I feel huge and I cannot lose weight! I definitely
have Lyme and Babesia. I thought everyone lost
weight on Babesia but I am huge! WHY? Any tips to
try to take off some of the weight? I got tested
for parasites and everything came back negative
and I also don't eat gluten. What is going on? Any
ideas would be great! Thanks!
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
weight gain...oh yes. when i got lyme i weighed 125, now i weight over 200, about 207.
i could just cry. i think it's time i did just meat and vegetables and water only.
course i could gain weight on that too.
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
I had gluten free, sugar free, fat free water and gained weight, go figure.
Can't imagine anything else on my diet would cause weight gain...
Sorry Swimmer, someone will answer your question seriously, but I haven't got to the point where I have decided to fight it. I have gained weight. Lyme and friends? Maybe, mine is probably diet and lack of exercise.
hugs.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
All of the above. My rheumatologist suggested rx hcg protocol. I followed it under his guidance and lost over 120 lbs.
Still have to diet every 4 months to get what I gain back, but got it down to just 15 lbs or so for a 3-4 month period. In between, I follow Dr. D'Adamo's Geno Type diet.
Posted by swimmeredurp (Member # 34305) on :
What is rx hcg protocol?
Posted by daisys (Member # 11802) on :
All I know is that when I'm getting better, I lose weight, and when I relapse, I gain weight.
I don't do a thing different. I just figure eventually I'll get to a good healthy weight and stay there--about the time I reach a good level of health.
Try not to be too hard on yourself. I eat really healthy, and have for years, and it hasn't made a bit of difference for losing weight. Actually, I can gain weight anytime I want by eating sugar, so I don't recommend that.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
hmmm what kind of doc would prescribe bcc? Any side effects like diarrhea or something?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- For some, early weight loss is followed later by gain - for seemingly no apparent reason (as many maintain a healthful diet).
This book & site explain why lyme, and Cpn, caused serious weight gain in some patients and how, once the infection(s) were addressed, it just seemed to nearly fall off.
One of the important points, though, is that even thin people can have fatty veins (a sort of "interior obesity"), so this book is for everyone, not just those carrying more weight:
The authors above show HOW that can happen but - other than the obvious "treat the infections" advice which is vital - don't detail the range of support techniques for the adrenals along the way.
While not a LL doctor and not discussing lyme (but does acknowledge infections as stress), THIS author offers great advice that can benefit those with lyme.
While it's a great resource for herbal and nutritional supplements, it's not just about what supplements can help, or about low dose Cortef (hydrocortisone), but also about some self-care, habits, and such that some of us may never think about as being so important:
In addition to adrenal support to help reduce elevated cortisol, inflammation control would be another avenue, too to address weight gain.
One of the best is curcumin. Those with gallbladder issues might need to use the weaker turmeric, itself and not the stronger extract which is curcumin. Magnesium also helps address inflammation.
Mitochondrial support, too. That can help the heart, so that we can better enjoy moving about, even if in a measured pace.
Also one of the huge reasons for weight gain is the tendency to want to run like the wind when we can - or push punishingly hard even when we can't.
I ruined my body trying that and was bed ridden for a year. Could not do a thing. So, aerobics can cause weight gain if they ground you.
Aerobics are not allowed during illness (due to mitochondrial, cardiac, liver, adrenal and brain tissue stress, etc.) but many other great ways to move are and they can help achieve strength, balance.
Light Weight Training can help the muscles. Also good to add to that: Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Pilates, Yoga, Gentle water exercises, Walking. If up to it, slow biking. Avoid over exertion that results in "payback" or set backs.
A habit of dancing when the mood strikes, just move to the radio - but this is not Dancing With the Stars. Just enjoy a bit of movement often during the day, where ever you are, even if in a chair, wiggle that butt to some tunes.
A rebounder (mini trampoline) is excellent for lymph movement -- but, again, this is not a competition and try to resist the urge to bounce sky high. Without feet even leaving the mat, just gently bouncing is good.
For those who are bed bound, massage therapy may be needed to get the lymph tissue and all body tissue moved around. Massage would be great for everyone, really.
Those with vestibular issues (inner, middle ear) face more challenge as even moving the head can be hard. Massage is especially helpful here but when exercising, try to keep the head stable and focus on on a tree or plant, etc.
A GLUTEN FREE diet also helped a lot to reduce inflammation and puffy weight. Many LLMDs want their patients to be gluten free as they see many benefits from that. But that's another whole set of threads, too.
