadian Bariatric Clinic in Burlington at Walker’s Line and #5 in a nice medical building. Dr. Wharton and Dr. Berlingieri have gone their separate ways, presumably because they needed more space. I have only met Dr. Berlingieri at one of Dr. Wharton’s free lecture and I cant see how he will be able to continue without doctor Wharton. I do think the strength of the clinic is because of Dr. Wharton himself. You just cannot match his passion and enthusiasm. At first you are but freaked out and think this can’t possibly be genuine- who can get this excited about weight loss and helping people- but he really is that into it.

So the new clinic- Dr. Wharton is very excited about it. I have some reservation- the clinic is in an AWFUL location. It is just north of Hamilton General Hospital in the east end of hamilton. It is not a nice area. As a woman on my own I felt bit nervous and don;t think I would go there at night. I am being blunt. Maybe I am jaded n my safe middle class neighborhood but if you have been going to the old clinic at JBN medical in Burlington you will be taken aback.

However- he has gone to considerable effort to make the new office welcoming while be elegant. Hardwood floors, warmly painted walls and the comfortable chairs. His staff is terrific. I did not see any of the old staff from the Canadian Bariatric Clinic while I was there.

Despite Dr, Wharton taking off in a plane for short holiday in a couple of hours he was not rushed at all- He was was very excited about the new office and some of the services he will be able to provide.
They had a machine at Canadian Bariatric Clinic that measures your metabolism and cost 90.00. At the new Wharton Medical Clinic it is free for everyone- also a better machine.

Other new things- all patients get free sessions on emotional eating, nutrition and fitness with a specialist. I believe you get a session with each of the 3 specialist and after that there is a charge.
Bi-monthly bariatric checkups. I think this is the most importance difference- accountability. Before you saw Dr. Wharton about every 6-8 weeks and now you will see some one every two weeks to check in- weight, blood pressure and pep talk :-) . Will see Dr, Wharton every 6 weeks.

Would be curious to hear from others who have gone to the new clinic and what they think. I know some of the sessions will be gin groups of 10 so looking forward to meeting people.
Dr, Wharton did also tell me that he would be continuing his free lectures every 2 weeks.

He has also slightly modified his daily menus to give metabolism a boost and that will be something he talks about at your first appointment I am sure.

As always- if you are thinking of going- I am happy to answer questions as honestly as I can.

• te freezies and flue SEEMED like a good idea…. #
• updating my blog- sorrt about flakiness #
• feel better- but only a bit. #

• have bad flu #

I mentioned ins earlier post that about free samples of Powerbar a few weeks ago. I got the sample last week and they were VILE. Take a bite ( or tried to) and it was hard and chewy- like dried out taffy. Taste was beyond awful and spit out. I do not recommend- even free!

So, I did it- I went and weighed myself. Almost had a free pass because batteries low on scale and thought it wouldn’t read my current weight.
I weighed 286.5. So back to pre-Christmas weights. I hate looking at excuses but I really think Synthroid is causing me to be lethargic.
Bit depressed but can hide under blankets or meet it head on. So I made myself protein smoothies and will just get on with things. Will call Dr. Wharton later today.