I have been in treatment for 2 years for chronic neurological lyme disease, and currently I am on Mepron, Zithromax, and will be adding Amoxicillin in just a few days. I also have recently been diagnosed with Babesia, but wasn't treated for it until now (I started treatment for it about one month ago).
Is there anyone else out there who has put on lots of weight, unexplicably? I also have bloating in my hands, particularly. My eating habits have not changed (if anything, healthier, I think), nor has my activity level (as with most folks, very little activity). I did have a hypothyroid condition appear while I was on Minocycline some time ago, and a lot of weight was thrown on then, but my thyroid is back to normal now.
Perhaps it takes some time to lose weight that is put on due to a hypothyroid?
Does anyone know if Zithromax can cause weight gain?
Lastly, some folks suggest that people drink more water to lose water weight, while others talk about drinking less (and even adding diuretics). Anyone have any thoughts or experiences here?
Thanks everyone. God bless one and all. :-)
Posts: 116 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
Some say that Lyme itself causes weight gain. (or CAN)
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Sorry to read that you have joined the many with lyme who have experienced this unfortunate side effect.
There are quite a few posts in the archives about this very thing. Those who don't have the experience of uncontrolled weight gain while restricting calories don't believe it but many of us have had the very same experience that you are having so we know first hand that it happens. Many lose it eventually, some don't.
If you search the archives you will find some posts that outline some of the issues with weight gain. There are a number of them, all physiological (physical).
Look at the top 1/3 of the page under "Post a Poll" for the search function.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Yes, i've gained almost 90 lbs since i started getting symptoms over four years ago. The first 30 lbs were very quick and unexplainable.
Although i have become less active over the years since more and more symptoms have come on. Before i was diagnosed I got a personal trainer and went on strict eating plans and barely lost ten pounds.
The scale wouldnt budge after that and i was in so much pain from the workouts that I felt like I was going to collapse.
Everyone kept telling me to push through the pain and keep at it, so i tried...finally I couldn't do it anymore. It never got easier only harder.
It's like my metabolism is completely screwed up now and my muscles didnt get stronger with lifting light weights, like they should have.
My legs have edema and now my ankles do. I have never tried diuretics, my labs dont show any problems with my kidneys.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
A natural diuretic that won't deplete potassium: Parsley tea. 1-2 T. dried parsley in 1-2 cups boiling water; let steep 10 minutes. Sip on this tea as needed, for water retention. Do not do this without talking to your doctor if you have kidney issues.
Elevating the legs above the level of the heart for 30 minutes 2-3 times per day was the recommendation I got from a doctor for swelling in the ankles from water retention. It does help, but for me now, my water retention is body-wide, so elevating my legs doesn't work as well now as it used to.
I believe that water retention is also a side-effect of the antibiotics. Mine gets less severe when I am not taking any antibiotics.
Yes, I agree Lyme (and possibly some of the coinfections) can cause weight gain, difficulty losing weight, and water retention. I'd look at hormones - thyroid, adrenal, etc. - and make sure those are ok first because weight loss or getting rid of water retention if the hormones are not in balance can be nearly impossible.
Take care,
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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Doesn't Lyme affect the adrenals,thyroid and hormones? All those functions would need to be addressed along with the Lyme.
I have just been diagnosed after being sick a long time. I gained 100 lbs in 5 years. I just got all of it off using the hcg protocol. My rheumatologist told me about it but you can google it to get more information.
I gained weight so fast. Now it is a chore to maintain, but I cycle on and off hcg to keep my weight where it should be. I was not an overweight person any time of my life before Lyme.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Same here. Never had a weight issue and I ate a lot and not the best foods. Lots of junk food - but no real weight issue.
Now, I hardly eat at all (gut issues) yet since Lyme treatment began 8 months ago I must have gained at least 60 pounds. Honestly, is there any thing else that this damn disease could do to us!!!
Posts: 348 | From MA | Registered: Dec 2010
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
from: The Biotoxin and Neurotoxin Pathway http://www.biotoxin.info/biochemistry Stage 2: Cytokine Effects The activated fat cells start to produce more leptin, which leads to weight gain that is unresponsive to diet or exercise.
Remember that the fat cells are also pumping out cytokines, this overload starts to block or damage the leptin receptors in the hypothalamus.
Elevated cytokines can produce many different symptoms including: headache, muscle ache, unstable temperature, and difficulty concentrating.
High levels of cytokines can also result in increased levels of immune related markers such as TNF, MMP-9, IL-1B, and PAI-1.
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