Weigh In: Week 35

I was scared, and I still am scared. Last Saturday I was out to dinner with my girlfriend and I started to not feel well. I started to have some really bad chest pain that went through my chest and to my back between my shoulder blades. At first this wasn't a big deal, but I've had this pain before. I get this same pain when ever I get a case of acid reflux, and I had eaten some spicy food at dinner.

Soon after the chest pain my heart started to flutter. It felt like my heart would race, pause, and then beat like normal. This caused a rush of heat to pass through my body, followed by a rolling tingly feeling, and then I got light headed. Again, I've had these symptoms before. In 2003 I went to a cardiologist for these same symptoms. I wore a holter monitor for 24 hours to monitor my heart. The cardiologist diagnosed me with having PVC. PVC isn't life threatening, but it was a wake up call that my body couldn't take my weight. The cardiologist said they could give me beta blocker to prevent the PVC, but I hate taking medication. So I research online and found that people have been able to control them through diet. Low carbs, sugar, and no caffeine. Changing my diet stopped my PVC.

I've had all of these symptoms before, but never at the same time. Having all of this happen at once started to scare me. Ok... scared might be an understatement. I was freaking out! I tried to stay calm externally so not to freak out my girlfriend, but it took every ounce of self control to maintain my composure.

The symptoms got worse and worse, so I told my girlfriend that I wanted to go to the hospital. While checking in at the ER I was at my worst. I felt very discombobulated. When the nurse asked my for my birthdate and last 4 of my social I had to really think about what the answers were. My hands were shaking and I felt like I was going to collapse.

The ER was very busy, but they got me in for blood work, EKG, and chest x-rays quickly, and then sent my back out to the waiting room. After waiting in the ER for 3.5 hours I figured that I wasn't having a heart attack or dying, because they surely wouldn't have left me out there if they saw something negative on the test. During that 3.5 hours I also started to feel better. A 100% better in fact.

I started to recall what I have eaten that day. Starbucks, buffalo wings, bagel, spicy food, alcohol, fry bread... Carbs, sugar, caffeine, and more carbs. Everything that I shouldn't be having while on my diet, and everything I shouldn't be having while trying to prevent PVC and heartburn. At that point I chalked it all up to my lack of being health that day.

After 4 to 4.5 hours of being in the ER I finally talked to the doctor. He agreed with my self diagnosis, but pointed out something worrisome on my EKG results. He said there was some possible damage to the anterior part of my heart. This is usually caused by an old heart attack, but I've never heart heart attack-like symptoms. He advised me to go to my primary doctor to get an echocardiograph.

On Thursday I saw my doctor and got a new EKG. He said that there indeed is some "minor abnormalities" in the anterior of my heart. He said that it was nothing to be worried about, and I can continue with life as normal. So I get to continue to diet and walk. He also scheduled me for the echocardiograph, but due to work schedule conflicts I wont be able to get the test until November. The doctor was ok with waiting, so I feel comfortable with waiting.

So, now for what you've all been waiting for. I lost a pound this week. I'm now down to 406lbs. I've been scared straight, and I'm 100% focused on my diet. I need to lose this weight. My body can't take it. I have too much that I want to do. Dying in my late 20's or early 30's is not an option.

If you're over weight and looking for inspiration please let my story inspire you. Learn from my mistakes, and do what ever you have to do to make yourself healthy.

See ya next week.