I'd forget thinking about weight and just focus on a healthful life style. With great food, there will be more energy and better endurance.
I have to focus on the nutrients that my cells need. From there, strength happens.
Whether weight is high or low - it's all just the same process of enjoying flavors of healthful foods and enjoying, as best we can, the joy of movement. -
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
I gained 40 pounds when I lived in my moldy house and lost 40 pounds within 4 months of moving out.
I tell people I didn't lose weight I lost mold.
Whatever causes your INFLAMMATION is the cause of your weight gain.
Posted by swimmeredurp (Member # 34305) on :
I know that this may be a question that cannot be
answered but why do people often lose weight when
they have Babesia?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Babesia can also cause gain.
For some with any of the tick borne infections, or other chronic stealth infections (& mold) - early on it's not uncommon for an unexplained weight LOSS of about 30.
However, later, some can experience unexplained substantial gain (even while on a healthful eating plan).
This is not due just to inactivity of illness but also to inflammation, high cortisol from the stress, etc. as in the "Potbelly" book.
Addressing infection and inflammation and support the adrenals is essential.
Many report that as they "loose lyme" they also loose weight. -
Posted by daisys (Member # 11802) on :
I heard that the ones who can't gain weight, and need to, are very weak, and the ones who can't lose weight, and need to, are full of toxins.
I lost a chunk of weight, and kept it off for years when I quit gluten, sugar, high carb foods, and chemicals. I lost even more weight when I detoxed--I sort of remember Cholestryamine really making a "huge" difference.
I think I'm pretty close to my own normal weight, but am still losing. I hopefully won't go past that and look anorexic, like I did the last time I got better and lost weight. That was the time I needed to get off ABX. I'm now am on herbs and doing well, feeling stronger as I go, even with the herxing.
Posted by lymenotlite (Member # 33166) on :
I just listened to an interview podcast on oneradionetwork.com of Nenah Sylver who wrote the "Rife Handbook." I have this book and it is impressively researched and written. She is very meticulous.
Turns out she lost a lot of weight using homeopathic HCG. She didn't go into detail about where to get it or where to do further research. The subject was an aside to the main subject of rife machines.
Posted by Igor's mom (Member # 29191) on :
I was told that folks gain weight sometimes as a way that their body protects itself from toxins by taking on water and fat. I don't know if this is true but when you think about it -it sort of makes sense. If you have toxins in your body your body is trying to keep those things from harming it-diluting it/cushioing it would be a good idea. You might try detoxing with binders for awhile and if you need seek with professional help for that and see if that helps. I had the opposite problem, losing weight and coudln't keep weight on....this disease...oy vay.
Posted by lymenotlite (Member # 33166) on :
I have gain some lbs as well. The main reason for me was doxy. I was always hungry. After stopping doxy I dont get as hungry but my eating habbits changed so now I am trying to eat right again...have lost a few lbs
Posted by discariot (Member # 27067) on :
I experienced a steady and unaccountable weight gain for over a decade. I gained weight no matter what I ate and no matter what my caloric intake was.
My weight would plateau for long periods but I could never get it to go back down again. Exercise, when I was able to do it, had no impact.
I even gained weight when I was on an almost entirely vegetarian diet which consisted primarily of raw and organic food and drinking nothing but filtered water.
Oddly enough, my cholesterol and other blood tests actually got worse when I improved my diet.
Six months ago I began taking Cholestyramine to help eliminate toxins. In the first two months I lost over 40 lbs doing absolutely nothing. Not only that, but I was so frustrated at this point with maintaining a proper diet that I completely ignored it and ate whatever I wanted. Still lost weight.
Additionally, aside from my Vitamin D levels and absorption of B vitamins, my blood results have been steadily improving since I began taking it.
Cholestyramine may not do anything for you, but it is relatively inexpensive and I would encourage you to give it a try. If it doesn't help you, stop taking it.
Good luck!
Posted by fatherguido (Member # 25266) on :
I lost over 40 pounds in 2011 which made my LLMD very happy. My suggestion to throw into the pot is to have your doctor write a script to see a dietician. The visit should be covered under your insurance.
They can customize a plan to what you are trying to achieve. In my case, it originally was to naturally lower cholesterol but off came the pounds. Think of it as more of a lifestyle change than a true "diet"
Posted by ItsMyTurn (Member # 31469) on :
Interesting about cholestyramine. I keep gaining weight and my cholesterol is 235. I will try anything at this point.
![[confused]](graemlins/confused.gif)