Has anyone else experienced weight gain after starting treatment?
I've gained fifteen pounds in the two months since I began treatment!! Yikes!
Is this inflammation, or toxin die-off, or what?
Even when I don't eat, I'm getting bigger.
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
sorry about your weight gain. maybe a good question for the lyme doc?
my only thought would be is that lyme messes with your thyroid and hormones.
its bad enough we feel crappy and then gain weight on top of that. UGH.
Posted by cinnamel (Member # 21159) on :
Hi Kelly, I don't know about it being just from treatment. I have been gainig about 2 pounds a week for a little while now. :-(
I think it's just because all my systems are so messed up.
My T4 thyroid numbers are high, which should mean I should be LOSING weight, not gaining. If you find a trick to lose this, please let me know. Thanks.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
So sorry you have this problem. Could be any number of things. I personally think toxins can be a huge issue with weight gain. The die off causes inflammation which in turn can cause leptin and insulin resistance in some individuals.
Some of us also have substantial fluid retention with the infections and this can cause large gains over short periods of time.
Candida can cause weight gain and is common with abx use. Thyroid is a good thing to have checked and adrenals as well. Another possible culprit is food allergies (very common in lyme). The whole system is stressed when in treatment.
In the book, "The Lyme Disease Solution", the author (an LLMD) mentions that 80% of lyme patients are overweight or obese. He lays out an anti-inflammatory diet in his book.
Terry
Posted by kellyjk4 (Member # 19731) on :
Thanks for the responses.
I was looking through my notes from my LLMD appt and found a reference to this question.
Apparently I asked him about it and completely forgot.
Anyway, he thinks it's a combination of inflammation, toxin die-off and possible hormone issues.
He said that when a lyme patient starts treatment and their system goes haywire, their cortisol level can go up, causing weight gain.
He wants me to start the Lyme Inflammation Diet as well as having my am cortisol level checked.
I'll let you know what I find out!
Posted by EtherealGirl (Member # 4780) on :
Good topic! I've gained 40 pounds in the six years I've been sick. Never had a problem with weight before. I've been dieting for about two months and have only lost 10 pounds.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Kelly, it's frustrating isn't it! I've gained about 20 lbs in a little over 2mo. I can't figure it out either. It's scary too because I don't want to gain any more. My clothes do not fit and I can't afford to keep buying more bras, etc. I've been watching my diet carefully, eating smaller portions, less fat but it is not helping.
If you figure out what is causing your weight gain and how to stop and reverse it please let me know!
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
I gained a little weight when I started treatment, and it was clearly inflammation. I've since lost more weight and actually ended up under-weight at one point during treatment. So it goes all ways.
If you aren't on a yeast prevention diet, you might want to consider it because as a "side effect" many people lose weight. You cut out sugar and carbs, so it results in weight loss for many people. I wouldn't recommend the diet just to lose weight, but many people benefit from it when on antibioitics, so it might be win-win.
Posted by Peedie (Member # 15355) on :
TerryK When I went to the link you provided, I was under the impression the visual test was free of charge from what I read there. I registered and logged in to take the test figuring it would be the treatment protocol components they were selling - but no - they tell you the test costs start at $15.00. I think that is deceiving. Just to let other people here know... -p
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
I got the same thing. I think it is the garbage systems are full. I had to take a break for a week
and swelling went down. Couldn't get my pants on. Started back and swelled right back. The lymph have
I, too, gained 20 pounds in two months when I first started treatment in Dec. 2008. I have lots of swelling in my feet, fluid retention, etc.
When I went off antibiotics for three weeks in May, besides feeling great for awhile, I lost 10 pounds with little or no effort. Other symptoms came back so I had to go back on antibiotics. The weight came back on too.
I am looking forward to the end of treatment and I think the weight will be easier to lose then, but as for right now, I am really trying to eat better and do a little exercise (swimming) that I can do.
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